5 Chapter 5

The annulment took place two days later. Regina was not happy about it, but was sure Astrid was simply humming over the excitement.

Regina entered her study to find a black envelope with red wax on her desk. She frowned at it, unsure which kingdom would have sent such an odd letter. She took a seat and used her silver letter opener to open the envelope. The letter smelled like smoke and dirt. A campsite, Regina guessed, maybe the letter was sent by a spy. She read the letter three times before she let the words fully sink into her mind.

My dearest Queen Regina,

I hope this letter finds you well. Due to your recent annulment our contract has been activated. We have upheld our end of the bargain and insured your family has ruled for generations. To ensure this continues you will need to give yourself over to us by the next full moon. If you refuse your kingdom will suffer many acts of violence and death will run rampant. The cries of the people will haunt your every minute. Once you are ours we will select your successor and the contract will continue once more.

Deepest regards,

King of The Demons and Darkness

Regina swore. Her father had passed down the story told generation to generation. She had always known she truly belonged to another, but she wasn't prepared. Who would be.

The next full moon was only a few days away. Regina took a deep breath and slumped forward in her chair. She wasn't stupid enough to believe it was a joke. Magic was real. The contract was real.

Reginas hand made its way to the back of her neck. The double star mark that had been present since her birth was still there, the mark of the next royal to breed the line and have control of the kingdom. In recent generations it had always gone to the first true born of the royal line. Male or female.

Her father had told her of the contract. What he knew of it from what the generations before passed down. The kingdom of Lanercost had been ruled by one of the Wainwright for nearly 30 generations. The contract was made by the first Wainwright, he had doomed the family to riches and fame along with death and secrets. The contract was in their blood. They couldn't put run it. If they refused then death, disease and distraction would befall the kingdom and all in it.

The first Wainwright, Olivia, was said to be part witch. She was no one important or impressive. Her heart was good, she cared for others and hurt when they hurt. In that time war ragged the continent. Not just the wars of men, but of the magical beasts that stalked the night. Demons fought to enslave the humans, they would torture and kill for sport. Towns would burn, villagers would second guess their neighbors - as demons were crafty and could blend in, it was a dark time.

Olivia lived in squander with her ailing father and younger mute sister. Their hut was farthest from the protection of guards and sat near a wooded area. Since her father couldn't work Olivia and her sister would go gather food and set traps to eat. Olivia would sell the furs from their game to buy things they needed and to make offerings or pay fees. She never complained about her life and remained good hearted. She would help those that needed it even at the cost to her own well-being.

One night a stranger was in the woods. Olivia could hear movements and thought at first an animal was suffering. She decided to head into the woods and see what was there. Having grown up by the woods and living off of what it offended Olivia wasn't scared of the woods or the creatures it housed. This night she found a man. He was injured, silver arrows pierced his chest. Olivia rushes to help him, he was weak and didn't protest. She helped him back to her family's hut and set about removing the arrows and treating the wounds. She wasn't much of a healer, but the witch blood in her told her what to do. The man lived through the night. In the morning he was gone. No trace of him remained. No bloody cloths or even stained hands. Olivia was worried about the mans safety. So she made sure to save him her portion of dinner and left it in a tree where she had found him. The next morning the food was gone, and no sign of animals were around. Olivia continued this for three nights and each morning the food was gone. The fourth night Olivia was surprised and glad to see the man standing by the tree. He looked like she remembered him but stronger.

"Good evening." Olivia greeted him but he didn't answer. She gave him the food and a smile before she started back for her hit.

"Don't go back." The man warned.

"Why ever not?" She asked with a laugh.

"You will die like the rest of them. Death has come for the village. If you go back you will perish with the rest." The man moved swiftly and brushed a strand of deep brown hair from Olivias face. "You showed me a kindness, I will return the favor."

"The village is really under attack? I should warn everyone." Olivia turned to run but was stopped as the man pulled her back.

"I will protect the village but you will have to agree to a contract with me."

"I don't even know who you are sir." He cut her off before she could go on.

"My name is many. You can remember me as the King of Death and Destruction. I will protect your village, make it grow and prosper. None shall attack it. In exchange for this your blood line will one day be my wife. Once this is fulfilled your blood line will decide if they will sign another contract."

Olivia had agreed to the contract once the screams of burning villagers had reached her ears.

Reginas father had told her this tale of the contract. He had also told her the contract with the King of Death and Destruction had been filled almost 13 generations ago. The princess had been sent to hell with the King of Death and Destruction, and a son was crowned king. That story, though closer to her time of life, was not well known. It was clouded in mystery. No one knew the Kong's name or which child he was, or even whom his mother was. He could have been the princesses brother or even her son. It was unclear. All that was known was the kingdom grew larger and did prosper. No one dared attack, disease didn't cross the border, peace was held inside the kingdom, and no one had major complaints.