"Do you truly want to get away?"A darkened form asked from the shadows.
A young girl nodded in answer,thoughts swimming in her head as the moonbeams danced upon her brow,haloing her body in its basking glow.She turned to see who it had been speaking to her but the knocks came inside her head.It was time to wake,her dream fading around her as blank and weary eyes opened on the cold,bleak world she lived in,the shouting of one maid stormed into her mind.She pulled the silken sheets over her head and closed her eyes tight,she never raised her voice above a whisper."Please go away Nalia.."
The maid once more beseech ed the irked girl into stumbling from her bed and dressing to the hurried rhythm of an overloaded castle hand.Nalia brushed the Princess's hair into a long black fall,washed her face,put her in her dress and made sure she was properly behaved when Nalia left.
Alone now the Princess rubbed the sleep from her eyes and covered her cotton candy colored lips with a dainty hand as she yawned the rest of her dream away.The eyes from the figure still burned in the back of her head though,so calm,so decisive... So strong! A wild,untamed blue,like the vast sky itself they were, and their ghostly appearance gave her a shiver clean to her bones!If only she could finish this dream of her's... if only she could get away,go somewhere no one could find her,where no one would care who she was,only that she was there to keep.She didn't care for the Black Knight or the kindly Princes of other kingdoms,she had her heart set on the man in her dream! The one with the eyes.She was sure it was a man,the voice was young and willful, and strong-minded too.Nothing like the what she called Pretty Men around the kingdoms.The men around her were almost as delicate as they said she was,but she knew there was a strength in her,she just had to find it as her mother had done.
A sudden wind made her turn her head swiftly to her balcony as she thought she heard his voice.Rushing to the balcony she tried to locate the voice,but it wasn't him,just someone to be hanged that day.She would be the one to watch from the stands once more with her father.A grim look on her face and a gleed look on her father's.It angered the common folk that her father enjoyed such burdened times and she knew there would be a rebellion,she was going to lead it.Intent on overthrowing her father and bringing peace,prosperity and calmer nights to her kingdom.
Before leaving her room she was forced to put on a blindfold.She could see out of it,no one could see through the other side to her eyes.Orange at the moment,but were soon to change color.Witch eyes everyone in the castle had concluded,but really she had been cursed at birth.Fairytale magic her mother had called it,her father's words weren't so kind.Abomination he called those eyes,disgraceful,lying eyes!It was easy to see she did not side with her father and if it weren't for her being his only heir and no other woman wanting him,even long enough to bare him a son,she would have been beheaded long ago under his rule.Her fear of that day haunted her always,deep into her soul.
Her only escape was a small bridge under the willow trees,back in a small cavern ed hole there.It held books her mother had written her and things of the same value to the loned girl.The stable hand,just a young lad of nine years,knew where it was she hid,and he kept that secret to himself and her.When she was called upon he ran to get her,other then that they talked only when she knew it to be safe for him.Often she had slipped him a jewel or two for taking such good care of her horse and he was thankful for the treasure.He never sold a single one but kept them close to his heart in a small leather pouch she had made him.He was like a son to her,his mother dieing like her own had so many years ago.A great fire had spread through the castle once and both mothers and four other work hands had died in it.
Trumpets sounded,they were low and ominous,she was being called to witness the hanging and out from under the bridge she crawled,not getting dirty in the least as she walked ever so slowly to the carriage waiting in front of the castle.She still had on the blindfold and her father made sure as they left for the town square.She kept her head down as they stopped and she knew it was checkpoint A.There were two others that checked for anything dangerous,sticks caught in the wheel spokes or bandits clutched to the bottom of the ride.When arriving through them and to the destination she was escorted by one of many Princes she had come to know in the Circle of Beautiful Men.She was led to the seat where she stood until her father accompanied her.He told her to remain standing.
"My good people! as you may be aware,my Daughter may soon be taking my place."There was a deathly silence of fuming hatred as her father spoke,sending unnoticed chills up her spine."Today she will be performing the call!"
She looked over at her father instantly and went to object but her people did it for her.Booing and throwing rocks at the guards surrounding her.She told the guards to move and she held her up hands,bowing her head.Everyone was quite again to hear their soft princess speak."Father.Indeed I will be taking your place in a matter of time.But I do refuse to imprison,let alone kill a man unless I have seen the proof for myself that he is guilty of charges,which this man I have not seen and will not sentence."
