one
It takes all of my willpower to keep my head held high, masking the anger and agony vibrating in my bones; holding back my need to sink my claws into this Kree's eye sockets. But I have to remain strong and calm- I can't waver. I won't give him the satisfaction to see me weak, plus it's not only my life on the line. Should I do something reckless my people could pay the price.
So the most I can do is fantasize that my stare had the ability to kill. Indigo eyes glare at me impatiently, looking down at me as he sits all high and mighty on MY throne. I've seen him in photos and holograms but this is the first time in the flesh. He wears the Supreme Accuser's battle armor, composed of dark colors and malleable and near indestructible metals. Engraved on the chest plate are various Kree symbols, the same show on his helmet. His cerulean face has gritty, coal black substance that surrounds his eyes, dipping down his cheeks to merge with the same material covering his chin- emphasizing his dramatic appearance.
"Why me? Why not one of your own people?" I probe, hoping he would at least give me some kind of justification.
"I do not have to explain anything to you, Empress. Do you agree to my terms or not." What was there to agree to? Either I marry one of the most loathed beings in the galaxy or watch him murder everyone on my moon. And he certainly isn't bluffing, his title as the Supreme Accuser is no joke.
"Do I even have a choice?"
"Become my bride, or I destroy this miniscule moon." I clench my fist, piercing my skin with my claws in an attempt to control my rage. He speaks of my home as if it's a nuisance, further proving to me that lives are at stake.
"If I agree…will I ever see my people again?" his answer is too quick,
"No." my heart sinks; I don't know what to do.
"You're being unreasonable," I snap, I can't just stand here and let this Kree demand me; even if he is the Supreme Accuser, I am an Empress!
"You come to my moon, ignoring intergalactic protocol and breaching my atmosphere's boundaries without sanction. You storm into my palace, demanding I bond with you when you have not adhered any of the customs of my culture that come with courtship. Neither have you proved yourself worthy of my consideration! What could you even offer me, Accuser? Death?" My last words certainly upset the Kree; he stands, beholding his towering height.
"I offer to incinerate the entirety of this excuse of an Empire! This is not a negotiation, Daka'Asham. Continue to test my generosity and you will join your people in flames." I clench my teeth as a seething growl emits from my throat. The Kree thinks he's being generous? There's not a charitable molecule within him. My rage reaches zenith and I can't contain it anymore. I summon magik, allowing the pure energy within me to concentrate into my palms. The Kree snarls but doesn't move; matter fact he stands straighter as if daring me to attack him. We stare each other down, silently determining who would falter first.
Unfortunately this gives me more time to think on my actions. Even as a Daka'Asham my powers barely match the Accuser. If we fight, my defeat is inevitable. And he would kill the people I love. The Daka'Ash are a stubborn species, they'll go to war before giving up any of their own, especially their ruler. But our kingdom is a speck compared to the Krees; we would be wiped out of existence. What kind of Queen would I be to allow that to happen? I exhale heavily and let the energy sink back into me. I have to preserve our empire, and I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to makes sure of that- even if I have to spend the rest of my life with this despicable creature.
"Fine. I will be your bride, Accuser. But you are mistaken if you think I will ever form the sacred bond with you." It's easy to be one's partner; I assume this whole ordeal must be political-and the Krees are obnoxiously political creatures. And he'll never form the pair bond with me-such a potent force requires a spirit the Accuser will never posses.
"In due time, Empress." He says, whatever the hell that's supposed to mean.
"Also, I desire to bring along my servants-"
"-No-"
"-Just a few." I am not leaving this moon alone and I don't care how long I have to debate with the Kree to deserve this. I cross my arms as I await his answer; if he's thinking I can't tell. His expression has remained the same this whole time-glowering eyes and a permanent scowl upon his lips.
"Very well," he speaks while sitting back down on MY throne.
"You may bring two servants. We leave at sunrise."
I race to the servants' quarters not bothering to knock as I burst into the chamber.
"Daka'Asham!" they all gasp and swarm me with comforting hugs.
"What happened? What did the Accuser want?" a servant queries, but there is not time to explain to them my encounter with the monster. I go straight to the point.
"I need two of you to come with me. But…but you will never set foot on Daka'Ashar again." The room becomes silent. I can tell they're trying to decipher if my words are true. But now is not the time for hesitation, the sun would rise in four hours and I know the Kree has no tolerance for tardiness.
