The Masked Princess Bound To The King She Hates

ss Ella who was soon to be a Queen they sound

l mask, her heart beat with a will that not even an

just a bride. She was a

waiting to see her at the end of the aisle. King Augustine. The same man who had

able to draw the attention of everyone in the hall. When his eyes looked in her fac

head, and would not fa

was a carefully planned conspiracy--a calculated step toward h

e single fact that might jeopardize all that she valued. The great hall which enclosed her was glittering with gold and candlelight. Massive columns r

udging her. Ponderin

sty. A political pawn. An out

ching on the material of her dress. The silk was fine and richly embroidered, a

see the man next her. S

Augu

his name sent a sh

e had been burned down in flames and the odor of smoke lingered days. The marble floors on which she used to p

. Her family. Everyth

e your

h her mind...soothing,

still over her face, but she could feel it...the steadiness of his

the veil

y flashed through her mind...screams in the night, flames licking

bly pushed tho

ted movement, to expose the mask ben

Let the

r face. It revealed nothing. It did not provide any informat

s whole expression...the intensity of his scrutiny. It was not the impersonal interes

ed, his voice low but borde

ed herself. "It is tr

was a

ated, nearly in a c

r uneasy, as though he had no faith in such th

et with applause, hollow and distant, as though in another world

assageway, the noise being swallowed up by high stone walls and long shadows cast by wavering torches. Servants fo

The doors were opened

alls were covered with rich fabrics and a big be

er with a deep, final bang

pressing on her...the room, the silence, the man behind her. The lock clicked. Her chest tightened. Slowly, she t

he said. The lyrics were sim

ed out of her lips be

s. Ella drew in her breath, and had to compose herself. I

r, taking every step slowly and cau

een Ella beat qu

ce now lower, are fr

es...the harsh lines of his face, the slight scar along his jaw, the blackness of his eyes.

No. Impossible. Years had passed. No l

t, I will mainta

n Ella stood still when his fingers touched the edge of her mask. Not

ught. "Strange

said, her vo

sensa

g Augustine rose, and he looked at her face be

tilt. No. He could no

le, tight-lipped. That is

believe

n Ella said after a moment of contem

laugh. Then you have to think it wa

f Queen Ella c

on do you suppose

little, so that she cou

in his expression. Not anger. Not denial

ps," he

lla scowled a little behind her mask. Yo

f things, I am

those tha

em. But she could feel their weight. And that dis

by the window, looking out into the darkness beyond the walls. It was a still night. Too still.

r fingers...but she did not take it o

silent behind

.a fain

ht change of motion. She did

watchi

ga

s obse

antic

dy held knowled

rtbeat q

ol, beneath all her silence, there

r was he only awaiting the time