Betrothal
Chapter 6
Two hours later, Teyla emerged from the stargate on Caldron. As she expected, she was met by a small group of Keir's soldiers. They quickly surrounded her, and one of the men searched her for weapons. Finding none, they turned to their leader, a dark man with piercing eyes.
"Teyla Emmagen, I presume? I am Karcher. You are to follow us to the city," he said. He bowed slightly, then turned, and began a swift walk to the city.
"Where are Colonel Sheppard and the others?" Teyla asked. The man hesitated, then shrugged his shoulders. Teyla's eyes narrowed – the man was lying.
"All of your questions will be answered when we arrive at the city," he said. "Please…" He gestured with an arm, and Teyla reluctantly started the short trip through the woods.
As she walked, Teyla couldn't help but be transported back ten years. That time she had been accompanied only by her father. Sadness overwhelmed her – she missed her father terribly. He was an honorable man, following through on his agreement with the First Minister. Not many men would have willingly brought their only daughter to a strange world, to be offered as a bride. Her father had no idea whether Teyla would agree to the match or not; that was entirely her decision, he had said many times. Her first meeting with Keir had left no doubt in her mind – she would never leave her people to wed such an evil man.
From the moment she was introduced to him, Keir had proven himself to be a selfish, greedy man intent on gaining the throne only to suit his own purposes. The welfare of his people did not concern him, nor did maintaining peaceful relations with those of other worlds. When he saw Teyla, he had remarked loudly that she would become his bride no matter what the cost. At only fifteen, Teyla did not have much experience with men, but she instinctively knew that this was not the husband for her.
Keir's reaction when she politely declined his offer of marriage was memorable. He had stepped forward, slapping her soundly across the face, proclaiming that no wife of his would ever dare to deny him anything. Teyla had stood there in shock, her pain and disbelief on her face. Keir had continued to berate and scream vulgar obscenities at her. Finally, Teyla's father had stepped forward, grabbed Teyla and started marching out of the city. Keir had grabbed her other arm, and Teyla found herself being caught in a tug-of-war. The First Minister, his own shock registering on his face, had come to life, ordering his guards to take his son and confine him to his quarters.
Terribly shaken, Teyla had implored her father to leave immediately, and he had initially agreed. But, after much pleading by the First Minister, they had reluctantly agreed to join him for a small feast, and to spend the night. He had assured them both that Keir would be severely reprimanded, and although Teyla had extreme misgivings about remaining on Caldron, to appease her father, they had stayed.
That night, as Teyla lay in her bed, doing her best to sleep, Keir had entered her room. She had fought, yelling for help, but her cries were cut off after he viciously punched her. Unconscious, he had stolen her from the manor house and taken her to a hidden glen he had discovered years ago.
When Teyla had regained consciousness, she had found herself bound hand and foot, a gag in her mouth. Keir had come over, waving a knife over her menacingly, and gleefully telling her what her would do to her that evening. Sickened, she had attempted to free herself, enraging Keir. That was when the beatings started. Punched and kicked, bruised and battered, Teyla had suffered for hours until, exhausted, Keir finally fell asleep. She had ignored the pain, and used her blood to loosen the ropes that bound her. As she tried to slip away unnoticed, Keir had awakened. She had fought desperately, knowing that he was going to kill her. Somehow, she had gotten her hands on his knife. Never hesitating, she slashed his throat, watching in horror as blood gushed from his wound.
She had run, then, as fast as she could. Many hours later, she had stumbled into a search party. Horrified by what his son had done to Teyla, the First Minister had ordered that Keir be banished forever from Caldron. Teyla and her father had left Caldron, Teyla vowing to never return.
Teyla winced as she passed through the gates of the city. She kept her head high, her step even, although inside she was shaking with fear. She would not let Keir, or anyone else, see how just being on Caldron affected her. They climbed the steps of the manor house, and Teyla was led down a long hallway, to a large room in the rear of the building.
Teyla paused before entering, eyeing the man called Karcher warily. His face revealed nothing, and, with a sigh, she pushed open the door.
Immediately, she could feel Keir's eyes upon her. She squared her shoulders, then strode across the room to stand at the foot of the dais. Behind her, she heard the door close, then lock.
On the throne, seated almost casually, was Keir. He sprawled slightly sideways, his manner aloof. His black eyes were shining with anticipation as they raked her from head to foot. Teyla forced herself to stand still, fixing a small smile on her face.
"Keir," she greeted coldly. "I see you survived."
He said nothing, only absently fingered the scar on his neck.
