The Seven Kings

Chapter 6: You'll Never Leave

Zara's POV

It wasn't anything bright, nothing too big or flashy, not even worth a second glance yet there it was like a smack to the face.

The gold band.

I watched her try to keep to herself the whole night, she'd refuse dances with many handsome bachelors and even avoided gazing at any men.

Whoever she's engaged to, she's very loyal to him.

Cronus called for Silas and I watched the guard walk over and bow as he leaned in to listen to Cronus's request-demand.

Silas gave a single nod and disappeared.

I knew what he was doing, it was wrong of me to even allow it to happen, but Valen needs this.

Looking to Valen, I noticed his eyes on the ground, glaring and looking too bored to notice a single soul in this room.

Nikkolas kept his eyes on the girls who danced together, but every once in a while, his eyes would move to the same place Aldric, Cronus, Zadok and even Klaudio would gaze, the girl with the stunning red dress and poise posture that shouted 'Royalty'.

Kings never settled for the flaunting type of woman, they looked, but they never touched or settled. After all, Kings desire Queens.

The guard came back a bit later and told Cronus itd been done, to which Klaudio grinned and stood. He headed out the ballroom, his dark and sinister cloud glooming over.

Eventually the beauty left, and with her, the party slowly died out.

I retired to my room and noted that Cronus would be with Phoebe tonight.

Sitting on the bed, I looked to the window, feeling the horror of what was to come tomorrow.

That poor girl, she's going to feel so distraught. 

Nathaniel's POV

I eyed the home, carefully watching it with a turn in my stomach.

Going to the door, I knocked and waited.

Moira opened the door and gave me a confused look, "Need something Nathan?" She asked looking around for someone.

I shook my head, "Uh, Jane?" I asked while she scoffed, "She's at the castle, at the wedding. Has she not told you? They invited her personally." She said proudly.

Personally?

Cronus.

I should've known once he danced with her he would want her.

If it's the Kings desire I suppose I should allow it. After all, you should never question the Kings.

Thanking Moira, I headed back to the woods and went through the long way home, feeling torn between leaving Jane and being with Heather instead.

Heather was just as great of a kisser, and she didn't question the royal family line.

Maybe I should just be with her, she's not as curious.

I headed through the shallow river and to the other side, down to the farms. The sound of heavy galloping came, then the sound of horses before I saw the royal horses and stopped in my tracks.

The guardsmen stared down at me, "Are you Nathaniel Boyce Watson?" The guard asked while I gave a subtle nod.

A bag was placed over my head before everything went dark and I was out cold. 

"Nathaniel?" A smack came to my face and I stared over at the guard carefully.

What the hell?

I stared at the ropes and my arms tied, "This is not necessary." I assured them while they gave me a careful stare.

The sound of heavy footsteps came and I listened to his voice, "You have the unfortunate luck of being engaged to a woman I need." King Klaudio spoke up with a heavy and dark laugh.

I'd heard of his ruthlessness, his hunger and thirst for bloodshed and torture, the bruises on his wives body and the treatment to his maids.

I held my composure and kept my eyes low, "She's yours, if you want, She is yours, my King." I responded earning another soft and low laugh.

He stood in front of me and knelt down, his eyes matching mine, but his a rage filled copper tone.

I watched him tilt his head, "You'll disappear, you'll never be seen again by another. She will be hurt, but she will believe you ran off with another woman, torn and distraught." He said with a scratchy tone.

Giving a nod, I watched him, "I promise, I'll leave and never talk to her again, you'll never see me, I'll live far in the outskirts." I said feeling grateful for having not killed me.

Klaudio broke into a wide grin, "You will never leave, maybe this world, but your body, it'll be burnt to ashes that'll remain in the pit for a few months before it's dumped into the soil. There you'll turn to the dirt, the manure, you'll eventually grow to grass, and trees, and become one with the earth, but you will never leave, Nathaniel." He said coldly.

Oh s**t.

And he was right, it took four hours of torturing, four hours of cutting, of bleeding of passing in and out, of screaming and pleading for a second chance before it was over.

Just like he said, I'd become one with the earth, one day I'll grow to a tree, but now, I'll be death, ashes.