It all started with a gaze.
The madness eating her alive, and the bane of her existence all started with a gaze that progressed into a touch that left a deep mark on her soul. She could still remember the day her gaze landed upon him like it was yesterday. She had been running from the cumbersome depression of being a motherless only child and sole heiress to an Elven kingdom that ruled over man who were considered lesser beings by her kind. A kingdom buried steeply in ancient laws and rules. The stifling weight that came with the throne and the responsibilities that shadows it were lessons impacted on her from the moment she was born and started to walk. She was taught by her father, king Arthur that the world was her oasis, and the people within it her submissive servants. Everything was hers and up for grabs, no question asked, no excuses given. She was bred with ironclad hands, with the notions mercy and kindness were for the weak, though there were limitations to her actions. In everything she does, she must never fall for a human who was considered beneath them, murder anyone in cold blood without any tangible reason or just cause. She must never bring shame to the throne by dallying with anyone beneath her caliber, which meant in layman's terms, zero tolerance for any sexual escapade with someone not from the noble family. Failure to adhere to these major rules leads to the loss of her rights to the throne.
No one asked if she was interested in ruling, they didn't care about her desires, wants and interests, and just assumed she would follow her father's footprints and fulfill her destiny as the future ruler of Avalon. They weren't wrong either, because she enjoyed the power and authority that came with the royal blood, maybe, a bit too much. But sometimes, which happens to be most times, the thrills she enjoyed been at the apex of the ruling tree came with a suffocating price. She had to watch her moves and behaviors, deny herself some fun times, and the worst of all, abandon her freedom to be the perfect princess her father wanted. She slowly started to lose herself; her essence until there was nothing left and she could barely recognize herself.
Loneliness became her second name, arrogance her new partner, and the sky became her limit. Humans, became her pawns in an invisible chess game she played. She was ruthless, selfish and mean to the bone which earned her a few enemies in and out of the palace. But these seemed a small price to pay in her book for the power she welded. After all, not everyone are born kings and queens. So she wasn't really surprised when a horseride turned into a deadly hunt. Although, she hadn't anticipated her horseriding escapade turning into a hunting spree with her as the prey, she wasn't surprised. She was impressed though at the persistence of her attackers in shooting her down with an arrow. It seemed her enemies, or rather, the enemies of the throne had become ballsy in their actions, and wanted to take her out. It seemed they were aware of the life-threatening ailment that plagued her father, and wanted to ensure she hits the grave sooner than her father.
Well, tough luck with that!
She wasn't a wussy princess and knew how to embrace danger and play with fire when the situation arises. She was anything but a wimpy princess. In fact, she was a predator at the top of the food chain and ate her victims for lunch. She refused to be preyed upon. Tightening her grip on the reins, she raced across the grassy field, trying her damnest to outwit her pursuers but finding herself cornered in the worst position possible. She found herself at the edge of a cliff, with flying arrows shooting past her ears. She was trapped, and had to choose between the impending danger drawing closer by the second and the danger that awaits her at the bottom of the cliff. If she jumped and landed badly, her skull might burst on one of the rocks that graced the pond at the foot of the cliff. Either way, she was doomed. But if given a choice, she would leave her fate to chance and avoid the imminent threat. She would choose jumping any day to taking arrows. So jumping swiftly off her horse, she set it free and jumped. She had never prayed before, because she had no believe in an ultimate power or god as she believed herself to be a goddess. But in that moment, with the jarring glare of death in sight, she prayed to whoever was listening for a savior because she wasn't willing or ready to die, yet.
She hissed in alarm as the coldness of the water hit her with a shocking force that knocked her off balance and into oblivion. She had no idea how long she was out cold beneath the freezing water, but when she came to, her gaze clashed with the bluest eyes she had ever encountered. It felt like she was staring at the morning sky before it was kissed by the sun. It chased her worries away and made her feel safe. In that moment she fell in love with a human though it was against the norm for her kind. It didn't matter that he was striking, strong, seemed capable and was easy on the eyes, the fact that he was a puny human eliminated him as an eligible partner. But that fact was just semantics to her, it didn't deter her heart from being captivated, from latching on to his every features and falling into his pool of seduction. Not that he was trying to seduce her, it just felt that way to her, and she became lost in a deadly attraction for him. The more he smiled at her and tended to her wounds, the deeper she fell and became enamored by him, the more she yearned for him and wanted to keep him by her side against all odds.
She smiled weakly at him when he revealed how alarmed he was when he had witnessed her jump from the cliff during his swimming session. He had assumed she was attempting suicide and decided in the spur of the moment to save her.
