Part 6
Zoom grinned behind the face shield of his helmet. His army had just taken another village killing nearly everyone there and setting it on fire. He was leading his army closer to Royal Palace. They were still a ways from it. It may take a few months but they would reach the palace before the stupid prince married. But he will have control of the Snow Kingdom before moving on to take more and more lands until he controlled most of the known world. He turned and headed into his tent where the girl he had taken as his concubine. He pulled off his helmet placing it on a table.
"You will never be able to get out of those chains. Not that I understand why you would want to. You should be honored that I have chosen you to keep me satisfied until I claim Princess Caitlin as my bride. Though it might not be a bad thing if you carry my son. Though it will be the Princess that gives me my heir to the throne. While you may give me the son that will be the leader of my army that will help me to take over the world."
The girl shook with fear. She knew what was coming. This monster was going to make it so no man will want her as their wife. She would be seen like the tavern girls. Only good for having her body sold for the enjoyment of men that lived in sin. Not that she had to fear what her preacher father would say. He and her brothers had been slaughtered my Zoom early in the attack on her village. She could hear cries as some of the men in Zoom's army forced themselves on other girls from the village.
Caitlin walked into her father's study to find him sitting at his desk.
"You wanted to see me dad?" asked Caitlin
"Yes, I already told Charlie this but Zoom has attacked another village."
"Which one?"
"Winter Haven."
"Isn't that the village that is very religious? Where if a girl has had sex before marriage she is considered to be ruined?"
"Yes. The Preacher is considered the head of the village. Though there is a tavern but it caters to traders passing through. Very few of the men that live there go to it. But Winter Heaven is on the main trade route so they put up with it."
"Dad, I promise that I will try and like the Prince. I know you need me to do my part in this alliance."
"Caity, I am not going to force you. I am already are on good terms with King Henry. But you do need to find someone before your mother chooses for you. I have only been able to convince her that Lord Hunter Zolomon is out of the question. His whole family have been after our throne for over 200 years."
"I know. The fact is he scared me the only time I met him. Julian is arrogant I could probably deal with him if I had too. But I would rather like the man I end up with."
"To be honest I am not a big fan of that boy. I think he is only interested in you to get closer to me."
"I wouldn't put it past him. Dad, I know that mom was picked for you."
"Honey while she would not have been my first choice. I have come to love her. Besides she gave me the two best things in my life. You and your brother."
"Dad, if this is agreeable to Prince Bartholomew, I will marry him."
"I do think he will make you happy. His mother is actually originally from our Kingdom. Queen Nora is the sister of the Duke of the Fir Region."
"That is the region closest to the outlines of Central Kingdom."
"Yes. You always did well in your lessons. Caitlin, before you marry the Prince while you are not officially my heir. You are still considered an heir."
"I have no problem advocating. I would never challenge Charlie anyway. Even if I don't end up marrying the Prince, I would do it anyway. Dad while I know I most likely will end up as Queen it will not be for our people."
"If you marry the Prince his people will become your people."
"I understand that. Dad, you don't have to worry about me. As long as I can get along with the Prince I will be fine."
"I know. But I want you to promise me that you will try and let someone behind that wall you have built around your heart. I mean other than Charlie and myself. I know that your mother is not the easiest person to get along with. But I don't want to see you end up like her cold and distance from your family."
"I will try. There is one thing. I want Patty to go with us. She understands what I need and knows my secret."
"Honey, that was a given. Until we know that you and Barry agree to marry we can't let anyone new know about your gifts."
"I know. Dad, I know you kept me shelter for my own safety."
"That was more your mother's doing. She didn't want anyone to know about your gifts. I gave in because my grandfather's sister was killed when it was discovered she had the same gifts you do."
"People fear what they don't understand."
"Very true. I am just happy that you are willing to do this."
"Of course. But you do know that if I marry Bartholomew, I will want my horse."
"That horse may put up with that boy for a time. But we both know she is going to want you back riding her."
"Very true."
"Caitlin, I love you."
"Love you dad."
Barry walked through the streets of the city. He as always had his guards with him. He understood the reasons. But it didn't mean he liked it. He watched as the girls in the city tried to get close to him. Not that he had ever shown any interest in any of them. He walked into a small café after his guards cleared it of nearly everyone. He took a table and smiled when Iris walked over to him. Iris was the daughter of the constable and had been cleared as one of the few that could actually approach him.
"It is good to see you my Prince." Said Iris
"You too Iris. How about you bring me one of those burgers and a beer." Said Barry
"Of course I will get right on it."
Iris walked off and returned a few minutes later with a large mug of beer.
"Have your parents come to a decision on if you can chose who you marry?" asked Iris
"I told you before that you are never going to be an option. But they have made a decision. If we can get along then I will marry Princess Caitlin from the Snow Kingdom. She will be here in a few days with her father. King Thomas has some business to discuss with my father."
"The Ice Princess? That is horrible."
"You have never met the Princess. I don't want you to disrespect her. I met her a few times as a child. She was sick much of her childhood so she was sheltered which has led to her being guarded around others."
"I mean no disrespect. I just don't believe that she is a good match. But even if you end up married to her that doesn't mean you can't have a lover."
Barry narrowed his eyes at Iris. He knew what his parents would say if he had a lover like Iris was hinting at being. He would be disowned and excommunicated from the family and his cousin Jesse would take his place in line to the throne and for that she would hate his guts for the rest of his life.
"That will never happen. Even in the case of arranged marriage my family believes in honoring the vows we take. Besides do you have any idea what kind of scandal it would cause if I were to sire a child outside of marriage?"
"Why would it matter who the mother of your heir is? As long as you have one it shouldn't matter."
"Iris this discussion is over get my food and then leave me alone."
Iris walked off in a huff. She couldn't believe that she was being treated like she didn't matter.
"She might cause the Princess trouble my Prince."
"That is why you and Ronnie are going to be Princess Caitlin's personal guards once she arrives. You and Ronnie are my most trusted men Eddie."
"Understood." Said Eddie
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