Chapter 6

The soles of Meera's feet burned as she hurried after Henry through the corridors. He took wide strides with his long legs in anger and in a hurry to find a private place to interrogate Meera. During their ride back to the palace, Henry had been as silent as the sky before a storm. Meera tried to speak to him, to explain Eryx was out of his mind, but Henry would not hear her out.

"Henry," she tried again. "Please, listen to me. He's making it all up. Nothing is going on between me and Eryx."

Meera's words only angered the prince even more. He paused and abruptly turned to face Meera.

"How does he know about the marks?" Henry asked, his nostrils flaring as he glared down at Meera with flames in his usual gentle kind eyes. "How does he know what's on your body?"

"I don't know!" Meera said defensively. "He's playing games with us. Please believe me. I had no idea he would be in that house."

"You're right," Henry said. "It makes no sense for him to be in that house."

Meera didn't like the way Henry's eyes darkened.

"Unless," he spoke again. "That's what you've been doing all along."

"What are you talking about?" Meera's feet took a step back.

"All the visits to the temple," Henry snared. "Always going down to the city to help the people."

Meera shook her head. Her throat began to tighten as she peered up at the prince with disbelief in her eyes.

"How long have you been sneaking around everyone's back to go see him?" Henry toward over her, invading her space to try and intimidate her.

"Is that the type of person you really think I am?" Meera questioned. "How can you have such disgusting thoughts about me?"

"Maybe because I watched him carry your unconscious body back to the palace in the middle of the night," Henry took a step forward. His anger radiated off of him until he backed Meera up against the wall in the corridor. "He had his hands on you. Did you like that, Meera? Did you like running off to go meet him in that house today? I can only imagine what sorts of volunteer work you did with him."

Meera's hand flew up towards Henry's face. Her eyes burned as she swallowed down the anger, fighting against herself to keep cool. But before her hand could reach his face, Henry grabbed her wrist and pushed it down.

"Have you no shame? I can smell him on you." Henry's hand twisted Meera's wrist. "Did you think of your family before you so willingly ran off to be his whore?"

"That's enough, Henry!" Meera used all her might to push Henry back as far as she could. Henry's grip on her wrist tightened. He yanked her forward just as Meera tried to move away from him. Amid the struggle, Henry yanked and twisted her wrist until Meera screamed and the unmistakable sound of something snapping could be heard.

The tears in Meera's eyes spilled from the unbearable pain that shot through her like lightning. Meera gasped breathlessly as she cradled her broken wrist to her chest and leaned back against the wall to brace herself.

Henry stumbled back in disbelief. His face paled as he stared at Meera sobbing before him. Her good hand trembled as she shielded her injured wrist and gasped to catch her breath through the pain. When she looked up, her round eyes were red and full of hurt.

"Meera-" Henry tried to take a step forward.

"No!" Meera held up her good hand. "Don't you dare come near me."

"Meera, I'm so sorry," Henry did not listen and rushed forward. His face was drained of all its color. Disbelief swam in his eyes as if he was in utter shock. "I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you, my love."

"Don't touch me," Meera pulled back.

"No, no," Henry shook his head, his eyes filling with worry. "I'm so sorry, Meera. Please forgive me. You made me so angry."

Meera backed away from the prince but he continued to follow her.

"You know how much I love you," Henry said, his breathing uneven and desperate. "The thought of Eryx being anywhere near you, let alone touching you makes me lose my mind. Please don't hate me, Meera."

"I don't want to speak to you right now," Meera tried to step around but Henry blocked her path. Her stomach churned and she felt her legs grow weak.

"You can't walk away like this," he said. "Tell me you forgive me. Please. I'll hate myself forever if you do not forgive me."

"I would like to go to my chambers, Your Grace," Meera sniffled and tried to hold herself together just long enough to escape Henry. She avoided looking at him as he pleaded with her.

"Meera, no!" Henry said with so much desperation that it made Meera jump with fright. Her eyes widened as the prince stepped back and drew his sword. "Take it."

Meera looked up at Henry with confusion. She cradled her wrist closer as the prince kneeled before her and held out his sword.

"Punish me, Meera," Henry said. "I hurt you. I'm no gentleman. Loving you beyond my control is my crime. Take the sword and punish me for the pain I caused you."

