Contract of the Damned

Chapter 1

Sunlight poured through the open bedroom window, dancing along my pale skin. I fluttered my eyes for a few moments before forcing myself to open them. I was wrapped in the same cloak from the night before, I'd only just returned home a few hours before dawn. Blades of grass were stuck to my brunette hair and I had dirt smudged along my left cheekbone. My bare feet hung over the end of the bed as I sat myself up and yawned. I hadn't remembered much of the previous night, only sneaking down to the water and gazing amongst the stars. Father would've been furious if he knew I had snuck out again. It wasn't ladylike to go out alone at night, without a man at my side for protection. In my father's eyes I would never make a suitable queen, but I also didn't have a choice. I was to wed a gentleman fit to become a king, and to never sneak off or defy a King's rules again.

My mother would have stopped him, she always knew what it was like to be a woman in the presence of my father. It was like drowning in someone else's tears of disappointment, and knowing that you'll never learn how to swim. Even after her death, my mother still roamed the castle. I knew she was haunting him, and I couldn't blame her for it. Not even slightly. My father was cruel, he was selfish, he was practically a ghost himself until he needed something of me. I was sure that he was often surrounded by memories of her, my mother's soft voice biting at his skin as he tried to sleep. She was a wonderful woman, but forgiveness was not her finest trait. Again, I couldn't blame her. She and I were so alike, I think that's the reason my father always seemed to be so tormented.

I stood and dressed myself for breakfast. I left my room wearing a long silk gown with sleeves that hung low to the ground. It was a pale blue, much like the color of my eyes. It had a lace neckline and daisies embroidered along the waist like a belt. I felt myself stiffen as I got closer to the dining room. I peeked through the door before entering and saw my father sitting with a man I did not recognize. Their laughing made me sick to my stomach, I knew exactly what my father was doing. I walked into the room with my head held high and didn't dare take a seat. I stood in front of them both, a demanding glare in my eyes. The man dabbed his lips with his napkin and cleared his throat with an annoying cough. My father stood from his chair and gestured towards the man.

"Arean, this is the Duke of Levingtone, Sir Henry Benedict. He has traveled for three long days to be our guest." My father said with a devilish grin.

"Hello," I said plainly to the Duke of Levingtone. I sat down at the table not looking at either of them and poured myself a glass of juice. The Duke looked at my father with a confusing glance and then made his way to my seat. He kneeled before me and took one of my hands.

"Dearest Arean," he began. I rolled my eyes and my father gave me a threatening glare. "You surely are the most beautiful woman in all the land. I have come here to wed you. Your father has generously granted me permission to have your hand. I only wish to become better acquainted with you, as you will soon be my wife." He said boldly and kissed my hand. I quickly took my hand back and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Stand up, Henry," my father demanded. The Duke stood and quickly went to his seat. He must've been older than forty years old, I was only twenty years of age. I should've known my father would choose someone like him, no doubt just to upset me. "Arean, you will go for a stroll with the Duke after breakfast. Is that understood?" He asked me. I simply nodded my head in response. I'm sure the Duke was just dying to get his hands on a young thing. I lost my appetite quickly after that thought. They were eating too fast. Any minute now that Duke would have his hands around my shoulder and a disgusting grin on his face.

"I actually feel sick, pardon me," I said quickly and stood up.

"Sit down, Arean." My father commanded. I sat down as fast as I had stood up.

"Are you ready to take a walk? Perhaps the fresh air will ease your stomach," the Duke said and stood from his seat. He walked over to me and reached out a hand. I tried not to vomit as I took it and went with him to the gardens. I could feel my father smiling. The smell of the flowers and the wind blowing on my face actually did bring me slight comfort. Unfortunately it didn't completely cure the nausea creeping up on me.

"So, princess Arean, what do you like to do? I imagine you're fond of reading, or singing, do you play piano?" He asked me. Of course he thought I liked to sing. There was nothing I was worse at than singing, except for playing the piano. I laughed out loud and tried to cover it with a cough.

"I enjoy reading when I have the time." I told him.

"Ah, that's interesting. What do you like to read? Romance, adventure, literature, poetry?" Every time he spoke I wanted to punch him.

"I read the poetry." I said plainly, hoping he would lose interest. He did not. He opened his mouth to speak and it took everything in me not to sigh.

"A woman like you should absolutely know how to appreciate poetry. You yourself are made of such beauty, such a carefully sculpted young woman. Looking at you is like reading a poem," The Duke offered. I did not accept his compliment. It made me feel dirty.

We kept walking along the stone pathway, pretending to admire the beauty and the creativity of the garden. The Duke lowered his hand to my waist and pulled me in closer to his side. I felt a shiver fly down my spine. "Mr. Benedict, that is hardly appropriate," I told him and pulled away.

"That's Duke Benedict, darling. And seeing as you are now mine, I don't understand why it would be inappropriate to appreciate your wonderful figure," He says with a disgusting smile.

"Then admire it from a few feet away," I spat out.

"That's no way to speak to a Duke, or to your fiancé." He said casually.

"You still haven't asked me to be your bride yet, you forget that I have not accepted your offer." I said.

"It's already done. Your father is planning the wedding as we speak. We will be married in seven days, in front of the entire kingdom. You might as well get used to me now, before we have a crowd." The Duke said. I felt my stomach turn. I ran from him as fast as I could. The colorful flowers were a blur in my peripheral vision. My breath was heavy and short, I kept moving my legs as fast as I could in my dress. Suddenly my father appeared in front of me and grabbed me by the waist, throwing me over his shoulders.

"Arean!" My father roared. "What in God's name are you doing? Are you insane?" He yelled. I hit him and kicked my legs into his stomach and he dropped me.

"You will not give me away to some old man you do not know. I won't marry him, not ever. I'll watch this kingdom fall apart without rulers before I allow him to take my hand in marriage." I told him. He looked down at me, anger burning like hot flames in his eyes. And just a moment later, he struck me. His large hand rose into the air and landed upon my face leaving a stinging feeling. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"Go to your quarters, now. The Duke and I have some wedding planning. If you try to sneak out of your bedroom, you will deeply regret it. You're marrying Duke Benedict. Don't you ever speak to me that way again." My father said coldly. I felt a tear forming in my eye. But I refused to let him see me cry.

I shoved past him and stormed back into the castle.