Unable to maintain eye contact with the queen, Circe looked away.
From the bits and pieces of information she was able to gather from the soldiers on their journey to the capital, she learned that Harkon wasn't just one of the king's highest ranking generals but was also an amazing war strategist. Now that Ragnar had exposed the fact that Harkon died by her hands, everyone there would be forced to tread carefully with everything relating to her.
" I still don't see how that is a valid reason to keep her alive." The king mused. " If anything else, I say they should both be executed as soon as possible."
From the corner of her eyes, Circe watched her brother tremble. He was afraid and she hated the fact that she couldn't comfort him right then without showing weakness In front of everyone in attendance.
Vampires didn't only feed on blood but on the weakness of others as well.
Intense gazes from every direction bored into her like she was a spectacle on display for their amusement. They were all frothing at the mouth for a show of violence, they wanted her to beg and cry for mercy. Circe could feel their eagerness pulsing in the air.
" Death would be a waste on someone like the princess of westeria when she is far more valuable to us alive." This time it was the queen that spoke. Her voice was like cold pin pricks of ice on Circe's skin.
Circe's heart beat frantically as panic slowly unfurled within her.
" What are you saying, your majesty?" Another dignitary asked, turning to face the queen.
" As we face threats of war from the far east it is becoming more apparent by the day that we need to double the numbers of soldiers defending Lamora. We need skilled fighters. And if prince Ragnar's words are to be believed that the princess of westeria was strong enough to take down Harkon in combat, then skills like the one she possesses would be greatly appreciated on the battlefield." The queen said and the room went entirely still afterwards, before promptly exploding into chaos, with multiple Lords trying to address the queen at once.
When Circe looked back up at the dais, she saw a sharp cunningness in the queen's pale blue eyes that she had never seen on anyone before. With her silver blonde hair pulled up in an elaborate bun, and dressed in a flowy red gown, the queen was easily the most striking person in the entire room.
Circe fought hard to process the slew of words being volleyed back and forth. The queen planned to ship her off to a war Circe had no business with. She imagined the plan was to send her to be killed off at the Frontlines. She didn't understand what gave the queen the impression that Circe would willingly go to war for the same people that destroyed her home and slaughtered her people.
Thankfully one of the lords present voiced out her exact thoughts. " Why would a prisoner fight alongside our trained warriors? She has no allegiance to the crown."
" Perhaps she doesn't right now but that wouldn't last too long." The queen took a moment to gaze out at the gathered audience that hung off her every word. " I propose a union between the princess of westeria and Prince Ragnar." Humor shone on her face the next second. " After all, wouldn't it be fitting for the bastard prince of the court to end up with a princess without a kingdom."
The queen's words made a few lords and ladies chuckle.
Circe's eyes snapped to Prince Ragnar, only to find him standing so still that he could almost be mistaken for one of the many lifelike statues that decorated the palace exterior. His face was blank and the only thing that gave away his unease with the situation was his rigid posture. Still he hadn't uttered a single word since the queen started speaking. Even he didn't know what to make of the queen's suggestions.
Circe shook, unlike her brother, it wasn't from fear but rage. It poured through her veins like a poisonous fluid. She looked at the king. He was just as silent as Ragnar but his silence was enough to answer what he thought about his wife's plans.
A marriage between her and the same man that led the attack on her people, the thought made bile rise up her throat.
Ragnar finally spoke after what felt like an eternity.
" Is that your wish, your majesty? That I wed the princess of a nation Lamora just bested in war?" Ragnar asked, his voice firm.
The smile that curled the queen's lips was dangerous and lacked mirth. " Yes, and the wedding should be held as quickly as possible."
No, gods, no. The slow trickling panic she previously felt had grown and morphed into a massive tidal wave threatening to consume her whole. She wouldn't marry him, she couldn't do it.
" I refuse!" Her words were loud and made of steel. For a second she forgot about the guards surrounding her as she focused entirely on the queen. " I refuse to do such a thing!"
The queen regarded Circe coolly. Her lips were painted a deep red color that was striking against her pale skin. It almost looked like the queen had blood smeared on her lips instead of rouge.
" What is your name? I can't keep referring to you as the princess of westeria everytime I require your attention."
" My name is Circe Valdris." Circe answered.
" To put it simply, Circe, you are in no position to refuse. You either agree to the terms laid before you or be executed like the prisoner of war that you are. And since I'm such a gracious monarch, I will allow you to be executed last so you can get to watch the life leave your brother's eyes. You seem like a smart person, so choose wisely."
Circe felt her stomach drop.
No. Before she knew it she was shaking her head frantically. No, anything but that. She wouldn't forgive herself if anything happened to her brother.
She hung her head in defeat. Right then the queen knew she had her.
" Ragnar, escort them to one of the rooms reserved for guests. Preferably the one closest to your chambers."
She wanted the prince to keep an eye on them.
Ragnar nodded and before long, Circe and Rowen were being guided down a mess of winding halls until they came to a stop in front of a locked bedroom door. Ragnar produced the keys from his coat pocket. When he moved to slot it into the lock, a male voice broke the silence they were trapped in. It sounded close.
When Circe looked down the hall, she spotted a man's silhouette. He staggered slightly as he approached them. He was as tall as Ragnar and had the same shade of dark hair. Was he a lord? Although Circe didn't remember seeing him in the throne room.
" Who do we have here, Ragnar?" The man asked. His words slurred as he spoke. The smell of alcohol wafted off him.
There was nothing scarier than an intoxicated vampire. Circe instinctively tucked Rowen behind her.
Circe watched Ragnar stiffen again for the second time that night.
" No one you need to concern yourself with, Hairan." Ragnar answered without any inflection in his tone.
" Is that right?" Hairan stepped closer. " A little birdie told me that you found yourself a bride. This calls for a celebration." A sinister smirk curled Hairan's lips. " But let's not forget how things are done here. There are scores that need to be settled. A wife for a wife. Isn't that right, brother?"
Brother? Before Circe could form a complete thought, Hairan was already striding away.
Ragnar shoved the door open and the sound made Circe flinch.
" This will be your room for the foreseeable future. You are to remain inside at all times unless called upon" Ragnar said.
The room in question was a sparsely decorated space with a fairly large bed, a closet and a wooden dresser. Circe ushered Rowen inside. She turned to close the door behind her when Ragnar stopped her from doing so.
" There are many dangerous vampires who call the palace home and most of them can not be trusted." He began. " Tonight, the queen painted a target on your back . It would be in your best interest to keep your head down and do what you are told. That being said, I want you to dump out whatever foolish delusions you have of leaving here unscathed. You were trapped the very moment you stepped foot into the capital."
Without a word of warning, Circe slammed the door in his face. She turned around and leaned her back on the cold wood.
" Circe, I'm scared." Rowen said. His big guileless eyes stared back at her and the look in them broke something inside her.
" Me too."