[I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long. But, my muses ditched me. Also, I kind of forgot about this story—and the cliffhanger I left you with. So, here is my compensation. Thank you to my reviewer SilverTears15 for reminding me!]
"Wha-what?" asked Lale, dumbstruck. I must be going deaf, she thought stupidly. He can't have just said what I think he just said.
"Oh, quite, dearest," said Jeral smoothly. "You know what I said. I didn't stutter, did I?" he said eyebrows arched. Lale shook her head, terrified of what he might do to her.
"Of course not," Jeral whispered, his face close to hers. "Of course not, my sweet." He kissed her in a way that might have been called gentle, except for the malicious glint in his eyes. Lale shuddered beneath his touch.
Terem strode heavily across Ranas' room. He was frustrated and barely containing himself.
"Ranas, its been three days. Whenever I call for her, Jeral is always there to tell me that she's busy. What is he doing to her?!?" Terem asked, balling his hands into fists.
Ranas shook his head silently. He had no answer for the boy, and Terem would not listen to petty consolation. Ranas' attempts to make him leave the palace were also unheeded. Terem is a good boy, Ranas thought, but far too rash. Maybe we should give him a lesson on it, hey? Terem stopped pacing abruptly.
"Wait…Ranas, I've got it. We need to lure Jeral away from Lale's room. We knew that. We cant do that. He wouldn't obey us. But, what if…my parents asked for him? To discuss some kind of kingly duty or whatnot?" Terem said. Ranas opened his moth to speak, but closed it. Finally, he said,
"Terem, I don't think you should involve your parents in this. There is too much risk—"
"Well, I wont tell that why. Ranas, this is the best we've got! Come on. I'm going to do it," Terem aid firmly. Ranas shook his head once again, and Terem left without another word.
"Wait!" Ranas called, too late. "What are you going to tell them when they figure out tat is YOU who got her into this mess?" he said into the silence. Unsurprisingly, no one answered.
"Mother, Father," Terem said as he bowed. "I beg of you a boon."
"What, dear? You have only to ask." Meliara said fondly, smiling at her young son. He reminded her so much of her brother.
Terem took a deep breath. "What I ask of you, I cannot exoplain yet. But I will, eventually" He added hastily. "I only ask that you send word to Jeral that you must see him, alone. On account of some kind of kingly duties. If you could possibly, please try to keep him occupied until, oh, about second green."
Meliara looked at her husband, he frowned, then inclined his head slightly. "Well, my son," he said. "This we will do for you. But, we do expect a full explanation, as soon as possible. As luck may have it, I have need to speak to him about our border provinces," Vidanric said, more to himself than to Terem. Terem let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding.
"Thank you, father. Please summon him immediately." Terem said.
Terem rapped on Lale's door impatiently. After a few perilous moments, during which Terem held his breath, Lale opened the door. She was pale, and looked tired. There were tears in her eyes that she seemed to be holding in, and she looked utterly without hope. Lale drew him in hurriedly.
Once he was inside her room, Lale pressed herself against his chest. Terem, slightly bemusedly, wrapped his arms around her as she sobbed into him. After about ten minutes of her continued sobs, her breathing slowed and her tears abated slightly. Terem gently lifted her face up and wiped her tears.
"Lale, its going to be all right. I'll get him for what he's done to you." He said fiercely. Lale silently shuddered and another tear slipped down her cheek. She looks so, well, vulnerable, Terem thought. Almost unconsciously, he stroked her cheek. She leaned into his touch.
"Lale, I know this is hard for you, but you need to tell me what he's done to you. I can't help you if I don't know. Just tell me what he's done, everything, so I can help you," he coaxed.
"He—He—" Lale began, shuddering violently. With another reassuring stroke from Terem, she continued. "He's done magic on me. So I cant walk to scream or talk when he doesn't want me to. If im insolent, he makes me—makes me double over with pain and then—then, he makes me…beg his pardon. With a..favor," Lale said, blushing. "He's hurt Para—I don't know if she's even alive anymore. And—oh, Terem! He's made me his wife." Terem stood stunned. Lale carried on, words spurting out of her mouth fast and barely understandable. "He made a priest come in and wed us—said we wanted to elope. And then he—he made me—we" she trailed off, a tear slipping again down her cheek, and looked away. Terem still shocked, gently set her down on her bed. He touched her cheek gently.
"Lale—Lale, are you—okay? Did he hurt you when--you know.." Terem said, softly. Lale closed her eyes tightly, and didn't reply. Terem, taking her answer for a yes, leaned down to her and whispered, "Don't worry Lale. I will never hurt you." He gently kissed her, tentatively. Lale let herself kiss him back and as he deepened the kiss she thought to herself, sorrowfully, That's the problem, Terem. He didn't hurt me.