Dark Side

Elara

For as long as I could remember, my people had been at war with demons. Before I was even born. There was a time before we went to war with them, but that was when my father became king. He’d come to the throne because my grandfather had been murdered by the king of demons. Now, they’d been tired of fighting, it was killing our kingdom. Their solution for peace? Me. They were going to give me away to the King of demons. Oroan. They were just going to give me away to that monster. “You can’t be serious!” I protested at the sound of them telling me the news. “I won’t do it. It’s not happening. I’m not marrying that monster!” My mother looked at me with sympathetic eyes. They’d tried to tell me that it was what was best for the kingdom, that it was the only way that it would stand. They even had the audacity to try and tell me that I was going to have to give him an heir. Over my dead body.

“Enough!” My father raised his voice, making me flinch at the table. “King Oroan is due here within the hour. Go to your room and change into the dress that has been sent by King Oroan. He’ll want to see you in it.” I glared at him, slamming my cup down and throwing my napkin on the table. I got up, shoving my chair out of the way, hard enough to make it fall to the ground. “This is unbelievable,” I muttered as I walked to my room. An arranged marriage. It wasn’t fair. I was going to be miserable, I was going to hate my life I opened the door to my room, seeing the outfit that had been laid out for me, I quickly changed into it. Hearing a knock on my door before It opened, I turned to look at my mother.

“He’s here darling. I know you don’t want to do this, and as much as I don’t want this to happen, we have no control over the situation.” She held her arm out for me and I hooked mine around hers. We walked down the hall, a lump forming in my throat and panic rising in my chest as we got closer to the throne room. I wasn’t ready for this. I wasn’t ready to marry a monster.

@ The Detective
Oroan had been furious after the Royal Council had confronted him. During their monthly meetings they told him if he didn’t end the war with the humans and give the throne an Heir they would be forced to abdicate him from the throne and pass it to his brother, who already had three sons. Oroan had left the meeting in a haste. What did they think, acting as if he wasn’t the king? As if this wasn’t his kingdom. This war wasn’t some silly fun time for him. It was just desserts for the humans killing his father. The Council knew this. Oroan had fought in this war, on the frontlines with his men, and they had the audacity to demand such things from him? He was furious.

After Oroan reas through their laws and charters he knew they were right. They could take his title away, and he refused to relinquish any ounce of power. This was his kingdom, these were his people. He had sent numerous messenger to the human’s kingdom to work out a deal. His only demands were that he needed an heir. He told the King he believed an heir of both bloods could soothe the tensions between both kingdoms.

Today was the day he, and two members of the Royal Council, were headed to the human’s kingdom to sign the peace treaty and finish the fine details. Oroan wore one of his simpler suits for the trip. He didn’t want to come off as a braggadocios man. Even though they had the ability to teleport, Oroan insisted on traveling by carriage. He wanted to see the kingdom that could become his.

When they arrived, Oroan led the two members up to the gate and the doors, he followed the man that led them to the King’s parlor. He bowed as he looked at the King and offered his hand. He had no emotion on his face and stood with the best posture. After shaking the king’s hand, Oroan folded his hands behind his back, looking around the palace as they waited for Elara.

Swallowing the lump that was in my throat as my mom pushed the doors open, I stood up straight. I wasn’t sure what he’d looked like, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. I was lying if I said I wasn’t terrified. I’d heard stories of the way that demons treated humans. I could only imagine how I was going to be treated. Would he torture me? Force himself on me? I had no idea what was going to happen to me. My breath caught in my throat when I saw him. I wasn’t expecting him to be so handsome. He was taller than my father and lean. He had deep black hair, brown eyes.

He was attractive, and that would make this whole thing easier, but that still didn’t mean I wanted to do it. Pushing a strand of red hair out of my face before he turned to look at me, I looked at my mother. “I don’t want to do this,” I whispered quietly, fear still building within me. Once we got closer, I realized he had noticed me. He was staring at me and I couldn’t look away from him. No matter how hard I tried or how much I wanted to, I could not stop staring into his deep brown eyes. I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d been thinking. Especially when he saw me. I was used to having princes and occasionally kings trying to take my hand in marriage. Every time I turned them down, and I would have turned him down too, if I had a choice.

Coming to a stop directly in front of him, my mother kissed my cheek before going to sit down, forcing me to stand here with him alone. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I did a slight curtsy, knowing that my father would murder me if I didn’t show Oroan respect as a king and my future husband.

@ The Detective
King Oroan stood still, his icy glare moving about. He turned his head just slightly as he heard Elara enter the room. He watched as she and her mother came towards him. The King had told Oroan what she looked like, but he didn’t realize just how beautiful she would truly be. Not that he would ever tell them that or admit he thought so. He tucked that piece of information away in his mind.

Oroan bowed slightly as his eyes moved up and down Elara. He turned his head and looked at the two Council members flanked behind him, waving a hand dismissively. “You two don’t have to stay at my side.” He said, his voice deep and husky. After the two left, Oroan turned his attention back to Elara. His eyes looking deep into hers. He could tell she was trying to put on a brave face, it didn’t surprise him. He didn’t think she had a choice in this matter either.

Oroan offered his hand out to Elara, taking hers he lifted her hand up and pressed his lips to her knuckles before letting go. “Pleasure to meet you, your highness.” He said and stood straight up again. He looked around the room as he felt all the eyes on them. “Let’s sit.” He said and turned looking at his Council members and the King and Queen. “No need for staring.” He said and moved across the room. Oroan and the Council members sat opposite the table of the King and Queen. Oroan knew they would want to discuss the finer details of the peace treaty before they all signed it, but Oroan just wanted this to be over. He tapped his fingers on the hard wood table as he watched Elara. She looked strong, and stubborn, he had thought she would be a frilly and fragile girl as a princess but he was wrong and he liked it. He liked a strong woman. He licked his lips slightly before he turned his attention back to the other King.