Evanara
I sat there for a long time,holding the remaining pieces of my shredded gown together. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I stared in front of me. He pulled on his clothes glancing back at me every once in a while,his face wearing an expression I refused to accept as remorse. I felt different. There was a sudden silence to my soul; I was like fallen leaves under frost. I felt the chill in my blood and coldness that brought the synapses of my brain to a stand still. Part of it was a pain, yet one I felt i could endure, one I felt i could sleep through night after night without the anaesthesia of false hope. I felt...void. Empty...Dead. All I could think about was Adrienne. What would he think of me? How would I ever face him after this? How would i break to him that his bride he considered pure was broken? That i defiled by the Emperor? Would he take my word for it? I looked down at my pretty blue gown that had blood stains on them. Adrienne had bought me this dress on my twenty first birthday. It was ruined now. My scarf had fallen and my blue long wavy hair was a mess. My ears were perfectly hidden under the mess. It was the least of my worries now. Whether or not he had seen my hair did not matter to me anymore. Some things were worse than death. "I did not mean for this to happen. I will pay you well enough to heal you and get another dress." He finally said,breaking the silence in the brightly lit room with his vile words. My eyes darted from my dress to his blue eyes. I dragged myself from the floor holding my gown together. What I felt at the very moment was what I had never felt for anyone in my entire life. Hate. Hate and enmity welled up in my heart, fury itself burning me up. It burned in so deep that it was ingrained in my tissues. Then disgust set in. When I looked at him, my insides curdled like milk with lemon. He was the acid in what otherwise would be so heavenly. He revolted me. "You know what this is?" I asked holding the part of my gown that had blood on it and bringing it higher for him to see. I ignored the upper part that fell apart and revealed my torn apart corset. He looked at it without uttering a word. "I did not.. I..I did not..."He stuttered with guilt but I did not let him finish. "This...,” I pointed at the dress, tears falling from my eyes. “This was my pride. You took it from me. Pay me? For entertaining you? Who do you think I am?! Some dim witted courtesan you could have fun with and throw a couple of coins at to buy a pretty dress?!" I screamed, surprising even myself. I never shouted. Or screamed. I did not think i had it in me. "Do not speak to me in that tone,Peasant! You will give me the respect I deserve! How much do you want? A thousand Gold coins? Surely you have not seen that much in your life but I will give it to you. After all,you are just a dancer. Not far from a courtesan. I do not seen why you are distraught about this!" He shouted and in a subconscious gesture of disgust my nose wrinkled and i drew my head backwards. "Yes. You did not think of that before you planned on ruining my life. Even a million golden coins can not fix what has been broken. Being a dancer is no excuse for this sin you committed. Dancers have lives too you know. I was going to get married to the man of my dreams. Have a huge family. With my children running around the place. I was finally going to a family i would call my own but you just ruined all the chances i had. You have ruined my life and I will hate you for it until my last breath." I said and headed for the door,pulling myself together. I looked back once and my eyes landed on the tin that contained Kevan' fee. I sped to it at once and picked it up. Whatever happened would not get in the way of my Kevan' dream. I caressed it for a while before heading towards the door. I pulled it and it opened freely just as I expected. While I screamed a while ago it was locked. I gave him a glare one last time before exiting the Tavern. It was very dark outside but light reflected from somewhere beside me aiding my ability to see. We were certainly in the early hours of the morning. Something shifted at the corner and with the aid of the light that reflected from the inn beside the tavern,I was able to see that the Knights were there. I paused for a while and looked at both their faces that had shock on them with tears streaming down my face before I ran off.*************** Gawain"Sire, that is not helping." Knight Orien,my best friend said when I did not stop pacing. Not that I could help it. I had rejected food all day and everyone was beginning to worry about me. I was in the throne room with my most trusted knights as i awaited her arrival. I could not even sit for a minute. I folded my hands behind me and kept walking as I felt if I did not,my head would explode. "Where is she?!" I shouted. "Calm down Sire. She will be here soon." Orien said and I had my sit on the throne. Then I stood again. The fear in her golden eyes haunted me. Eyes widened, breaths ragged and harsh, she trembled when she looked at me. Her words pricked at me continuously and they were all I could think of. There was a knock in the door,disturbing my thoughts. I groaned. "It is I,your Imperial Majesty, Empress Katherine. I request your audience,my lord." I clenched my fist and rammed it into the wall in frustration. With a