"I wasn't trying to kill myself, but was trying to save my life," she explained softly, her voice hoarse from her ordeal. She sighed at his perplexed look and regarded his long silky tresses that was still wet from the water. She had always found men with long hair rugged and sexy, and his fits him to boot. It added to his charisma and made her want to run her fingers through it and wrap his strands around her skin like a silky blanket. He had so many striking features that kept her entranced. "I was being hunted, and would have died from an arrow shot if I hadn't chosen to jump."
"What? Who were those trying to kill you, and why?" she lost his gaze to the surrounding as he scanned their environs frantically. She knew she wasn't completely out of the woods yet, and had to move before her foes caught up to her. He wasn't safe with her around. She needed to protect him at all cost.
"Uh... I don't know, but I really need to go now. Thank you, so much for saving me. Can I know your name, I would like to repay you for your kindness someday soon." she held her breathe, praying he wouldn't reject her offer, because she planned on seeing him again and making him hers forever.
"I'm Grayson, the hunter. There's no need for a payment, I'm glad I could save you," he helped her up, and she hugged him before rushing away. She needed to return home before the sun set. But she returned a happy princess. The days that followed her encounter with her magnetic hunter was filled with anticipation laced with excitement. She knew she had to see him again, which prompted her to hunt him down with the help of her bodyguard. It wasn't long before she arrived at his doorstep against the warning of her bodyguard and better judgements. Her feelings were ruling her actions and propelling her towards him. Grayson was her anchor and she the ship, she needed him to feel grounded. She would never forget the moment he opened his door and let her in.
"Thank you," she said with a smile, accepting the cup of tea from him.
"How did you find me?"
"It was easy. It seems you're famous in your field," she paused to take a deep breath and plunged ahead. "Grayson, I have a confession to make. I fell in love with you, and would like to know more about you. Would you like us to be a couple?" she glanced at him with abated breath and read the shock in his gaze. She also noticed the discomfort that clouded his features when he got his bearings, and steeled herself for his rejection.
"I'm so sorry, miss? You never told me your name."
"I'm Diane. Call me, Diane."
"Diane, I'm so sorry, but I can't accept your proposal. I can't reciprocate your feelings because my affections are already engaged elsewhere and I cannot betray her trust."
"Is she better than the princess of the kingdom?" she asked sharply, her tone a camouflage for the hurt squeezing her heart.
"W... What?" he stuttered in shock.
"I'm the princess and soon to be queen. I can offer you the world and everything your heart desires if you give me the chance."
"Don't hold your breath, princess! That's never going to happen. Grayson, belongs only to me and we will tie the knot soon," a belligerent female's voice interrupted their conversation, rising her hackles. She glared angrily at the woman who dared lay claim on the man she considered hers. She was going to make the witch eat her words.
"What insolence! Who are you to interrupt us?"
"Isabella, I'm this gentleman here fiancee. So bottle up your affection and send it elsewhere. His love is not for sale."
Now, she was truly furious beyond words. How dare this little minx challenge her, the princess of the kingdom. Did she have a death wish or something. She raised her hand to strike her but was held off by Grayson.
"I will not do that if I were you. Please, do not let me regret saving you. Leave us alone, please." he shoved her reluctant body out of his home, leaving her completely gobsmacked.
What just happened? She would never forget the humiliation they meted out to her and swore retribution on his lady. She would get rid of her if it's the last thing she did. No one dared insult her and walk away unscathed.
Grayson belonged to her alone, if she can't have him, no one else will. Defeat was not a word in her dictionary. She would win his favor at all cost.
As days turned to weeks, and weeks to months, she watched her hopes at retribution turn to dust, but she never gave up and lurked in the shadows, watching her rival and plotting from a distance, until finally her moment for revenge arrived. Her father finally succumbed to the Icy touch of death, his ailment no longer a painful threat to him as he found relief in death. The days following her father's death were hectic and filled with a flurry of movements as the whole kingdom prepared for a period of mourning.
Saying goodbye to her father wasn't as difficult as she had anticipated and was just another belt of duty added to her waist. As time flew by, she barely remembered him and focused most of her attention on ruling and protecting her throne from hungry foes who thought her unworthy of it. Proving them wrong had taken some sweat and blood, as she spared no mercy for traitors. Thrown into the midst of chaos was her raging feelings for one past flame; a dark haired stud. Try as she may, she hadn't been able to forget him. He was like a stubborn disease eating away at her heart and threatening to destroy the world she built. She couldn't stay away, though he was her undoing, and her doom loomed at his side. She had come too far in her obsession to retreat, and her bloody thirst for payback, a breathing thing that allowed her no grain of peace. She wanted to see Isabella crash and burn in a hell she orchestrated for her.
