Chapter Two
Sleep had come easily and when she finally woke Thalia had already risen and was preparing a bath, there was a tray of breakfast on the low table and Kari was waiting on a cushion. He seemed somewhat perturbed.
“Lina, come talk with me.” He motioned at the opposite cushion.
“You know you should knock and wait for me to wake, we aren’t children anymore.” She rolled her eyes, calling for Thalia to bring her dressing robe.
“You’re right, we aren’t children and haven’t been for a while.” Kari poured two cups of mint tea. “You and I are all our kingdom has left, father is fading and will not last until harvest-“
“Then we should return-“
“No, Lina, that is not what was asked.” He spoke over her. “It is a hard task to do what is right, but we will do it. You know how important this truce is to baba, I believe it is the only thing that will allow him to pass peacefully, he wishes to see his kingdom safe and daughter protected.” He glanced away. “These rooms were once our mothers, that’s why I requested them, you know she was born a princess of Calchos and married father when she was about your age, perhaps a year younger, they didn’t know each other well but they loved each other deeply.”
“I wish I knew her.” But then a selfish part of her was glad she didn’t, else she’d probably mourn as deeply as Kari did. She mourned her siblings, each taken too soon, some to battle, some to sickness, to mourn a mother must be even more painful.
“Which is why I know in time you will be happy here with Tom, and in turn he will protect our interest in the north-“
“No Kari, I won’t-“
“It’s done, father arranged it and I have delivered you. It was not my choice.” He couldn’t meet her eyes. “You’re already married, I signed the treaty this morning. You’re feast is tonight-“
“Kari, how could you? You sold me like a prized cow.” Glass shattered as she swept the breakfast from the table. “I will go home this instant, I will order a guard to take me to the ship, you snake, you traitor!” Her shouts had summoned Thalia, who could only wring her hands in fear. “You paraded me before him like some whore, me, your very own sister!”
“Calm yourself.” Kari ignored her outburst, stepping over the cushions and making his way to the door. “This is your duty Alina, you-“
“And your duty is to protect me, I am all you have left-“
“So do this for me, protect me as I protect you!” His voice boomed around the room, never before had he shouted at her. “It is already done.”
“I hate you.” Throwing the glass was too far, she knew that the moment she heard the key turn in the lock.
She tripped over the table in her haste to reach the door, but the lock had clicked before she’d even started to run, tears streamed down her face as she hammered against the door, screaming, shouting, begging for someone to free her.
“Please Kari, Kari, open the door, let me out. Kari, don’t do this, please, we could offer another girl, please. Please, please Kari,” she hammered the door until her hands ached. “Kari let me out, Kari-“
“Alina calm yourself, it’s done.” At least he sounded wretched.
“Let me out, please, please, please, let me out.” This could not be happening, this was not to be her life. “I want to see baba, I want to go home, please Kari, we can fix this. Kari, Kari-“
“Please, you’ll hurt yourself.” Thalia crouched beside her, soothing her shoulders.
“Kari, let me out!” She hammered harder against the door. “Kari, please!”
“Alina, people can hear you.” He snapped.
So she’d be even louder. She screamed, shouted, pleaded for freedom, even when she heard Kari leave his room she continued to beg for his reconsideration. Her hands were red from how hard she’d beat the door, her heart was heavy from the betrayal, her voice was hoarse from screaming, but still she pleaded with her forehead against the door. This could not be her life, tossed away without as much as a second glance.
“Please Alina, your brother said I must prepare you or I’ll be whipped.” Thalia was beside her, trying to coax her up.
“You can’t be whipped, that’s not allowed.” Her voice scratched its way along her throat.
“Here it’s allowed.” Thalia sniffed. “If I’d have known, I’d have begged you not to come.”
“They can’t make me.”
“They have, you need not consent only your father and brother.” Thalia pressed a kiss to her cheek, a comforting gesture that only made the situation far worse. “Don’t fight it, things will only be worse if you do.”
“I don’t know him.”
“He may be kind.”
“He killed my kin.”
“Who you didn’t know.”