deep sigh I plastered a smile on my face. "Do come in." I said with faked delight and brightened my expression. The door opened slowly and Katherine walked in,her grey eyes scouring the throne room. "What might the problem be, my Empress?" I smiled and in her eyes, there was a glint of surprise which she soon hid perfectly with a submissive look as she bowed slightly. "Empress Dowager demands your presence at the women's court. The consorts await your speech. To welcome them here. It is of great importance."She said,raising her head slightly. I smiled and nodded. "Tell Empress Dowager I will be there in a few of minutes." She bowed again, her eyes showing skeptism in them and she turned around to leave. Her purple gown that had white embroideries on it dragged behind her as she walked causing me to wonder if she would not trip on it. It was nothing to worry about since Katherine was a Queen of elegance herself. She walked rather carefully and yet with a wonderful poise. She shut the door behind her carefully and I was back to fidgeting. "T-Sire...I suggest you calm yourself. You did nothing deliberately. It was not your fault." Orien said again. "That woman...she does not know that." I said as I resumed pacing again. "Sire..." I waved my right hand and he kept quiet. Nothing he said would save me from the guilt and anger i felt towards myself and that woman who felt she had the right to judge me without listening to my side of the story. I heard heavy footsteps and I turned slightly. The door swung open as one of my men threw her at my feet roughly and she cried. "Forgive me,Sire." She sobbed and hugged my feet. I bent over and held her shoulder. "Why did you drug me,Penelope?" I asked and she shook with fear in my hold, not speaking the words i wanted from her. "Speak to me!" I shouted as I felt my patience slip away. She sobbed even more when I shouted and I figured I had applied too much force. "Why did you do it?" I asked more calmly. "I-i-i assumed you wanted her. I-i simply wanted you to forget your worries... in doing so...you would surely pay more." She cried and my stomach felt like it was being squeezed. Nonetheless, I stayed calm. "I always paid handsomely and I have never taken any of your dancers to bed before. What made you decide for me?" I asked. "I just thought you would want it... Your father does the same each time he comes over and is in a terrible mood. I just thought..." "Did you ask her consent? That woman...did you ask her?" I asked,still keeping my cool. "No...i-i...assumed she...There is not a woman in Astros that does not vye for your attention, your Majesty... i thought she wanted it." "You assumed?! Apparently, she did not share your opinions. You are a woman yourself Penelope! You have betrayed a woman like yourself Penelope! You do not deserve to live." I said and moved away from her. "S-s-sire...please...have mercy. I have two daughters..." She cried with her hands clasped together. "Yet, you did not think of that woman before you did that. You do not deserve to be a mother. Keep her in the dungeons until I come up with her punishment." "Yes sire!" "Please...Sire!" She shouted whilst she was dragged away. I clenched my fist as kept pacing. The woman’s words came words came to mind again and I tried to shut them out. "This was my pride. You took it from me. Pay me? Who the hell do you think I am?! Some courtesan you could have fun with and throw a couple of coins at to buy a pretty dress?!" Who was she anyway to speak to me like that? I was the Emperor. The Emperor. Anyone would want to be with me. Virgin or not. No one ever rejected me. Who was she? For me, my self-respect mattered more than anything. No one had disrespected me that much without being punished. Wherever or whoever she was she should be grateful that I was merciful. Still, i had to find her. I did not know how to. I did not know her name or family and a dozen women wore scarves and had their hair dyed to absurd colors. I did not know where to begin.***********Evanara "Nara...is that you?" Kevan said lazily ,scratching his eyes with the back of his palm. Luckily he was asleep when I arrived at home. I had put on fresh clothes and had a new scarf. Swiftly, I wiped my eyes and pulled him into my arms. As i hugged him,I could not stop the tears from falling. My hands began trembling as I patted his back. "Nara...Are you crying?" Kevan asked and withdrew from me, gazing at me with wide sleepy eyes that looked very much like mother's. The resemblance between myself and Kevan was uncanny. His eyes were mine only a darker shade that made it look natural unlike mine that looked surreal. His lips were mine. The only difference between us two was the hair colour and the muscles he was beginning to grow. His hair was father's. Brown with blonde tips. Blonde. I blinked and suddenly, it wasn't Kevan's golden curls I was looking at. Emperor Gawain's looked down at me with his blue eyes sent shivers down my spine and I gasped slightly as I moved away from him. Adrenaline floods my system, pumping and beating like it was trying to escape. "Nara?" How did he know my name? I shrank under his intense stare as I felt ashamed. I hugged myself to cover the opened parts from my shredded gown. He took a step closer and my breath hitched. "No...no...do not do this...please...do not..." I felt the panic begin like a cluster