"You're out of your mind," Meera shook her head, her brows furrowing with concern. She backed away and tried once again to step around the prince kneeling on the ground.

"Don't walk away from me, Meera," Henry begged. "Take the sword and kill me first if you're going to leave me."

"Henry, Please!" Meera shouted in frustration. "Stop this nonsense right no-"

"Your grace?"

Meera and Henry both looked up as Naya hesitantly hovered just a few feet away. The girl's eyes took in the scene before her with great confusion and concern. Her gaze lingered on Henry kneeling on the floor before making their way towards Meera.

"My apologies, your grace..." Naya's eyes zeroed in on the angry red marks on Meera's wrist and the awkward way it bent against her. She looked up at the princess as if she already knew the full story.

"Your presence is requested in the throne room," Naya spoke to Henry but her eyes remained on Meera. Her feet slowly turned towards the princess. "Prince Eryx is here. He's demanding an audience with King Neftali and your father, your grace."

"What does he want?" Henry asked, looking back at Naya with pipping rage in his eyes.

"I'm not sure, your grace," Naya continued. "But he has also requested your and Princess Meera's presence."

Henry looked up towards Meera. Beneath the apology in his eyes, Meera could see his anger returning.

"May I suggest we get you cleaned up before you go to the throne room, Princess?" Naya asked eagerly. Meera could see how impatient the girl was to get her away from Henry. "Have you hurt yourself again?"

Meera didn't answer. She sniffled and held up her head high as Naya placed a caring hand on her back and guided her towards the end of the corridor.

"Meera," Henry climbed to his feet as the girls passed him. He placed his sword back in its place and looked at her with a hard gaze. "This conversation isn't over."

Meera, itching to get away from the man she was to wed by the end of the week, gave a firm nod of her head and turned away. Naya held her tightly to keep her from sinking to the floor as they quickened their pace and headed to the palace healer.

"What happened?" Naya whispered. "Are you alright?"

Meera bit down on her bottom lip to stop herself from quivering. The concern and worry in Naya's voice felt like an awakening to the situation Meera had just experienced. Until Naya had asked her if she was alright, Meera hadn't wrapped her head around the fact that Henry had assaulted her.

"Did he do this to you?" Naya asked, watching Meera's tears roll down her face. "Do you want me to get Prince Ozmen?"

"Just get me to the healer, Naya," Meera sobbed, her voice and shoulder shaking. "It hurts too much."

"It's alright, it's okay," Naya began to hurry. "Lord Zaher!"

Hearing the girl's panicked voice, Zaher, the palace healer poked his head out his chamber's door and adjusted his monocle. The old man's white hair blew in the wind like clouds as he rose to his feet and pushed his door wide open.

"What's the matter?" Zaher asked.

"It's the Princess's wrist," Naya said, helping Meera into a chair. "It's broken."

"And you know this how?" Zaher asked, his eyes holding a hint of pride for Naya who had been shadowing him in her spare time from all the palace duties.

"I'll write you ten scrolls worth of notes," Naya said. "But please, take a look at her first."

"Of course, of course," Zaher cleared his throat and stepped forward. He gently nudged Naya aside and reached for Meera's wrist. "Oh my....."

Meera cried out as the old man made contact with her.

"Naya, go get the linen," Zaher instructed. "Your grace, I'll need you to bite down on this cloth. Don't worry, it's clean."

Meera nodded and opened her mouth. She immediately bit down and screamed as loud as she could. The sound was muffled by the cloth in her mouth but Naya and Zaher looked up as the sound of wings flapping outside the wind startled them.

"Bring it here."

Witnessing the pain on Meera's face, Zaher quickly soaked the linen in a mixture of cerate and oil. He placed a wooden splinter against Meera's wrist and asked her to bite down on the cloth as he readjusted the broken bone.

Meera screamed and the cloth fell out of her mouth. Once again, the sound of enormous wings cutting through the air filled the room along with Meera's pain. The restless sound lingered outside as Meera began to grow lightheaded from the pain. She broke out in a cold sweat and her arms and legs began to feel numb. As Zaher worked to wrap her wrist, Meera began to lose all sense of time. She faded in and out of consciousness as ointments were applied to her skin and she was wrapped tightly to support her healing. When Zaher finished, Naya lowered herself and touched the edge of Meera's face.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news," she spoke softly. "But you're still wanted in the throne room."

