The Marks that Define Them

Chapter 1:

Aine

Aine had her eyes set on the stage. The light focused on the person on the stage. Never moving, not thinking of anything nor anyone. She was a porcelain doll that was sitting still, studying the subject. Perfection was expected, from her, from Ammon, and now her pawn. Strands of her platinum hair fell out of her bun that had loosened over the day. Perfection is everything. Aine's skeleton hand tucked the strands back in aggressively.

Her dark eyes light up when a young man walked onto the stage. Her eyes narrowed on his arm where his Shotadi marks should be. She could only see sediment under poorly drawn marks. Her cheeks rose as a missing piece was gained and would help her complete the game.

Aine looked over to see women with their cards already raised and heard whoos from the crowd. Raising her card she knew that she would win him. Every time the announcer would say another number Aine would raise her card, eliminating another competitor, until there was no else left. She had won again like she always did. She would win over and over again. Perfection is everything. Losing is not an option.

Nestori:

The auction was over for Nestori, he was sold. One of the workers at the slipped the black robe he had on after he walked off of the platform into the wings to be greeted by his new owner. She looked younger than before when she was sitting in the audience. '

"Nestori," Nestori's skin crawled at the sound of his name on her lips.

She paused before starting again in order to see her effect on him, "I think you are the perfect match for me. I know that you will have no trouble serving me. You have a something that people would say a gift, a gift that shouldn't be kept out in the open." Her bony hand felt like an icicle running up the tan large muscle on his left upper arm. Her hand made its way up to his chin where she titled his chiseled chin and stared into his teal eyes.

She whispered,"You would have no problem pleasuring me." Her left hand latched onto his left forearm. In that moment he knew that she knew.

"Yes, my Queen." She turned around and instructed him to follow him to their carriage. They walked until they were met with the warmth of the sun and light. Nestori turned his head to the right to see the teal carriage engraved with gold patterns. He squinted his eyes in order to peer into the carriage. The more they progressed toward it the more he could make out the figure inside of it. It was a man.

"Husband," The Queen shouted in order to get the figure's attention. The king! , Nestori thought. He was petrified, he didn't know what to do. The thoughts of this being a setup ran wild through his mind,  The Queen, on the other hand, looked content.

"Dearest husband I give you the pleasure of meeting the man who will be fulfilling all of the things that you will never do for me again. So now you can spend time with whores instead of me. His name is Nestori, he will be staying in the chambers next Eloy's," Her viper smile would make anyone's face fall if they ever had their spouse talk to them like that. It was clear to Nestori of who had the power in this relationship.

"Next to Eloy. Well I guess you won't be the only person who will be enjoying this Nestori,"The sound of disgust with Nestori and smugness in his voice let Nestori know that he had hit a nerve. The Queen didn't have a response to the king's comments, she only smiled and headed to the carriage. And soon followed the king with Nestori hot on his heels.

Astraea:

Astraea waited patiently for the carriage to arrive outside of the palace. She was worried for herself, the last person to ever serve both the king and Queen was caught with the king, and was found dead by poison. She heard the footsteps of the men pulling the carriage and felt as if she was going to pass out. Each second was excruciating, never passing by fast enough as the door to the carriage open and the king, Queen, and a mysterious person walked out. The Queen caught a glance at her and scowled. To Astraea it felt like certain death but the king on the other hand held the face of a man seeking adventure. What or who that adventure would be is the question Astraea held in her mind. The one who commanded her attention was the stranger, he looked as if he was in her situation, like he had known her her whole life and could read he like a book. There was a river of nervousness flowing on Astraea's palms as the Queen approached.