Chapter 1: A Desperate Decision

The scorching sun hit the landscape and all of blackmoore kingdom. The breeze came in different directions as activities bubbled down town.

"It's time to get back to the kingdom my princess,am afraid the sun is too hot for your skin." Beula said as Princess Alaina turned to look at her.

"You think so?" She asked, looking far ahead as the soft umbrella shielded her from the sun. Ever since she was a kid, she'd always loved to come out in the open and gaze around but today,she came out because she was so angry at her mom.

According to the queen,it was high time she gets betrothed but she wouldn't hear of it.

She detested the fact that her parents wants her to be married as soon as possible. Just then,the danger bell rang and six guards walked to meet them.

"We need to get you back to the palace. Right now." They emphasized as they led her towards the palace.

****

"What's going on mom? Dad?" Alaina asked, walking into the palace as her eyes met the darkest eyes ever. He stood, smirking and looking into her eyes.

Her breath caught in her throat as she noticed the tense atmosphere. "I asked a question." She almost yelled but silence greeted her.

The face of her parents showed fear and this increased her fears. Who exactly is this man? And why is he here?"

"I guess your parents haven't introduced us ....well am Alistair of Black night kingdom" the man before her introduced himself, taking her hand in his as he kissed the back of her palm.

She snatched her hand away, looking furiously at him. Who did he think he was to touch her? The nerve of the damn king! She thought as her dad finally stood up.

"Guards escort the princess back to her chamber, I'd like to have a word with king Alistair." King James ordered as Alaina walked out of the palace.

By the time she got to her chamber,her thoughts were scattered everywhere. Her palms grew wet with sweat and her head was pounding greatly.

"My princess? Are you okay?" Buela asked, coming around to touch Alaina's head. "Oh my. You're burning up." She said and hastily assisted Alaina to lay properly on the bed.

"I'll be back with the mid_wife she said and walked out.

******

"What do you want you dark soul?" King James asked, looking scornfully at Alistair. He was surprised when Alistair walked through the palace gates and was pissed at the guards for letting him in.

Though Alistair was young,he still feared the man. Rumor also has it that he killed his father and feasted on the flesh but he didn't want to ponder on it.

"If I were you, I'd quit raining insult on me cause what am about to say would change your life,the whole kingdom,most especially your jewel Alaina." He said the name like a caress and king James noticed the hunger in his eyes.

He knew when a guy was aroused or in love and Alistair was just that. He shook the thought off and looked at him in the eyes.

"Your little threats mean nothing to me." King James whispered as Alistair chuckled.

"Really? Then let's see how far you can forfeit pain" Alistair said as three guards walked in.

"Before I go,I have an offer or should I say an order." He whispered coldly, looking at the queen as she shivered.

"What_ what is it?" Queen Dora asked, shaking slightly and scared for her life.

"I get to marry your daughter and you stay alive or you die and I still get to marry her." He stated plainly as queen Dora furrowed her brows.

"You must be drunk young man! Never would I allow that!" She spat as he laughed hysterically.

"To cut the long story short, I've come from a far place and I'm not going to go back empty.when I like something,I get it and no one stops me." He finished and turned to look at the guards.

"Tie them up and get the princess." His last order rang through the palace before he moved to sit on king James throne.

..

A loud thud on her door jilted her from her sleep. She furrowed her brows, cussing under her breath and ready to send the delirious guard who dared do that to the dungeon.

The door rattled for a while before it flung open. "What are_" her statement was cut short as the strange guards threw Beula on the floor.

Tears rolled down the maid's cheeks and as Alaina rushed to meet her,the guard pulled her back and out of the room.

"What's going on. Let go of me you scumbags." She rained insults on the guard as they got into the palace.

"Oh I see she's here." Alistair said, smiling at the beautiful sight in front of him. His eyes traveled to her lips,then to her cleavage which was exposed due to her clothes.

She stared at him,her mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. She turned to look at her parents as they sat on the floor with chains binding their hands and legs. He looked so evil and the aura around him spoke so much power and evil.

"Why are you on father's seat? Father why did you let him do this and why are you like this?" She asked, walking defiantly to Alistair.

"What do you want?" Alaina asked as he casted her a seductive look. "Alaina go back to your bedroom." Her father said but being the stubborn princess she is, she stood,daring Alistair with her eyes.

"I want you." He replied unashamedly, looking intently at her. "I want you, everything about you interests me so without much intrusion, I'd like to ask for your hand in marriage." He said as she gasped.

"You must be drunk! Father?" She called, turning to look at the man who bore her but his head was bent low. She saw the defeat,the pain in his eyes as her lips wobbled.

"What did we do wrong? Oh now I remember, you're the king with the dark soul right?" She choked on her words as screams filled the air.

"Let them go. Let my people go." She said as he chuckled.

"I love you, but I won't receive orders from you darling." He whispered, laughing hysterically as swords clashed against sword outside the palace.

"Agree to my proposal and save them, even your parents. Disagree and I'll finish them." He said coldly as Alaina shivered.

She'd heard about him from gossiping maidens and guards but never in her life would she have thought she'd come face to face with him.

She'd never even thought of getting married, much less to a monster like him. She turned to look at her parents but their heads were bent low.

She'd never seen them like this. Tears pooled in her eyes as she turned to stare at the demon in front of her.

"What would it take for you to let my people go? They've done absolutely nothing wrong to you yet you decided to punish them? That's Injustice." She spat as he stood up on his feet a beautiful smile covering his face as he walked up to her.

"Nothing is justified anymore Alaina, nothing. You either agree to my proposal or your people will be wiped out clean and fine, including your darling parents."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she turned to stare at her parents.

"I'll save you all, I'll do that." She whispered.

"Let my people go,I agree to be your wife." She spat.

"Wise choice," he said, smiling as he stood on his feet.

 Get her ready. We live at sun rise." He said and walked out of the palace as she rushed to meet her parents.

"Alaina what did you do?" Her both parents chorused as she shook his head and smiled.

"I'll be fine mom,dad just stay safe please." She whispered admist tears as her mom wore a necklace around her neck.

"With time, you'll understand why we couldn't fight him. Why we stayed calm. For now be safe."