"I..." Meera shook her head. "I can't...."

"I'll be right beside you," Naya said. "They're all waiting for you."

"She needs to rest," Zaher remarked. "You should take her up to her chambers."

"I would if I had a choice," Naya clicked her tongue. "But they've sent words for her three times already."

"Do they know her condition?"

"I'm not sure what the Prince told them," Naya shook her head. "I don't trust that man."

"Maybe a quick look at her state will convince them," Zaher suggested. "She can't be of any use like this. King Neftali will be understanding."

"I sure hope so," Naya draped Meera's hand around her shoulder and helped her stand. "Let's go, wildling."

Meera felt her strength drop like a ton of stones to the bottom of the ocean. She leaned her weight against Naya and forced herself to move her feet forward.

"Wait until Ozmen hears of this," Naya said under her breath. "He should know what an evil soul his dear friend is."

Meera pushed down the sob that rose to her lips. She shut her eyes as the stubborn tears spilled down her flushed face.

"It'll be over soon," Naya offered. "Then I'll take you back to your room. I will not let that man come anywhere near you, you hear me?"

Meera held herself together just long enough to make it into the throne room. The guards exchanged looks with Naya before they grabbed the long gold handles and pulled the doors open.

Eryx immediately turned his head to the side. His tall and imposing figure dominated the center of the room, casting a long, foreboding shadow as Neftali's council sat before him in their chairs. Eryx's dark silhouette seemed to absorb the light in the room, creating an aura of darkness that enveloped him. It was as if the very essence of his being radiated power, causing the sun's rays to hesitate and withdraw in the face of the compelling force he exuded.

Despite the pain throbbing through her injured wrist, Meera closed her eyes, immersing herself in the calming aroma of crisp pine and cedarwood that surrounded her. She absorbed the soothing scents with a deliberate, slow inhale, using the moment to center herself.

Summoning inner strength, Meera straightened up, forcing herself to stand tall. She shifted her weight away from Naya's shoulders, determined to present herself with dignity in front of everyone in the room. The crisp scent lingered in the air as Meera made her way into the room.

Henry, his parents, and the king and queen of Azmeera all looked up as Naya and Meera came into view. Their eyes widened with shock and concern while Eryx's eyes tracked her made her way across the floor.

"What happened?" Queen Iris rushed forward. "How did this happen?"

Meera parted her lips and her eyes darted towards Henry.

"She fell," Henry spoke up before Meera could say anything.

"How?" Iris questioned.

"Getting off the chariot," Henry took a step forward.

Meera tried to shift away from him but he hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her to his side.

"Your grace," Naya said nervously. "Lord Zaher suggested the Princess rest."

"I got here," Henry dismissed the girl.

"But your grace-"

"You may leave."

"But-"

"Leave," Henry's eyes hardened. "Now."

Meera whimpered quietly as the throbbing pain in her wrist shot through her arm. She lifted her gaze and caught Eryx's eyes and the slight tick of the muscles on his jaw.

"Meera is right-handed," Eryx suddenly said.

Everyone in the room paused to look back at him. His voice commanded everyone's attention as if they had never heard him speak before.

"Yes, she is," Henry gave a casual chuckle. "Good thing it's not her right hand that's broken then, right?"

Eryx's eyes narrowed and his gaze darkened. Meera swore she witnessed the sunlight retreat through the high-ceiling windows.

"If she had fallen from the chariot, she would have instinctively tried to break her fall with her right hand," Eryx said. "But her right hand is perfectly fine."

"It's fine because she panicked and broke her fall with her left hand," Henry rebuttled. "Thus the broken wrist."

"Are her palms scratched?" Eryx questioned. "I'm talking about both of them. What about her knees and her legs? There's gravel in the entrance. Sharp enough to pierce skin if fallen from the height of a chariot. But there's no blood on her clothes."

"What are we all gathered here to discuss, your grace?" Henry asked with frustration that he tried to hide beneath a laugh. "I can assure you I know how to take care of my bride."