“He’s not legitimately a king, just a general squatting in a palace.” She let Thalia pull her to her feet. “What will that make me?”
“The only thing legitimising his claim, perhaps it will ensure he treats you kindly.” Thalia led her to the bathing room. “Kari loves you, he would never leave you with a cruel man.”
“Just a stranger.” A stranger who’d mocked her appearance, who seemed to view her as some kind of thing to entertain him.
She’d always imagined the happiest moment of her life to be when she took her vows as a priestess, just like her sisters had wanted to, she’d pictured herself huddled with her cousins and friends in the bathhouse as they readied. She’d expected her father to say how beautiful she looked, the High Priest to lead her in the solemn vows, she thought she’d weep with joy as she gave her life to the goddess she adored. But instead she was marrying a stranger, in a strange land, completely alone. Even Thalia, her closest companion, she’d only known for five months, if not for their time on the ship she’d have few feelings of fondness towards her. But Thalia whispered words of encouragement, told stories that her mother had once told her, made promises of fun things they could do. It didn’t help.
“What dress will you wear?” Thalia had tried everything to cheer her, but her heart was breaking.
“White.” The colour of mourning, the colour of nothing. Not that they’d understand, the customs here were different. “Leave my hair loose, with the plain diadem.”
She looked like a widow, her white dress was cut similarly to the green but devoid of embroidery, lines of pearls were stitched around the hem of the skirt and the gold collar the bodice looped around had pearls dripping along her back. Her hair was loose, showing only the diadem of a princess, even her paint was light, she was mourning her life. Everything that could have been.
“You look beautiful.” Thalia whispered, blowing a pinch of fine gold powder across her skin. “A goddess of the moon.”
“Perhaps this is the end of my life.” Perhaps she would jump from a tower and become a star. “Perhaps Kari will drown on his return.”
“You don’t mean that.” Thalia tutted softly.
But she did meant that, ever single word, they sat in silence as they awaited their summoning, maybe she would wake up soon. Nightmares were awful things, they tricked you into believing your deepest fears had come to pass only for you to wake in your own bed. She’d dreamt of drowning, dreamt the ship was attacked by pirates, or even that a storm would come and sweep her away, but when she woke it was always in the cabin nestled deep in her blankets. Thalia had nightmares too but wouldn’t say of what. When she woke she’d laugh about this, she’d tell Kari, she’d-
Her heart stopped as a knock echoed around the room, three short, sharp raps. He was here. A soft chuckle floated through the door as the key turned in the lock, Thalia stood before her as though she could protect her but her fate had been sealed. The door swung open and General Tom stared into the room, flanked by two men, his own emerald green tunic seemed much happier than her own clothes.
“Where’s Kari?” She didn’t know who to ask, the body servant who wouldn’t know or the man who couldn’t understand. But Thalia repeated the question, taking in the sharp reply.
“He says your brother is at the feast, that you should try not to make a spectacle of yourself as you did this morning, he says if you run he’ll drag you by your hair.” Thalia’s voice shook. “He tells you to stand before him.”
“No.” That didn’t need translation.
“Alina you are wed, he just wants to see his bride.” Something in Thalia’s voice made her take notice.
The world seemed to shrink until it was just the two of them, her feet forced her forward until she was an arm’s length away from him, he finished the distance and studied her face, the man to the right of him said something and he responded with a laugh. His thumb and forefinger caught her chin as he looked down on her, he was so very tall, he was so tall that her head only just reached his chest. Then he ducked his head, pressing a bold kiss to her lips, her fingers flew to her mouth as she stumbled back in shock, he said something to the men behind him and they roared with laughter.
“What did he say?” She took another step backwards, closer to Thalia.
“I don’t know.” Thalia lied, the laughter faded and a sharp order was issued. “He says I can see you to the feast but then I will return here to oversee your moving to the new rooms.”
“Tell him not to do that again.” She eyed him warily, but Thalia said nothing.
“You should take his arm now, he’ll take you to the feast.” Thalia gave her a gently prod forwards, the men laughed once more. “Please Lina, things will be much worse if you don’t get along. He could be kind, you don’t know that.”