"Please, this is a lot to ask of any of you, but I can't waste another moment trying to explain myself-"
"I'm with you, Daka'Asham." My youngest servant, Asma, speaks out. I know her parents quite well, and wonder if I should reject her offer. But her presence always brings me joy and I would need plenty of that.
"Anything for you, Lady Asha." The oldest servant I have, Akinyi, also speaks. She had served my household for nearly three generations. When my parents died she had been my comfort and strength. It brings tears to my eyes to know her devout loyalty to me and my family has not wavered in the slightest.
"Thank you with all my heart. Now is the time to say your goodbyes because we leave at sunrise."
I've never been one to obsess over material things, and it was easy enough to stuff my clothes into trunks, but I couldn't help but feel turmoil over which heirlooms I should bring along. Some treasures I can't bear to leave behind, but they are both too large and heavy or too apart of Daka'Ash history to be taken away. In the end I pack my mother's jewel embroidered toothcomb and my father's necklace composed of condensed stars (a feat very difficult to achieve).
After closing a last trunk full of books, I kneel before the case feeling depleted from all this work. Now that it comes to mind why didn't I tell my servants to do this? I can tell the sun is rising, based off of the heat I sense on my skin. I look outside my bedroom window and see the sun's glow illuminating the mountains outlining the borders of the city. The sky has taken on a warm harvest orange and dark orchid color, the clouds appear as a soft sapphire. Below, within clusters of grounded sky high towers and hovering homes, civilians sleep as their Monarch prepares to depart her Empire forever. How did this even come to be? Six hours ago the Supreme Accuser, for the first time since my mother's rule, comes to my kingdom demanding for courtship. He came in the night, injuring many of my guards on the way into my palace. By the time I find the Kree he's sitting on my cathedra. He speaks his proposal, and I spent nearly three hours thinking on it. What does he even see in me? Why this Empress who only rules fifty thousand Daka'Ash?
I don't think I will ever know why. And I'll never see this magnificent view again. I'll never have the priveledge to watch the city awaken and hum with life. These thoughts are too much to bear and I can't hold in my emotions any longer. I collapse on my bed and weep as much as I can. I've only been Empress for six years; all the things I need to do will never come to fruition. My legacy as the Daka'Asham ends here and soon I'll be known as the noble forced to marry Ronan the Accuser. Could I have done better mother? Should I have fought tooth and nail? A knock on my door forces me to wipe away my sorrow. I can't appear weak before my people.
"Come in." I say. It's Tía Amelia, my mother's sister and my advisor. We've never gotten along, not since mother declared me the new Empress instead of her. But I can tell she isn't here to rub my decision in my face. In fact she has a fresh stream of tears on her cheeks. Even though she's a thorn in my side from time to time she has always supported me the best she could. I know I'm the reason she has grey strands growing throughout her hair but her love for me is absolute. She sits beside me and cups my face with gentle hands.
"Did I do the right thing Tía?" I couldn't help but wonder. We'd already consulted on what I should do, but Tía had been at a loss of words. What was there to say when a powerful Alpha demands marriage otherwise all you loved would be burned to ashes? The scenario is absurd, but I still had to react.
"I, honestly, do not know Daka'Asham. But our people would not survive a war with the Krees." She says.
"Will they understand?"
"Whether they understand does not matter. You have done what you thought best, and all Daka'ash must respect that," She wipes her thumbs along my skin, and kisses my forehead.
"You are my sister's legacy Asha. You are all I have of her. If you ever need me," she places a small device in my hand and encloses my fingers around it.
"I will move mountains to get to you." I couldn't help the new set of tears rushing from my eyes.
"Thank you Tía."
He calls his spacecraft the Dark Aster, a fitting title for the largest machine I've seen in my lifetime. It's entirely enveloped in black, seemingly camouflaging with the galaxy's background. Two smaller ships land into the Aster's haul. Warriors swarm the ship I'm on, carrying out my belongings to my new home. I step off the spacecraft and instantly feel a sense of awe come over me. The sheer power and authority this machine oozes matches its master perfectly. Its also quite cold, making me rub my bare arms in attempt to feel warm. I feel Asma tuck her small hand into mine.
"All will be well Empress." Her soft voice assures. I nod, though I know this is the beginning of a miserable story. I still don't understand what the Accuser wants from me. What does he gain by our joining? Why couldn't he pick a suitor from his own kind? And there are plenty of other Queens with more status and power than myself. What separates them from me?