Her people cheered and she turned to look at the man she was supposed,but refused to sentence and her mouth went agape,her body alert and she stared at this caped man in utter stupefaction.Daring,chilling,decisive and wild blue eyes.Dream eyes. She was stunned into silence,her ears ringing as he smirked at her,knowing she knew who he was.It was the man from her dream with no mistakes possible to be made by her own eyes.
She was suddenly knocked to the wooden planks she stood on,tears brimming her eyes as a stinging burn went from her cheek to her upper lip,the red welt and bruise of her father's back hand appearing on her cheek.Everyone was astounded and the man only laughed harshly at her pain.She didn't know what to do and one of the guards bent to help her up.
"Leave her there.If she wants to act a traitor she will be treated as one!"Her father's voice boomed.He was quickly rushed out of there with her though when the public revolted against this act of absolute foul play.They knocked down the hanging post,the man falling to the ground much as she had,his eyes angry now.She had been put back into the carriage with her huffing father,who had been screaming and yelling the whole time.Her blindfold soaked to full with her pain and hurt.They were on checkpoint B once more.
The carriage stopped but she was yanked from the buggy and she screamed for her father's help,who for once tried to save his daughter.He needed her to rule after him! The man's arms were strong and thick,like branches against her waist and chest as he heaved her kicking and screaming body into the trees and onto a horse.She had a chance now to look up at her captor,but a bag for potatoes was shoved onto her head, making her hot breath beat back on her cheeks.Next her feet and hands were bound and an arm tucked itself around her narrow waist to keep her on the horse.One slap across the cheek and her life was changed before she had a chance to wipe her tears away.
*~ ~ ~ - - ~ ~ ~ ~*
It seemed as though they rode on for an eternity,but it had been only a few short hours before they stopped.She had heard only four voices,not the one of her rider,but separate and four other hoofs on the ground around the two of them.She hadn't moved in fear of falling off the horse,her body stiff and alert,but the arm hadn't left her waist one centimeter.She was shifted so the man could get off,then she was placed on some one's shoulder. She started to kick and object now as she let her muffled whispers get though the bag.The man just laughed,as did his companions after he spoke."If ya keep kicking' that pretty little dress is gonna show more then just your your feet."
Another round of laughs when someone whistled and she stopped kicking,but didn't let up on her hitting his back with bound hands.The rope cut into her skin,burning her tender,raw flesh,bringing yet more tears to her eyes.The men joked some more.
"Did someone hear a mouse squeekin'?"A burst of laughter until another cleared his throat.
They all shut up and she was set on her feet and pulled to another person, smaller arms, female arms and she was glad they weren't another man's.She felt tossed around and the bag was lifted from her head,the ropes cut and she felt to her knees, looking at her wrists and ankles.They were bleeding and burning,hurting badly from the course rope.She looked up to see the dream man walking away as he spoke to a girl right beside her on the ground,tending to her cuts."Marrika get her washed up and a new,more appropriate set of clothes on her."
The princess was bussled away and saw a beautiful sight before her through the trees.A waterfall,clean and clear as rain water!Flowers and shining rocks,a basin of water with the falls as it's own shower.The girl smiled and went to take the blindfold from her,but she shook her head,touching it to keep it on.Marrika held up her hands in a no offence ment pose,palms out,but worried that Damion had brought someone unwelcome into the camp.This girl looked rich,Royal perhaps,not like a future bandit's slave should and it worried her that Damion may have overstepped his boundaries.
"What's your name deary?"Marrika inquired in a light tone,hiding the fact the name this girl would give could be the death of the beauty before her.
"Princess Ociana.."The Princess answered,being heard by a small group of wood-hunters.
They listened closely to the next few moment of conversation as Marrika told her never to call herself that.And if she must use a name that she should make a new one for herself.The next part though,Ociana didn't like.The part of becoming a slave to Damion. She stood up and shook her head in fear,the word no stumbling from her mouth like a drunkard from a tavern.Her eyes were wide under the blindfold and her mouth agape in the horror.She would not be treated in such a way as he had in mind for her.Not in the least would she bend to the will of this man!She was told to bathe and dress in the garments laid on the stone for her,being obedient,or just wanting something she was familiar with-even if it was as small as a bath-she removed her clothes and walked into the water.She was delightfully surprised it was warm instead of being so cold,given the time of the year.It was early spring and chill hung in the air enough to make them all shiver with the wait of summer weather.Marrika had left,running to Damion's tent.