Meera couldn't look away from Eryx's face. Her insides felt hollow and cold as his gaze flickered towards her and then back to Henry.

"I'm here to discuss you, Prince Henry," he said with a calm that frightened Meera.

"Me?" Henry asked, surprised but still holding onto his wits. "Surely, I can't be the topic of conversation in Azmeera when you are here, Eryx."

"Unfortunately, you are," Eryx said.

"What do you wish to speak about, Prince Eryx?" Neftali stepped in. "And why have you asked Meera to be present? She needs rest right now."

"I'm here to deliver charges against the prince, your majesty," Eryx, maintaining an air of authority, clasped his hands behind his back and rolled his shoulders, straightening up even more. The room seemed to shrink in the presence of his towering figure.

"What charges?" King Darwin asked, his silver brows furrowing and his old face frowning.

"Charges of war crime," Eryx declared.

A collective gasp rose from those present. The gravity of the accusation left the room in a stunned silence, with all eyes fixed on Eryx.

"There's a small village north of Dalphina," Eryx began. "During your joined crusade and rampage of the kingdom, Prince Henry ordered his men to slaughter forty women and young girls of the said village."

Meera's eyes widened in shock. Eryx's words hit her like a sudden wave, and a sickening feeling churned in the pit of her stomach.

"Casualties of war," King Darwin justified. "Four hundred of our men died."

"The village had already surrendered to Prince Henry upon his arrival," Eryx continued. "They swore allegiance to King Neftali. Their village leaders welcomed the prince with a banquet."

The twisted feeling in Meera's stomach grew. She began to feel a dreadful sickness come over her like poison.

"I would like to know why Prince Henry gave such orders," Eryx demanded, his tone hardening. "What compelled him to kill innocent women and children?"

"They were witches."

If Iris hadn't been holding Meera, she was sure she would have sunk to the floor. Her head would have hit the cool hard marble floor and she would have happily bled to death. Henry's words pierced through the ringing in her ears as Eryx locked his gaze with hers.

"They were practicing witchcraft," Henry continued to speak.

"Do you have any proof?" Eryx asked, not taking his eyes off Meera.

"I didn't need any proof," Henry declared stubbornly. "I know what I saw and I did what I had to."

"You killed forty women without proof," Eryx spoke as if delivering Henry's sentence. His eyes moved towards the prince and his posture changed once more. "Twenty of which were women from Voreios."

Henry's eyes narrowed as the council began to whisper behind him. His hateful eyes glared at Eryx as Ada and Iris looked towards their husbands.

"Henry," King Darwin called his son. "Is this true? Did you give those orders?"

"I did," Henry said, holding Eryx's stare. "I know what I saw."

"The councils will be the judge of that," Eryx said. "I will be calling all the courts to Azmeera. Prince Henry shall be trialed and judged by the councils of the four kingdoms."

Negftali took in a breath that didn't quite reach his lungs. It got stuck in his chest and made him look uncomfortable as he patiently listened to Eryx.

"I'm sure the council will see the crimes," Eryx said. "Since there are no proofs of witchcraft."

"I know what I sa-" Henry began.

"Unless," Eryx stopped him.

"Unless?" Darwin questioned.

"Unless we settle the matter right here," Eryx said. "Henry confesses and a payment is made for his wrongdoings."

"What do you want?" Darwin asked. "Gold?"

Eryx scoffed.

"Land?" Darwin tried again.

Neftali's eyes narrowed as he recognized the look in Eryx's eyes.

"No," he said to his old friend. "He wants forty lives..."

Darwin's eyes widened as he looked back towards Eryx.

"An eye for an eye," Eryx said.

"You want forty of my people?" Darwin asked in disbelief.

"No," Eryx said. "What good will your citizens be to me if they mean nothing to your prince."

Henry slowly began to turn towards Eryx. Everyone held their breath as if they knew where everything was headed.

"I don't want random forty lives," Eryx said. "I want just one that means the most to Henry."

Meera watched in horror as Eryx's silvery gray eyes turned towards her.

"I want Meera."  

ajamafugnakjbfuwtefduegvf   F*CK! Now what...? Will they agree or will this be war?