"Come Lady Asha. We must get you settled." Akinyi says, grasping my arm and urging me forward.
Inside the vessel is awfully dark. The walls are meteorites colored in black, dark blue or a metallic crimson. Were it nor for the few strobe lights slightly brightening the halls I wouldn't be able to see anything. A servant of Ronan leads my servants and I to my room-if it can even be called that. It seems more like a miniature palace. Unlike the rest of the ship, this space screams bright colors and light. The servant bows to me and takes his leave.
"Pardon my language Empress, but holy flarg." Asma says in marvel. I'm just as astounded; I never thought the Kree would allow such a radiant place to exist on his craft. As hours pass by, we manage to unpack and explore our new space. There are fifteen rooms; a master bedroom (larger than my own bedroom on Daka'Ashar) with a huge bathroom, five smaller sized rooms similar to my own with each its own bathroom, a large antechamber, a dining room, and a study room, and library filled with numerous books stocked onto tall shelves. I wonder if this space has been here all along or the Accuser created it to accommodate me; I'd rather believe in the former, if I know anything about Krees they're not a benevolent species. I linger in the library, scanning through the texts and rolling my eyes at their context. Every single one has to do with the Krees-whether its history, alchemy, and even fiction.
"Empress," Akinyi calls to me. I turn to her, seeing her standing in the doorway.
"I've drawn you a bath." I sigh, and follow her to the extravagant tub made completely out of rare Spartax crystals. I can see thick mounts of steam rising from the boiling water-just how I like it. I settle into the tub, feeling my muscles relax.
"The Accuser wishes to meet with you later on." The old female tells and I groan in dismay.
"What does he want now?"
"What do you wish to wear?"
"The ugliest outfit I have." She chuckles,
"Very well, a lavish casual dress then."
"That's not what I said."
"Do not let the Kree ruin you style Lady Asha. You must make best of any situation presented to you." There she goes again, pulling out her old female wisdom, making me pout in irritation.
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean," Akinyi sits close to the tub so that her next words are for our ears alone.
"You are wedding one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy. And a male is a male no matter the species Daka'Asham." I squint my eyes,
"I still don't understand." Her eyes roll,
"Goodness, you are so childish sometimes!" my mouth goes agape; she hasn't spoken to me that way since I was a young.
"Listen, use the Accuser to your advantage."
"Wait…you mean use my femininity?" I say the word as if it's a curse.
"Exactly!"
"Ha! What makes you think the Accuser will fall for a female's seduction? For all we know he may lean towards the other gender-"
"I am being serious!" Akinyi scolds yet laughs as well.
"Even Alphas with iron hearts can succumb."
"Unfortunately I do not have a seductive bone in my body. You forget, Akinyi. I am the only Empress in Daka'Ash history to be coronated without a pair bond. And what makes you think I even want to…to seduce that thing." The old servant sighs and hands me a sponge with a bottle of oil.
"Once you learn to use your potential, Lady Asha, you will be surprised at the immeasurable power you posses." I begin scrubbing my arms,
"What would you know of this 'immeasurable power'?" she gives me a playful look and begins running her fingers through my hair, perhaps thinking of whether to wash it now or later. I take the time to look her over. Youthfulness is a common characteristic of our people. Despite her actual age Akinyi could still pass for three or four hundred, which is the typical age of a Daka'Ash adult.
"Can we talk about something else? Please." I ask politely.
"You still have not chosen what to wear."
Asma and Akinyi assist me into dark lavender two-piece that fits, a little, too snug. My shoulders and collarbones are exposed, fabric grasps my breasts; my abdomen is bare, my skirt is embroidered with laces of gold swirling floral patterns and hugs my waist and flows down to my feet. Akinyi drapes an oval gold jewel around my neck, as Asma clasps gold platelets onto my arms and wrists. Afterward my ebony hair is fluffed and let loose along my shoulders, adorned with few gold beads. I try to forgo make-up not wanting to look so put together for the Kree, but Akinyi forcefully insists. My lips end up painted a dark mahogany. Finally, few of my fingers are decorated with gold or silver rings. I look in the mirror, admiring my servants' work. This isn't the most exquisite clothing I own-its actually very casual. But it's certainly beautiful.
"Its best not to test the Accuser's patience, Empress." Asma speaks.
