Page 2 of A Dawn So Dark

Taking a deep breath, I nodded as I thought of how awful this man would be. How could I get out of this? I could not openly defy the king and still expect a place in his court. I was ushered from my chambers to the throne room where servants were putting the finishing touches on what seemed to be a lavish affair in the making. Mother instructed me to sit and not move until my father welcomed the Duke into our home. I was being ushered to my own execution.

Chapter 3

Aurora Artorias

Ipicked at my nails, eyes downcast as my lady in waiting ensured my hair looked nothing if not phenomenal. “Why the long face, Your Highness?”

I did not offer Elaine even a glance as I muttered so the other members of court would not hear me. “I am a preened sow being sold at market. Perhaps you would like to marry the Duke?”

“My husband may not take kindly to that offer, Your Highness.”Elaine chuckled softly, fluffing the skirts of my dress so that it cascaded around my slippers like a fog of silk. Though it felt more like a snare to keep me in place for the king. “It will not be so bad, Your Highness. Being a wife is a great privilege. You should trust the King, he knows what is best.”There would be no privilege in being as valuable as a decoration.

I nodded, falling silent again. I knew her stance would likely involve giving in to my father’s wishes. He had not spoken to me in weeks, as he was too busy ‘discussing matters of great importance’ with his Knights.I always knew I was to be wed one day, I just hoped it would have been like the epic romance that my parents had spread the tale of, even if it was a farce. It all came back to the king knowsbest.If only I was trusted to know best for myself.

“Presenting, Duke Thane of the Northern Isles of Taames!” Great. So not only was I to marry a man I have never met, but he lives in the northern sea region where I would likely always be damp, and live out my days in a frigid marriage.The Duke entered, and my heart dropped into my stomach . He was not ugly, but he surely was not handsome either. His skin was pale, not unusual considering the cool climates of the north. His hair was thinning and dirt colored, his eyes equally as drab, and his demeanor was arrogant for a man of Duke stature. He had armed men flanking him, women carrying their goods.A vision of what my future held. He stood before us, confident and casual. As if he were not about to be handed a Princess. “Welcome to our home, Duke Thane.” My father’s voice echoed throughout the packed throne room. He had grown furious that I had not curtsied to Lord Dervion who had asked me if I keptmy door unlocked at night and if I would let him in for a late night visit. I was often locked in the tower for anything that upset my father. It was universally unfairhow much in common I had with my father. From his green eyes and flame like hair to his unbridled rage. Though in my case, my rage was mainly aimed towards him.

Thane bowed, his men following in suit. “Your Majesty, thank you for your hospitality.” Even the Duke's voice sounded pretentious. I was growing more nauseated by the moment. I stared down the throne room at a man I knew I could never love, a man who needed me as an ornament, a man who needed me for a title and to bear him children. I wanted more than a man who viewed me as a transactional political chess piece.I wanted a man who did not look like the human equivalent of dirt.

“I present to you, my only daughter, Princess Aurora.” The wordsonlydaughterstruck me in the gut. He said it as if I were his treasured child, not a problem he had been saddled with. Father gestured to me to rise from my seat at the corner of the dias. I stood andcurtsied, acting as the meek animal he expected me to be. My father would be this kingdom’sundoing with thismarriage. As the only heir to the throne of Camelot, marrying me off to a Duke was an unwise move on his behalf. It would weaken Camelot's trade stronghold with the continent. But as I was often reminded, it was not my place to worry about such matters. My place was to submit, no matter how unwilling.Unless I attempted to stab this man… That would buy me months in the tower before they would attempt to marry me off again. And I could potentially kill him.

The day progressed and I was ushered around to show off my beauty and talents but I was never given a moment to actually introduce myself to the man I was to marry. That was until dinner, where I was swiftlysat next to him at the great feast my mother had thrown to show she was a gracious host.Goddesses above, he reeks of onions and brandy.

“Duke Thane, how was your journey to the capital?” I choked out, feigning politeness. “I have heard it is quite a far trip from Taames.” He sipped his wine, barely glancing my way as he laughed atsomething one of his men said before he eventually realized I had spoken to him. “Oh, it was quite long. But the taverns along the way eased the tortuous roads.”I beg his pardon…?

“It was more than the taverns, mate.” One of his men bellowed in laughter, the others following in suit. “Especially the wench at Tavern Leona. From the sound of it,you eased her quite a few times.”This idiotic fuck.

I turned red, not with blush for the improper topic, but with anger. My parents were wedding me to a halfwit who would more than likely be adulterous. My blood boiled as I continued to eat in silence. “Do not tell me you take offense to our conversation, Princess? You do live in the capital, a far more scandalous terrain.” Thane asked from my side, wine staining his lips like a child who consumed too many strawberries.I offered a polite smile as I admitted with gritted teeth, “Pardon my offense, Duke Thane. But as your betrothed,is it not offensive to inform me of the women you havebedded on your journey to me and the women you plan to bed upon our return?”

“I am to be your husband. It is not your place to question me. I shall do what I please and speak of it to whoever and whenever I want. If I wish to fuck other women, you are to smile. If I wish to fuck you, you are to open your legs. If I wish for you to watch me fuck, you shall sit silently in the corner. Is that understood?”His words were so harsh and crass and yet it did not surprise me one bit.If I do not get out of here I am going to put my dinner knife in his eye.

