I am so sorry for the long wait. Merry Christmas & Enjoy!
Recap:
"The room is for newlyweds," he drawls disinterestedly. Exhausted, I fall to the bed, too tired to remove my gown.
"This is also where I lost my virginity."
"Who was she?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.
"Gold eye's daughter, you met her, she came to the castle."
"Pansy?"
He nods, a hard look on his face. "When she first came out, every lad in the Dragon court wanted her. I was no different. She was young, beautiful, clever, everything you could want in a woman. But she had an appetite much like her father's; nothing was good enough for her."
"Did you love her?" I ask softly.
A bitter laugh escapes his throat. "Love and lust, it was a glorious mixture of the two, gods I ran after her like a puppy in heat, even convinced her to marry me, I was a bloody fool."
"What happened?"
"Her father found her a better match and she broke it off, made a squire inform me on the day of the wedding."
"Who could be a better match than you?" I ask, unsure of what to say.
"I wasn't second in line to the throne then princess. Abraxas was King then, and he had three healthy sons to succeed him, no one thought it'd be my father. It was only after the Fire wars that he realized he had no choice, all his heirs were dead."
"I'm sorry," I say gently.
"Don't be sorry little bird, the bitch got what she deserved, the rich lord left her for a younger and prettier whore, and she came crawling back to the court, and into my bed."
"How could you allow her back after what she'd done?" I ask, irate at his stupidity.
A velvety chuckle escapes his lips as he walks towards me, fire dancing in his eyes. "I didn't have to love her to fuck her. She thought I was giving her another chance, but by then I was only interested in what was between her legs."
Throwing his shirt on the floor, he climbs into bed, crushing me against him. "You see little bird; it was a good thing I got my heart broken, because if I hadn't, you wouldn't be here beneath me."
A choking sound escapes my lips as he traces wet kisses across my neck, pulling my face closer to his. "And now that I have you, I will never let you go."
Scars heal. Physical pain is the best thing man can hope for. There are agonies far worse than those of the flesh. I remind myself of my father's words every day I bathe her. I repeat them over and over in my head, ignoring her discomfort, her unease.
She deserved to be beaten. She dishonoured me, my family, the kingdom. And yet, a pervasive sense of guilt haunts me every time I look at her, it is in her gaze, in her eyes, in her every step. She loathes me. And I need her.
I cannot bring myself to say I love her. It would be a lie. I am incapable of love, it is something I felt long ago for a fragile woman locked in a tower, but that was in another life. That boy withered away, he was weak, naïve, easily damaged and I am glad he is gone. A king is not weak, he cannot sit idly by as his wife cuckolds him, and I will be king, of this I am sure.
A few more minutes and we will enter the Isles, my home, my jail, my destiny. But all I can think of are her empty eyes. It has been a fortnight since I last touched her, and yet she flinches every time I am near. Her tiring sister has not made things any better, she prattles on endlessly, setting both me and Hermione on edge. But today, she will be sent off to her husband. That almost brings a smile to my face.
I ride my horse faster, tired of the journey, of the war, of simpering men and women. Thank the gods I hadn't married Celine. I'd have probably locked her up in a tower by now. Marrying her sister had never been part of the plan, but one look at her, and I knew I had to have her. She was like a horse I'd had once - wild, fierce, unsurmountable, the only one I could never tame. Father had eventually had her put down, his patience running thin. But a few more months and I would have broken her. She would have been mine.
Except that breaking Hermione gave me little satisfaction. I wanted to own her spirit, her laugh, her wild beauty, but she kept it locked away from me, giving me nothing but her body. And as much pleasure as that gave me, when the candles burned out and the morning light crept into the room, she was gone from me.
I could not force her to want me. I knew that the day I married her. But if I was the only thing she could depend on, the only one who could keep her safe, her only choice was to accept me. And as soon as we reached the Isles, she would understand this reality.
"Goyle, inform the ladies we are nearing the palace, father is expecting us," I bark at the rider opposite me.
A swathe of gleaming green towers jut out ahead of me, and a profound sense of relief floods through me. My little bird will find no friends inside these walls. Once inside, there is no escape.
Where will you hide now little dove?
