The Imperial Kings Series 2: Captured By The King

HILDRED

Pain was my constant companion, both inside and out. It was a kind of torment that made me yearn for the sweet release of death. What had happened to me? Why was I in such excruciating pain? And why wouldn’t it subside?

A soothing cloth was pressed against my cheek, offering a relief that was unparalleled. Who was this compassionate soul easing my suffering? I was profoundly thankful to them for quelling the inferno of pain raging within me.

But when this savior spoke, it took all my strength not to shudder in fear. This was no savior; it was the Devil himself who was tending to my wounds.

“Open your eyes, my fiery nymph. Open your eyes for your king,” the Devil ordered, his lips brushing the corner of my mouth.

I didn’t want to comply, and my heart echoed my sentiments. But his command demanded obedience. I knew that defiance would bring hellfire, and I was already shattered.

With great effort, I forced my eyes open, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The room was shrouded in darkness, the curtains drawn to block out all but a sliver of light. The bed I was lying on was the softest I’d ever felt, and the abundance of purple silk pillows made me wonder who could possibly need so many.

“Good girl. You are such a good girl for obeying me.” King Bancroft’s voice was like a shadow enveloping my heart. Where was I? How did I end up here? I didn’t want to be here with him. He had hurt me. He had tried to steal my life.

“W-wh-where?” I managed to croak out. My throat was dry, and pain gnawed at my body, causing tears to sting my eyes. I needed to escape from this place, from him. If he continued his torment, I would surely die.

“Shh, do not speak. You must rest and regain your strength. Do not fear, for I am here to protect you,” Lord Bancroft said, brushing my hair from my forehead.

His words made me question his sanity. How could he protect me when he was the source of my suffering? I didn’t need his protection; I needed protection from him.

But I couldn’t escape him; I couldn’t even move. Why was God allowing this to happen to me? All I wanted was freedom. I longed to be free to do what brought me joy. I simply wanted a roof over my head and the chance to sew beautiful dresses for those who desired them. I had no yearning for wealth or power.

“You’ve sustained a lot of injuries,” he said. Did he realize he was the cause of all those injuries? I knew that defying him was no longer an option. He had wanted to teach me a lesson, and he had succeeded. I wanted nothing to do with him. I wished he would leave me alone, for fear was all I felt in his presence now.

When I didn’t respond, King Bancroft gently turned my face until I was forced to look into his menacing green eyes. Oh, how I feared him. I would do whatever he commanded, just to avoid any further pain.

“You are afraid of me, dear one,” he stated before brushing his lips over mine. The kiss was soft and brief, yet it conveyed everything he wanted to say. He had won, and I had lost. And he reveled in the power he held over me. “You will no longer defy me.” He knew it just by looking into my eyes.

I wanted to scratch his face off. I wanted to inflict the same pain he had inflicted on me. How could he take pleasure in causing someone else pain? Were all kings like this? Was King Aboloft like this? Escaping King Bancroft was going to be a monumental task, but I was determined to do it.

“I will take you to Sodora in a few weeks. Then we will start a new life, together. I have already informed the people that you are coming, and they are eager to meet you,” he said as if he was fulfilling my wildest dreams.

The thought of spending my life with a cruel king made me wonder if there was a cliff nearby from which I could jump and end my own life. That seemed to be the only way to escape his control.

I tried to rise, but King Bancroft easily pushed me back down. “You can’t leave this room unless I allow it, little nymph. Your body needs time to heal, so you will stay here until then.”

I shook my head. “No. I—I ha-have to g-go.”

“You are not going anywhere. You should get used to being here, in my bed, because your future lies in my arms,” he murmured before kissing me tenderly. The kiss touched parts of me that no man had ever dared to reach, and I despised it. I loathed him for making me feel things I didn’t want to feel. “Your injuries leave you vulnerable for me to do whatever I please.”

Even when I was uninjured, you still did whatever you pleased!

Lacking the strength to physically escape him, I glared at him to show him how I felt about being in his bed. I wished my eyes had the power to incinerate a person. I wanted Lord Bancroft to turn to ash right before my eyes.

“Now, now, no need to be angry, my fierce nymph. You should know that I will find ways to control you in ways you could’ve never imagined,” he stated, kissing me once again.

Why couldn’t death come for me when I most needed it? Would Lord Bancroft ever be punished for his actions? I prayed to God to punish him; to make him more human, for he was nothing but a monster, a monster who ruled over us all.

“And I will find ways to evade you as long as I draw breath,” I hissed. He could kill me if he wished, but he needed to understand that I would never truly be his.

“Are you challenging me, my fiery nymph?” He chuckled as if I was a fool for even considering it.

“If you see it as a challenge, then yes, I am challenging you. And rest assured, I will win,” I said, mustering as much courage as my battered body could allow.

“Do not be foolish, little nymph, for challenging me is a mistake that will cost you dearly; and trust me, your body is in no condition to pay that price.” His eyes sparkled with the certainty of victory, a victory he believed he’d won without a fight. But I was not going to surrender. King Bancroft needed to understand that causing me pain was not a path to victory.

