8

"I hope you are enjoying your stay here even though a lot is going on in your kingdom" Astrid said. "I am, thank you." I lied. I was hardly enjoying myself especially with her sister having an interest in my husband. "I heard the king is throwing a party. What is the special occasion?" I asked trying to get some information. "Nothing actually. My brother just enjoys his parties and women." "Yeah, if there is one thing a man can't resist is, it's the body of a beautiful woman," Klara spoke for the first time since she came here. I had a feeling she was telling me something. It didn't matter. Lucian wouldn't take another woman, would he? If he had done it before he certainly would now. My stomach churned and I lost my appetite. "Thank you for keeping me company. Have a good night." I said standing up from my seat once they were done eating. As I headed back to my room my thoughts drifted back to Lucian. I was both anxious and curious to what he was doing. I knew I wouldn't be able to fall asleep so I decided to take a walk around the castle when I heard giggling sounds coming from around the corner. Looking around the corner I found a group of maids standing on stools looking through a window. They were so occupied that they didn't even notice me approaching them. Curious to what made them so engrossed I stood on an empty stool beside them and peeked through the small window. The first thing I noticed was the women dancing around each other in circles wearing clothes that cover nothing but their private parts. They were swaying with their h.i.p.s and twisting seductively with their bodies to some music that I couldn't hear. "Oh… they are so beautiful." A maid spoke while never taking her eyes of the dancing women. My eyes traveled to the back of the room were a group of men were sitting watching the dancers. I recognized the King who was sitting in the middle with a glass of wine in his hand. He had a smirk on his face and was speaking to someone sitting next to him. Lucian! Lucian nodded and watched the dancers intently. His gaze was dark and held an emotion I couldn't identify. Now some men were leading a few dancers out of the room. "Wow.. did you see the woman general Richard chose?" A maid gasped. "I wonder which one the King will choose," another one said. "And who is the handsome man sitting next to the King." The King stood up from his seat and led a red haired dancer out of the room which made a few maids gasp. "Oh… he is the prince of Decresh, it is said he is son of the devil" an old maid said sounding disgusted. "The devil must be extremely handsome then." Yeah, Lucian looked extremely handsome sitting there staring at the dancer. I didn't like the way he was looking at them. I didn't like that he was looking at them at all but that wasn't the worst that could happen, because he was now leading a blonde dancer out of the room.

Lucian watched as the blonde woman undressed in a seductive way waiting to get a reaction from him, but when she didn't get anything… "Don't be shy. Maybe… you would like to undress me?" she said as she stalked toward him while eyeing him up and down. "Or maybe I should undress you first" she continued as she tugged at his robe. He grabbed her arm harshly and gave her a hard glare. Why didn't he like the fact that this woman was trying to undress him when he came here willingly. "Oh… so you want to do it with clothes on? I get it. Everyone has their own preference." She smiled trying to lighten his mood. He let go of her arm and as soon as he did she slid her arm around his neck and pulled him down pressing her lips to his. She kissed him hungrily and he kissed her back but he felt nothing. Why? He pushed her body closer trying to feel something but nothing. She didn't taste as sweet as Hazel, didn't smell like her, didn't feel like her. She didn't make his heart beat as fast, or his body burn as hot as Hazel did and his demon was as silent as the dead. He was beginning to get frustrated. Why wasn't his body reacting? He ripped her clothes off and pushed her down on the bed. She gasped but seemed satisfied thinking that she made him go wild when it was the opposite. Maybe seeing her n.a.k.e.d would make him excited but it didn't. He tried to touch her and kiss her once more but nothing. This wasn't working. He was here to feed his demon but his demon wasn't a bit hungry. Getting up he grabbed the sheets and covered her body. She stared at him confused. Then turning around he stalked toward the door as it was useless to try. No one could make him feel as Hazel did. "Where are you going?" she called behind him. Ignoring her he opened the door and walked out. He walked through the halls confused. What did Hazel do to him that made it impossible for him to desire other women? He used to enjoy his women before his marriage. Now he couldn't even go back to his room because Hazel would be there and having her in the same room without touching her would be difficult. "You don't need to follow me." Lincoln who had been following him silently appeared from the shadows. "Allow me, your highness, it's for your own safety." He said. Lucian didn't like to be followed but Lincoln had been doing that since they came here. Apparently, he didn't trust Rasmus, or to be correct Lincoln never trusted anyone easily. "Keep an eye on Hazel instead." Lucian ordered. "Her highness is under