Chapter 2 The price of deceit

Lysandra's POV

I clawed and struggled in his hold but the man was too strong– His arm was like steel. My vision became spotty then finally he let go of me and I fell to the floor gasping for air.

"You have ten minutes to explain before I crush your throat"

Tears burned my eyes as I gasped for air desperately trying to fill my starving lungs. After a minute my breathing steadied and I stood slowly

"I am Lysandra Hergo" I turned, took off my dress and gathered my hair to the side to reveal the mark of the royal sigil– A soaring phoenix burned into my left shoulder blade

"Daughter of King Hergo Rhain and Kestro Elowen"

"And why is a Princess at the Eastern borders, desperate to be fucked by me?"

His vulgarity stunned me for a moment but I recovered quickly turning around to face him. His face gave no hint if he was amused or angry.

Perhaps he was simply bored and uninterested or He was suspicious

I curtsied low, my long hair cascading over my bare breasts "I am a royal gift from the Palace, My Lord. I am here to serve you"

'And kill you' but I don't say that. For a moment his face is a mask of nothingness then he laughed– a loud booming sound.

"What to expect from a Kingdom built and ruled by whores" He nodded with a smirk

I clenched my fists at my sides but I do not react, even with my combat skills I knew I was no match for him. Not when his strength was thrice mine

"But I am a generous man. If you satisfy me tonight, You can ask for anything and I will give it" He continued guiding my face back to his

"Anything?" I whispered, doubt clear in my voice

I knew nothing about pleasing a man but I was willing to give my all for just one request

He nodded, leading me to his bed and dropping the curtains around the bed.

I woke up to muffled conversations. The King was already out of bed and it seemed he had company.

"Gather the men and horses, we will ride south down the Blood Forest by noon" He commanded

The men acknowledged his order in unison then they left the room. He lifted the curtains before I even had the time to think about why he was heading South to a place that was home to terrible beasts.

By the goddess he looked ruggedly fine dressed in a casual loose shirt with his hair packed in a bun. My eyes roamed his body and stopped on the necklace with a crescent shaped pendant around his neck

He did not have this on last night and it looked so familiar. Something about it drew me near, I instinctively reached out to touch it but he grabbed my hand

"Do. Not. Touch" He growled yanking my hand away from it

I did not argue, I just acknowledged his command with a bow. After a quick wash I stepped out in a blue tunic to find the room empty and the table set with meat, fresh bread and wine

Now was the perfect time to poison him but he still owed me a wish. While I contemplated with the poison laced on my finger tips, he strolled in.

He sat in front of me, looking between me and the food suspiciously "Have a bite first" He pushed the meat and spoon to me

I obliged, filling my plate with meat and taking generous bites. He nodded in approval then changed the plate and pushed the wine to me.

Again I drank a generous amount then handed the cup back to him. We ate in silence for a while then he spoke

"Leave after the meal. I have a carriage prepared for you and a thousand silver noggets" He did not look up from his plate

"I will my Lord after you grant the wish you promised"

He finally looked up from his plate, chuckling "I promised to grant a request if you satisfied me but you failed to do that"

"But I..."

"Leave after the meal" He said with more authority. His tone hinted that any form of argument will be futile

My spine straightened. I bled on his bed, I let him toss and turn me, rode him as he commanded and swallowed his seed all night for nothing?

I was going to request for my father's head on a platter but now I wanted nothing more than his head. He deceived me.

I smiled masking the rage that burned inside me "Allow me serve you again my Lord. Allow me redeem myself" I curtsied low

He grinned nodding in agreement. The excitement in his orange eyes were evident

"And if you fail to satisfy me again, I shall send you off empty handed" He gestured to the bowl of water on the table "wash your hands first "

I did as he said then took off my tunic in one swift move and led him to the bed. His hands fondled my breasts as i straddled him earning a moan from me

He sucked hard and rough giving both breasts the same attention while I grinded against his hard buldge.

"Good girl"

He trailed kisses up my neck while nibbling on sensitive spots.

Suddenly he fell back and his body jerked– The poison was slowly spreading. Paralysis, bleeding from the eyes then death.

"Y...you poisoned me?" He croaked, looking at me with anger

He tried to reach for me but his body failed him. The look of betrayal on his face was satisfying to say the least.

"You betrayed me first. A good King does not go back on his words" I slowly got off him

He had been smart enough to make me wash my hands but I had laced my nipples first, just after washing up. The outcome would have been different, a part of me already fancied him

Blood tears rolled down the side of his eyes, I took a step back and his pupils followed my movement

"You pushed my hands my lord" I curtsied

"And this...." I yanked the necklace off him "Shall be my reward"