From the Depths
Tested & Punished

It was time.

She couldn’t put it off any longer.

Kirea had dressed as nicely as she could. She’d borrowed some makeup from the headmaid. Surprisingly the maids were quite nice to her, she had explained her situation and the woman had kindly helped her prepare. However, the sad look on the elderly woman’s face was now ingrained in her memory. How many girls had that woman sent to the King’s chambers? How many girls were never the same after a night like this... with him?

Kirea ended up feeling sorry for the woman even though it was herself that was being pitied. She couldn’t help it, living in this castle was a nightmare for everyone it seemed. Everyone that is except the Knights and the King.

She knew she would come out of tonight alive, as long as she could stomach it and not do anything stupid. The man, if you could even call him that, was a disgusting excuse for a human being. She’d just close her eyes and bear it if she had to. She’d survive... she had to.

A soft knock sounded on the door. Surprised she blinked at the door for a moment before coming back to a sense of self and rushing to open it. On the other side, she was greeted by an unexpected sight.

It was clearly a Knight, funny how she could recognize the man so easily now, even though this knight was out of his armour. He wore a pair of black slacks with a white shirt that was lazily left unlaced at the neckline. His stance was what gave him away followed by the grim expression this one always seemed to wear.

All the Knights were well-trained men and it showed. If she didn’t detest them all, she would have thought the dark-haired, grey-eyed man before her was handsome. He was quite lean, which surprised her, the armour really made the Knights look larger than life and far more intimidating than the man inside the metal.

“Sir Knight?” She asked confused.

“Please, call me Henry. I have come to escort you to the King’s chambers unless, that is, you know the way on your own?” He eyed her with a brow raised.

Her heart started to pound, he was right! How had she overlooked that? She raised a hand to her temple, a shocked expression on her face. “I think you may have just saved my life.”

He huffed, masking his small laugh. He gave her a once over with a frown. “I guess it will do, you did only just arrive here.” He muttered.

Something struck her as odd, for being one of the men who seemed eager to bed her only a few hours ago, he seemed disinterested now. “Can I ask something?”

He made a grunting noise with a quick nod of his head.

She closed the door behind her and began to follow Sir Henry through the castle at a steady pass. “How many women survive a night like this?”

He didn’t turn to look at her. “They survive the night, all of them, but they generally don’t survive the week that follows.”

“I’m starting to think I would have been better off with the Knights.” She muttered.

“You would have been.” He stated plainly. With a glance over his shoulder, he gave her a small smile. “At least you would have enjoyed yourself more.”

She frowned at him, how could any of this be enjoyable?

As if understanding her puzzled expression he continued. “Don’t get me wrong, the Knights are rough, but the women, they always come back for more.”

She cringed, this conversation was starting to make her feel uncomfortable. Regrettably, they had arrived at the King’s chambers before they could continue any further.

“I will be waiting outside.” He stated.

“Why?” She questioned puzzled. She knew how to get back to her room from here now, there was no need, was there?

“To assist if you can’t walk.” He stated bluntly as though it were a common occurrence.

Her face fell, her complexion turning pale, all she could do was nod at that point. He knocked on the large double doors for her, announcing her arrival and stood back to allow her to stand waiting to enter when she was ordered to do so.

“Enter!” A booming voice from the other side sounded.

The bottom of her feet felt itchy, she wanted to run in the other direction. Instead, she gently pushed the door ajar and slipped inside, closing it behind her. She would survive tonight. She repeated the mantra again and again as her heart rate increased and fear began to grip her.

“You’re Majesty.” She greeted the King with a low curtsy.

She felt like she couldn’t breathe, the walls closing in on her inside the very small room. When he spoke, her entire body screamed at her to escape, jumping out the nearest window seemed a viable option.

“Come, sit with me.” He cooed, she was sure he was trying to be enticing. But it only managed to turn her stomach, thank the heavens she hadn’t eaten supper.

She kept her head low as she moved, gliding herself over the floorboards of his chambers. The room was dully light, she could only make out his outline on the large bed frame. She gently lowered herself onto the mattress, her hands resting in her lap. She was desperately trying to maintain her composure and not let the fear set in, not allowing her body to shake too violently. She wanted more than anything to appear strong.

She heard the sound of a match being lit. It was a rough sound of wood striking an ashed surface, the result was light emitting from the small flame in a burst of colour. The King used it to light a lantern at his bedside, though she wished he hadn’t. The darkness made it easier to forget what he looked like.

“Your hand” He held his own out for hers.

She didn’t hesitate, she placed her delicate fingers in his palm. She tried not to stiffen when he turned it over and yanked it closer. He blew out the match, swiftly placing the still-red hot head in the centre of her palm.

She hissed, very nearly pulling her hand away. She remained still as tears welled up, the small piece of flesh instantly beginning to blister. The heat didn’t last long, but the ache of the burn set in fast.

“That is your punishment, I trust that you will not speak out of turn again.” He released her and stood walking over to a table by the window.

She looked up at him with blinking eyes. Had she heard him correctly?

He smirked at her. “What? Do you think I would incapacitate the one person that is keeping my new pet alive? A night with me would have you out of action for a few days in the least, I am no fool.” He concluded with a chuckle. “I admire your strength of character, you have impressed me, girl. What have you learned?”

“I am ever grateful for your mercy, My Lord. I will not do it again.” She stated. Honestly, she was surprised, but she didn’t feel any relief. After all, she was still in his bed chambers.

“Now, tell me, what do you need to make the fish an enclosure?” He had turned, leaning his back against the wooden frame of the table under the stained glassed window. The moonlight shone through the coloured glass illuminating the contents of the desk. It appeared to be covered with numerous papers.

“I would surmise that we would need to replicate his natural environment. I can take a guess at what that may be, but without knowing exactly where he came from...” She trailed off as he tapped the desk behind him.

He pointed to the papers. “This is everything we have on it. Where it was found, how and what condition it was in.”

“M-May I?” She tentatively asked. Though she very nearly bolted upright for the information, her curiosity getting the better of her.

He gestured for her to approach. “Make a list of the things you will need. Oh, I have assigned Sir Henry as your guard, he is to be with you at all times from this point on.”

His gaze followed her as she approached the table with eyes wide with intrigue. “Is he to know of the creature?” She asked.

“No, no one but you or I are to know of it at this stage.” His hand ran up her arm, replaceing its way to her hair. His touch left her with tiny goosebumps, the tiny hairs of her neck standing on end as her body protested against his advance. He lifted strands of her locks to his nose and breathed her in deep. “You both are far too valuable to me.” His tone was possessive.

“Will Tyson not be aiding me?” She asked as she began jotting down a list on the supplied stationery.

“He unfortunately drowned in his own blood.” His tone was anything but sad, she caught a hint of amusement. “Does it displease you?” He questioned with a raised brow.

“No, my Lord.” She lied. “He had no understanding of how to care for animals and was doing more harm than good, unfortunately.”

King Haith smiled pleased with himself. “Then I have done you a service.”

“Yes my Lord, you have been nothing but gracious to me, I will not let you down.” Every word she spoke felt as if she was tearing a piece of her soul out.

This man went against everything she believed in as a medicine woman, and she hated him.