Oliver's protection." Of course, Lincoln always had everything in control. Lucian continued walking through the halls with Lincoln walking right behind him. He knew Lincoln cared for his safety too much to leave him alone. He remembered the first time he met him. He was eleven back then and Lincoln fifteen. While the rest of his men feared him at first Lincoln never showed any kind of fear. He never questioned Lucian's abilities and he never reacted when Lucian behaved differently. Sometimes Lucian wondered what Lincoln really thought about him. "Lincoln?" "Yes, Your Highness." "Do you believe me to be the devil's son?" "It doesn't matter to me, Your Highness." "That's not what I asked," Lucian said, "and I want you to be honest." "I am not sure, but I know you are different." No doubt. Lincoln was someone who paid attention to small details. "Your Highness?" Lincoln voice was filled with concern. "I don't like that we can't have our weapons. We can't protect ourselves." Lucian had the urge to laugh. Lincoln was all about safety and protection and he just wanted the man to relax. "Relax Lincoln. They have no reason to harm us" and if they did Lucian would burn them all. When they reached the main entrance Lucian heard the clinking sound of swords. He went out to the cold night breeze and found Astrid and Klara fighting in the middle of the big garden. He watched silently for a while observing their skills. Astrid was the cautious type, she defended herself a lot from Klaras attacks but ones she attacked she never missed.That was both her strength and weakness. Klara, on the other hand, was the type to attack. She swung with her sword continuously aiming at different places, on top of that she was quick, but she wasn't very good at protecting herself. One needed to both attack and defend. Astrid swung her sword at her sister so hard it made her sisters sword slid from her hand. Without giving Klara a chance to recover Astrid swung her sword at her again but Klara was quick and kicked the sword out of her sister's hand. Now none of them had a sword. Klara tried to pick up hers fast but Astrid has already placed a dagger on her sister's throat. "I told you many times, you always need to have an extra weapon." Astrid said. Klara removed the hair out of her face and stared at her sister angrily. "One more time." She breathed. "No, I am tired. I need some sleep." Astrid said while putting her dagger back and picking up her sword. Turning around she noticed him standing there for the first time. "Prince Lucian?" She said surprised "what brings you here?" Klara got to her feet quickly and adjusted her hair before looking his way. "I was just passing by when I saw you fight." "I am better than my sister right?" she said looking at her sister mockingly. "That wasn't my best" Klara shot her an angry glare before looking back to Lucian. "Why don't you fight with me?" She suggested to him. "He is not wearing clothes suitable for a fight, sister." Astrid said as she looked him up and down. "Alright. How about tomorrow? I will think of what ask of you when you lose till then." She smirked. "Don't bother, because I won't."

Sitting in front of the mirror a maid combed my hair. "Your hair is so beautiful" she smiled. Yeah but unfortunately I wasn't a blonde and my husband seemed to like blondes. "Thank you" I smiled back. "My Lady, do you want this dress or this one?" she said holding up two different dresses once she was done with my hair. "None of them. Pick me a really beautiful dress." I ordered. I would make Lucian regret what he did. I would make him sleepless as he made me. I even wanted to make him cry because even though I didn't want to admit to myself I cried a little last night. Oh, how I needed Lydia and Ylva now. The maid picked me a peach colored dress which suited my hair and skin color perfectly. I put some paint on my lips and some perfume then I let my hair down as I looked myself in the mirror. Now you will want a piece of this but you won't get it. Lastly I put my shoes on and strode out of the room. As I walked through the long hall I started to lose my confidence. What if he didn't even want a piece of me? He could always get a piece of som other woman. I would always be the one to lose. This were the times I hated being a woman. When I neared the dining room my heart was pounding so hard in my chest. I knew Lucian was waiting there and I was both angry and nervous, maybe more angry than nervous. I slowly opened the door and walked inside. Lucian was sitting at the table and he stared right at me when I entered the room. I forgot to breath for a moment when his eyes met mine, but I quickly reminded myself how angry and hurt I was. I tried to suppress my angry, it was important to control myself if I wanted to win this war. "Won't you sit down?" he asked gesturing to the seat next to him. Without saying anything I made my way to the table and down while all while avoiding to meet his gaze. "Did you have a good night's sleep?" He asked. Of course not, but I am sure you did. "Yes I did, Your Highness." I said in a flat tone. He looked at me surprised. "Won't you ask me?" "Did you sleep well, Your highness?" I asked using the same tone again. He chuckled. "That's not what I meant. Will you not ask why I never came last night?" "I don't have any right to ask, Your Highness." He frowned and looked at me