I took a big breath before opening the huge iron doors in front of me. Everyone wanted answers and I have none. What was I supposed to tell those restless subjects? Luka held my hand and I felt protected. I looked up to him and smiled.
"Anna, whatever happens I will be by your side. I will protect you." He tells me. I can see Marcus watching us from a distance, jealousy fuming out of him.
"You promise?" I ask in desperation.
"No, I swear. On my life." He answers and that finally gives me the courage to open the doors. Once the people of Mayvna saw me their hearts were relieved for a few seconds.
"People of Mayvna, I am sad to be the bearer of bad news. Your king and crown prince have been murdered." I announced.
For a second there was silence, and then followed by restless murmurs, I'm pretty sure everyone had questions, and the last thing I had was answers.
" But worry not, all of you are in safe hands I shall no longer leave Mayvna, but instead I shall remain here to protect all of you. In regards to your new ruler, you yourselves will decide who gets to be your queen, but as of now the throne will be held by a council. In two weeks time you shall decide who will succeed your throne, and I shall respect all your decisions." I say in such confidence, I had to admit I had outdone myself.
Glad to say, the people bought it and they all looked more satisfied than scared. Funny how they all trusted me so blindly. Convinced that my people were feeling better, I came off the podium and walked into my castle where I was followed closely by Marcus and Luka. At this point, I was utterly confused about them but something else was on my mind, who was the murderer? And how would I tell my people that he or she is not in custody yet? And why would my dad warn me of the people close to me I was running countless possibilities inside my head, that I didn't notice I was headed to the edge of the humongous pool we had. Just before I could take an unforseen swim, I felt a hand grab me by the waist and pull me closer to him. When I looked up I was met by Marcus' eyes, staring at me with our bodies merely inches apart. Before I could react, Luka literally tore me away from him then gave him a stern look.
"Keep your hands away from my wife" he growled in rage.
I was a bit shocked because all this while he was the sweetest little thing, and his other side really got me off guard.
"Pardon me your Majesty, but if I may be so bold, it is my solemn duty to protect the princess from all harm and if it involves touching her then so be it, I take it her majesty has no complaint." Marcus replies boldly.
"I don't " I reply after they both have me a look.
"I appreciate that soldier, but again, I am here for her safety, so don't bother yourself." He replies clearly irritated, but trying to be nice.
"Anna, I shall go discuss the matter with my council, I hope you have not changed your mind about the wedding?" He asks.
"Not at all your Majesty, that is if you still want to." I responded, and his eyes lit up.
"I haven't had a single doubt. In three days. Is that okay?" He asked almost pleading.
"Three days, ummmm..." I hesitated.
"Please, I beseech you. Don't refuse me" he said almost going down on his knees, his head low, his eyes desperate.
Everyone around us was astonished, and the shock was visible in their eyes.
"I've never seen his highness lower his head to someone, let alone say please, he's a monster who takes without being given and never asks for permission from anyone. But her I suppose. Is she a witch? Because she has bewitched the king" a woman whispered to another woman beside her. Just before I could react, Luka turned to her.
"What did you just call my wife?" He whispered, his voice trembling in anger and all the warmth that resonated from him was replaced with an aura of death.
"My apologies your Majesty, I didn't mean it like that, I swear I meant it as a compliment I promise" she said, falling to Luka's feet, sobbing so hard I felt bad for her, also consider the fact that I wasn't one to care much about what people thought about me. Before I could tell him to let it go, he took a dagger from his sheath and cut off the woman's tongue right in front of my eyes. I was downright petrified. Just when I thought that the worst was over, he took a torch that hung from the wall and proceeded to burn her lips. As she screamed in pain and the smell of burning flesh filled the air I couldn't help but feel sick to my stomach. She was right,he was a monster.
"Let this serve as a warning to anyone who dare disrespect my queen." He declared, kissed my hand and left, as his guards dragged the woman who was now writhing in agony out behind him. I felt terror wash away my thoughts and I started trembling. What is to say that one day he won't do that to me too? I felt a cold sweat run from my forehead to my cheek. Just then, Marcus wrapped his arms around me, and he could feel my pounding heart against his chest.
"Your Majesty, may I take you to your quarters?" He asked.
"Please" I whimpered.
As we headed to the room the guards wouldn't even dare look at my direction, and the picture of the horror I just witnessed replayed in my mind. Three days? What had I gotten myself into?
Marcus helped me inside my room and locked the door. He then hugged me tightly and I hugged him back, softly sobbing.
"Shhh, don't worry I'll protect you, always." He said, caressing my hair. That made me feel better. I stopped sobbing and lay my head on his chest for a while. I could hear his heart pound against his chest, and his breathing getting heavy.
Then suddenly, as if snapping from a trance, he pulled away.
"I have to go back to my forces" he stammered.
"You hate my presence so much, that you can't bear to stay with me for even five minutes? It's okay, I understand. You may leave" I say shattered by his reaction.
"What did you just say to me? Your highness, Anna, I'm not pulling away because I hate you, I'm pulling away because I'm slowly loosing control over myself when I'm with you. I pulled away because right now the things I want to do with you, to you..... It's inappropriate. You're my queen, but I want to... Nevermind." He snaps and in his eyes I could see the restraint he had on himself slowly wear off.
"I'd rather show you than explain" he says finally letting go of whatever restrains he had left. He pulled me towards him, his chest movements rapid and his breathing fast. In his eyes was a hunger, similar to that of a man who hasn't eaten for days. He pressed his lips against mine and when I gave him a slight opening, he delved deep inside me and took control of my tongue, my lips and honestly every part of me. I felt a strong electric current rush across my body as he compressed my body against his and pushed me to the wall. He then took both my hands and held them above my head tightly.
"Christ, Anna you smell like lavender." He breathed, and shifted his mouth from my lips to my neck. I developed goosebumps immediately because he got more intense and I felt as if all my self control was escaping me. His other hand worked on my dress zipper and as it fell to the floor, he pushed it aside. He looked up at my very exposed cleavage and I saw every ounce of control leave him. He slowly moved his hand to my boob and squeezed it gently as he still left marks on my neck. I was shaking at this point and biting my lower lip so hard so that I wouldn't moan but it was getting difficult.
Just then, I heard a knock at my door.
"My queen, may I come in?"
"Oh no, it's Luka. He can't see you here." I tell Marcus and push him to my humongous closet.
"Your Majesty." I say opening the door for Luka, while lowering my head.
"Is it because I called you my queen? Fine Anna, never bow to me and never address me as your Majesty. I'm always and will forever be Luka to you." He says, lifting my chin up. He then sees the marks that Marcus has left on my neck and barged into my room enraged. I get scared to see him in this form, and when he takes one step towards me I take one step back instinctively. The rage in his eyes turns to hurt.
"Anna, do you think I can hurt you? Are you afraid of me?" He asks calmly.
I try to stop my trembling but my body betrays me and I end up trembling harder. He then comes toward me, and gently grabs my face in his big hands.
"I know that it's because we aren't married yet. It's fine. And if you ever do this again, I still won't hurt you. But I will kill the bastard who is trying to steal you from me. Not you. I can never hurt you." He says. Just then we hear something drop from the closet.
"Let's make an example from him shall we?" Luka says, dagger in hand, heading to the closet.