Trumpets blare as I blaze through the handsome gates of the emerald isles - the richest city in the realm, and the most sinful. As a boy, I had loathed this place but after leaving, I had a strange longing to return. It was an integral part of me, a dark twisted shadow that followed me wherever I went. Wretches, whores and lusty old men populated its streets, and yet upon a glance it seemed perfect. With its picturesque jade houses and tall marble statues, it was the dream everyone aspired to live. But being at the very centre of its elaborate facade, I knew just how false its beauty was.
The poisoned jewel. That was my name for it. But it was home.
Riding through it, I nod stiffly at the fools waving at me in the streets, adorned in their expensive sashes and silks. Only a few years prior, they had laughed at my father, labelling me the pauper prince's son. And now I would rule them all. The thought gives me a measure of satisfaction, and I smile back, mentally making a list of all the men I will destroy when I assume the throne.
Finally, we reach the Palace courtyard, and I jump off from my horse, making my way to the carriage. Five hours have passed since I last saw her, and her absence has made me restless.
Reaching the carriage, I throw upon the doors, but find it empty. A hollow rage explodes within me. It takes me a second to regain my composure as I realize she is standing on the far side of the courtyard.
You will not ignore me any longer love.
Striding toward her, I paste a cordial smile on my lips. "I hope our journey hasn't tired you too much ladies, we have a feast to attend."
"Oh a feast, how Marvelous! We must be allowed to attire ourselves properly first," Celine implores; giving me what she believes is a winning smile. I control my rising irritation.
"I'm afraid that's not possible, my lady, the King cannot be kept waiting, and I'm sure your husband will give little heed to your dress."
"Oh! Is my darling Crabbe at the castle?"
Nauseated by her enthusiasm, I nod politely, silently encircling Hermione's waist. "And you, my princess, must be presented to my father, shall we proceed?"
Looking mutinous, she stays silent, allowing me to veer her in front.
"Enjoyed riding with your sister?" I say smirking.
"Very much, thank you," she says, grinding her teeth.
"Then why the foul temper little dove?"
"You don't really want me to answer that."
Pulling her closer, I whisper, "Do not dishonour me in front of my father, I promise you will regret it."
"Don't worry, you won't have to exhaust your energy whipping me tonight," she says, her eyes blazing.
"Hermione," I warn, my voice dropping lower, "I don't need to whip you to teach you a lesson. Your sister returns with her husband tonight, and her well-being depends on your behaviour."
"Thank you for reminding me that my sister's life depends on me submitting to your will, I'd almost forgotten that part."
My grip on her waist tightens. "We're here."
The doors to the Emerald Hall open in front of us and even I cannot remain unaffected by its beauty. The crystal encrusted ceiling sparkles in the morning light, casting an unearthly hue on the inhabitants of the hall. The jade floors are spotless, its pillars entwined with marigolds and orchids. For a man who loathes his son, this show of welcome is unsettling.
"My son," he drawls as I approach the throne, "how happy I am to see your safe return."
As happy as one feels when an illness returns to them.
"As am I father, me and my wife have been impatient to strengthen our marriage by gaining your blessing."
Beside me, I feel Hermione freeze.
"Ah, the royal princess, everyone has been eagerly awaiting her arrival."
I inch closer to the throne, dragging a reluctant Hermione with me.
Father takes her in his arms as she approaches, smiling broadly, "Welcome to your new home!"
The hall erupts with applause, but my gaze stays trained on Hermione, who looks very much like she is about to throw her gown up in the air and make a run for the door.
"And now, on with the feast!"
A splendid spread of meats and wines appears before us, but I barely eat, wanting to be done with this façade as soon as possible. But I cannot leave, as a barrage of courtiers have flocked to the new princess, swooping down on her like vultures assessing their prey. I feel her trembling, but her voice never betrays her unease, she sits regal and poised, like a queen.
It is only when Celine departs that I feel her control crumbling. Before it breaks completely, I gently take her arm, leading her up to our chambers. Father directs a stern gaze at me, but I ignore him.
"Are you alright?"
She nods distractedly, but by the time we are upstairs, a steady stream of tears dampen her face.
I put my arm around her, silently helping her change. She does not protest.
"You must be tired, you should rest."
"D-D-Draco p-p-please let me go home," she whispers, her voice choked with emotion.
"Hermione, this is your home now, you must accept that."
"I don't belong here," she whispers so quietly I barely hear her. "Draco this is madness, this marriage will only bring misery for both of us."
"Hermione, what is left for you in Emmeria? We control those lands, we control all the lands, forget about your anger, your pride, they will only hurt you."