"Your your a dog Damion!"She shouted at him before his hand went to her mouth,a look in his eye that said he was up to something,that said he knew something this girl and Marrika didn't know.Something... that Marrika smiled about.
He left it at that and told Marrika to stay here,he would get the Princess.It made her a little uneasy to let him go there by himself,but she didn't have a say in the matter. Ociana was drying herself and it caught Damion off guard as he watched her from the shadowed path.She was beautiful,simply and purely beautiful.He longed to see those eyes though and when she covered herself in the clothes he regained his arrogant attitude and strolled to her.He didn't say anything to her as he got within inches of her own body. She became visibly nervous and red in the cheeks,heat rising in her body.Half from fear,half from how close he was to her.She looked down and he smirked,grabbing her hair and yanking her head to look at him."You never look down when your Master is going to speak to you Slave."
She opened her mouth to speak,but he yanked her hair once more,bringing tears to her eyes and she felt her heart start to thump in her chest.Grabbing his hand she tried to pry it off,but he was stronger then her,much stronger then her.Fear bubbled her blood as he pushed her to her knees.She became defiant,not wanting to be treated so badly by her captor and she stood back up,looking him in the eyes.His own were so cold,piercing!They looked right through her.. Not past her,but right through all her walls and defences.Right to her soul,making it writhe inside her heart. Daring eyes they were,pushing her to defy him,wanting her to give him a reason for him to act cruelty to her.Just one move that he could take advantage of.And in her awkward way she gave it to him as she turned away from him to grab her clothes.He moved behind her silently and swiftly,grabbing her wrist in a steeled grip,making her wince and let out a small sound of pain.His other hand gripped her left arm behind her back, pushing so her own weight was bringing it to near snapping point,but no further.The pain was near unbearable to her and she started to cry,his voice hissing in her ear.Warm breath,coldly heated breath hit the side of her face and neck,sending bumps rolling down her arms and legs,across her body."Don't you ever turn your back to me unless I tell you to Slave.You are no Princess here Ociana and I will not treat you as one!"
He left her there after telling her to meet him in his tent when she finished up.He would make her a good slave in no time,then sell her when they got to Westenward. She wiped her eyes and hid her royal clothing as the men watched what had just happened in horrified pleasure.It seemed Damion was striking back at those who were higher classed,and who better to start off with then a Princess!They snickered and kept it among themselves what she was originally,but when she walked by they made rude or obscene gestures to her,smacking their lips or raising their brow.Hooting at her with the most evil looks she had seen on a bandit's face.The tent was rather large and when she entered she noticed there was a bed,a small bit of covering on the floor in one corner and then a trunk.She wondered what was in the trunk and why such a big tent had so little of things in its space.Damion was standing behind her when she entered.He didn't say anything or move,not letting the slightest notion he was there as she went to the trunk,bending to one knee as she ran her fingers across it,the designs were so intricate,detailed.Her voice was still barely a whisper when she spoke."Beautiful.."
Now he spoke,watching her jump."Yes it is.Made by a China-man right before my eyes."
She turned to face him,getting to her feet and holding her hands in front of her, she was red again.His chest was scared,battle worn as she looked at him.Arms made of steel she swore,they were branches in her eyes,mighty sticks that could kill her in a matter of moments,less if he wanted.She moved back until she couldn't any more as he advanced on her,keep only but a few inches away from her body,loving to see her so uncomfortable.It was plain to see she had a fear of him,a fear of what he was.Not bandit he could see,but of men,men of all kinds,her body showed that.He moved one hand to the back of her head as she held her hands to her chest now.One flip of his hand,a tug of cloth and her eyes were entrancing him.Constantly changing colors,the Aurora Borealis was the only comparison that could be made,and even it lay in hopeless admiration for this wondrous woman's eyes.She closed them and looked down,away from him,away from his surprise,but his fingers brushed her cheek as he smiled.
He had seemed to instantly change,his voice softer now,understanding of her."I am sorry for your father's cruelty.But here i will treat you as an equal,only so if your in my tent.Once we are out of the tent I will be strict.Understand me?"