“I don’t want to.” Her lip wobbled, even as she tried to force them away traitorous tears welled in her eyes. “I want to go home.”
As she wiped her tears he stepped towards her, dwarfing the rather dainty room, the men with him whispered another jest but this time his reply was harsh. She wanted to go home, or anywhere but here, she wanted to beg Kari not to do this, minds could be changed, surely there was more to this than a signing of a contract.
“Alina, come to dinner.” He spoke slowly and clearly, watching her face to see if she could understand. “Now.”
“I am tired.” Her own words sounded so unlike his, her pronunciation was terrible.
He said something else, but she only understood a few of the words.
“He says you need to eat, then you will feel well. He knows you haven’t eaten, not since last night.” Thalia responded. “Come Alina, it’s time to go.”
Against her better judgment she took his arm, allowing him to lead her through the corridors as he continued a conversation over her head with his friends. The walk seemed even longer tonight as he all-but dragged her along the winding passageways, a few times she tugged on his arm but a sharp look stopped her. She wasn’t really sure what she wanted to achieve, it’s not like he’d let her go, but even just a moment to clear her head would be appreciated.
The wedding feast wasn’t in the same hall as before, instead it was in a cloth-swathed courtyard, there were far more people here today but the general led her straight to the head table where Kari was waiting. Then he sat, he simply sat. He didn’t help her settle, didn’t pull out her chair, he just sat and turned to talk to his friends. Kari shot to his feet, seething at the slight, he pulled out her chair and offered his arm so she could sit then he drew his sword. This was the moment she was waiting for, they would fight, Kari would win, and she would go home. A stony silence settled around the top table, and the nearby tables, Kari’s words were harsh but the general didn’t challenge him. Instead the general held up his hands in apology, then reached over and squeezed her upper arm, even giving her shoulder a pat, there were a few stifled laughs but Kari seemed settled.
“Alina, I will be leaving in the morning. I hope you will settle yourself and make me proud.” Kari took her hand, murdering her hope with one swipe of his dagger. “I do not want a repeat of this morning, already some whisper you are insane.”
“Will you come back?” Tears prickled once more, blurring their clasped hands.
“Not for some months, but I know you will be safe here.” He squeezed her hand. “I would never leave you somewhere dangerous, I’ll leave you a soldier who will report everything to me.”
“Kari-“
“Speak to your husband.” He cut her off, turning to speak to another Calchosi lord.
After a few unsuccessful attempts to gain the generals attention she forced her hand to touch his arm, pretending not to hear the sigh of irritation as he turned to her. But now she had his attention she was all too aware that she could barely speak the language, but surely she could speak of something.
“Do you like wine?” She knew this one, she could ask all his likes and find common ground.
“Yes.” He answered slowly, as though speaking to a child. The man beside him chuckled.
“Do you like bread?” She tried again, perhaps he would ask a question in return.
“Yes.” He didn’t.
“Do you like oranges?” She was running out of things already, perhaps she had been lazy.
This time he didn’t bother answering, simply sighing and returning to his friends, she picked at her food as the conversations continued without her, both her brother and her supposed husband seemed to be ignoring her as though she was at fault. When people approached them they spoke to the general but he never translated, she smiled and tried to join but he would make a noise of annoyance and talk over her. The hours trickled by slowly, the servants lit torches as the sun set and the moon reigned above, it was late enough that she was yawning yet both her brother and the general were away from the table and deep in conversation.
It was cold, she was shivering and a thoughtful servant had placed a hot brick at her feet, but no one spoke to her, it was not how she’d imagined her wedding. There were women dancing in a line, women who would probably be her knew friends, she slid from her chair and went to join them after studying the dance enough to learn the moves. But nerves still crested, she didn’t know anyone, they didn’t really know her, she could be making some glaring breech of etiquette. But as she descended the steps of the high table a roar of cheers slammed against her, everyone was looking, the general was pushing his way towards her as Kari tried to make his way over.
“Come, you’re tired.” He said something to that effect.
