I went back to my chambers in a sullen manner. I didnt like being told what to do! Why is it that the peasants of the village looked to the castle with greed? This castle was nothing but a prison. It was built of the web of lies and murder that my father had condoned. Anyone could see that things werent as glamorous as they thought, if they would just open their eyes! Many countries envied us of our power and nobility. All i felt was shame.

I had watched countless executions at the hand of the king. He had no pity and not a scrap of mercy. He sent prisoners to the dungeon to rot, he cut the hands off of thieves, he encouraged the acts of tortue. My father was a monster.

Yet all the low born in the land looked to him for protection. Though they couldnt even protect the ones inside the castle walls. It was utterly incomprehensible. The people who voiced their opinions, were silenced. Nobody was safe here in Shadow Moore.

Shadow Moore had the most gruesome of histories. Morgensterns had ruled the castle for centuries. Blood ran deep in this soil. I hated the sight of it. It was impressive due to its size and capacity, but it was a castle washed in red. Kings were supposed to protect their people. They were supposed to do whats right! It sickened me to think of all the lives lost at the hand of my father.

I started to take off the many layers of clothing i wore. I hated the petticoat and the corset i was deemed to wear. In the heat of summer, it was almost unbearable. I wondered who had the great idea to make woman wear three garments over each other. They must not have been female.

I was down to my corset and slip when a knock came at my door. I hurriedly grabbed the blanket off my bed and tried to cover myself. The knocker walked right in. It was my brother.

I was embarrassed by the sudden entrance. I was indecent. He should have announced his presence and intentions before walking in. But my brother didnt listen to rules he didnt care anything about. I tried to keep most of my skin covered, but i knew i failed miserably.

My brother gave me a long hard stare. His eyes moving up and down my body. I tried once more to cover everything up. He made my flesh crawl.

"What is my little Clary up too? Naked before the nights over?" he said, his eyes glinting.

I knew enough of men to know that i was in trouble.

"I was just undressing and putting something more comfortable on. It gets so hot in those dresses."

I had said the wrong thing.

"Well by all means, dont let me stop you." he said sitting down in the armchair by the door. I had no choice but to comply.

I let the blanket drop from my body. It slithered to the floor, i let it lay there. I felt his eyes gaping at my form. My breasts werent as big as some womans, but they were full enough. The corset only managed to make them seem bigger. His eyes hungrily looked over me. I dreaded to think what his thoughts were. His eyes i could feel crawling over every inch of me. I was helpless to stop him.

I unclasped all the buttons in the back of the corset. Then i shimmied out of my slip. I was as naked as my name day. I let the articles of clothing fall to the floor. I averted my eyes from my brothers gaze. I didnt want to look into those eyes and see the monster underneath. I didnt want to see his body reacting to my nakedness. I didnt want him to be there at all.

I walked to my chest and opened it. I took out a simple garment of light wool. I started to put it on when i felt his arms encircle around me. I turned around to see his hungry eyes staring into mine. His eyes burned with an unseen fever. I knew that whatever he did, i wouldnt be able to fight him.

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to my neck. I tried to push him away.

"Stop Jonathan, what would my husband say if he found out i was not a virgin anymore." i pleaded, his lips still at my throat.

"You could always dump pigs blood on the bed after your consumation little sister." His kisses were trailing farther down.

"I wont do that, and when he sees that i'm not pure and is angry, and goes to our father. I shall tell him why!" i screamed doing my best to push him away.

He retracted back a few steps and stared at me with malice. My brother was used to getting the things he wants. He was not used to be denied.

"What happens if im your husband Clary? What happens if no other suitor wants you? Than what will you do? Because my wife," he hissed," will give me what i want. If i have to take it by force, i will. My wife will do her duty whenever i so please. You had best remember that!"

He left the room, slamming the door behind him. I slumped to the hard cold chamber floor. I tried to remember a time when Jonathan and me had been close. It was when we were little. My brother liked to play games out in the courtyard. He always asked me to play with him. That was before my father split us up. That was before my father made him to be what he was today. My father had ruined Jonathan straight down to his soul.

I got to my feet and looked in the mirror. My face was red and tears threatened to brim over my eyes. I hated being so powerless! I hated not having a choice. Tomorrow i would be paraded around all those eager men who wanted a piece of the Morgenstern Legacy. I shuddered to even think of that for even a second.

I didnt want a man who i didnt know anything about. I wanted to love and be free. I wanted to spread my wings and ride off into the sunset. Instead the only horizon i ever saw was the one through my stone window.

I didnt have much choice. I had to do what i had to do. But that didnt mean that i had to lose myself in the process. I clipped my hair to the back of my head. I at least looked decent now. I calmed my racing heart with deep breathes. When i felt a little better i decided to get some fresh air. I exited my room and headed towards the grounds.

I liked to walk along the pleasure gardens. They were always so peaceful. Flowers begged to be collected. Birds chirped their merry little songs. In the gardens i could feel at peace. I could feel as if things werent as dark and evil as they were. Here in the gardens, i had a choice.

I sat down beside my favorite rose bush and checked the stems. This was my favorite kind of flower in the whole realm. I liked how beautiful it was, and how prickly painful it could be. I liked to think that someday i would be like such. I would be the fairest in the land, but i would also be strong. I would stand up for myself and defend what was mine.

I picked a rose and crumbled it into my hands. Except that tomorrow that dream would fade away. If i married some prince from a far off land, i would be leaving Shadow Moore. I would be left to my husbands devices. He could beat me and take a concubine. He could be an even worse man than my father! He could do whatever he pleased with me, and i had no choice in the matter. It was unfair.

I left the garden downcast and sullen. Tomorrow would be the end of my life. I would have to follow some man, and do as he bid. I would lose myself almost entirely. I didnt understand why it had to be like this. I didnt understand why men couldnt stand beside their woman. I didnt understand the ways of the world. Things just didnt make much sense.

Tomorrow was the feast. My life would soon be coming to an end.

I headed back to my room. I hadnt even bothered with dinner. My father would notice my absence but probably chalk it off to nerves before the feast. Let him think that. I was not excited over the prospect of being sold like a piece of meat! I slammed my wooden door closed and begin to sob.

I didnt want to be the Morgenstern princess. I wanted to have a place where i belonged. A place where i was heard and understood. A place where i could love with all of my heart. There was no such place here in Shadow Moore.

There was only death.

Authors note: Due to the sensitivity of this story i have resolved to only update if there are people that want to hear the rest. I have wrote this in the manner for adult audiences and i have rated accordingly. If you get offended by any of these terms, rape, incest, murder, cruelty, then i advise not reading any further.

If i get enough reviews and or followers, i shall continue with it. I have other stories i work on from time to time that i spend alot of time on. I had this idea pop in my head and i decided to give it a try. It will be dark, cruel, and there will be violence. There will be countless other things as well.

If you like it, review and or follow it and if i feel that its worth continuing i shall do so.

Thanks for your time!