"Forget that you forced me into marriage? Imprisoned my friends? Threatened to hurt my sister? How much can I forget Draco?"
Fixing my gaze on her, I say calmly, "It is in the past, we begin anew today, give me a chance to make you happy and I promise that the past will not matter."
Holding her head in her hands, she looks at the ground defeated. "Why don't you understand? Love isn't about force, or possession, it just happens accidentally, I cannot make myself love you even if I forgave you."
Her words pierce through me. "If you think you cannot love me, you must learn to accept me, I am your husband now."
"Don't you see?" she says in a strangled tone, "you will never find happiness with me."
I say nothing, but a hollow ache pervades in my chest as I make my way towards the door. "I'm going downstairs to meet father, stay here till I am back." My words are met with silence. You're wrong princess; I will never find happiness without you.
The walk down to the royal chamber is a restless one, one that I had wished to delay for as long as possible, but there was no way around it. I had to meet the King, as unpleasant as it was bound to be.
"Come in Draco."
Eerily light, the room is basked in darkness.
"Could use a little light in here father."
"The light gives me a headache. You did well in Emmeria Draco, all the lords pledged their allegiance to the crown yesterday."
"I don't think they had much of a choice in the matter."
"Be that as it may, there's no word of rebellion in the red lands, I thought they'd display a little more loyalty towards their liege lord."
I snort loudly. "Their loyalty only extends to their whores and wines."
"Yes, that much is clear. The whole thing was rather ingeniously done, didn't think Granger would be fool enough to fall for our trap, or should I say your trap."
"His only folly was to think we were honourable men."
"And what good did that honour do him? He lies rotting in a dungeon while the world proclaims him a traitor."
It takes me a second to grasp what he's saying. "We have him then?"
"Commander Snape has him imprisoned in the town he took shelter in. One of our towns," a hint of anger enters his tone, "he told the warden what happened that night."
"The only thing that happened that night was Lord Granger's betrayal of our cause. He met the clans in secret, and aided in the rebellion against us," I say calmly.
A dry laugh escapes father's throat. "A meeting that you arranged and one that we assured Lord Granger we were attending."
"You wanted Emmeria and I gave it to you," I say tightly.
"Ah yes, as much as I want to believe that you did this out of love for me, we both know what your true purpose was."
I glare at him, unblinking, my tone ice. "And what would that be father?"
"The girl," his voice drops, as a cruel glimmer enters his eye. "It's poetic really, waging a war for a woman."
The glee in his voice sends a cold chill down my back. "You must truly believe I am a fool if you think I did this for her."
Don't let him see you care.
"Draco, you might be a grown man, but I recognize that look on your face, it's the same one you got when you followed that bitch of a woman around like a puppy."
"Don't call my mother a bitch," I snarl.
Ignoring me completely, he continues, "How else would you have convinced Lord Granger to give you the girl? Would you have asked for permission to fuck her while you were married to her sister?"
"ENOUGH," I shout.
"Don't ever raise your voice at me," he says softly, his face deceptively calm. "The only reason I allowed you to have the girl is because you gave me your word it would create no trouble for me, and yet, not twenty leagues hence, my own subjects aid her traitor father."
"I'll take care of it."
"I've seen how you handle your affairs Draco, and if the way you handle your wife is any indication of how you'll run the kingdom, then we are all damned."
"That is none of your concern," I grind out.
"It is my concern when my own courtiers see her as a symbol of the resistance. The red princess, the lioness, that's what they call her," he spits out, venom in his every word. "How in the worlds did she manage to escape? Are you so weak that you cannot control a tiny wisp of a girl?"
"She won't cause any more trouble," I say, longing to pound something into the wall beside me.
"I'm afraid your assurances are meaningless."
For the first time, a quiver of fear pricks through me. "What do you suggest then?" I say, keeping my tone neutral.
"I need you to break her. And I want the whole court to watch."
I say nothing.
A cruel smile lights up his sallow face. "You're going to destroy her spirit, make an example out of her."
"And If I refuse?"
The smile stays in place. "Then I'm afraid the princess will fall prey to a tragic accident."
Clenching my knuckles, I force myself to stay calm. "Don't you dare threaten m-"
"I do dare Draco. I am the king and you will do as I say. If I wish for you to whore your wife out to every soldier in this kingdom, you will do exactly that. Without me, you are nothing boy, don't forget that."
The rage building up inside me is so great, I can barely control it.
