Heart of Darkness

Angelica felt a strange pull, a compulsion to speak the truth. "I am a woman, Your Majesty." She replied.

Then she felt as if she was released by some invisible chains. The king leaned back again with a smirk. "I see that," he said. This was the first time he looked at her the way a man looked at a woman.

"You are wasting time." The scarred man spoke for the first time, and before she could turn to him, he was already next to her. A strong hand gripped her arm and pulled her out of the sofa with such force that she almost collided with him before she could stop herself.

Her heart skipped a beat as she found her face an inch away from his chest. Before she could think of anything, he grabbed her jaw and turned her head up so she was looking at him. Those eyes sent shivers down her spine. She had never seen eyes so black that she could see her own reflection in them.

His strong grip eased around her jaw, but she was too shocked to pull away from him. Was it the magnetic pull in his eyes that kept her in place?

"Now tell me Angel. What are you?" His voice was deep and dark, like his eyes and a little rough around the edges, as if he had just woken up from sleep.

"Tell me." He urged.

She felt strangely trapped by his eyes again. She couldn't loosen herself. "I am human." She replied this time, as if that was what he was asking for.

He narrowed his eyes in disbelief.

"Rayven, let her go," she heard a distant voice speak, but Lord Rayven didn't let go. Instead, he drew her closer.

"You will forget we ever spoke. You will sit down again and continue your conversation with the King." He said.

His hands loosened around her, and she did as he said

"Angelica?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." She was startled again, as if she was lost in thought, or just woke up from a dream. She was confused.

The King smiled at her. He probably said something that she missed hearing, and she clenched her teeth in embarrassment.

"Shall we have dinner now?" He asked.

He stood up and offered her his hand. Angelica took his hand and he led her out of the parlour. She realized that this time the other two men didn't follow them. Her heart began to race. Was this when all the horrible things she imagined would happen?

The King led her to a dining room. Angelica was relieved once again but only the Lord knew what would happen after this. She would have to make him lose interest while having dinner.

The dining room was extravagant and the wooden dining table stretched from the entry to the other end of the room. Twenty or thirty people could dine here. There were several candle stands on the table and plates, glasses and cutlery were placed in front of each seat. Servants were already waiting to serve them when they arrived.

One of them pulled out a chair for her and the king motioned for her to sit down. Angelica sat down hesitantly before the King. Usually the King would sit first and then everyone else.

The King sat down, and dinner was served. "What do you like to eat, Angelica?" The King asked.

"I'll eat anything that is served, Your Majesty," she replied.

She knew he was asking about her favorite food and she just wanted to be polite.

But the King wasn't only interested in her favorite food. He seemed to want to know everything about her. He asked about her childhood, her mother, her brother, how she grew up and what she liked to do. Angelica answered all of his questions politely.

She never had any male be this curious about her before. It was flattering yet scary. All the men that had tried to court her didn't bother to know much about her.

After their long conversation over dinner, he took her on a tour around the castle. Everytime they passed a door, her heart would skip a beat.

Angelica didn't dislike the King. He was polite and charming. He was young, even handsome, but he was still a King. She liked her freedom far too much to stay locked in a castle for the rest of her life. What if she was making a mistake? What if this was her chance?

The King seemed progressive in his way of thinking, so maybe he would let her have her freedom.

She looked over at him, imagining herself sharing a life with him. Imagining herself liking him. It didn't seem impossible. He was likable and she didn't have to love him. For a woman, marriage was about survival.

When Angelica heard the sound of instruments playing and chatter she knew they were close to the party hall.

The King halted and turned to her. "I free you now," he said. "I know you long to get away from me."

Angelica opened her mouth in surprise but didn't know what to say. She couldn't say that it wasn't true, because then she would imply that he was lying. "I've enjoyed your company, Your Majesty. It was an honor and a pleasure to spend this evening with you."

He smiled at her enthusiastic response. "The pleasure is mine," he said. "Allow me to escort you."

He offered his hand and led her inside the hall. Angelica looked for her father and friends as soon as she walked in. All of her friends were dancing and her father was seated with some guests. The King surprised her by escorting her all the way to the table where her father sat. Everyone at the table was surprised and stood up as soon as he neared.

Angelica could feel everyone in the room watching her. The King brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her knuckles before letting her go. Angelica curtsied and saw Hilde looking her way while she danced. This would cause problems between them.

"Your Majesty, I hope she didn't cause any problems," her father said, embarrassing her again.

"No. She was lovely," the King said.

Anything that came from his mouth sounded lovely and everyone at the table was already charmed by him.

Her father smiled proudly, knowing that people at the table heard the King. Now he would brag about her and so he did as soon as the King left to sit on his throne. Angelica would glance at him now and then while her father continued to gloat. She would try to imagine herself with him again, convince herself that it wouldn't be that bad to be with him.

While staring, he suddenly looked her way and their eyes locked. He smiled at her, a gentle smile that made him look harmless. Angelica thought that it wouldn't be that bad to be with him after all.