Hopefully wherever they were going was warmer than this courtyard as the guests cheered and pelted them with something hard, grain and dried fruit, it hurt, he led them through the corridors and up a short staircase. Panic crested once more as he led them further from the sounds of below, into a quiet corner of the palace that overlooked the sea, he pushed open a door and revealed a sitting room with a balcony, then dragged her to another door that led to the bedroom. Thalia was placing her things away, she met her eyes with a careful smile.
“Is this my room?” She chanced a look at the general, who looked at Thalia and spoke.
“He says go to bed.” Thalia’s voice wavered.
“Do you have my nightdress?” She moved further into the room, waiting for him to leave.
“No Alina, you need to lie on the bed.” Thalia swallowed thickly. “Has anyone told you what will happen?”
“Happen?” The fear on Thalia’s face made her blood run cold, the general snapped something at Thalia.
“Lie on the bed Alina, just be brave, don’t fight.” Thalia ran from the room.
Don’t fight. It was a strange thing to say, stranger still that he was still in the room, she tried to think of all she’d been told of marriage but it wasn’t really much. Most of her life she’d spent rather sheltered, all she knew was marriage should be happiness and a husband should be strong, she knew they would live together but assumed it would be no different to her usual life. There was no reason for him to stay here, they weren’t commoners with limited space, but he was probably checking she wasn’t going to run away.
He pulled off his cloak, throwing it to the ground, there was a soft thud as his sword followed, but she just looked at him with a raised brow. He should really leave her be now, go stand outside the door like a stray dog, his caught her chin and tried to kiss her again.
“Stop it.” She pushed him away, but he did it again. “I said stop!” She pushed him harder.
He chuckled softly as he grabbed her forearm, dragging her to the bed, at first she was so shocked she simply let him but when he pulled harder she began to fight back. He only laughed harder, pointing at the bed once more. But she wanted to bathe, to wash her face before she slept, to change from these cursed clothes.
“No.” At least that was obvious, whatever language she used.
But he didn’t seem to care, instead he grabbed her chin once more and pressed another kiss to her lips. She shoved him away once more and he rolled his eyes, he didn’t even seem angry, just put out, his hands gripped her forearms once more as he said something slowly, plainly.
But she didn’t know what he was saying, for a moment nothing happened, they just stared at each other, a strange look crossed his face and he pulled his gaze from hers. The panic that had been cresting exploded, he shoved her backwards and grabbed her skirts, tearing them, she kicked out, catching him in the chest.
“Thalia, Thalia, help!” She screamed, scrambling across the bed. He had lost his mind. “Thalia, get someone, get Kari.”
His fingers tangled into her hair as he dragged her back towards him, tearing at her clothes as he climbed over her, but she fought harder, screaming, clawing his skin, searching for anything she could use to beat him. He was saying something then saying her name, but he wouldn’t look at her, her elbow connected with his face as he used his weight to pin her down and she screamed for Thalia once more. He was going to kill her, he was attacking her, he had taken her far so no one could hear her screams, he would kill Kari too and take their kingdom. He was a usurper.
The second time her elbow connected with his face he shifted backwards, grabbing her flailing hands then using one hand to pin her wrists above her to the headboard, he was so heavy she could barely breath, he was so tall that her face was practically buried in his chest as he smothered her cries. She screamed louder, not even making words, as his hand slipped down between them and dragged her skirts away from her body, he was touching her down there in her private area. Then his hand moved away and something else touched her there, her wrists were burning at her attempts to free herself as her shrieks turned into desperate sobs. He jerked forward. She screamed.
The pain was unimaginable, a burning tear deep within her, her entire body slackened as he continued his vile assault, he was doing unnatural, cruel things to her and she couldn’t fight back. Her head fell to the side as he heaved over her, the way the moonlight illuminated the latticed shutters was so pretty, it was like the henna they’d ink into their skin at home. Eventually she lost that reprise too as her tears blinded her, his assault didn’t stop between her legs as he used his other hand to grope her breasts which only put more weight on her wrists, there was a pop, white hot pain shot down her arm, but she couldn’t speak. He slammed forward with a grunt, stilling for a moment before freeing her, hopefully he would leave now. Or kill her.