"Now, go to your wife, and remember, another word of her disobedience, and I revoke my offer."
I don't stay to dignify his words with a response. Blazing through the corridor, I scream at three different servants that cross my path, my head pounding with my father's threat - one that I know he will carry out.
"Get me Goyle," I bark out at an unsuspecting maid servant, who drops all the dishes she is carrying.
By the time I am back at my chambers, I am surprisingly calm, all my rage carefully bottled up.
"Hermione, I need to talk to you," I say, having carefully rehearsed my words. They fall on empty walls.
A knock on the door cuts through the silence.
"My lord, you called."
The calm I had managed to muster is quickly disappearing. "Come in Goyle."
A sleep deprived, unshaven Goyle stumbles into the room. "Do you know where the princess is?"
Puzzled, he shakes his head. "I'm sorry, my lord, I went straight to my chambers after the feast."
"Goyle tell me something, what do the men say about us?"
"I don't understand the question my lord."
"Me and the princess, what is their opinion on our marriage?"
He shifts uncomfortably. "They say you make a fine couple."
"Goyle, I want the truth," I say sharply.
He gazes at the window behind me. "There are rumours that you have some difficulty in tempering the princess' moves, she has a mind of her own, and does as she wants."
"Do they think me weak?"
"My lord, ple-"
"Goyle, the truth," I say bluntly.
"They think your affection for her overpowers your judgement."
I feel like someone has slapped me in the face. "And do you agree?"
The man looks so uncomfortable I almost feel bad for him. "My lord, the princess is very beautiful, and you're newly married, it is only natural."
"Interesting," I say quietly. "I want the names of all the men who have voiced such an opinion."
"My lord?" he looks at me fearfully.
"Not you Goyle, I respect your honesty, but the others need to be punished."
"My lord they were simply jesting it is of no co"-
"Goyle," I begin warningly, and he halts, "I will bring you the names by tomorrow."
"Good. I also want you to find out exactly how the princess managed to escape the castle. Somebody helped her and I want to know who."
"It will be done."
"I also want a man stationed near the chambers. The Princess should never be let out of sight, if she is not with me, your man should be with her. I will see any failure on his part as your own, is that clear?"
He nods quickly, and I know he is restless to leave. Waving my hand, I dismiss him, waiting till he leaves to step outside and search for my elusive little dove.
It's time to bring you back to your cage.
Stalking around the castle, I begin to look for her, but she is nowhere to be found. My frustration slowly mounts as I go through room after room, each mocking my desperation to find her. An hour later, I am fuming, and the only thought that keeps me going is what I'll do to her for keeping me waiting so long.
How dare she leave the chambers when I expressly forbid her from doing so?
Father's words ring in my ears as I continue my hunt, taunting me at every step. The only time when I had felt so inadequate, so exposed, was the night he had taken mother away and locked her up in a tower. I had cried. Pleaded. Begged. Lay out all my emotions like a bag of precious trinkets in front of him. And he had laughed in my face.
I had promised myself that boy would never come back. I would never be exposed. Never be weak. And yet here I was, letting that bastard control me again.
And all for an ungrateful little bitch.
Giving up on finding her, I resolve to go back to my chambers and wait for her. Dusk has darkened the hallways, wallowing up the emerald floors in its wake. Down its darkened path I tread, fury in my heart.
But just before I turn to go up the staircase, a small cough interrupts the stony silence. It is so faint I think I imagined it. But then I hear it again. Softly treading towards it, I hear it again, this time louder.
It comes from within the crystal gardens, father's pride and joy. As I approach the gate, the overpowering smell of a thousand blooming roses greets me. And amongst the roses, lies my fallen flower, looking more exquisite than the roses themselves. I stay in the shadows, observing her quietly. She seems at peace, lying near the gushing fountain my father had built last year. A dozen petals surround her, a fairy nymph in the forest.
For a moment I forget my anger, my rage, but as the last ray of light kisses the room, the darkness brings back the monster within, and I follow it mindlessly.
"Enjoying yourself little dove?"
Her body jerks at the sudden sound as she turns to see me walking towards her.
"D-D-Draco how long have you be-"
"Long enough darling," I say, my voice emotionless.
"I thought I'd go for a walk, I was s-s-sick of staying inside that room," she says, her voice betraying her fear.
"See Hermione, that's where the problem lies, you think too much," I say, tearing a stunning white rose of its branch.
