To Wed A King

The Scroll

Lucan's lips parted as the water pelted down on him. His crown was on the floor, and his robes were drenched with the water. His eyes were filled, and his chest clenched with the pain he thought he knew how to live with. He watched the large portrait on the wall, and his heart threatened to burst inside of him.

His fingers went to his hair, his body trembling fast as the voice filled his mind again, playing around with his emotions and the pain. It was like being poked with a sword continuously and knowing you had to bear that pain to live. Bear that pain to continue on his path.

His teeth clenched as the voices in his head grew even louder and louder, till he could not bear it anymore. Till he could not keep the scream inside.

He let out a scream, one that filled even him with terror, and the walls around echoed it, the way the voices echoed inside his mind.

He fell back, his hair falling in front of his eyes, his chest heaving. Slowly, he leaned forward, burying his face on the floor, his body too weak to even move.

Adeline sat in front of the mirror as they did her dress again, fixing her hair and getting rid of the lewd makeup she had gone downstairs with.

She had believed she would rile him up, but... she closed her eyes, and his face flashed in front of her. He had been filled with terror, not anger. Like he was reliving a war. Like he was reliving a m******e. He had looked very ready to break apart at the seams.

She shook her head, just as a knock came on the door. She turned to it, and one of the servants walked to check.

The rest of the servants fixed the corset around her, then brought a dress to fix around her. It had laces behind, and two of them worked to tie the laces for her.

"My lady. A servant has been sent to you."

Her brows furrowed. "Send her in."

"It is a man."

Her brows shot up, and her lips parted as the servant went to slowly open the door. Evander slowly walked in, then bowed to her. He was holding a sealed scroll in his hand, and his eyes lowered.

He looked like a ghost of himself. He had emaciated so much, and his hair had lost the shiny texture that she had loved so much.

"I have been sent to give this to you. Please, do read it in private."

Adeline immediately collected it, and she watched as he bowed again. He turned away, but she could not stop herself and covered the distance to him, holding his hand.

"Evander," she said, her voice shaky.

"My lady, you are to be queen. You are not allowed to touch another man."

"But Evander..."

"You should listen to him, Adeline."

Adeline gasped and looked up to Lucan. He was blocking the door, his eyes even more soulless than they usually were. She gasped and took a step back, her eyes wide, her chest heaving.

"Lucan."

He raised a brow. "I should have brought wine and some sweets. I really liked your performance. I should congratulate you."

Slowly, he walked in, and the servants took the opportunity to run out, the last one closing the door behind her.

Evander moved away, then immediately went on his knees. "Your Majesty, I have only been sent to bring a letter..."

"By who?" Lucan asked, his eyes falling to Evander. His hair was sticking to his face and neck, and he looked utterly dangerous. Utterly unpredictable.

"Your Majesty, it was..."

"Give me the letter," he said slowly, then raised his eyes to Adekine.

She swallowed. "The letter is addressed to me and..."

"Give me the letter!" He yelled, causing them both to jump.

Adeline did not move still, and Evander slowly collected the letter from her. He walked towards Lucan, then gave it to him, his eyes low.

"You will kill me either way," he said, slowly meeting Lucan's eyes.

"Not yet," Lucan replied, then slowly opened the scroll.

His eyes thinned as his eyes scanned the contents, his hand holding the scroll away from him. Slowly, he looked up to Adeline.

"Is this why you did that to me earlier?" His voice was low, and Adeline could not tell if that was anger or hurt.

"I did what I did on my own accord. You owe me nothing."

Lucan swallowed, then slowly stood up. Adeline moved back, expecting him to do something. He did not say a word before he slowly walked away, leaving the scroll on the floor and Evander on his knees.

Evander looked after Lucan, and a small smile lifted his lips.

"Evander," Adeline said, her eyes wide. "Why did you..."

"He can not read," Evander said simply, then stood up, turning to Adeline.

She swallowed. "He can not?"

Evander shook his head, then slowly covered the distance between them. Without a word, he cupped her face, then took her lips in his slowly, his fingers soft against her skin.

She sighed, holding him close, her need raising the initial pace of the kiss. She slowly broke the kiss to breathe, her chest heaving.

"I have missed you. So much."

Evander nodded. "Me too. I was angry, but after what you did today..." He caressed her face lightly. "I know who your loyalty stands with."

She nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes. Yes, I..."

"Adeline, there are some men. They are part of the council and... they hate the king as much as we do. This letter was from them. Please do come tomorrow. No matter what."

Adeline swallowed. "What if he finds out?"

"He will not. They have the resources. They know his weakness. Do you want to get married to him? "

She shook her head, and he kissed her again, taking her breath away. She was out of breath when he finally broke the kiss, and she sighed, her forehead resting on his.

"I will come. I will come, Evander. Kiss me again."

He took her lips obediently, his hands lacing in her hair. "I missed your hair," he said into the kiss, his chest heaving. "Come tomorrow, Adeline."

She nodded, and he broke the kiss finally, then kissed her forehead. She watched him as he walked away, leaving her alone in the room, the scroll on the floor.