Brought Before The King

Sarah’s POV

Stepping into the swirling light brought a weightless feeling simalar to going down a drop on a roller coaster. My stomach suddenly felt like it was in my throat and I clung to my abductor’s arm. The disorientating experiences only lasted a few moment before I found myself on all fours, squeezing my eyes shut as I try to get over the vertigo.

When I was finally able to open my eyes, I found that the man and I were now in a large marble room surrounded by odd looking beings and a handsome man was sitting on a thrown, staring angrily at me.

Whispers from the on lookers can be heard around the room. Their faces are hostel as they glanced between me and the man on the thrown.

“Who are you?” He yells across the room. The whispers stop and the room seams to freeze, waiting for my response.

Struggling to my feet, I notice that the hooded man is standing slightly behind me, offering no help or explanation.

‘Thanks a lot, asshole.’ I think.

“My name is Sarah. I’m.... lost. I woke up in this strange place. I think you have the wrong person. I’ve never seen any of you before so I know I don’t owe you a debt. I just want to go home.” Shaking in my wet night gown, I wrap my arms around myself trying to cover my chest. The wet fabric is slightly translucent and my bre*sts are on display.

King Thassus POV

The young girl shivering in front of me is neither Alicious or Davour, the two traitors who owe me greatly. The magic of the stone would have only sought out the blood of the two who the spell was cast for. Yet, this wet and muddy creature was standing with the debtors stone hanging from her neck.

Storming across the hall, I stop infront of the wide eyed girl and bring my nose to her neck. Taking in her scent, I smell the unmistakable mark of a nobel Sprite mixed with an unknown creature.

Realizing what happened, my grip on her becomes harsh and I growl deep in my throat. The frightened girl begins to struggle, trying to pull her arms free. I hear the basilisks around her neck hiss in response to her resistance. She visibly shutters while the snake tightens its grip on her. Grabbing her face harshly, I hold her still.

“Your father, the bastard, owes me more than what your useless life is worth. That damn coward sent me you in his place.” Pushing her dark brown hair behind her ear, I take a good look at her. She is pretty with a small heart shaped face, full red lips and grey green eyes. Her features are delicate and attractive.

I watch her lips tremble and feel conflicted. The stone was to bring me justice and instead I have this girl who had nothing to do with the crime. With her appearance, Alicious and Davour have slipped through my grasp forever. Escaping their punishment and my vengeance.

Picking up the stone hanging from her chain, I bring it to the matching yellow stone of my ring. Both the stones become purple and the spell is completed. She’s now bound to me and only I will be able to remove the chain from her neck.

“You were given to me, so now you are mine.” Turning I leave the hall. The debtors stone forces the girl to follow. I feel the eyes of the nobels watching us as we leave. My assistant will pay the bounty hunter who brought her here, so I say nothing to him on my way out.

Passing servants, I order a bath to be drawn and the girl bathed.

“Please, I don’t understand what’s going on. I’ve done nothing wrong. You and I have no grievances. I just want to go home.” The girl seams to be resisting the charm of the stone. Her movements are jerky and slow. Turning and pressing her against a wall, I lean into her space.

“Stop resisting or the stone will hurt you. You accepted the stone, therefore you accepted the debt. Do as your told or things will be hard for you.”

“H-How much does my father owe? I can work. I went to school and just got a job. The pay is pretty good. I can pay the debt in payments over time.”She tells me. I almost feel bad until I remember that she is the daughter of the man I hate.

“You’re father owes more than you will ever be able to pay back.” I tell her while stroking the snake around her neck. It slithers in response causing a squeak to escape her lips.

“What do you want from me?” She fearfully asks.

“I planed so many punishments for the person who came back wearing the debtors stone. Pain and humiliation, that is what I want. It’s the only way I will ease the burning rage within my soul. But now, with you here, what am I to do? Such a young sweet thing. Innocent. Afraid.” Trailing my fingers down her ribs I cruelly laugh when she pushes my hand away.

“Kneel,” I command and the stone forces her to comply.

“You are utterly mine now. Anything I want, you will do. Open your mouth.” The girls jaw drops and her eyes grow wide. There are still people walking through the hall, their eyes glance at us as they pass.

