The price of comfort

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: A Dire Choice

Della awoke with a start, her heart pounding. She felt a soft kiss on her forehead, and as her eyes fluttered open, she saw King Nikolai standing over her. His presence was both commanding and unsettling.

"Good morning, Della," he said softly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Get dressed. We have a visit to the women's camp today."

She nodded, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep and the fear that clung to her. She dressed quickly in a pair of jeans and a pale pink top that clung to her curves, accentuating her figure. Her dark brown hair, still damp from the shower the night before, was hastily thrown into a bun. She tried to compose herself, but the anxiety gnawed at her insides.

King Nikolai watched her with an appraising eye as she finished getting ready. "You look lovely," he remarked, his gaze lingering on her. "Let's go."

The ride to the women's camp was silent, tension hanging thick in the air. Della's mind raced with thoughts of Evie and the uncertainty of their situation. The vehicle finally came to a stop, and they stepped out into the oppressive atmosphere of the camp.

As they walked through the camp, Della's eyes scanned the faces of the women around her. She was searching for Evie, hoping against hope that her friend was safe. Suddenly, she saw her. Evie, filthy and emaciated, came running towards her, her eyes wide with fear and relief.

"Della!" Evie cried out, her voice cracking.

Before Della could react, guards grabbed Evie, their grips rough and unyielding. Della's heart sank at the sight of her friend in such a state. Evie looked like she had lost a significant amount of weight, and her face was a mask of desperation.

"That's my friend, Evie," Della said urgently to the King. "Please, let her go."

King Nikolai glanced at Evie, then nodded to the guards. "Set her down," he commanded.

The guards released Evie, and she stumbled forward, falling into Della's arms. Della held her tightly, feeling the frailty of her friend's body.

"Thank you," Della whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She looked up at the King, her eyes pleading. "Your Majesty, this is Evie. We are roommates back home in Vasara."

The King studied Evie for a moment. "What is your full name and where are you from?" he asked.

"Evie Mercer, from Vasara," she replied, her voice trembling. "Della and I have been roommates since college."

King Nikolai nodded thoughtfully. "The guards will take you to get cleaned up," he said to Evie. "You will be released within the next two to three days."

Della's heart soared with relief, but the joy was tempered by a gnawing fear. "And me, Your Majesty? When will I be released?"

The King did not answer. Instead, he motioned for the guards to take Evie away, and then took Della by the hand, leading her towards another building. As they approached, Della could hear the faint sound of screams from within. Her heart raced, and a cold sweat broke out on her brow.

The building was dark and foreboding, the air thick with a sense of dread. King Nikolai tightened his grip on Della's hand as they entered, his expression unreadable. The screams grew louder, and Della's stomach churned with fear.

Inside, the scene was horrific. Naked women, their faces etched with terror, were being brutally used by the guards. The air was filled with cries of pain and desperation. Della's eyes widened in horror, her body trembling with shock.

King Nikolai leaned in close, his voice a menacing whisper. "If you choose not to be with me, I won't stop the guards from doing this to you."

Della's breath caught in her throat. She was terrified, her mind racing with the implications of his words. She glanced around the room, the sight of the women's suffering seared into her memory.

"And remember," the King continued, his tone cold, "I still have the power to make Evie a permanent member of this room. One word from me, and she will suffer the same fate."

"No, please," Della begged, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't do that to her. I'll... I'll do whatever you want, just don't hurt her."

The King straightened, a satisfied smile on his face. "Good. Then you will do as I say."

Della's heart sank, but she knew she had no other choice. The terror of the moment, the helplessness she felt, was overwhelming. She would have to comply, to protect herself and Evie from the horrors she had just witnessed.

As they left the building, Della's mind was a whirlwind of fear and confusion. She clung to the hope that somehow, they would find a way out of this nightmare. For now, she had to survive, one day at a time, navigating the dangerous path that lay ahead.

The ride back to her apartment was silent, the weight of what she had seen and heard pressing down on her. When they arrived, the King turned to her, his expression softer but still commanding.

"Rest now," he said. "We will talk more later."

Della nodded numbly and made her way back to the plush confines of her apartment. The stark contrast between the luxury of her surroundings and the horror she had witnessed was almost too much to bear. She collapsed onto the couch, her body shaking with silent sobs.

As she sat there, trying to process everything, her thoughts drifted to Evie. She prayed that her friend would be safe, that the King's promise of release in a few days was genuine. The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she had to hold on to hope.

She got up and wandered through the apartment, trying to find something to distract her from the fear that clung to her. In the small kitchen, she made herself a cup of tea, the familiar ritual offering a small measure of comfort. She sipped it slowly, the warmth soothing her frayed nerves.

Della moved to the bedroom, where the king-sized bed with its silk sheets and soft comforter seemed almost inviting. She lay down, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of escape and survival. The King's attention, the luxuries, the promise of a better stay—it all felt like a trap. But what choice did she have? She had to play along, to find a way to protect herself and Evie.

The hours passed slowly, the weight of the King's words and the horrors she had witnessed pressing heavily on her mind. She couldn't shake the image of the women in the dark room, their cries echoing in her ears. She wondered how many had faced the same fate, how many had been forced into compliance to avoid such brutality.

As the day turned to evening, a knock on the door startled her. She opened it to find a guard standing there, his expression impassive.

"His Majesty wishes to dine with you," he said simply.

Della nodded, her heart sinking further. She followed the guard to the dining room, where King Nikolai awaited her. The table was set with an array of dishes, the rich scents of the food filling the air.

"Sit, please," the King said, his tone surprisingly gentle.

Della sat down, her hands trembling slightly as she picked up her fork. The food looked delicious, but she had no appetite. She forced herself to take a bite, the flavors almost overwhelming in her current state.

"How are you feeling?" the King asked, his gaze fixed on her.

Della swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. "I'm... I'm scared, Your Majesty," she admitted. "I don't understand why I'm here, what you want from me."

King Nikolai nodded slowly. "I understand your fear, Della. But you must trust that I have your best interests at heart."

She looked at him, struggling to believe his words. "And Evie? Will she really be released?"

He smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Yes, she will be released. You have my word."

Della nodded, her heart aching with the weight of her fear and uncertainty. She ate in silence, her mind racing with thoughts of escape and survival. The King's presence was both comforting and terrifying, a constant reminder of the delicate balance she had to maintain.

After dinner, the King walked her back to her apartment. "Rest well, Della," he said softly. "We have much to discuss tomorrow."

She nodded, watching as he left. The door closed behind him, and she was alone once more. The silence of the apartment was almost deafening, the fear and uncertainty pressing down on her like a weight.

Della sank onto the bed, tears streaming down her face. She felt trapped, powerless, but she had to hold on to hope. For Evie, for herself, she had to survive.

As she lay there, staring at the ceiling, she whispered a silent prayer for strength and courage. She had to find a way out of this nightmare, to protect herself and those she cared about. The path ahead was uncertain, but she would face it with determination and resilience.

In the darkness, Della clung to the hope that her friends were out there, fighting for her and Evie's freedom. She had to believe that somehow, they would find a way back to each other. For now, she would survive, one day at a time, navigating the strange new world of being the King's favored prisoner.