She nodded meekly,sorrowfully as he ran his fingertips over the present reminder of her father's actions.The purple black wakening that had given this boy his freedom and cost her, her own.She once more put her head lower then his,even if he were a bandit,he was still a man,higher then herself so she had to put herself lower then him.Though he was taller then her to begin with.He clucked his tongue,tutting her for being so shy around him."Nothing to fear here my Princess.You have no reason to think I am going to harm you when we are alone.I've been watching you..."
This caught her attention and she remembered her dreams.Had they been only dreams? Or had they been a connection to her? A wizard could have helped him with the spell.A witch even,but no,it just seemed to far fetched.She saw an outfit,a gypsy outfit as he looked over at it as well."Are you guys....gypsies?"
He seemed to grin inside and out as he nodded."That garment was my partner's.She ran off with the man she loved long ago."
He didn't seem the least bit hurt by this and it made her curious.He seemed to catch on and relayed to her that whatever made that woman happy made him happy. Ociana seemed to understand that,it made him wonder about her a little more,maybe she wasn't a foolish girl to want to be away from all the royalty responsibilities and such.Maybe she knew what she wanted and would find it only there,with his band of gypsies.He looked at her now and became serious."It is time you become obedient."
"I know obedience."She replied simply.He seemed angered at her words and his voice went low again.Deathly as he told her not to speak out of turn,not to speak when not spoken to.She would answer questions only,when they were outside the tent.No other time should she speak.He asked if she understood."I do Damion."
"Do not call me by my name Slave.I am your Master and should be treated as such.You do not call me anything but that.In or out of the tent."He commanded of her and then observed her for a moment,circling her a few times before looking pleased with himself."I picked quite a delicious looking morsel for my slave now haven't I?"
She turned red and nodded in answer,but he told her to speak up,her voice was still below a whisper."Yes....Master....you have."
Oh his eyes when she called him that,burning with the passion for her words, making her take a step back as he smirked.He needed to test how obedient this girl was,how well his slave would listen to him."Now Slave,get me some water."
She went to where he pointed and then returned to him with a wooden cup of water.He took it and poured it out,onto the floor.She didn't object,just stared at him, bracing herself, knowing this was a test. He was delighted in this and it made him want to see more from her.Each command he did was more and more personal.He put on a shirt,but it tied over his shoulders."Tie this slave,nice and loose,but not to loose."
Her body became rigid,but she moved over to where he was and her trembling hands tied the string gracefully.He touched her hands and she didn't object to him rubbing his thumb on the outer part of her skin.It was so smooth and smelled so sweet to him,intoxicating in the least of senses.His voice was low,but gentle,more so then he had ever been to her,surprising her."Now Slave...kiss me."
She objected to this,taking a step back from him while she shook her head,but he still had her hands,tightening his grip on them.She looked at his hands on hers briefly before looking at him,solving this quickly.She leaned up and pecked his cheek.He put his hand firmly on the back of her head and pressed his lips on her own.It was a hard and eager kiss,nothing but lusting lips and hungry hands.She objected,pushing away from him as best she could.He didn't stop the kiss though until Marrika came in and gasped. He let go of his new slave who immediately drew back,crying.She ran from the tent as Marrika stared him down."That was a fowl thing to do to her Damion! You should know better then to pull your lust works on that young girl! She cant be more then seventeen Damion!"
He looked shamed that his lust had taken him over,but something told Marrika that he didnt know if it was his lust entirely,and not.. something else with it.She put her hand to her lips,her eyes showing what she thought and he once more became steel."She is my slave now Marri and I will treat her how I want!"
He was becoming defencive of his actions as he told her to leave and find his new slave.She smiled as she went to find the girl that may be able to break down her friend's walls.
*~ ~ ~ - - - ~ ~ ~*
A few months passed as she became more and more accustom to this life.She was ment to sleep on the floor there and some nights grew increasingly cold,while others unbearably warm.It made him wonder why she had not broke yet,why she had not already begged him to take her home or even to kill her as he put her through grueling work.Something no Princess could handle,yet she stood strong! Stronger then he could have imagined,even when cleaning up after the horses.