“My body may be weak, but you will have to fight me, for I will resist you until I can no longer do so, and that will only happen when death has claimed me,” I retorted.

“Bold words for someone so broken,” he remarked before his green eyes hardened. “You truly wish to challenge me?”

“I do not jest when it comes to my life and survival,” I declared. Perhaps now he would realize that I was serious and prepare for battle.

“Your life and survival are in my hands,” he said.

“My life and survival are in the hands of the one who was kind enough to give them to me,” I countered.

His eyes narrowed, and I braced myself for the blow I knew was coming. “You are one foolish woman. Challenging a king is the worst mistake you can make.”

“It’s a necessary mistake, my lord.” Why hadn’t he struck me yet? Had he finally decided to show me mercy after nearly killing me?

“One you will regret dearly, my fiery nymph.”

“Death has no regrets,” I spat out.

Lord Bancroft was silent for a long time. Perhaps he was contemplating how best to hurt me now that I was already bedridden. Would he smother me with a pillow, stealing my last breaths just as he had stolen my freedom and my identity? Or would he stab me in my sleep, taking my life without my knowledge?

“Your bravado is commendable. Only a few have been foolish enough to challenge me, and they all lost in the worst way possible,” he informed me, kissing the side of my face.

“Stop kissing me,” I snarled. “You do not own my body, so stop taking liberties with it.”

“You do remember what happened the last time you said that, don’t you?” His words made my blood boil. I would have my revenge. He would experience pain like he had never known.

“It doesn’t matter what you do to me, the truth will remain; you cannot ignore it,” I replied. I knew I was being foolish for arguing with a king, but I couldn’t help myself. King Bancroft had a knack for bringing out the worst in me.

“You’re not making sense, you need to rest,” he said, his anger barely concealed by the clenching of his jaw and the fire in his eyes. I didn’t want to admit it, but I couldn’t deny the truth in his words. I was exhausted, the weight of fatigue pressing down on me, and all I craved was the enveloping comfort of darkness.

“Then leave me alone. I won’t sleep with you next to me.” I had to stop talking, I was only digging myself deeper.

“That’s not happening. You’re in my bed, which means you’re sleeping next to me.”

I felt the sting of tears, ready to fall.

Just give up. There’s no point in arguing. You’ve already lost.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, not bothering to reply. I had no energy left to fight him. He was strong in every way that mattered. Why did I have to challenge him? Why couldn’t I just accept that I was his now? Why was it so hard for me to do that?

“I know it’s hard for you to accept this, but you can’t deny it, my fiery nymph. Your spirit infuriates me, but I love its heat because it’s what makes me want you in the most primal way.”

I kept my eyes shut as I felt King Bancroft’s lips on my forehead.

“I should’ve claimed you sooner. Then you wouldn’t be fighting me so much; you’d know who your master is—who your king is.

“But we can’t change the past, only shape the future. That’s why I’ve decided to claim your future. Running from me is like running from your destiny—the inevitable. I’m sure you don’t want that.”

His words forced me to open my eyes. I looked at him, wondering what he saw in me that made it impossible for him to stay away.

“Why do you want me? I’m just a whore. How can you want someone who’s beneath you?” I asked.

“You’re only beneath me if I put you there. If I put you on a throne, then you’re my equal. It all depends on what I choose to do with you,” he replied, his fingers tracing my neck, making me wince as they brushed my wound. “Just like I’ve marked your body, I’ve marked your destiny.”

“So you’re saying there’s no escape from you?” I asked.

“My fiery nymph, that’s what I’ve been telling you. There’s no escape for you; there never was after the moment I saw you.” His answer was one I already knew, but it still sent a sharp pang of frustration through my heart.

Just give up. It’s the smart thing to do. He’ll kill you, and you’ll never get to be a seamstress.

Maybe I could earn his mercy by being compliant, at least until I had a chance to escape. King Bancroft was gentle when I obeyed him; maybe I could use that to my advantage. Even if he took me to Sodora, I could find a way to run and start a new life where I wouldn’t have to service a dozen men and be left with bruises every night.

If King Bancroft was happy, then I could be happy too. I just had to give him what he wanted in exchange for a chance at freedom. I knew of a few towns just outside the borders of Sodora; maybe I could hide in one of them and start over.

Suddenly, I saw a glimmer of hope in my otherwise bleak existence. I could change my life. I didn’t dream of marriage and children; living alone was my dream. I didn’t need a man to love me; I just wanted to make beautiful dresses for women and earn a living that way.

Once I had my plan, I knew what I had to do. Obeying Lord Bancroft was crucial to my survival and my freedom. I had to give him what he wanted so I could take what I wanted from him. I would go to Sodora with him, and at the first chance, I would run.

Content with my new plan, I looked at Lord Bancroft and gave him a small smile. I couldn’t hate him for wanting my obedience, because I was going to take something in return…

My freedom.