of spark plugs in her abdomen. Tension grew in my face and limbs, my mind replaying the incident again. He was going to hurt me again. I let out a scream that pierced my very own ears. He suddenly grabbed my shoulders and shook me vehemently. "Nara! What is wrong with you?" I looked at him as he shook me. Where I had seen blue, it was brown. Kevan. I gasped as I snapped out of it. It was Kevan, not Gawain. I was home, not at the Tavern. "Nara...are you alright. Do what?"Kevan questioned,caressing my cheeks. "I...had a bad dream. It...I have been really disturbed about it." I lied and though it made no sense, Kevan did not question it. "Will you share it with me?"Kevan asked and the softness in his gaze made me feel me again. I knew that regardless what happened, Kevan would always love me. He was the one good thing i had in my life. I nodded and began searching for the next lie to tell. I heard the crow of the bird,making it known that it was dawn. "Oh no. Go take a bath or else you will be late." I said,changing the topic entirely. Kevan arched a brow at me. "We still have an hour or two Nara. Why the rush? You want to get rid of me that easily?" He pouted. I shook my head. "No no Kevan. We will go to the market first. I want to get some clothes for you. That is why. Sorry Kevan." I said, having the sudden urge to hug him again. If I did, he would know something was wrong with me. That was the last thing I wanted.EvanaraThe showcase was over but I did not call in for work. I could not face anyone. Not even my own reflection in the mirror. I did not feel like myself. I felt scared. Ashamed. Terrified. I feared that the news might have spread like fire across Avalor by now. I was already used to being called a witch but I would not be able to bear being called a courtesan or being tossed into the pit of fire for something that I could not even control. There was a sudden knock on the door and I felt my heart jump. Who was it? Could it be him? Did he come here to find me? My mind was thrown into chaos once more and I felt my hands tremble as I stood slowly. I took a stick that stood beside the wall and held it firmly as I approached the door on my toes. I felt my heart thud against my chest violently. "Who is it?" I waited for seconds. There was no reply. My hand tremor increased and i almost dropped the stick. Holding it in one hand,I unbolted the door and resumed holding the stick
Evanara Hours had gone by,hours that turned to long dreadful days,days that turned to wicked weeks. It had been two weeks since the incident. Two weeks of hell for me. I had not stopped seeing him. I feared going outside for I would be considered mad if I had another episode. It had been two weeks since I looked myself in the mirror. I was scared of my own reflection. No one came by to see me...not that I wanted them to. Adrienne would normally come to visit but after my episode that day, he promised to give me some time to myself. Thankfully, my marriage to Adrienne was set to the end of the month. I hoped by then,I would be fine. I twirled around carefully so as not to trip myself. The other girls were dancing beside me but in their own different manner. No one had dropped any coin in my tin today. They did not as much as look at me. Perhaps, they knew I was not pure anymore. I could hear them laughing in my face but I ignored them and continued dancing. The coin did not matte
Evanara I ran out, embracing my exposed flesh. My corset was visible and the swell of my breasts were exposed. "Nara! Wait Nara!" Sir Gilbert shouted as he ran after me. The passersby on the street stopped and watched as I ran. It was not everyday you saw a woman in a shredded gown running on the streets of Adarlan. "Nara...please!" Sir Gilbert shouted somewhere behind me. I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around.He panted on reaching my side. He handed me a woolen sweater and my hands trembled as I took it from him and put it on to cover my nakedness. "Words can not describe how sorry I am for what Adrienne has done. If there is anyway I can atone for his mistakes, please let me know." He said with joined hands.I placed my hands on his and dropped it. "There is one thing though..." I was saying before the sound of bells filled the air and my fear grew. The Keepers. They knew and they'd found me. "I don't know what will happen to me now,Sir Gilbert. Take c
Evanara My hands were tied up to a large log which had two other logs holding it down to the ground at both sides. Beneath me, the Everlasting flames burned with furious intensity. Just as its name implied,the fire never died down. That was not the only unique thing about the fire. It was green. Sweat trickled down from my forehead as perspiration took place. My vision blurred as I lifted my eyes from the beautiful fire and I noticed the crowd had grown even bigger that it was a few seconds ago. It seemed like all of Avalor was here to watch while I burned away. I was indeed honoured. Amidst the crowd,I sighted Sir Gilbert. Adrienne was not there with him...but I sighted Lady Agatha, his wife, who smirked at me.I looked at Sir Gilbert once again whose eyes were soft and beseeching. I arced a brow in question. He simply closed his eyes and nodded and relief washed over me. Kevan was alright. If the flames underneath me would not take my life,I would like to see him.