She sat in the tent on the floor one night,she had thought he was asleep,his breathing was shallow.She was crying and looking at her hands,they were blistered and sore,open and raw.She was in pain from the time past.He pushed her more and more every day that went by.She was doing more work then any of the others and when she was asked if she needed help.She refused it with a simple "No thank you",or a "Master told me to do it."He watched her in the moonlight as it luminated her body and her eyes filled up more and more each time,spilling over silently.If it hadnt been for her shoulders shaking and her tears glowing in the subtle light,Damion would have never known she was crying.Her next words stung him,cut him to the quick."I'm sorry I'm not stronger....but I will be soon Master....I wont break..."
She woke the next morning,the light pouring in and she got up fast,rubbing her eyes and looking arround,Damion would be so angry with her for not getting up! She rushed from the tent,pulling on her meager shoes and ran right into him,falling back onto the ground.He did look angry as he turned towards her."Waking late today?"
She quickly answered,trying to excuse herself,getting to her knees as she went to stand."I'm sorry master,I'll work twice as hard today! Any work that is needed to be done!"
He simply smiled at her,stunning her into silence as he held out his hand.She didnt take it for a moment.When she did she hid a wince of pain,pure angony.He turned her hand palm up and she stared at them with him.He traced some of her scars,ones from being cut on the reins of a horse,or sharp sticks.Keeping her head down she appoligized,knowing it was out of place,but not many people were arround."I'm sorry Master...I swear I'll never wake late again...I didnt mean to wake so la-"
He chuckled and lifted her chin.She became frightened of him again and started to tremble,but he made no move towards her.He only spoke."I'd be tired to if I spent all night crying and looking at my work written on my hands forever."
She was taken aback by this and became uncomfortable.He wasnt supposed to see her break like that,cry so hard.His own eyes,there were dark circles under them and she touched them."You..."
"Stayed up watching over you all night...yes."He finished for her,knowing what she would say."I am your master,not your father..."
She moved her hand again and his eyes seemed to long for her to touch them again.She noticed it this time and it made her heart skip a beat in her chest.He told her to go on and get a bath,take the week off and she was happy to get the bath,but would save it for later.When she tried to relax she couldnt,she needed to work now that she was used to it,but no one would let her help them,Damion had told them not to.She went to the small basin of water for her bath,as she had the first day there.The stars were so bright over her and damion had made his way down there as well with another woman. She was giggling and such,speaking in a sultry voice.When he kissed her it was eager and crushing,as it had been with Ociana herself.The woman didnt stay too long,for he had hurt her arm holding her.Ociana saw him on the bank,droopy now and she swam over to him,keeping herself hidden,she had seen him many time before when she helped him dress,but he never saw her.Once she was in view though he felt the familiar hunger for her skin and kisses.Her voice was soft still,despite the hard work."Making love is not all crushing hands and burning lips.."
It was his turn to heat up,his face red and his voice was trying to be mocking,but failed at it,only sounding cruel."And how would you know,or are you tainted as well as lazy?"
She turned away and he imediatly regreated his words."No wait please..."
She stopped moving,but didnt come back to him.He begged her to return to him,tell him what it was that she knew,how she knew."My mother told me when I was young.Look for a gental touch.When you kiss a woman it should be in love,not in passion.You will be able to tell the diffrence."
Marrika had come down for a swim and saw the two,inching closer untill she was seen."Marrika...may I ask for your assistance?"
Marrika was happy to help the two get closer as she was told to be the one who helps him learn to love and not lust.Marrika squirmed in his arms as he began to tighten his hold on her,as if she would just disapear like his last."You have to come and show him! He is hurting me!"
With a sigh Ociana came out of the water slowly,Damion's eyes fixed on her radiance and Marrika saw it,there was no lust there.Ociana didnt see this as she tried to cover herself.He waited untill she was closer before he tucked his arm arround her waist and then easily pressed his lips onto Ociana's.Eyes wide and body melting in his gental hold Ociana placed her arms arround his neak and let him place his hand on the back of her head softly.He wasnt crushing her,or eager.He wanted it to last and thier hearts raced,Marrika was gone,a grin on her lips at the sight when she looked back.Master and Slave were now lovers ageinst the world.
Ociana stay in his arms as he broke the kiss,gazing at her with every emotion he had.His voice was softer then her own now as the warm air brushed thier skins."L-like that Princess?"