confused. "Hazel?" he said in a firm but soft voice that sent shivers down my spine. I resisted the urge to look up and meet his gaze. "Look at me." He demanded. No way I would do that. His eyes were my weakness and I wouldn't show him my weakness right now. When I didn't do as he said he grabbed my chin and lift my head up slightly. "Look at me Hazel." He said even softer this time. I couldn't help but look up and gaze into his eyes. "Is something wrong?" he asked. "No, Your Highness." "Don't call me that." He said sounding slightly irritated now. Good. He should be more than that. "Alright." Was all I said. He sighed. "You seem to be in a really bad mood compared to how you dressed." He said as his eyes traveled along my face down to my chest. His gaze felt like a hot iron on my skin. "I am not hungry, excuse me." I said standing up, ready to get away from there only to make him angry but before I could move he grabbed my arm and pulled me against the table trapping me between him and it. "Are you taunting me wife? You dress so beautifully and you smell so good but you are running away." "I am not running, I am just not hungry." I said trying to sound innocent. His eyes got darker. "But I am." He said slowly leaning closer. He placed each hand on each side of my body so that I couldn't get away then he placed his head on the side of my neck. I could feel his hot breath on my skin. "I can't…" he breathed heavily as his lips brushed against my skin. I tilted my head back, wanting him to kiss every inch of my skin. He leaned even closer pressing his body to mine as his lips traveled up to my jawline until they brushed mine. A soft brush that made me curl my toes. "You should stop me." He breathed before crushing his lips on mine. Yes I should stop him. Why am I kissing him? How could he kiss me with those lips that had kissed another woman last night? Just thinking about that made me fuming with anger and I bit his lip. He pulled away with a hiss and brought his fingers up to his lip. He was bleeding. He wiped the blood with his thumb and then licked his lips. I hadn't meant to bite him that hard so I was shocked at first but then I thought he deserved it. Now come on, get angry, but he just stared at me. "I am sorry, Your Highness." I said adding the last part to anger him. He walked closer his eyes never leaving mine then he traced my lips with his thumb. "You had a little blood there." He said. What? I felt like he was toying with me so I decided to tell him straight up to go to hell or go back to that blonde but got interrupted by a knock on the door. Lincoln entered shortly after and when he saw us standing so close to each other "I can come back" he said and turned around quickly. "What is it Lincoln?" Lucian asked still standing like he did trapping me with both his body and gaze. Lincoln turned around slowly but kept looking down. "Princess Klara is waiting for you in the garden." He said. Klara? Why was she waiting for him? "Tell her I am on my way." Lucian said. Lincoln bowed and left. "What does she want?" I asked. "I thought you were uninterested?" He smirked. "Follow me if you want to know." I considered following him for a while but then just decided I should. I could not let him go alone to meet Klara when I knew her intentions. If she could do anything to get a married man I had to do everything to keep my man for myself. Klara stood in the middle of the garden wearing an armor, but still looking as beautiful as ever. Her blonde hair glowed like the sunlight and her eyes were as blue as the summer sky. Yes, she was absolutely beautiful and blonde, just how Lucian liked his women I guess. I could see how the soldiers that were gathered in the garden couldn't stop staring at her. Did Lucian find her that beautiful too? "Good morning princess Hazel and …Lucian I am glad you kept your word." She smiled as we neared. In the back of the garden, I could see Astrid sitting comfortably on a chair. "Don't be too excited," he said in a serious tone and it surprised me that they spoke so casually to each other which bothered me. Lucian had explained on our way that Klara wanted to have a fight with him. Something seemed suspicious to me. I sat next to Astrid while Lucian grabbed a sword ready to fight with Klara. "I don't know why my sister insists to fight with him. It's clear that he is going to win." Astrid said. Yeah, if it is true that he killed hundreds of men on his own then one woman wouldn't be a problem. Klara began to swing her sword at Lucian and he was avoiding every swing swiftly without even raising his. At last he raised his sword and blocked one of her attacks. This time he started attacking her and it looked like she had a hard time defending herself. He had a smirk on his face and told her something I couldn't hear. They fought back and forth and it looked like Lucian was going easy on her. He didn't even seem to try. I bet he could do this blindfolded. Klara, on the other hand, was panting and her hair got a little messy, but she wasn't willing to give up. Lucian swung his sword at her and just as she was to block his attack it looked like she changed her mind half ways and Lucian sword cut her on the upper arm. Blood began to seep from the wound. It felt as if the time stood still for a while because everyone were quiet and chocked before Astrid rose from her seat and ran to her sister.