I swiftly rose from my chair and turned to leave, unwilling to put up with his antics, but something pulled me backwards. Thane’s grease covered palm grasped my wrist so tightly that I was sure there would be bruises in the morning. I refrained from punching him in the middle of the Great Hall. He yanked me closer to him, his meat-scented breath hitting my face in waves as he spat “This behavior will not be accepted when you are my wife. You will be obedient. Anything less will be punished. Do you understand?” His grasp tightened, causing me to wince as I nodded so he would release me from his death grip.

He released me with a shove, sending me toppling over onto the floor of the great hall. Everyone's eyes fell to me asI wiped my bloodied palms on my dress,staining the satin. My palms stung, as did my knees from the harsh impact. I glared up at him, feeling my anger boiling over.One day, no matter how far in the future, I would be the one to take his life.“Fuck you.” I spat. Everyone stared at us. Along with the starescame whispers, and with whispers came maids to usher me off. I lunged towards him but the ladies in waiting that had flitted around meblocked my path.

Chapter 4

Aurora Artorias

“The Princess is feeling faint from the whirlwind of it all.”

“She merely swooned over His Grace.”

“The excitement was too much forHer Highness.”

Excuses poured from my ladies in waiting like fine wine in search of a glass so as to curb the rumors that would spread like wildfire from the interaction. I was swiftly brought to my room where I was told to stay the remainder of the evening, likely because everyone knew I would search for the Duke and strike him down with anything I could find. A glass of wine was placed in my hands so as to soothe my nerves. The maids tried to fawn over me, gushing about the Duke but I could not stand to hear his name leave another mouth. I snapped. “Get out!” the scream ripped from my lungs, throwing the glass at the wall, sending wine spraying across the room. The maids scurried out as quickly as they came as the first of my tears fell.I have to get out of here, I cannot marry that horrid man.

He would be the cause of my death one way or another. By execution for killing him or be sotorturous that I would take my own life. I fumbled for the map I kept hidden under my mattress and threw it in my riding bag along with clothes and what little money I had. My sword had been taken from me along with my books, so I prayed I would not come to need it. I wasn't allowed to own boots, so I opted for my most durable slippers and prayed to the gods that they would last me. I grabbed my warmest cloak before making way to the servants exit. Their stairwell would take me to the outskirts of the castle, which I prayed to the gods would be abandoned so I could slip out unnoticed by the King or the Duke. I had to vanish without a trace. No letter, no goodbyes.This has to be it until it comes time for me to claim the throne.

My slippers were silent as I hurried through the halls, grasping my cloak around me tightly to hide my blood stained gown. I remained in my formal gown as I was tied in so tightly I would have needed three maids and a broadsword just to undo the bodice. With the luckof the gods, I made it to the outside courtyard without detection. Now the real challenge faced me.

I had to make it through the inner city to reach the forest. The forest was my only shot to get out of here undetected. There was a stable on the far side of the city where I could get a horse and make for the Kings Road with ease. The challenge would be the seven rings that made up the city, each ring had a wall with armed guards. Luckily, all of the guards had been released for the day since Tammes army resided in a camp outside of our borders.

All I had to do was make it to the yard just past the great hall. Which was currently crowded with the Duke, my father, and his Knights. Hopefully they were drunk enough that I could slip past undetected.

Before I could think of how stupid this endeavor was, I hurried through the servants hall, scurrying past drunken guards consorting with maids and those who were carrying trays of meats and wines. “Pardon me,” I muttered as I weaved my way through. Sweat beaded on my forehead, my skirts clinging to my skin as I held my breath, not wanting to be memorable in any way. Myfather would not be above torturing servants for information. A servant came barreling around the corner with a tray of plates, I gasped and stepped back, but I was too late. It felt as if time had slowed as the plates fell for the stone flooring. The dinnerware shattered into thousands of pieces as I leaned against the wall, the brick biting into the skin of my palms.

“What have you done?” A guard bellowed, slurring as they stumbled forward. I swallowed hard and took off running down the hall. I no longer had time to ease through my escape. I needed to get the seven hellsout of here and fast. “Hey, get back here and clean this up!” the guard laughed, clearly having not seen who I was. I left his chuckles and jokes to echo behind me as I turned the corner and stepped into the walkway that led to the great hall. I would have to walk through the hall to make it to the courtyard where the head of the passage was. The walls felt like they were closing in on me. Narrowing with every breath I drew in. I just needed to make it through the first ring of the city. There were no guards in the secondary ring that would recognise me. From there I could easily slip through theremaining barriers of the city. The Seven Rings were there to worship the Seven Gods, though from the tower I saw it for what it was. Seven barriers of sacrifice in case war ever broke out.My father wanted as many bodies between him and his enemies as he could manage.

The further one went towards the borders, the poorer the population of the ring. Camelot's richest resided along the innermost ring, though they owed more taxes to the King to earn his protection from whatever monsters may remain beyond our walls. The Rings had not been this empty since they had been built after the war. This was my only chance to slip out undetected.

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