She nodded silently,not taking her eyes from his untill someone in the small village called for him.She let him drop his arms and then take a step back,putting his pants back on and walking slowly backwards to the camp.When he was out of sight she sighed whistfully and smiled,her eyes closeing again as she fell onto the ground,her arms out.
Someone blocked her light and she opened her eyes again to see who it had been,hoping it was her master,but it wasnt,there were two boys there.One shoved something in her mouth and held her arms down while the other laughed when she struggled.Her fear was getting the best of her as she fought harder and harder ageinst the boy who was now kissing her neak and shoulders,working on his clothes and pinning her legs down with his own.She tried to scream for help,trying to get Damion,but the cloth was thick and hurt her jaw as it held her mouth open.She was sobbing as the boy got between her legs and readied himself,the other waiting his turn.Her eyes closed when he whispered in her ear."If you dont scream for help,I'll take that out of your mouth ok?I want to hear you moan."
She nodded,it hurt her and she needed them to take it out.He removed it and she was silent for a moment before she screamed,her voice strong and loud,stunning the boys."Master!"
Damion heard her cry and ran down the bank again,several people following him, and when they got there the boy held a knife to her throat.Damion knew the boy well and tried to talk him down,he was still between her legs and she was still pinned down by the other."Luke,let her go.Dont hurt her Luke.She is a Princess."
Luck scoffed."Oh Damion I know already who she is.Her eyes gave her away.Witch's eyes! I'll make sure to take good care of her Damion."
Damion felt his anger boiling in him as Luke got closer to her virginity,kissing her just as Damion had the first night she was there as his slave.Luke did anything he could to show Damion was not the one in charge now.He rubbed himself on her and she sobbed,squirming under her human bindings.She was begging him."Luke please dont do this...I'll give you anything you want,money,jewls....anything!"
Luke laughed,the most horrable laugh she ever heard."Your what I want Princess.What's wrong,you only love Princes?"
Damion became rigid as Luke pushed himself on her and she squirmed harder before realizing it was helping him.She was absolutly still now as a child ran down the hill and watched the scene,handing Damion a dagger.The child had become great friends with the princess and was glaring at Luke like he was no more then horse manure.Luke didnt care,one more push and he'd have taken the virginity of the most prized Princess arround!Damion begged to differ that."Do you trust me Ociana?"
She tilted her head up,her eyes honest and her tears soaked though with tears,her voice choked."Yes Master.."
He didnt hesitate and when Luke went to push into her fully.She closed her eyes as he started to enter her and Damion sent the dagger into the manhood of Luke.His scream pieced the air as he dropped the knife and went to take the dagger from his lower half,but didnt get far when the little child,a little boy,stood behind him and drove Luke's own dagger through the fiend's heart.The other boy had scrambled away and she moved out from under Luke and into Damion's waiting arms.Oh she was terrified!Shaking and sobbing,she had been to close to being tainted and then she looked up at her savior.Damion smiled,his eyes softened,and he held her.They just stay there for a little while longer.
When they headed back to the tent she grabbed her rough sheet and walked past him to go to her own sleeping spot on the floor.Catching her wrist and holding her there as he gazed up at her.Thier hearts were as wild as his eyes and she was red,he had saved her,instead of just letting her become tainted.It wouldnt have effected him,she was only his slave right.He moved over on the bed,pulling her down on it with him and holding her,his chest pressed ageinst his back.She was still terrified of men,her whole body shook and his fingers slowly went though her hair as he held her with him,cooing to her that she would be alright,they he wouldnt let anything happen to her.She closed her eyes and as she fell asleep she faintly heard three words she would dream about that night.
My Ivory Prince
Part two - The letter
Only days after the incident with Luke,Damion came to her.She was mending some clothing for one of the pregnate mothers,sitting there talking to her.He told her to walk with him and she obeyed as any good slave would.When they were far enugh away from the group he turned to her."After this comand your not my slave any longer.I've had my fun with you and now I'm bored."
His words were harsh and her eyes showed she was hurt,he tried not to pay attention to that as he looked away from her."Go home Slave...go back to your castle and your Princes...Go home Princess Ociana."
She was struck by this demand and she looke d down."No Master..."
He looked at her with mixed emotions."Go now Princess!"
