I was short, thin and weak with no strengths. I couldn't sew, cook, fight, climb or retain any knowledge. By being born a female, I was already at a disadvantage, but with my never-ending flaws I became a liability to the crown, curse to the throne and more often than not, inspired laughter from all, my family included. My Brother - Kai, was set to inherit the throne. Serena, our sister who had been declared the fairest maiden in the land, was betrothed to Raiden, his family's treasures were plentiful and would be a great ally to the crown. So, it came to no surprise that I - youngest and weakest - was sent as a hostage to the Demon King.
"For so long you have brought us shame, but now, my sweet daughter, you have a chance to prove yourself worthy by maintaining peace between the two realms." My father sounded somewhat proud as his rough hands caressed my hair, I stiffened under his touch, not use to any display of affection from my parents.
I left with a quick kiss from my mother, a hug from both my siblings. Not a single tear had been shed at my departure.
After two whole days we had finally neared the shadow realm, the crescent moon at it's peak in the night sky. Laughter and music sounded from a castle lit internally with hues of bright orange. Tall gates opened upon our arrival, the hooves of our horses beat gently against the ground as we entered. Demons, witches and other creatures of the night spilled outside, probably to see the hostage. I wish I'd worn a cloak to hide in, their presence unnerved me and raised goosebumps along my flesh.
"The King wants to see her first." A woman spared me a glance, she stood shorter than the demons but her presence had a hold over them, probably a witch. She shoved my luggage into the arms of a demon "Here, make yourself useful." I flinched when she raised her sharp frail fingers and raked them through my unruly curls, if she wanted to, I'm pretty sure she could dig those claws into my head and lift out my brain. A gasp left my throat as the witch yanked my hair down to her nose and inhaled. "You smell disgusting." She pushed me back and snaked those bony fingers around my wrist. "Do they not eat in your land? Why so thin?" She raised my hand to inspect it, I almost scoffed at the irony but then I saw a concerned expression in those smokey white eyes. If they were capable of that small emotion then maybe they weren't horrible as they were made out to be? "We must feed you, the king has arranged a feast in your honour. I will feed you myself." she tugged at my arm, my feet shuffling behind her long strides. I felt like I was being dragged by this woman who kept pulling at me this way or the other like a ragdoll. "You don't talk much. You should talk." I opened my mouth but shut it quickly. We walked through the castle and I observed smiling servents, kids playing outside with a group of demons who seemed to be baby sitting, The different creatures of the dark seemed to coexist happily while the humans of my fathers realm waged war against one another.
"Stand up straight." she commanded as we reached glossy black doors, I extended my hand stroking the gem encrusted door handle in awe. All we had back home was raw wood. I felt like I was transported to an entirely different world full of riches, "have you never seen a door?"
If I wasn't terrified, I'd roll my eyes. "I haven't seen anything like this." What other treasures did these shadow people own? She fisted the back of dress, pulling me back to her side. "I'll show you all the doors in this place after you've eaten." She promised before swinging the doors open, silence immediately washed over the room. Three large chandeliers bathed the dining room in a warm that shone over a long dining table, the food on it were plentiful and mouth watering, the aromas caressing my senses. At the head of table sat the Demon King, his long raven hair styled in braid with a little girl perched on his lap, she seemed to be styling a flower crown on his head. His onyx eyes lit up as he saw me and this crazy lady. He got up with the little girl in his arms, sauntered across the room and towered over us. "My love." My eyes widened, and I nearly soiled my pants but it was the lady's hand he reached for, his lips pressing against it.
"My life." She responded, taking the girl from his arms and placing her gently on the ground. They shared an open mouthed kiss. I stared dumbfounded, I was with the Queen. The. Whole. Time.
