The Shadows and the Chaos

I pulled the hood down, trying to cover my face and sink back into the shadows as the carriage entered the market square. If he saw me, he’d force me to spend the day with him. No amount of faux charm would change my opinion of this bastard. A day by his side would be the equivalent to a year in the dungeon.

I’ve heard the rumors. How many maidens has he destroyed in his devil’s lair? Another night! Another conquest. Innocence betrayed between his silk sheets. But not mine! I’d gouge his eyes out before I fell for his sweet smile and puppy dog eyes.

I refused to be another notch on his belt, but I caught his attention at the market last month. Now the fool searches for me as mothers tug their little ones through the stalls, buying their wares.

Desperate to escape, I try to hide between the shadows and the chaos. But his hazel eyes refuse to walk away from our game of cat and mouse.

A shiver rushes down my spine as I watch his black boots hit the ground, and I glance at his long hair waving in the wind. When my eyes find his lips, he weaves his magic. For a second, I forget about the hatred I harbor in my heart.

I stepped out of the shadows, as instinct took over, and I gave in to my carnal desires. When he turned toward me, I did not run away, as curiosity ruled my heart.

“Amalia.” When he spoke my name, my heart skipped several beats, as the sound of my name woke the yearning I had suppressed.

I curtsied and bowed my head. “Milord.”

Before I could react, he gently placed his gloved hand on my chin. He raised my head and whispered, “I've been searching for you.”

Without another word, he grabbed my basket and placed it down. “You won’t need this anymore.”

“But,” I said. Every ounce within me wanted to protest the Prince’s fixation with me, but when his gloved hand wrapped around mine, my hesitation vanished.

The walk to the carriage horrified me. It was as if the world stopped. Every eye was trained on us as we walked between the stalls, but my worry clung to the whispers they would spread like wildfire.

I feared my reputation was ruined forever. He’d sleep with me tonight, then I would end up as a scullery maid until my dying day.

Once I settled into the carriage, he pushed the hood away and waited for my nerves to settle. “Don’t believe all the rumors, my dear.”

I stared at him in disbelief as fear filled my soul. It's probably far worse.

“Before my eyes shall see your hidden beauty and touch you in forbidden ways, we shall be wed.”

My mouth opened, but no sound came out. How? Why? Why would Prince Xander want to marry me? I’m just a village maiden. I bring nothing to this union of any value.

The words stumbled out of my mouth. “But, why? I’m nothing. No value. I’m poor. This must be a vile joke.”

The prince's demeanor changed, and his voice deepened as he asked. "Have you no clue? Do you really not know who you are?"

My heart pounded in my chest. I needed to catch my breath, but I was trapped in this carriage with this man who befuddled my senses. "Of course, I know who I was. I'm Amalia, the dowerless third daughter of Samual, Master Carpenter."

His eyes slanted as he stared at me, and he opened his mouth to speak, but decided against it. Several minutes passed before he replied, "Perhaps I have asked the wrong question. Do you know your place in history? What power is hidden inside of you?"

He did not appear to be joking, but this must be a cruel trick he plays with maidens to get them to surrender their innocence before he destroys them. "What are you talking about?" I tried to steady my voice as I asked, "Is this how you lure your victims into your arms? It is a cruel and vile game that you play."

As I looked into his deep gaze, my stomach churned, realizing that the rumors must be true. He probably took a maiden to his bed nightly and seduced them with lies.

Then a look of sadness crossed his face, and he said, "My dear, I am cursed. If I touch a maiden before my wedding night, I shall destroy her, and I'll lose my soul to the netherworld. But you, you are my saviour. You can unleash the curse that has bound me for years."

"How do you know this? What if you're wrong and you destroy both of us?"

"Because upon your wrist is a crescent mark. I know you try to hide it, but my scouts noticed it several days ago."

I did not understand what this all meant, but he continued, "The witch who placed the curse on me told me that my one true love would be marked with the crescent moon. That is you. The others. The other maidens were brought to the castle to be inspected. My staff released them before I ever laid eyes on them. I was desperate to find you."

My initial instinct was to run away and forget about the insanity of this conversation, but something deep within me began to stir, emotions that I never knew existed. Somehow, I trusted him. "Let's say this tale is true, I want time to get to know you, before our wedding night. Not a lifetime, but a month or two."

"Now that I have found you, I am not sure that I'd be able to keep you safe. The witch still lives within the confines of the castle, and she could destroy you."

Just what I needed. A vengeful witch.

He sensed my hesitation and suggested, "How about this? We marry when we get to the castle and then lock ourselves in our chambers for the next few weeks, getting to know each other. I will not ask for intimacy until you are ready."

As my eyes turned toward the window, I saw the castle casting its shadow across the land. Within minutes, we would be walking into unknown danger, and I was a pawn in their games. Would I survive in a world that I didn't belong to? Or did I possess a hidden strength waiting to be unleashed?

Against my better judgment, I acquiesced. "I'll play your little game on one condition."

He raised his eyebrows, knowing that I didn't have much to bargain with. "And, do tell."

"I want my sisters to have a proper dowry so they may marry well."

The carriage halted in front of the castle, and the footman opened the door. Prince Xander stepped out and held his gloved hand for me. I cleared my throat and waited for his reply.

When he realized what I was waiting for, he smiled and replied, "But of course, that is an easy solution."

~~~

Did I make the right choice by taking his hand that day? What do you think? Was it a happy ending or a life of drudgery in the dungeons?