Gawain "It has been three days. What is wrong with her Gaius?" I fumed. "I am afraid I do not know how else to treat her Sire. I have given her the best treatment possible. She refuses to awaken." He said looking at the ground."Why? You are the best there is Gaius. Why can you not wake her?" I asked,growing impatient. He had stalled for three whole days and now this? My child's life was in danger...and its mother too. Her wounds had been healed,the poison was out of her system but her fever did not come down and she was not waking up."Sire...I... I, do not know what to do in her case. She is not... exactly... human." I had never heard anything more stupid in my life. "No? What then is she?" I asked,folding my arms. "Come." He said and opened the door to her chambers,waiting by it for me to go in.I placed my hands behind my back and walked in. There she lay on the red velvet mattress,her face upwards. It had been three days of waiting for my judgement. I knew the
Gawain "Uh...Little help here?" My back was turned to her as she was getting into a gown I had instructed her to. Her chief maiden was here with a couple of other maids to help her out. She had been acting strange all morning. She was being nice. Too nice. Perhaps,my words had gotten to her last night. Or it could be that she needed something. Either ways, it would not pass me by. I heard her groan and I was tempted to see why but she had specifically said not to turn around. "This is not necessary. I can't wear these horrifying things. I can't even breath in them. Could you please help me out of them? Please?" She pleaded. I found it weird that she would actually plead with a maid. The consorts in the palace took little or no time in bossing their maids around and this one seemed to be making acquaintances. I turned around and gazed upon her, neglecting her instructions. I could not deny the fact that she looked very stunning in the lilac gown that hugged the u
Kevan I dove into her arms and she clutched me tightly. I missed her. Her scent. I withdrew from the hug and gazed up at her. Her eyes held so much love and affection in them my insides melted. Her soft fingers fell on my cheek as she caressed my face. A tear dropped from her eyes and I wiped it away before it fell to the floor. "Kevan..." She said and kissed my forehead and then the both of my cheeks. "Kevan...I missed you." She said and her voice broke. She looked sad. Very sad. I looked at her face closely. She had gotten...fat. I chuckled at the thought of her becoming as fat and round as a ball. Her eyes lit up when she looked at me."What is it Kevan? Do you find the fact that I miss you funny? Can I not miss my own brother anymore?" She asked. "No Nara. That is not the case. You have grown fat over the past few weeks."Her face turned red and I laughed harder. I threw my hands around her again,pulling her into a tight hug. "Careful there child.
Hera "Take it from someone who has seen more years than you'll ever dream of spending on earth. Constantly trying to ruin somebody's life will end in your own ruin, Hera. I have no interest in Ajax and for your own good, Hera, leave him be. I see where you're headed and it's not going to end well. Not for you at least."Elpis's words replayed in my head, over and over again. "Do you think her words are finally coming to pass?" I asked,putting the needle I held into the piece of cloth I was almost done with embroidering. "No, Mother. Do not worry about these things. You did what you had to do." The needle suddenly dug into my index finger and I dropped the cloth abruptly. I winced and sucked on the finger. "Are you alright, Mother?" Dameon asked as he rushed beside me and knelt in front of me. I pulled out my finger from my mouth and brought it down to look at it. Dameon took it and rubbed it,worry etched on his forehead. I observed him for a while before speak