Princess Esme's POV:
I lie on the bed staring up at the ceiling as Prince Xavier continues thrusting inside me. I wince in pain hoping for it to be over soon. There are many moments where he is sweet. However his favorite method to deal with his anger is in the sheets and he is not always gentle. In these darker moments, I leave his chambers I hope I am carrying our child just so I don't have to return. With a grunt he finishes inside me before collapsing on the bed beside me, panting hard. After a moment, he gets off the bed and I do as well. Quickly grabbing my clothes, I pull on my robe and tie it around myself, heading for my chambers then to Annyth.
The wind whips through my hair, the cold air pains me but nothing like the ache in my heart.
We fly through the darkness over the grassy hills.
Now that I am soon to be Queen, I dread what the future holds for me. There had been many times I had been nervous as the time came near for me to wed. I was brought to court many times in the hopes I would catch the eye of a rich suitor.
Rich, he is.
Now it may be true that he is a madman as well.
I'd heard whispers of him but took them for mere gossip as people even spoke negatively of me at court, in secret of course. Every tale was outlandish and made up for entertainment or to try and cause damage to my namesake. It did not work but I am afraid my future may be even worse off.
Annyth dips down causing her body to rock up then down in a wave - like motion. The cold air continues to sting my face but I don't care, knowing what awaits me. Staring out at the starry night, I know that regardless of my desires, I have to go back.
To return to him.
To rule as Queen.
To have his children.
Annyth lets out a fire burst causing me to yank on the reigns just in time to turn and avoid it. We begin to fly straight again and I give her a pat, trying to calm my mind. I reassure myself that all will be well even if I don't believe it.
"Annyth decede!" I command
She lowers her upper body, dipping down toward the ground.
As we get closer, I feel the pang of sadness.
If only...
I shake my head.
I can be more than what he believes me to be.
Annyth opens her wings causing us to slow to a glide.
We continue to coast along in the darkness.
She begins to flap her massive wings, slowing our speed even more. We hover a few dozen feet off the ground. We land and I climb off of her. She says goodbye to me in the form of a huff and nudge before taking off back into the sky. In this area there were no other estates close to us, the dragons can roam freely here.
Soon Caerel falls in step beside me.
I feel a large gust of air from behind me and a large thud as something lands. I turn to see Xavier atop Pyronyx. He makes quick and careful work of climbing off and joins me. Together we make our way over to King Xavier. I try to withhold my surprise.
Was he following me?
"Your Grace," I greet bowing
"Dearest wife," He replies extending an arm
I take it, however unwillingly.
Together we make our way through the short passageway and into the castle. We walk through the halls, lit only by the candle torches lit in the halls. They cause the portraits on the walls of the past royals in an eerie glow. The men and women who came before us. I walk through the dining hall, past the staff chambers and up a spiral staircase. There are our bed chambers, his to the left and my own to the right. Together we go in, closing the door behind us. I follow his lead as we begin to undress.
Soon I am bare, lying on my stomach with my face in the mattress, his length deep inside of me as he thrusts repeatedly. Immediately as soon as he finishes, I am told to leave. Even though he places a kiss upon my lips and claimed it was due to his duties, I still left, quickly grab my clothes and exit, feeling less a royal and more a whore.
When I wake the next morning I make my way to his chambers to have breakfast as we did every day.
This time however, he opens the door and denies me entry.
This stung, of course.
It was often he'd have bitter moods.
Very often if he was drinking.
"Have I done something to upset you?" I ask puzzled
Prince Xavier pushes the door closed even further, his top half sticking out just enough for me to see he is shirtless.
"I am not in need of your company. Have breakfast brought to your chambers." He says flashing a smile
The same smile he'd given when we had met.
One I no longer trusted.
"Forgive me if I displeased you last night." I say
He sighs, annoyed.
"It would please me for you to leave."
I step closer now, trying to look closer but he shifts his weight, blocking my view yet again.
"Do you have someone in there with you?" I ask
He doesn't answer.
"I am your wife." I snap
"And I am your husband and I can do as I please. Now go."
I stand defiant, demanding an answer.
"Leave or I'll use force. Do you understand?"
I turn and walk away without addressing him.