Bound to the dark king

*Serena*

The stories didn't do him justice. They spoke of his ruthlessness, his cruelty, and his unimaginable power, but none of them could capture the sheer force of him. It wasn't just his towering figure or his otherworldly beauty—though those alone would have been enough to unnerve anyone. No, it was the way the air seemed to bend around him, the way his once blue, now golden eyes pierced through the crowd as if seeing everything and everyone all at once.

The world tilted once more as we stared at each other like no one else was in the hall with us.

Those dark golden eyes, sharp and unrelenting were locked onto me for what seemed like forever, and I couldn't look away. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips—a smile that wasn't warm or reassuring, but wicked and knowing making my heart almost burst with fear in my chest.

He definitely knew I was the one who had threatened him in the tower. He knew I didn't belong here, didn't want to be here. And now, he was letting me know that I was utterly and completely at his mercy.

My hands trembled in my lap, but I clenched them into fists, willing myself to stay calm.

I could feel the tension in the hall grow as King Zade moved toward the head of the table, his every step deliberate and purposeful. The crowd parted for him like water around a rock, their heads bowing in reverence. No one spoke. No one even breathed too loudly.

When he finally took his seat, the silence in the room became almost unbearable.

"Welcome, honored maidens."

Prince Malcom's voice rang out, breaking the tension, though it did little to calm the storm raging inside me.

I tore my gaze away from king Zade and focused on Malcom, who stood at the center of the hall, his golden hair shining under the lanterns' soft glow. His smile was warm, his posture open and inviting—a sharp contrast to his older brother's imposing presence.

"You have all been chosen for a purpose that extends far beyond yourselves," Malcom said, his voice carrying easily through the silent room. "You are not just maidens from the human world. You are the best of them—the strongest, the most resilient, the most extraordinary."

I wanted to laugh. Extraordinary? I was just a girl trying to survive, dragged into this nightmare against my will.

But the other maidens seemed transfixed. Beside me, Carla sat straight-backed, her chin tilted slightly upward as if she already believed she was destined for greatness. Manila, on the other hand, looked small and pale, her wide silver eyes darting nervously around the room. The other girls which I didn't really know their name, sat and listened attentively as well. 

Prince Malcom continued, his tone growing more reverent. "One of you will become the true maiden—the one destined to forge the bond of blood with the Sky Kingdom. Through this bond, we will achieve peace—not just for our kingdom, but for all the realms."

The bond of blood.

The words sent a chill through me.

"What does that even mean?" I whispered to myself, but no one seemed to hear me.

Prince Malcom's gaze swept across the room, his smile never faltering. "The power of the fates flows through the blood of the Sky Kingdom. The true maiden will channel this power, forging a bond that will restore balance to our world."

His words rang hollow in my ears. Something about this whole thing felt wrong—twisted, even.

Before I could stop myself, the question burst from my lips.

"Is this the same thing you've done with the past maidens?"

The hall fell into an oppressive silence.

Every head turned toward me, and I felt the weight of their stares pressing down like a physical force. My heart pounded in my chest, but I refused to back down.

Prince Malcom's eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. Carla's head snapped toward me, her expression a mix of shock and irritation. Anita shrank further into her seat, her gaze darting nervously between me and the others.

But it was king Zade's reaction that froze me in place.

He didn't flinch. He didn't look angry or surprised. Instead, his dark blue eyes burned into mine with a piercing intensity, as if he were dissecting me with his gaze.

"It has always been our tradition," King Zade said finally, his voice low and smooth, yet carrying an edge of authority that made the room seem smaller.

My breath hitched, but I forced myself to meet his gaze. "Then why keep doing it if it doesn't work?"

A gasp rippled through the crowd, and I heard Carla mutter something under her breath.

King Zade's expression darkened, the faint glow of the lanterns dimming as the air around him seemed to grow colder.

"The tradition keeps the balance," he said, his tone sharp and final, as if the matter were closed.

But I wasn't done. My anger, my frustration, my fear—it all boiled over, and I couldn't stop myself. "So then, what happened to the previous maidens? Where are they now?"

The silence that followed was deafening.

Even Prince Malcom looked uneasy, his blue eyes darting nervously between me and king Zade. Princess Nikki, who had been watching the exchange with barely disguised contempt, opened her mouth as if to speak, but king Zade raised a hand, silencing her without even looking in her direction.

"They are in the royal garden..." he said after a long pause. "..Six feet under."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

My chest tightened, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. I stared at him, my mind racing as the full weight of his words sank in.

Six feet under.

Dead.

They were all dead. Every year for millennials, innocent maidens were being...sacrificed?

My stomach churned, and I felt the bile rise in my throat. I gripped the edge of the table, my knuckles white as I fought to keep my composure.

How could he say it so casually, as if their lives meant nothing?

Without thinking, I pushed my chair back and stood. "Excuse me, I need a moment."

"Serena, wait—" Manila's voice was soft, almost pleading as I moved to leave the room. but I ignored her.

"You are not allowed to leave while the king is still seated," Princess Nikki snapped at me, her voice sharp and commanding, stopping me.

I turned slightly, just enough to look at her over my shoulder. "I don't care if the king is seated, or standing or even flying. I need a moment!" I yelled, unable to control the anguish twisting my bleeding heart.

The hall erupted into gasps, but I didn't wait for anyone to stop me. I turned and walked toward the doors, my steps steady despite the trembling in my legs.

When I reached my room, I barely made it through the door before my legs gave out.

I sank to the floor, my knees hitting the cold stone as hot tears streamed down my face. My shoulders shook with the force of my sobs, and I buried my face in my hands, the weight of everything crashing down on me all at once.

The words "six feet under" echoed in my mind, over and over again, a cruel mantra that I couldn't escape.

I thought of my father, my mother, Lily, the family I had left behind. I had come here to protect them, to save them from the Sky Kingdom's wrath. But now, I was trapped.

A pawn in their twisted game.

My sobs quieted after a while, replaced by a cold, simmering rage.

I didn't know how, and I didn't know when, but I swore to myself in that moment that I would survive this.

And I would make them pay for killing innocent maidens time and time again.

***