The room was quiet apart from their hurried pants, when she was sure he wouldn’t attack again she sat and stared at the mess between her legs. He’d cut her. There was a lot of blood, perhaps that would kill her, her wrist looked funny, there were bruises and scratches along her arms, even her dress was in tatters as it sadly clung to her collar.
“Alina...” He said something softly, but she didn’t know what.
“Don’t touch me.” Her words that were supposed to be strong were little more than a pathetic sob. “Why did you do that?”
He stood and she cringed away from him, but all he did was rip away the bloodied blanket as he stormed from the room. After a short while Thalia entered, her eyes briming with tears, just seeing the desolation on Thalia’s face caused the sobs to start anew.
“Oh, Alina, I’m so sorry.” Thalia rushed to her side, shutting the door behind her. “Did no one tell you?”
“That he would attack me?” Every part of her body was shaking, and not even from the cold. “Lock the door, before he returns.”
“He will return, he’s gone to give the sheet to your brother.” Thalia made a noise of disgust. “To prove he bedded you and you were a virgin.”
“What?” Her stomach churned, Kari had known.
“When a man and women marry, that is how they are together to produce children. Surely you moth- oh.” Thalia closed her eyes briefly. “Some men are kind, I’d hoped the General would be, some aren’t and women suffer.”
“I didn’t know.” She allowed Thalia to lead her to the bathing room, at least the bath was filled. “Will he do it again?”
“Yes.”
She should be embarrassed, but all she could do was stare at the pool of vomit. Thalia clucked softly and led her to the small copper tub, a part of her wanted to ask how Thalia knew these things but she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
“Oh, your lovely hair.” Thalia sniffed as she started to braid her hair into two tight braids. “He’s ripped a chunk out, now there’s a short piece.”
“Is it bad?” She was still crying, the tears had never left.
“You’re still lovely.” At least it wasn’t bad. “Brush your teeth, I’ll sort the bed.”
Despite the two thick cotton nightgowns, the extra blanket, and the fully stocked fire, she still shivered as she lay in the bed and waited for his return. Thalia had bandaged her wrist as best she could and promised to try and find a physician in the morning, but blood still trickled from her scratched arms and she couldn’t bring herself to look between her legs to see if she was still bleeding down there. A heavy pair of footsteps entered the sitting room, pausing outside the door of the bedroom, she couldn’t even breathe for fear.
“Thalia, where will you go?” To be left alone with him would be her death.
“Through that door, your brother insisted I have a room joined to yours.” Thalia whispered, sounding every bit as nervous as she felt.
The door opened and he returned, she hiding under the blankets as he paced around the bed chamber. This time his words were soft as he spoke to Thalia, pretending to be a doting husband as if her brutal attack hadn’t been overheard. Thalia replied in a carefully blank voice.
“He asked if you were recovered. I said you were not recovered, that no one had informed you that this was to happen and you are in pain.” Thalia spoke, although it was supposed to be comforting the stupid girl had let on that she was awake. “Shall I tell him of your wrist?”
“Tell him to leave.” She refused to resurface, because it was cold. That was the only reason. “Say I have a fever, that I was ill.”
Thalia pleaded softly, but he only sounded amused in response, it seemed he was either ignoring her, angry at her, or laughing at her. In their short time together they’d had no positive experience, and it was about to get much worse.
“He told me to leave.” Thalia said, her footsteps leaving the room.
It was quiet for some time, apart from the creak of the chair and a clink of a glass, he was probably enjoying a nice jug of wine whilst she wept in the sheets. She couldn’t even cry anymore, the fight had been sapped from her body, but tears just fell over her lashes as she stayed perfectly still, willing him away, praying to any god that would listen that he’d leave her alone for the night. The bed shifted as he joined her, but he didn’t touch her, he fell asleep first but she couldn’t, when she closed her eyes she could see him over her, feel him forcing himself inside of her, feel him attacking her as she tried to fight for freedom. After some time her tears had dried, but only as she had none left to cry, the sun was starting to rise as the amber fingers of dawn reached through the shutters, but she hadn’t slept. How could she?