I stood there and watched while Lucian examined Klara's arm. I was sure she did it on purpose. "I am alright." She said blinking with her long lashes, something I noticed she does often in Lucian's presence. "Are you sure." He asked looking at her wound again. He probably felt guilty but she was the one that wanted to fight and she was doing all this on purpose. She was doing it to get close to him. Why do I always have to fight for him? I was tired of it. Not wanting to see any of it anymore I decided to leave. I was hurt, angry, tired. Should I have stayed with my parents? Did I make a mistake by coming here with Lucian? Tears began to fill my eyes and not wanting anyone to see me cry I walked faster through the halls. When I got around the corner I bumped into someone and stumbled backwards. "I am sorry My Lady, I didn't see you coming." Oliver said startled. "It's alright" I said trying to walk past him as I didn't want him to notice that I was crying. But he did. "Are you alright, My Lady?" He asked concerned. "Yeah I am fine." I tried to smile. "Just tell me and I will kill whoever made you cry." He said. I looked up to see if he was joking but he wasn't which suddenly made me want to laugh. "It's no one you can kill." I said. "Is it the king? His sisters?" I shook my head. He seemed to think about who it could be. I could see he was taking this seriously. "Why don't you just take me outside the castle?" I suggested. His eyes widened. "It's not safe, My Lady." "But you are with me." I said. "I would if we were back home, but there are crazy people in this kingdom. It's not safe outside the castle." He said apologetically. "Please, no one has to know." I said. I really needed to get out and do something to make me forget about everything. He sighed after thinking for a while. "Alright, but we won't go far." He said. I gave him a big smile. "So you won't tell me who made you cry?" "No." I shook my head as we walked not far away from the castle. "Are you married?" I asked him. "Yes, My Lady." "Do you love your wife?" I didn't want to be prying or make him feel uncomfortable but I couldn't help but ask. "Very much, My Lady." "Would you be with another woman beside her?" "No, My Lady." He then went silent for a while before saying "His Highness cares for you a lot. I have never seen him care so much about anyone." I guess he put the pieces together. "We shouldn't go any further. You see I have no weapons to protect you." Just as he finished his sentence four men appeared from behind the trees holding swords in their hands. It was as if they have been waiting there for us. Oliver placed himself in front of me immediately. "Run!" he said. I didn't know who these people were but I could see they were dangerous. I couldn't leave Oliver here but when he yelled "Run!" louder this time I started running. I felt guilty for leaving him especially when I was the one who convinced him to take me out. God, what have I done? Who were these men? Would he be ok? I stopped in my tracks when I remembered he had no weapons. I couldn't just leave him but before I could think of doing anything a hand came around my waist and another one covered my face with a piece of clothes. I tried to struggle against the grip and breath for air but a stinging smell filled my nose and slowly my eyelids became heavy and my body went limb. Opening my eyes slowly I groaned at the pain in my head. "My Lady? Are you awake?" I blinked several times before I could see Oliver tied to a chair. "Don't worry I will take us out of here." He said. His clothes were torn and soaked in blood. "Are you okay?" I said my voice horse. My throat burned and felt sore. I needed something to drink but I was tied to a chair too. I looked around the room, it was empty. "Who were those men?" I asked as fear crept its way into my mind. Oliver opened his mouth to say something but the door to the room opened and five men entered. "I see you are finally awake." One of them said holding a dagger in his hand. "Let's get straight to business. How much are you willing to pay us young man?" he said looking at Oliver. "Let her go and I will pay you an amount you could only dream of." Oliver said. The man laughed. "No no, you bring us the money then we will let the lady go." The man said. "No you let her go, you can keep me and I will bring the money." "Listen young man, don't tell me what to do. Just do what I say or I will scar your wife's beautiful face " he said as he walked behind me and placed the dagger on my cheek. My heart pounded so hard in my chest and I never got so scared in my life before. "Don't touch her!" Oliver said "trust me you touch a hair in her head and you will regret it." He said in a threatening voice. Now all of them laughed. "Ooo I am so scared. Take him and make him bring the money." He ordered the other men. Two men untied Oliver from the chair but his arm and legs were still tied, then they dragged him out of the room. Oliver didn't struggle this time, he probably knew it was pointless. "You are a beauty, by the way." The man said grabbing my face in his hand. "but you know what? I hate rich people." He continued disgusted. "Yeah but come on brother. She is beautiful." The other one said as he eyed my b.r.e.a.s.ts and I regretted immediately that I wore this dress today. I regretted that I went outside of the castle and I regretted not listening to Oliver, but now was too late. I knew what these men wanted to do to me. I could see it in their l.u.s.tful gazes. My head throbbed so hard it was hurting and my heart pounded painfully inside my chest. I felt like throwing up because of fear. "Money is our priority." The man said. "Yeah but we can still have fun and get the money." The man looked at me and licked his lips as his arm slid down to my throat and slowly further down. I was screaming inside but nothing came out of my mouth. Tears filled my eyes as he grabbed my b.r.e.a.s.t and squeezed it. "Shh don't cry." He said and placed his finger on my lips. "I hate tears." Anger took over and I bit his finger then screamed as loud as I could for help but the other man slapped me across the face so hard I could taste blood in my mouth. My sore throat burned even more from the scream and my cheek stung so much I wanted to cry. "Bloody whore!" the one I bit said looking at his finger. As if it wasn't enough with one slap he slapped me again on the same cheek. Then he grabbed my hair and pulled my head backward. I had the urge to spit on his face but I wouldn't be able to handle another slap. My face was already in so much pain. "I will make you regret that you even thought of biting me."