She shook her head and raised her voice once more."No Master!"
"Stop calling me that I'm not your Master any more your stupid girl,get out of here Princess and dont come back!"He shouted as he watched her sink right there before him and she kept shaking her head,kept saying no.He grew angrier and angrier,more and more desperate,he had to make her leave.He was putting her in danger and he realized that last night.She went to say no again and she called him Master once more.He couldnt stop his reaction when he hit her just as her father did,sending her to the ground and she sobbed there.He was in utter horror at what he had done and when he went to touch her she scrambled back from him,getting to her feet as sobbing worse then she had nearly being raped.He watched her run,watched her run into the woods,back to her castle and princes,back to the life he had given up. Back to being a Princess and not his slave.Marrika saw him come into the camp, his head down and his tears visable.He went into his tent and she watched one of the men nod and go to the tent.He ran back out though when a cup was thrown at him and the booming voice of a heart struck lover echoed through encampment.
As soon as she was insight of the castle she started to shout and scream for help.She needed to feel arms,needed to feel soemthing she had just lost and when her father embraced his daughter she sobbed into his chest.He took her inside and helped to prepare her a meal.He had changed over the many months she had been gone.She no longer had to wear a blingfold,no longer was called mean things,he even asked her about hangings and emprissonment.She took everything less then half heartedly and her father knew something had happened to his girl that required her mother and not him.She needed what her mother always said she would.
As she lay in bed one early morning there was a knock.She shouted for them to go away but her father came in regaurdless,laying a book on her stand."Your mother said...one day you would need this....one day I would know to give this to you and you'd know what to do..."
She kept her head covered and when he left the room she resumed her crying.She always felt the sting of love gone wrong.Felt the rejection on her cheek every moment worse and worse,it was always stronger then her will to get out of bed. When her father spoke of her mother she had to know and she took the book,flipping through the pages one by one as she read it.The Ivory Prince it was called and she now knew everything she hadnt about Damion.Knew about him and how he knew her mother and herself as a young boy.The Princess had been a baby then,just a small baby and her mother made Damion promice to protect Ociana from her father when she was old enugh to travel.The princess sat there and stared at the last page.A letter to herself from her mother.
My dearest child,
By now you are nearly eighteen and I am no longer with you.I know this because I told myself if I was alive,I'd never give this to your father.He is a good man now,I know this because without him being such you would never lay eyes on this letter,let alone this book.Damion came to you didnt he?I dont know how or where,but I know he did.He loves you more then his own life Ociana Sky and you know this.But he did something to hurt you didnt he?Tell Mommy what he did..
She started her story imediatly as her father listen outside the door as he had promiced his wife on her deathbed,he would know how to make it better his wife had said and his heart tore him up inside as she told her problems to the book,to the letter.. to the memory of her mother before reading on.
Just because he hurt you dont mean he meant to.Sometimes a man has to protect you from himself before he can protect you from others.Damion has many enimies as you know from the story,yes my child Damion is the Ivory Prince.I hope you can forgive his hardened heart my child and seek out his love once more.Go back to him my princess.
I love you darling child of mine,
Your mother and the Queen of Luxeus,
Mariea Lenor
She stood up and called for her father who was crying almost as hard as she was."Father.....I have to go again...I'll be back dad and I'll stay with you...but as a new bride!"
He nodded and let her run from the room,telling everyone to let her pass as she headed back to the place she needed to be to find where she belonged.Her father smiled and waved goodbye to his daughter,waiting once more for the return he'd never see.
Damion was sitting in his tent,head in his hands,it had been days,even a week,he didnt know,not leaving the tent no matter how hard Marrika tried and she was once more at it."The boys in the stables need your help with the feed,they cant tell what is good and what is bad for the horses."
He mumbled the diffrence and then went silent again.He had been an idiot,a royal class jackass and he was paying for it!There was shouting and cheering as she ran back into the camp,they pointed to where he was,his tent they told her and she went inside,looking at Marrika who laughed.Damion looked up and became delightedly angry with her presence.He stood up and Marrika ran out of the tent, letting them handle it on thier own.He was shaking in anger and love for her as she went to him,her voice strong,higher then a whisper,much higher.She was talking now."I'm not finished yet Master..."