I move my hands to the clasp of my pants and begin to open it. The girl struggles against the stone’s power. The basilisk hisses.

I have never been a cruel man but I wish to take out my frustration on this poor girl. She will be the closest that I will ever get to my enemies. My enemy’s daughter. Blood of his blood.

Sarah’s POV

My body feels like it is not my own. I have no control as I kneel in front of this cruel man. His gold eyes have no mercy as they look down at me. His black hair is pulled back into a half ponytail, showing his pointy ears.

I watch in horror as he reaches for his pants. Women and men rush around us stealing glances at what’s happening but no one attempts to intervene. I try to beg him with my eyes. I can’t stand this. It’s too cruel.

Time seams to slow and I hear my blood rushing in my ears. This can’t be happening to me. It has to be a nightmare.

“I will give you a choice. Pain or humiliation. Answer.”

“Pain.” I shout.

I watch his mouth turn down and his brows pull together.

“As you wish.” He fists my hair pulling me to my feet. He keeps his hand in my hair while dragging me further through the stone hallways of what appears to be a mid-evil castle.

Reaching a large opulent room he tosses me, clothes and all, into a steaming bath. The water is uncomfortably hot and I struggle to get out.

“Stay.” He commands.

My body freezes in place and the water turns my skin red from the heat.

“Please don’t do this. I’m innocent.” I am able to get out my plea just before he grabs my head and pushes it under water. The snake around my neck releases and swims to the side of the tub.

I’ve never been good at holding my breath and it takes no time at all for bubbles to escape from my mouth. The water is scented with oils. When my eyes open, they burn from the fragrance. Just as I’m about to breath the water in, he drags me out by my hair and I’m able to take a large breath into my burning lungs. Fearing he will plung me under again, I grip his shoulders, tangling my fingers into his cape.

Crying I beg him again. “I’m sorry for what ever my father did. Please don’t hurt me. Please let me go.”

“Pain or humiliation?” He asks again.

I shake my head, not wanting to answer. He grabs me by my upper arms and attempts to push me under.

“No, no, no.” I hug myself to him. Refusing to let go and end up dragging him into the water with me.

He is still trying to push me into the water, this time I wrap my legs and arms around him, tightly.

“Release me.” He commands and my limbs relax on their own. Expecting to be drowned again, I sob.

“Pain or humiliation? Answer.” My mind is a mess of thoughts. Each option seams to be equally bad but my mouth moves on its own.

“Humiliation.” I cant believe what I just said. I want to change my answer but my mouth won’t move now.

“Remove your gown.” He commands. My fingers go to the tie at my neck. I try with all my might to stop moving. My trembling hands slow to a crawl but as I resist, the stone starts to get hotter. The chain around my neck starts to turn red and burn my flesh.

“Awwwww!” I cry out in pain. Never before had I felt something as painful as this. Steam from the evaporating water, drifts up from the burning necklace, showing just how hot it’s getting.

“I told you not to resist or the stone will hurt you.” Grabbing the front of my gown, he rips it down the middle, pulling it from my shoulders while I try to protect my modesty with my arms.

The stone cools to its original temperature when the gown leaves my body. Turning so my back is facing the angry man, I curl into myseft and allow my hair to hide my face. Both my arms are wrapped around my chest.

Suddenly, I hear a wet smacking sound as a sopping wet peice of clothing hits the ground. More clothing is tossed out of the tub as he gets undressed.

“No, please don’t do this.” I tremble and plead without any pride left.

Warm hands covered in floral soap begin to caress my back and my weeping gets louder. Gentle fingers slide along my shoulders and arms. He turns and poors more soap into his palm then messages it into my hair pressing his fingertips into my scalp.

Turning me in the water, he runs his hands along my face, cleansing away the dirt. Then with great care, he rinses the soap from my body with a large jeweled cup.

I keep my eyes tightly closed, not wanting to see his n*dity, so I feel everything with more sensitivity. When his fingers dip into the elastic of my underwear, the last remaining item clothing, I jerk away. The snake never returned so I don’t get a hissing in my ears.

“Don’t move.”He commands me, his tone more general this time.

Again he pulls my underwear and by instinct, I try to pull away only to find I can’t move. The pain along my skin where the necklace sits has taken away my strength. I’m unable to resist the command of this man. I feel traumatized and hopeless.