"Where are Colonel Sheppard, Dr. McKay, and Ronon Dex?" she asked. Her quick survey of the room had revealed no one but Keir and herself. He didn't answer, but waved his hand slightly. Behind her, she could hear the door being opened, and the sound of someone in chains lurching towards them. Although she wanted to turn, she resisted, keeping her eyes on Keir.
"Teyla!" Relief flowed through Teyla as she heard John call her name. Still, she didn't turn from Keir, focusing her attention on him. She felt rather than saw the three men stumble up behind her, metal chains clinking. Stepping back slightly, she started to turn, catching John's concerned look from the corner of her eye.
Keir suddenly launched from the throne, grabbed her arm and slapped her hard across the face. Teyla fell, sprawling on the floor at Rodney's feet. Ignoring the guards, the scientist dropped down besides her, anger and worry clear on his face.
"Teyla!" McKay's bound hands cradled her as she tried to sit up, one hand covering the injured cheek. Teyla stared up at Keir, who was grinning maliciously down at her.
John and Ronon had sprung at Keir, only to be stopped by the guards, yanking viciously on their chains and threatening them with spears. Both Ronon and John sported furious looks, rage clear in their eyes. Teyla was certain if either had managed to get loose, Keir would be dead right now.
Teyla rose to her feet, clinging hard to Rodney. The guards yanked him back into line with Ronon and John, and Teyla returned her focus to Keir.
"I see your greeting hasn't changed, Keir," she spat. Her cheek throbbed where he had hit her, and she resisted the urge to rub it. Instead, she fisted her hands, and returned to the foot of the dais.
Keir had taken his seat, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Teyla. As my wife, you will bow to my will, and mine alone. These men….."
Keir waved at John and the others as he continued, "are my prisoners. You will pay them no attention. Is that clear?" Keir's voice rasped, and his hands gripped the arms of the throne tightly. His cold eyes glared at Teyla, who shivered slightly.
"I have come as you ordered, Keir," Teyla said, choosing her words carefully. "I ask that you release these…prisoners….unharmed." She watched as he mulled over her words, then shook his head. She sighed; she had expected him to refuse.
"No. It is obvious that these men mean something to you. So long as I have them, you will do as I command. They stay." He settled back into his throne, a small smile of victory on his face.
"What is you want, Keir? Speak plainly, I haven't time for your games," Teyla asked, a touch of impatience in her voice. She gauged his reaction, and was pleased to see a flash of anger cross his face. Her plan was to keep him off balance, one moment meek and compliant, the next challenging.
"You do not command me, woman. I suggest you keep that in mind if you want these prisoners to remain unharmed," he sneered.
Teyla waited a full minute before responding, again watching the emotions flow over Keir's face. Behind her, she heard the jangling of chains as even Rodney fidgeted uncomfortably. Ronon and John, true to their warrior nature, remained on guard, their attention switching between Teyla and Keir.
"You haven't answered my question, my lord," Teyla said. "What is it you want from me?" She stood, her back straight, glaring at the man on the throne. He gazed back, his face registering a myriad of emotions: anger, disbelief, and amusement.
"I want what was promised to me long ago," he said, rising from the throne and strolling down the steps to her side. "Tonight, we will honor our betrothal and be wed." Keir reached up and ran his hand through her hair. Holding her gaze, his hands slid down the length of body, a malicious smile on his face.
Teyla shuddered inwardly, but held her body still as she suffered Keir's unwelcome touch. She could feel white hot rage pouring off her three friends, and she silently prayed that they would remain silent. Plastering a seductive smile on her face, she raised her own hand and placed it on Keir's chest.
"If we are to be wed tonight, Keir, shouldn't I be allowed to….prepare myself?" Teyla asked coyly. She watched his eyes widen slightly, then he stepped back.
Mistrust and desire battled in his eyes, and Teyla watched with relief as he nodded.
"I agree. You may retire to a chamber I have prepared for you. I will come for you this evening," Keir rasped, then marched up the steps to the throne. He absently waved his hand, and John and the others were dragged from the room, John and Rodney protesting loudly. Ronon was silent, his eyes on Teyla as he was led from the room.
Teyla remained at the foot of the dais, her head slightly bowed. She could feel Keir's stare upon her as he sat on the throne.
"I warn you, Teyla, if this is some trick, I will torture those men. You will hear them beg for death," Keir's harsh voice echoed around the chamber, and Teyla flinched. Seeing her reaction, Keir smiled, then made a small motion. A guard appeared, and Keir ordered him to escort Teyla to her room.
"Thank you…my lord," Teyla said, then turned and followed the guard from the chamber.