He grabbed her arm tightly and she winced,whimpering a little as he drug her from the tent,tossing her to the ground,all eyes on them."Get out of here you wench!"
His words stung her but not as much as his slap had.Her eyes narrowed and she got back up as he turned to go back to his tent."Coward!"
He stopped dead at her words.He didnt know what to say,what to do,he was at a complete loss for words and thoughts.He was angered more as she shouted the word again."Coward!"
He turned arround and grabbed her shoulders tight,making sure to hurt her as much as he dared to,his voice a hiss,as it had been the very first time she ever defied him."Bite your tounge!"
She only smirked and got close to his face,her heart thumping and eyes once more tugging at his heart."I'm not your slave no more Damion....and your nothing but a coward.."
He raised his hand once more to hit her but she struck him instead.Everyone was pertified by this and they stared in thier silenced minds.The two stared at each other as well,she was breathing hard from running so long and so fast.He was breathing shallowly from being struck.She spoke now."I am not letting you walk away from me Damion....I'm not letting you go!Not without a fight!My mother made you make a promice!Your supposed to be my Ivory Prince! Where is he when I need him the most Damion?Where is he when I need him to love me back?"
Damion felt his tears washing the pain from her hit away and he pulled her to him and held her tightly as she put her arms arround his chest and linking her fingers under his shoulders,crying as well.His words shook as he tried to find the right ones."I never.....I didnt know how to......do or...become what you needed! The book.....she said she wrote it from....every single time I saved your life....but I never believed it....those dreams....you on your balcony,they were....it was a memory! It was a summer night and we had run away as kids she said......I dont even remember it.....I just left....never knew where I got the ivory cloak from untill I started........I remembered you! When I saw you get hit I laughed but.....but when I was done laughing I....I realized who you were! The blindfold....."
She kissed him lovingly,deeply,with every ounce of passion she contained in her whole being.As they kissed her father went to his room,shutting the door with a smile,but that smile turned to agony and betrayal when a sword when through his heart.The adviser holding the hilt of the wepon.The two were being cheered on while the cries of her father were answered,the kingdom her own in the lasting kiss of her father's last breath...
*~ ~ ~ - - - ~ ~ ~*
Ociana opened her eyes as Damion smiled down at her,moving some of ehr hair form her cheek,she felt thier skins pressed together and last night flooded to her, making her blush.They had made love that night and she moved closer to him now that he spoke words so soft to her,gentaler then ever before."I love you Princess Ociana."
She kissed him softly and felt his own pressure to the kiss,laying her head in the crook of his neak as he held her.They dressed and Marrika burst into the tent and they jumped,both blushing madly as she grinned for a moment,but it faded fast as marrika led them outside where a gaurd stood,one of the King's gaurds.Ociana went to him blanket."Sterge....what happened? Where is my father?"
"Princess Ociana...I have some...I'm sorry Princess...your father was murdered last night.."His voice was strong,but only for her,inside he was torn apart,he had been there for her father's tranceformation and now the King was dead!
She stared at the gaurd in disbelief.This couldnt be happening! This was impossible! Her father was strong,he'd never die on her,not liek this! Not now! But true enugh they handed her her father's crown and she broke.Tears going down her cheeks as she gripped the crown hard,it was cutting into her hand and small trickles of blood ran down her arms.Damion waas holding her and all the gaurds were crying beniether thier helmets.She noticed this."Take them off..."
They were confused for a moment before they knew what she wanted,taking thier helmets off and laying them at her feet."They will be burried with him.."
They bowed to her."All hail Queen Ociana! Long live the Queen!"
Everyone followed suite as they got to thier knees and she stood there,the wind was soft,as if comfortig her,felt like her mother's touch and she stood there,placeing the crown on her head as it slipped forward a little with how large it was.She was seventeen nd already the Queen of her kingdom now.This would be a hard life to go through without a king.she felt a tug and she looked over at Damion who was on one knees.She cried harder and as he asked her the sentence she thought she never hear she found her ears being reached with a beautiful song,the song her mother used to sing."Queen Ociana....will you be my wife and let me rule as King by your side?"
She nodded and he went to stand but he stay down when she took her father's crown off her own head and put it onto her king's.He hugged her tightly as the people cheered and mourned thier new rulers and the fallen one.
She had gotten away....now she had to get back...
Moonlight Mysterious Community Member 
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