"Have you secured my prisoners?" she asked her favorite bodyguard, and the only one allowed close to her person. He was her confidant and personal advisor and she trusted him with her life. She didn't have a whole lot of people she trusted in her entourage, and could feel hidden spikes pointed at her back. She knew not to be taken by wily smiles of the nobles that sheathed the evil hungry desires for the power she wields. She knew none of these people would think twice about stabbing her in the back, and suspected the assassins after her life could be in their midst. Her money was on her cousin, who was a conceited arrogant prick, far worse than she was.
"Yes, my queen. But I don't think you should follow through with your plans. You stand to lose more than you would gain. Please, reconsider."
"I can't, Aaron. I have waited so long for this day to arrive, and will face the consequences of my actions as long as I have my revenge."
"Are you sure? Is your revenge worth the loss of your throne. You'll be breaking the rules and your enemies will capitalize on it and have your head. It wouldn't matter you're the queen, you will lose everything you've labored for."
"It's a risk I'm willing to take."
"But–"
"Enough!" she thundered, marching out of the room. She had some prisoners to welcome.
Entering the dark tunnels of the dungeon, she scanned the empty prisons till her gaze landed on her culprits. She smirked with relish at their disheartened condition. She unlocked the heavy barrier barricading them and entered their space. They started to struggle against their restraints but the cumbersome chains wouldn't budge.
"Why are you doing this to us? What crime did we commit?" Isabella cried, pushing against her restraints in an attempt to see her face. Too bad she was currently standing in the shadows of their cell.
"Who are you?" Grayson, the man who scorned her love asked, making her breath deeply at the effect his voice still had on her body and soul. She needed to get a grip! Today, was about getting even, not falling under his spell.
"What question should I answer first? Hmm, let me answer yours first, Grayson. It's me, Diane, the woman you rejected and humiliated–"
"W... What?"
"Yes, Isabella, it's me, Queen Diane."
"What do you want?" Grayson's voice was furious and she tried not to allow it get to her.
"Revenge. I want revenge. Seven months ago you denied me what belonged to me. You denied me your love, and ruined me for everyone else. You rejected my love and chose this peasant over me, the queen of Avalon! Now, I'm here to ruin you! You will feel what I felt then! You'll know what it feels like to have your happiness snatched away so brutally. You'll experience loss at my hands!"
"Please, forgive us! We didn't mean to hurt you! Please, let us go!"
"Oh, wow! How quickly you change your tunes, Isabella! Bravo!" she clapped her hands with glee. "I never knew you had it in you to beg. But you need to do better than this, you need to grovel more, darling. Beg! Cry harder for your freedom! Scream aloud in pain!"
"You're sick in the head," Grayson hissed in rage, his eyes stony daggers directed at her heart. "We're not playing your sick games."
"Do you think so? Let me show you how sick I'm. How about we switch things up a bit, you know, spice things up, take it a notch higher. How about I slit her throat, you will like that, won't you?"
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Won't I? Do you want to see how far I can take this sick game of mine?"
"Don't you dare lay a finger on her!" his voice was clouded with desperation, his eyes, a stormy pool of tears, which escalated her rage. He was concerned for Isabella when he hadn't given a hoot about her. What did the slut have that she didn't?
"I wouldn't dare me if I were you! You need to know that if I can't have you, no one else will! We will all crash and burn in this game of love!" she spewed in fury. "You're mine, Grayson! Only mine!" she yelled and slit Isabella's throat with the small dagger she hid in her sleeves. She smiled at his muted shock and pain, then relished the pain that suddenly tainted his screams. She meant it, they would all die together. She refused to suffer alone. "There, that's your beauty lost to the Icy touch of death. You have no one but yourself to blame! You should have chosen me, then she could have lived. This is all your fault!" she bursted into an uncontrollable laughter that went on for what felt like an eternity. Even when she was arrested, penalized and exiled for her crimes, she couldn't stop the crazed laughter, not even when she lost her throne to her cousin.
Nothing mattered but the crazed euphoria rushing through her. Justice or in her case, revenge was well served, bringing her immense gratification. Truly, she regretted nothing. Now both Grayson and she could wallow in misery.
Love made her mad.
Спасибо за чтение!
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