The walk to meet the Kree is quiet-so quiet it's unnerving. My people are rather lively and cheerful beings; here is a complete contradiction to what I'm used to. Everything is so heavily drenched in darkness and gloom. Akinyi is with me, and I hold her hand for support. I still can't believe she had the absurd idea that I could influence this male. I'm not even in his presence yet he affects me so greatly-like a terrorizing pressure bearing on my shoulders. We arrive at large stone double doors, before it stands one of the Kree's commanders-also infamous throughout the galaxy as a child of Thanos, the only being more fearsome than the Grand Accuser.
"You have kept Ronan waiting far too long, Daka'Ash." Korath greets moodily.
"Its Daka'Asham to you, Pursuer." He scowls at my servant,
"He awaits you alone." Akinyi grips my hand tighter, but I assure her that I would be fine-hopefully. I approach the doors and they open wide enough to let me through and shut behind me. And here I am again, standing before the Accuser as he sits on a throne glaring at me.
"Accuser." I greet. He says nothing, instead unashamedly eyes me up as if disapproving of my appearance. I have to bite my cheek to hold my tongue; I can't let him see how much he bothers me.
"Does your new dwelling please you." He says nonchalantly.
"It does." I answer honestly; lying has never been my forte, and I'm sure the Kree has a sixth sense for fallacies. I wonder why he would bother asking if I like my miniature palace.
"Have you eaten?" and now he's concerned about my hunger? What the hell?
"No." suddenly he stands from his cathedra, and lumbers his way towards me. He walks past me, heading to another door way on the other side of the throne. I expect he wants me to follow him, so I tag along. He opens the door and allows me in first. What I see makes my heart skip a beat. A long table, with massive chairs, is littered with all of my favorite foods: roasted kraken kabobs, Daka'ash melons and grapes, Askavarian veggie wraps, Emeral'an dark chocolate, and my absolute favorite-Terran red wine-lays patiently for me in a transparent goblet. I look to the Accuser, hoping this wasn't some kind of mind game. Why would he go through the trouble of doing this? How did he even know what I like to eat?
"I will come for you later, do not leave this room." The Kree declares,
"You will not be joining me?" I query, and feel my stomach twist when the Kree, somewhat, smirks; his lips twitch and the expression is gone in a heartbeat replaced by his usual glowering demeanor.
"I have other things to attend to." And he takes his leave.
Often Akinyi tells me I eat like a Blob'gurian and if she were here I'm certain she would say it once more. I stuff the foods into my mouth. Not bothering with how I look since there's no one here to judge my etiquette. Just as I swallow down another veggie wrap I take a large gulp of wine, hoping the affects of it would take hold soon. Unfortunately Terran wine is not as strong as any other so it takes nearly eight goblets of the substance before I finally feel a buzz. I sit in a chair, my feet up on the table, as I let the food digest and sip on more wine. It's been at least an hour since Ronan has been gone. Hopefully whatever he's doing takes up so much of his time that I won't have to see his evil mug for the rest of the week. Yet my luck proves to be absent as the Kree walks into the room. He gives me a stern look, possibly not liking my un-noble-like posture. I remove my feet and stand, approaching the Accuser-his expression doesn't change.
"Quit glaring at me. You practically forced me to marry you, the least I deserve is your judging looks."
"I did not expect to be engaged to such a indecent female," My mouth drops open; he did not just say that!
"You expose your skin flauntingly and clearly do not know what shoes are." I clench my hands, trying my best to choose my words and not speak loosely. I can't let him get the best of me.
"Our planet is consistently warm, Accuser. We do not need to cover up. There is nothing wrong with skin exposure. And I know what shoes are, I prefer to be without them. I sense my surroundings best barefoot." The Kree frowns at my comeback, obviously not used to arguments. There are probably very few even allowed to debate with the Accuser, well aware of the sword dangling above their heads on a thin string.
"I will send for a tailor."
"I like the clothes I have." He steps forward, almost pushing me back when he comes a little too close. My height reaches the Kree's shoulders, yet his presence is colossal.
"You need armor."
"Armor?" why the hell would I need that?
"As of now you are too susceptible to attack."
"I am Daka'Ash, Accuser. We are not an easily perishable species."
"I am not spending another minute on this topic!" the Accuser suddenly snarls,
"You will be fitted with Kree armor tomorrow and that is final."
"No!" I retort angrily and rush past him, feeling my anger rising in me again. The nerve of this male! I am the Daka'Asham! I do not have to heed his every whim. I feel my wrist grabbed and am suddenly heaved back, crashing onto the Kree's form. The impact is almost painful, causing me to wince in discomfort.
