The Crown of Spheres

߷ C H A P T E R - S I X ߷

☁︎ ︎C H A P T E R S I X ☁︎︎

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"No," I heard my voice say, the sound steady but my hands were trembling now. "No,"

"Excuse me?" Prince Calder replied, his voice dripping with venom. "No, what?"

My heart was pulsating in my throat.

I cleared my throat. "This was meant to be... my choice," I continued, my nerves obvious in my tone. I lot my will to speak almost immediately as Calder's eyes narrowed, the evil inside him peering out at me through his lashes. The ringing in my ears had not subsided.

"Nynia, let me explain something to you." He began, his tone sharp as his expression hardened. "Whether you want to marry me or not, it's going to happen. It is not up to you or me, it never has been. You are to be my wife, and you will devote your life to me and my kingdom the moment we exchange rings. No, the moment we leave for Oceana and leave this shit hole of an ice land behind. Am I making myself clear?" He said in a low voice as I stared at him silently, my fists clenched at my sides. "The other suitors will find out soon enough that you have already chosen me, and this useless display of tradition will be finished."

"But-"

"You're not listening, are you?" He snapped, although he didn't raise his voice. He inched towards me so he could lower his voice purposefully. "Do you think anyone in there wants to be with you, genuinely? Or get to know you? Hm? After they're done indulging themselves in your body, they'll lose interest and cast you aside for a mistress." Every word felt like a swipe across my face with the back of his hand. Rings and all. "You're a blank slate, Nynia. You're plain and boring, there is nothing to you but beauty and a handsome dowry. I don't even know if you can produce healthy offspring so I'm taking a risk even now, for you. I see past all of that, you know that. You know what I've done for you. We've known each other since we were children, you should be grateful I'm happy to do this considering I'm next in line and need to continue my blood line and protect my kingdom. We won't have to waste time with all those trivial things-" Like romance. Or respect. "-and i'll leave you alone most of the time. All you have to do is give me heirs, wave to the peasants and give me access to this kingdom."

"No," I snapped, nearly blind sided by the crap spewing from his mouth. I tried to ignore his words clawing at my chest, threatening to attack me from the inside but they struck hard and fast before I could stop them. "I'm not doing this. You must be sick if you think I'm going to marry you willingly." I said without thinking, my mouth moving before my mind registered what I'd said.

Calder was quiet for a few seconds. "You're going to insult me?" He then asked calmly after a moments silence, taking another step towards me. He eyed my throat for a moment and I tensed but held my ground. He chuckled darkly before he spoke again, "And when did I ask you if you were willing? Were you not listening to a thing I fucking said?" He smiled, but fury burned in his eyes. "But fine, let's talk about how you're not willing."

I stared at him in silence.

"Let's say I let you refuse me, let's say I leave here without a wife and return home alone. I tell my parents that you insulted me, I tell them you embarrassed me after you seduced me and lead me to believe we were well matched, only to find out you've been screwing every guard that smiles at you right in this palace after I went to war for you, I lost good soldiers for you-" My whole being froze. How did he know this? I'd been so careful. "Let's say they take personal offence. Now my people are angry, angrier than they already are with you. What would be stopping me from coming back here and burning this place to the ground? Hm?"