She backs up, sensing my dangerous mood.
"If you hadn't been thinking, you wouldn't have disobeyed me and wandered down here right after I expressly forbade you from leaving the room."
"I don't need your permission to leave my own room," she says bravely.
"You need my permission to do anything in this castle. Now come here, I've been looking for you all day."
"No."
I crush the rose in my hand. "I won't ask again."
Hesitantly, she looks at the gate, and I know that rebellious little mind of hers is hatching an escape plan. I shift one foot towards the gate.
"Fine," she says, knowing she will never make it.
The walk towards me is a mere ten feet, but she takes ages, agonizing over every step.
I'll make you pay for every second little dove.
Finally, she is next to me, her face defiant. "Draco, I think we need to set some rules here, you can't
exp-"
I push her against the marble pillar before she finishes her sentence. Devouring her exquisite mouth, I ignore her struggles, pinning her arms against her back. "You're right princess; we do need to set some rules."
"Rule one – Never do anything without my permission," I say, biting into her neck.
"Rule two – Never do anything to damage my honour," I say, loosening her dress and taking her nipple in my mouth. Ignoring her cry of pain, I continue to press her body closer to mine.
"Rule three – Never disobey me," by now her dress has come undone, and my fingers, pressed over her thighs, part them easily, entering her as she struggles against my mouth.
"Rule four – Never leave me again," pumping my fingers in and out of her, I use my other hand to loosen my trousers.
"Rule five – never forget that you are mine and no power on earth can change that," And with that, I slam into her, entering her to the hilt. A tortured cry escapes her, but I continue pumping into her, depositing my anger, my rage, my hatred within her. Her tightness makes me go mad with pleasure, and I find myself spilling into her again and again.
I know I am bruising her, but I am beyond caring, she thinks me a monster, and I will prove her right. Slowing my pace, I begin thrusting slowly, taking her tortured breasts into my mouth once again. I faintly register her cries of agony, but I block them out, concentrating only on my pleasure. The flowers she picked so adoringly gaze at her dumbly, crying for their fallen lover.
No one will save you now.
After what seems like hours, I let her go, her body falling limply to the ground, like a broken doll. She sobs persistently, a heartbroken sound that would melt the hardest of hearts.
Pity I have no heart princess.
"Get up," I say softly.
"G-g-get away from me," she says, refusing my hand. Her legs sway as she tries to stand, but one step and she is back on the ground.
Ignoring her protests, I pick her up, my hand resting against her exposed breasts.
"Don't take me outside like this," she whispers. I pull my cloak over her and carry her up the stairs, back to our brightly lit chamber. Laying her gently on the bed, I remove the rest of her clothing, revelling in her magnificence.
"You are so beautiful," I say, placing soft kisses over her body. She tries to push me away, but I get on top of her, crushing her to the bed.
"Not again," she whispers, pleading.
Parting her bruised thighs, I ignore her, ready to take her again. But a knock on the door interrupts us.
"My lord, I'm sorry for the interruption, but it is urgent," Goyle's rasping voice announces.
Cursing, I vow I will have the man's head if it is anything but.
"Give me a minute," I groan, reluctantly leaving my goddess behind.
Not bothering to throw on a shirt, I slam the chamber door shut, ushering Goyle into the corridor.
"You have ten seconds, make them worthwhile."
"We found out who helped the princess escape," he says promptly.
"And…"
"It was Lady Pansy. A servant saw her with the princess late that night. She was leading her towards the back hall."
A cold fury erupts within me. "Are you absolutely sure?"
"Yes my lord."
"I want you to arrange a late night meeting for me and the lady, tell her I was yearning to see her again."
"My lord?" he says, taken aback.
"Do as I say Goyle. Now go rest, you have done well today."
Nodding, he leaves me to my thoughts. My first instinct was to hunt Pansy down and throttle her pretty little throat, but that would be too easy, merciful almost. And I had no intention of being merciful.
Opening the chamber door, the same thought reverberates in my head as I wrestle my pretty little dove back onto the bed. No more mercy love, now you'll play by my rules or suffer.
Hey guys! Sorry it took so long, i wanted Draco's voice to be just right, so kept re-editing the chapter till it sounded somewhat close to what i imagined Draco would sound like.
To all my reviewers, thank you so much for all the support! You guys are the reason i'm going to complete this story. Leave me your thoughts and tell me if you liked the switch in POV, happy reading!