"Your actions are punishable by death." The Accuser growls fiercely; his dark purple eyes seem to dance in fury as he-as usual-glares at me severely. My stare will never be as nefarious, but I'm sure my annoyance shows. What the hell did I do to deserve death? For putting my feet on the table? For not wearing enough fabric? For talking back?
"Than kill me." I sneer. Ronan grimaces and pushes me away; his breathing has become heavy, as if the only way to alleviate his wrath is for his fists to collide with something. And that something is not going to be me. I rush to the door, needing to be with Akinyi as soon as possible, but just before I take my leave I turn to the Accuser,
"You take me from my home and expect me to be docile? Do not be so naïve." Those words definitely set him off, because he comes running towards me.
'Oh shit!' I scream in my head, as I sprint off in the other direction.
"What did you do!" Akinyi scolds as quietly as she could. We've managed to squeeze into some kind of ventilation box, my eyes look through the vent's thin striped covering wondering if this is a worthy hiding spot.
"Lady Asha!"
"Silence Akinyi! You are being too loud! If he finds us he'll kill us."
"Goodness. It is not even the afternoon."
"Akinyi, be qu-" thumping sounds, along with the vent vibrating shuts me up. We listen closely, hearing the Accuser's boots rampage down the corridor. I could hear his deep breathing and feel his oozing wrath as he searches for me. What have I done? Why do I have such a big mouth sometimes? After I called the Accuser 'naïve', which I honestly think he is, the Kree's reaction was to chase me instead of thinking on my words.
"I grow weary of this foolish game. Come out now, or your punishment will be severe." Ronan chides.
'As if' I want to say. He must think me stupid to face him now while he's still seething with anger. Akinyi has covered her mouth and I could tell she had stopped breathing, perhaps afraid the Accuser would hear her breaths. This is ridiculous. I am an Empress. Why should I have to hide? And then the vent's cover is ripped from its hinges. Manic swirls of indigo glare daggers at me, and I'm hauled out with one hand. The Kree grips my neck, threatening to tighten should I move.
"I will not tolerate this Daka'Asham." He bellows, and for the first time I feel an intense fear spread through me. It feels as if ice water has been poured all along my skin, freezing my heart and blood. I try to speak, but I'm frozen. I don't know what I could say to defuse the situation. So far all I've managed to do is dig myself into a deeper hole. He must sense my despicable state, because his lips twitch, much like before, as if he wants to smirk but refuses to.
"Whatever the Daka'Asham had said to upset you, Supreme Accuser, please understand it was out of passion." Akinyi pleads as she stands behind me.
"Out of passion?" he questions as his glare turns to her.
"You have taken her from her home. It is no different than taking someone prisoner. Retaliation is inevitable whether through snide remarks or-"
"Attempts to escape." He finishes.
"Yes." I close my eyes and bless my old servant with all my heart. I could feel Ronan's anger decrease dramatically, though his hand remains around my neck.
"I will not accept retaliation," He says.
"Alright. I understand, send me to my room for weeks, months, years, I do not care for how long and I swear I will never come out." I retort, needing to be away from this monster now. I wouldn't have any problem with being grounded to my room for life, if it meant not having to see him.
"You think that is a fitting penalty?" he scorns; what else would he have in mind? There's no way he'd physically hurt his bride to be…would he?
"I think the Empress should be given a warning. You forget, Accuser, we are not accustomed to the Krees' rules. At least allow us time to learn, then it would be fair to exact punishment." Akinyi suggests, and I could tell her constant intruding is irritating the Kree-based on how his eyes would glare at her dangerously whenever she spoke.
"That is fair. I was not aware that I could not speak my mind." I agree. He glances from me to my servant, and for once I can tell he's thinking. With a growl he removes his grip from my neck,
"Very well. Tonight I, personally, will teach you all of our laws." He snarls, and gives me one last, glaring, look before strutting past me. When the Kree is far enough that I no longer hear his steps I drop on my knees and clutch my heart feeling awfully woozy. Is this how I'll spend the rest of my life? Tip-toeing around the Accuser's easily inflamed emotions. I have always spoken my mind. That is how I was raised to be. And that's not something I can change on the go.
"Perhaps a nap would serve well." Akinyi says as she gets me to stand.
"Hopefully it will." I say, and let her lead me back to my room.