Soon, the last item I have is removed and hands continue cleaning me. I cling to myself, trying not to feel anything and thinking of anything else.

Finally, warm hands grip my wrists and attempts to unwrap my arms. Desperately, I use every bit of strength in me to stop him. The monster of a man doesn’t even seem to notices my fight and pulls my arms apart easily.

A deep anger overcomes me in that moment and I yank my right arm from his grasp. Swinging my hand back, I slap him accross the face with enough force to hurt my palm.

I’m too late to realize my mistake. If the burning necklace was bad, what comes next is far worse. What feels like an electric current courses through my body. Muscles and joints lock in place. Unable to scream, I suffer in silent agony, punishment for striking the man who owns the stone I wear.

Sight and sound fade away, drowned out by the excruciating feeling racing through my body. Why is this happening to me? What great sin did I do to deserve all of this?

After what feels like an eternaty, the pain eases leaving behind my frayed and overly sensitive nervous system. Unable to support my own weight, my legs crumble under me, leaving the man to support my body so I don’t slip under the water.

My head roles about my shoulders and I’m unable to gather enough strength to open my eyes. Pathetic whimpers leave my mouth.

“Brazen woman. All this pain you brought on your self. Was it worth it?” The man mocks me.

Unable to answer, I hang limply in his arms, trying to catch my breath.

King Thassus POV

The girl is unresponsive in my arms. Red blotchy patches of skin, decorate her body. A sign of the punishment she went through.

Her head is hangling against her chest and the back of her neck is visible. Under the rope of the debtors chain, blisters are forming along with an angry burn.

Without a doubt, the girl is suffering but it brings me no joy in her torment. This was meant for the traitorous couple. Even I know this girl does not deserve to suffer on their behalf.

Lifting her from the tub, I gently wrap her in a towel and lie her on the bed.

Dante (Assassin) POV

The king walked away with my trembling bounty, while arrogantly ignoring my presence. The girl still had my trained basilisk around her neck. A rare and priceless creature. Of course I would need to get it back. It was worth more than the amount I’m receiving for this job.

After the king’s assistant hands me pouch of gold coils, I open a portal and appear outside the castle walls. In no time, I sneak back in hiding my presence and becoming invisible, I head in the direction where I sense my pet snake. Outside a large wooden bedroom door, I listen to the voices inside. I can tell one belongs to the panicked girl.

Her situation is quite pitiable. From what I gathered from the confirmation in the great hall, the girl was innocent of the crime and had been tricked into taking the punishment. It explains her reaction when I had come accross her at the lake. She really didn’t understand what had happened or where she was.

To get into the room I climb through a window in the hallway and make my way to an open bedroom window. As I peek inside the room, the girl lets out a blood curtailing scream. Still invisible, I hop through the window landing soundlessly and make my way up to the wooden rafters. From the shadows, I stare down at the seen below.

The girl stands in a steaming tub of water, the debtors chain is glowing red burning into her skin.

“ I told you not to resist or the stone will hurt you!” The king yells and rips the shift from the suffering girls body.

From what I know of the king, he had always been a fare ruler. Ruling with a firm but righteous hand. This behavior is disturbing and out of character.

The girl curls away covering herself, sobbing pitifully and begs the king to stop. Sensing my basilisk under a peice of furniture, I decide to head towards it and leave before I witness anymore of the king’s assult on this girl.

Sneaking my way around the room, I try to avoid looking while I hear the sounds of crying. The king is running his hands over the girl’s body which make her cry louder.

I am just about to grab my basilisk, when there is a loud smack. Turning I watch as the girl’s body locks and bows and a red hand print forms on the king’s face.

‘Don’t get involved.’ I tell myself, but I’m unable to look away. The pain in her eyes was apparent and when her body slumps, small whimpers leave her mouth like a wounded animal. She doesn’t move or open her eyes while limply hanging in the king’s arms.

“Brazen woman. All this pain you brought on yourself. Was it worth it?” I hear the king snear at her.

Anger filled me hearing how he spoke to her after the torcher. My basilisk crawls out from its hiding place, and I scoop it up. I should leave but I’m unable to.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***