Hi readers. This story has been stuck in my head for ages so I really wanted to write it down. I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 1
Tari glared at her stepfather, Lord Crane, from across the room. She had always hated him, but now she absolutely loathed him. He was forcing her to marry a complete stranger, far older than her, simply to improve his political position. Her new fiancé was willing to illegally give Crane money, property and slaves in exchange for her.
"Tari, there you are!" exclaimed her mother's voice from behind her. Tari turned to see her mother heading towards her, looking exasperated. "I've been looking for you everywhere! You need to get ready, Lord Gorran is going to be here in an hour!" Tari allowed her mother to drag her off to her chambers.
On her bed laid a crimson dress.
"Put it on." Her mother commanded. Tari reluctantly stripped to her undergarments and hastily slipped the dress on. Her mother began to lace from the back, pulling so tight that Tari could barely breath.
"Must you tie it so tight?" she asked breathlessly.
"Don't you want to look beautiful for your husband to be?" her mother snapped.
"Not if I have to suffocate." Tari muttered sullenly.
"You will not impress Lord Gorran with that attitude." Her mother scolded. Tari scowled. She didn't want to impress him. She wished she didn't have to marry him. She'd had nightmares for weeks about the abuse she feared her future husband would inflict on her. Her mother's hands set to weaving her hair into a long intricate braid. Tari didn't understand why Lord Gorran even wanted to marry her; she was far younger than he was, and wasn't particularly pretty either. Her face was ordinary looking, she was rather short and her figure went straight up and down like a board. Yes, she had striking red hair, but it was wild and unkempt and never did what she wanted. Her mother began to paint her face with cosmetics, making her look like a doll.
"Put these on." Her mother commanded, holding out a pair of black shoes with heels. "Goodness knows you need to add a few inches to your height." Tari rolled her eyes but pulled the shoes on anyway. They were stiff and made her ankles ache. Her mother stepped back and looked at her.
"There, you look a picture!" she sighed happily but her face hardened and grew stern. "Now, Tari, I don't want any bad attitude from you. Do not talk back to Lord Gorran, do not be sullen. Now come. We must go to meet him." Tari followed her mother out of the room on shaking legs. She was scared. No, she was terrified. She didn't want to meet this man. Her mother led her to the drawing room and sat her down. Tari sat motionless, chewing the inside of her cheek, as she always did when she was nervous. After a minute or two, the door swung open and her stepfather strode in, followed by a man Tari assumed was Lord Gorran. He was tall and broad with sharp features, ice blue eyes and dark hair. He reminded Tari of an eagle. She stood and bobbed a small curtsy, the way her mother had taught her to. Gorran looked her up and down before taking a seat beside Crane. Tari sat, not liking the feel of his gaze on her. Crane and Gorran proceeded to discuss the terms of the engagement, and to Tari's relief, she was not spoken to. Most of their conversation meant little to her until Crane said, "And she will go with you tonight." Tari's head snapped up at that.
"Tonight?" she asked, trying not to sound too reluctant, while her heart raced with fear.
"Yes, tonight." Crane said before turning straight back to Gorran. Tari felt like someone had poured a bucket of icy water all over her. She didn't want to leave with a man she had just met! She clenched her hands into fists to stop them from shaking. She was being bartered and sold like livestock!
"The wedding will take place in one year." Said Crane. At least she wasn't being married immediately.
Finally, the discussion was over and the two men stood.
"Tari, your things have been packed and are being brought to the main gate." Crane said. He led the way to the gate, where a carriage was waiting for Gorran and Tari. Tari felt numb as her mother kissed her goodbye and bundled her into the carriage. She hadn't had time to take it in. Gorran climbed in beside her and the carriage jolted her away to her new life.
Loki stood in his father's throne room, bored. They were here to welcome back High Lord Gorran, a man Loki had never liked, and the poor girl who was to be his bride. Though, it was probably some silly, giggling Lord's daughter who would annoy the hell out of him. The door swung open and Gorran strode towards them, a short girl with wild red hair following him. She had dark brown eyes and a delicate face. She wasn't exactly pretty, but she was interesting looking.
"Welcome back, Lord Gorran." Odin greeted the lord and then turned to the girl. "What is your name?" he asked her.
"My name is Tari Silven, Your Majesty." She said quietly.
"Welcome to the palace, Tari Silven." Odin smiled. Gorran left hastily, taking the girl with him. Loki excused himself while Thor was congratulated on some new way of being perfect. Thor had always been Odin's favourite son. Thor was everyone's favourite, men and maidens alike. Men wanted to be his friend and maidens wanted to marry him. It was always the same. Loki was lonely. He read, he focused on his magic, but he never had any company.
That's it for today. I hope you enjoyed it. I'm sorry that it took such a long time to get to Loki. Please follow and review, constructive criticism is always welcome.