Ariana Pov as Ariana
What do I do? I need to follow what my heart wants. I’m afraid to make mistakes again but I am scared to become a slave again. I love it here and I want to stay here.
I was too clouded with many thoughts in my head and I didn’t realize I fall asleep.
” Ariana, wake up! I need you to explain to me!” I was troubled by the voice I heard from afar.
My eyes were tired to open but I managed to. I quickly got up to see Anika standing in front of me. Her eyes glared at me like she’s going to kill me. I can see the anger on her face.
“Give me back my life! You filthy whore! I did everything for you! How can you betray me!” She keeps cursing me until I felt her hands gripping my neck.
My eyes widened in fear. I hold her hands to stop it.
” Please, I beg you–do–do-not kill–me!” I was pleading for her mercy
She wasn’t listening to me. Her anger is in range. I saw Ergo beside her cursing at me too.
“I told you to finish your MISSION! You chose money and forget your husband. Give her life back, Ariana! Finally, Anika found your parents, your real parents!” Ergo told her.
“AHHHH!!!! Stop, Anika, stop!” I shouted and got up from my bed.
I opened my eyes to find Anika but she’s not choking me. I was dreaming again. Did I?
Wait, she said my real parents. What does she mean by it?
Anika POV as Ariana
“My Lord, maybe he can help us to find my parents. Let him guide us, please.” I said to the King as we were heading to one of the taverns in Salem.
We will take a rest first before continuing with our journey in finding Ariana’s father and mother. They are my only chance to know what’s the truth why they sold their daughter to the King and didn’t bother to visit or look at her when the Arcadia Kingdom lost the war. Maybe, there is something behind or they have reasons for it. Arem looks familiar to me. I think I saw him somewhere. I closed my eyes and a little incident came back to my mind.
“Ariana, don’t leave me! Where are you?” I heard that voice inside my head.
I tightly sealed the opening of my eyes to clearly understand this sudden flashback in my head. Until everything became vivid. I knew it now. Arem was Ariana’s husband.
“Let’s stay here first,” Arem said when we arrived at the Grand Tavern House.
We followed him inside and he asks the lady in charge for the rooms. She’s old and so big that even one small chair can’t last for her weight. I bit my lower lip not to laugh. I don’t know why but when I was in the office, I remembered one employee same as her. Fuck, Ergo will punish me for being so cruel again.
I saw Arem’s eyes keep stealing glances at me but I acted like I didn’t notice it. Of course, who can control their self when he was with his wife whom he looks for months. I feel pity for him.
Karl walked closer and whispered something in my ears. I knew what he’s going to tell me.
“He was Ariana’s husband” that’s what he murmured and I nod my head.
King Darius went inside to our room. I had no choice but to share a bed with him because I am one of his concubines. Argus was left behind in the palace. Good for him because he might eradicate our plan.
“Anika, can you come closer?” He asked me.
I smiled and walked towards him. I was surprised when he quickly pulled me in his arms. We both stumbled on the bed. My heart rate rises hastily as our body collides. What is he thinking? It’s too early to make love with me.
He shifted his body and locked me with his arms. He stared at my eyes and I could hear the sounds of his heart beating inside.
“So beautiful to kill. So interesting to use. So what will I do to you if I find out that you are using me?” I was shocked at what he said and when he harshly pulled the strand of my hair.
I whine in pain and hold his hands.
” What do you mean?” I asked him trying to let go of his grip.
He smirks and licks me on my face. I felt gross what he did.
” You’re so pure and innocent but mysterious. I wonder how you manage to fall fo you?” He just confessed.
Did I mishear something? Is he telling me that he fall for me? It can’t be! I can’t accept his love for me because I do not belong here and I don’t love him either. I just used him to find Ariana’s parents.
“What did you say?” The only thing I said.
My body trembled when he quickly pulled my neck upward and he started to kiss me roughly on my lips. I wanted to stop him but as he keeps torturing my mouth with his kiss, I just closed my eyes as my tears began to fall. This isn’t me anymore. I can’t decide if I kill him or not. He’s the only person who can help us but I think I need to change the plan. I will surely be the Queen of Valkery if I will treat him right.
I felt his hands crawled under my dress. This is what they called to make love. Since I’m still a virgin, I was nervous and hesitant. As his hands finally pulling down my undies I stop it.
“Wait, I think this is not the right time, my Lord. What if someone came in?” I whispered in his ears.
He shook his head while looking at me with his fiery and cold eyes.
“You’re my woman and I am the King. No one could stop us!” He said firmly and smashed his lips again to mine.
He’s too rough and he keeps biting my lips. I felt a bitter taste when I realized I my lips are bleeding. This is not good sex. He’s punishing me.
“Wait, hmmm–it hurts my Lord” I beg for him but he seems deaf.
He stops kissing me and rolled my body to lay down with my face facing the mattress. He’s untying my corset.
“Please, stop!” I shouted until we heard a knock on the door.
“My Lord, the owner of the Tavern wanted to welcome you for a special dinner.
He’s about to put his hardness but he stops.
” Get up! We will continue later!” He said and left me.
I got up to fix my dress. I wiped the blood from my mouth and followed him. I’m afraid my hands get dirty with blood if he continued treating me like a slave. I took a deep breath. Tonight, our plan hope works. Nothing to lose if we try besides I’m already dead the first time I got here. I had no choice but to finish this mission no matter what and I hope when that day came, both of us can go back safe to our bodies.
I walked out of our room when I saw Arem block my way.
” Ariana?” He mumbled and snatch my hands. He pulled me into one of the rooms.
“Am I dreaming? I was looking for you. Why you left home? Did King Darius take you? How he knew us?” Arem keeps asking me but I took off his hands from me.
I don’t want to hurt his feelings but I need to tell him the truth.
” It’s complicated but I am not your wife!” I firmly told him.
He won’t listen instead he kissed me without my permission.
“Please, tell me if it’s not you” he whispered in between his kiss.
I shook my face and pushed him harder. I know he misses her wife so much but I’m not Ariana.
“Help me find your wife’s parents and your wife will be back!” I told him.
He was confused and went towards me. He holds my shoulders and asked me what I just said.
“What do you mean you’re not my wife? Are you telling this kind of stupid things because you regret marrying me?” I can see how sad and in pain he was through his eyes.
I sigh.
“It’s a long story but you can ask Karl about me. Just trust me and you and Ariana will be reunited soon. I just need your help!” I beg for him.
This is my only chance. He was calm now.