10 Down to the Gallows

Letharia's Pov

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I lay in Aven's bed hooked up to morphine.

"I bought you food".

He sat down on a stool.

I didn't dare look at him. Stuck in a room for 3 days straight, I wouldn't dare look at him, yet he was always right in front of me.

He opened my mouth as I didn't have the energy to move. He blew on the food and spoon-fed me. My will was fading. I slowly chewed his food and swallowed. "Good, isn't it?"

I licked my lips and sighed giving Aven a blank stare.

His eyes narrowed "You make this so hard. It's so hard for me to stay mad at you..."

I tried speaking. But he put one finger on my lips "But then again, you did try to kill me, I don't know how I could forgive you... breaking your fingers was the only punishment I could think of where I couldn't cause you any major bodily harm."

He leaned forward close to my face only to stand up, and kick the stool from under him.

He wore a dress uniform, one for special occasions. With a black coat uniform and black pants with a red sash in the middle, his uniform consisting of tarsals and medals, but he didn't wear a hat. His hair slightly slicked back, his hazel eyes were now watching the window, his back turned.

"Remember that stunt you pulled, Letharia?"

I didn't dare answer.

"We'll be watching two executions today. The first one is Sir Hethway, his poor wife and children will get a front-row seat. And as for the second one... we will go to the public square in the city and arrive at the gallows, you will be presented as my fiancé, Would you like to know the name of the executed?"

He turned his back, facing me.

"Does the name Jessi Vulpine sound familiar?"

I stared at him blankly "What exactly do you want? My opinion? You're a King are you not? Do as you wish if it will make you happy."

He stared at me in awe as if he wanted to hear something else.

"You would rather be a powerful douchebag and force someone to love you as Zeus did with Hera than to do the right thing, you really sicken me... but I am forced to follow your command."

Aven smirked "And...?"

"And?! He tricked her and ravished her after his offer was spurned, as her own brother".

Aven smiled "You compare me to a god...but darling didn't they create one of the most powerful gods in Greek mythology? Ares. Ares wed Aphrodite and Aphrodite is the one who spoke to me... therefore we will be wed if the time so comes to me ravishing you, then I will."

I clenched my fists, keeping my mouth shut. I ripped the needles from my arm and placed one foot on the cold ground. He stared at me once again "Do you need help?"

I shook my head no. I stood up with my shaking knees and faced the door "You are sheltered".

"Hm?"

"Your parents are clearly hiding something from you, and I'm assuming it's their failing marriage".

Aven slowly turned his whole body towards me and smiled "Now you're spitting out nonsense, Letharia, but it doesn't matter, your dress is in the closet, I'll call a maid to do your makeup".

He looked back at me as he left with that smirk still glued to his face and as he left a maid came in, one with blonde hair, and dull brown eyes with acne on the left side of her face.

She curtsied "Hello Mistress-

I then asked her"Aren't you as curious as I am to know more about that man you call King Aven?"

Her movements slowed as she was contemplating answering my question. She looked away and frowned "No, I wouldn't like to know. He's a pig, I rather stay as I am and hear nothing about his name".

"So he really hurt you too, huh".

"I wouldn't like to talk about this anymore mistress."

I stood up and lunged towards her, repeating the words Zane spoke to me, I suddenly ran behind her placing my hand on her forehead.

I immediately saw memories that weren't my own, It appeared to show her naked with a young Aven, she blushed and walked towards him as he stopped her in her tracks and tackled her onto the bed. I heard a distant voice in my head "Am I doing this right?" Her memories then moved even faster and then there was an image in my mind she stood there crying begging for Aven he stared at her dead in the eyes and said "I don't love you anymore". She was a noble, and he had her taken away by the guards and she was used as a sex slave, not for Aven but by the guards. Stripped of her beauty, scars all over her body from sexual abuse. She took Aven's virginity. This Woman originally named Asalin, now named "Slen", slang for "Slender". Aven is evil.

I stepped away from her, grabbing the dress and then I ran, I closed the door to the room and ran as fast as I could down the calls still dizzy, the morphine was slowing me down.

I tripped over the dress draping around my thighs and legs then fell into someone. I then started crying uncontrollably. I was too scared to look up at the man I bumped into.

"Daughter of Letra... Can I be of assistance?"

I nodded as no words could escape my mouth.

Council member Velis stared deep into my eyes and lay his cold hand on my forehead.

My breathing slowed as I felt his presence, and my eyes slowly began to close. Then suddenly, I was walking outside locking arms with a man. I was holding arms with Aven...

Zane stood behind us near the council. Aven stared at me and whispered, "Wave to the crowd".

I just started to notice the crowd cheering below us, my hand moved on it's on. I felt the muscles in my face form a smile and I waved to the crowd. Aven stared at me and whispered, "Kiss me, passionately".

My face was still stuck in that smile, then suddenly our lips are touching. I couldn't move or speak freely. I feel his tongue in my mouth and his hands on my hips, my body is cooperating with his touch. I stared back at Zane briefly and he looked away. This was Zane's doing. The crowd cheered. As soon as his lips parted I made a sound, faint, but his eyes widened.

"You moaned", he whispered.

"How interesting...."

His parents walked in front of us without saying a word. We arrived at a spot diagonal from the gallows and Aven grabbed my hands to sit on a wooden throne next to him to watch my brother's execution and that poor man.

I saw Sir Hethway's children and his poor wife, waiting anxiously, we all took a seat. Awaiting, Aven's commands. Finally, after 35 minutes the guards made their way. Aven stood up "Silence!" He struck fear into the crowd as they closed their mouths and watched quietly.

Jessi...I finally see him. I wanted to scream, cry, and run away and grab him but I couldn't. Sir Hethway, was wearing rags, looking as beaten as Jessi was. Hethway fell in front of the guards and cried out" Please! I'm begging ya' Armstrong, let me go! My wife's right there! King Aven?! King Aven?! Forgive me, that girl next to you is crazy! My lord...please".

The guard who looked away, Armstrong, pushed Hethway onto the wooden stage and stuck his head right through the hole, resting on wood.

Jessi stared at Aven with such hatred.

Aven stood then yelled "Men! On the count of three, behead them. One...., Two...., Thr-

"Stop!"

Everyone gasped. I thought I heard Zane but I turn over to see Former King Nero.

It was too late, I heard a head roll. I couldn't look, but I did. I heard a Woman scream after. Hethway's head was cut clean off his body but a second later and that knife would have killed Jessi.

"Father, what is the meaning for this?"

Nero ignored his son "Jessi Vulpine, hear my words, and hear them clearly, my son will no longer rule on this day, if you agree to become my Royal servant. If so, I will free you from your fate and make you a part of a better one."

Jessi stared down.

"Well...."

King Nero's voice echoed.

Jessi spoke, "I accept, stepfather".