"Get a room. Seriously, we are your children and do not need to see that." A disgusted, velvet voice spoke up, the little girl covered her eyes and giggled before running off to her newest victim - Prince Daemon, heir to the shadow realm. I heard about him, some said he shifted into a dragon, others into a bat. All of them said he ate virgins for breakfast. Currently, though, the feared Prince seemed to be eating a roasted lamb. He was dressed in black leather pants paired with an untucked, wrinkled white shirt. He was devastatingly handsome. Deep onyx eyes, inherited from his father, ran down the length of me. All my insecurities lashed wildly under his fervent gaze. "Are you the hostage?" I nodded in response, I became mute ever since I left home. "Do you speak?" Again I nodded. "Put her in front of a door and you'll see her come alive.'' The queen chuckled to her son and gently steered me to the table. She loaded my plate with the most aromatic food. "Let's eat." She sat down next to me, digging a fork in to my plate. "Open wide." I did as instructed, scared to rebel and talk back. She wasn't lying when she said she'd feed me herself, the Queen had forked everything into my mouth down to the last morsel and I have never tasted such deliciousness before, it burst of flavor.
She had shown me to my bed-chambers, bathed me herself, and sang me to sleep. I wasn't shown this much hospitality and kindness in my own home, and by my own family.
Days turned into months turned into years.
I soon became accustomed to their ways, fashion sense - I dressed mostly in leather or satin. I learned to speak in their tongue and became well educated in their politics. King Baraxes had me accompany him to all his meetings and even took my council. After Dinner I played with his daughter, the princess Reya and in the mornings walked with the Queen, I found comfort in her presence. The remainder of the time, I spent with Prince Daemon. He took me through the Shadow lands, trained me in combat himself and taught me how to flirt and kiss. I was slow to learn in the beginning , and assumed they'd get annoyed and grind my bones or just feed me whole to their hounds. They done none of that.
It was during dinner when they announced it. "King William and his party will joining us for feast." Shock rippled in waves down my spine, they were going to give me back, they had enough of me. Maybe I took up too much space and got too comfortable. I'd go back and blend into the wallpaper. The walls felt like it was closing in on me. I pushed out of my seat, the chair toppling over. Startled, they all stared at my sudden outburst. "I need air." I undid the buttons to my collar as I rushed out.
"Freya!" Daemon called after me. His footsteps growing louder as he neared me.
"Go away! I want to be alone before you send me back."
"As your Prince, I command you to stop" If I was anyone else, or if I was the mute girl who rode here on horseback, I would tremble and listen. But I wasn't her anymore.
"You are not my prince." I spat.
"No-one, I don't belong anywhere." Rage poured out my eyes and ran down my cheeks.
His sudden footsteps stopped, "You belong here, with us. With me." Prince Daemon spoke softly. In that moment, the night went quiet, the wind stop howling and I finally I heard those words I so desperately yearned for.
I stilled, slowly turning to face him "with you?"
"With me." He breathed, closing the distance between us. "I could never be parted from you." He took my hand in his, placing it over his chest, "this heart beats for you only."
Those words squeezed my heart, I was never good with words, so instead I stood on my toes and kissed Prince Daemon.
I have never felt more alive. Being wanted was high in it's own.
He shook his head, "I'm pretty sure that's not what they were about to say."
"Then why couldn't they lead with that?" I narrowed my eyes at him, playfully smacking his hand away from my chin.
Daemon rolled his eyes as I stalked by. "I miss the quiet girl."
"No, you don't. She wouldn't have kissed you."
I entered the dining hall, sat down quietly and began eating liking noting happened. I could feel their eyes burning holes into head, waiting for an explanation. I sighed, "Why is my father coming?"
"We want to solidify the peace between two realms." The king explained.
I furrowed my brows, "I thought that's why I was your host-." I spared a quick glance at the Queen who glared back, "ward." I quickly corrected, she hated the term hostage and said that it felt so cold and distant which was the opposite of my relationship with them.
"We want to maintain it, sweet child." The Queen refilled everyone's plate.
"Stop it, mother." Reya moved her plate further from her mother who just inched closer and dumped the food on to her plate. The little princess raised her brow then narrowed her eyes into slits. She snapped her fingers to hounds who came running.
"Sit" she ordered and scraped the food from her plate into their mouth. Her mother gave a pointed look to which she just shrugged and skipped off. Reya was going to be unstoppable force one day.
"Let her go, love." The King placed his hand on hers. She visibly relaxed under his touch.
"We want to suggest a marriage pact between you and Daemon."
