The First Queen *Sample Only*

Chapter 4

We were all completely silent when we entered the ballroom. When I looked around I saw how I felt reflected on some of the other girls' faces. We didn't understand why we had been vandalized in such a garish way considering we were in the house of the king. Someone in this very room would be his future wife and yet he had ordered his guards to subject us to a loss of dignity. It was so ridiculous it made my head spin with worry and confusion. If this was only the beginning what could possibly come next?

But some other people in the room didn't seem to care. My master was one of them. Though something emotionally traumatizing had been done to me it hadn't affected my overall value, therefore he couldn't be bothered to care. And some of the women didn't look the slightest bit upset. Perhaps they knew this had been coming from the previous selection, but when I looked closer I realized that it was only the finer women- the women born in the upper class- that didn't look upset. Maybe they had been alerted in advance, or maybe it would be an insult to their status to physical check, therefore they had been left alone while the lower class girls had to be man handled. Either way, their confident expressions made me feel no better. The lower class would suffer through the trials that the upper class was prepared for or exempt from all together. It was a reminder that I was not meant to be here.

We all stood around for what felt like hours. I didn't look up at the lavishly painted ceiling while I waited, despite the fact that I knew the intricate lines would keep me entertained endlessly. Nor did I look at the decorated walls that had gold designs whirling up and down them, or the other women's gowns that were covered in jewels worth more than my life as a slave. I knew all of these grand things would fill this room, just like they had in the others. I would not be swept away again. Despite what this palace had looked like from the outside I had decided that it was not a happy, lovely place. The wallpaper, the mirrors, the paintings were all a very elaborate cover up for the king and his awful henchmen. The sooner this whole ordeal was over, the better.

Even though the room seemed to be silent and respectful, the entire time we waited I was surprised by how everyone froze when the double doors were swung open by two guards. It was like an ungodly stillness had fallen over everyone. Was it fear or respect? It was impossible to tell and presumably varied between each individual.

"King Archer!" someone shouted. The voice was male, but I couldn't tell if it had come from one of the guards in announcement or if it had come from one of the guests in a rash act of excitement.

I couldn't see the king and I can admit that I wasn't really looking for him either. There was truly no point. I was a lowly slave and there were women here of much higher birth than I. And I did not want to see the man who had ordered such an indecent ordeal. I simply stared straight ahead and kept my mouth shut for once, like a good slave would do.

"I want them all lined up." The king suddenly bellowed, shattering the silence. "I can't see any of them when their nearly lying on top of each other! And I want all the men removed from this room, their presence is not needed at this point. The women who are not selected will come and be rejoined with them in a few short moments."

His voice was heavy and loud, but somehow so charismatic and charming. My first thought- though unwelcome- was that only a handsome man could bear such a powerful and smooth voice.

And at his command the whole room was in a mad fury to follow his orders. For a brief instant I stood completely still, jaw dropped as everyone raced around me in a frenzy. I was certain that no one in the world would respond to an order from me with such speed. I was a slave, I hardly expected anything more, however these people moved like the best trained animals. All for the chance to please another human being. Women all desperately tried to get in line, standing shoulder to shoulder and grinning broadly at the king while men slithered out of the room, dejected but hopeful that the lady they had brought with them would be chosen to be the next queen. I just awkwardly squeezed my way in between two women, nearly as far away from the king as I could get. The only thought that ran through my head was that it was quite impressive that this many people could be in a single room together. If we tried to squeeze this many women into my master's whole house I'm sure it would explode. The thought made me giggle a little.

Then there was silence once everyone had found a spot in the line and the king began making his way down. The women on either side of me arched their back so their breasts were pushed out more and smiled so wide it was actually quite frightening. I noticed immediately that they were both women of noble birth as anyone with a less expensive upbringing would not have such extensive confidence. Thankfully, when I quickly surveyed the room I noticed that I was not the only one in a simple dress who kept her head down and didn't bother with better presentation.

I kept my eyes trained on the floor, only aware of the king's position through the sound of his slow, calculated steps. They droned from the far side of the room, gradually coming closer. The king neared my position in the line and in the brief moment that I looked over at him I noticed he halted his stride. I was right; he was handsome enough to match his voice. So much so it was almost painful to look at him, yet I couldn't tear my eyes away. For a fraction of a second he looked puzzled and almost surprised, like something had delighted and confused him all at once. I watched his brown eyes widen slightly and his lips part. Then, he was moving down the line faster. Instead of looking bored he now looked driven, so eager he almost appeared angry and I found myself talking a step back, hoping the two women would hide me. I had heard garish things about this man and if this was the beginning of a war path I would rather be skimmed over.

But luck was not on my side.

As the king passed women they would relax and shoot each other concerned looks. He hadn't said a word, neither accepting nor rejecting them immediately. Most of them he hadn't even stopped to look at for more than a millisecond and they were left disappointed and dejected. It didn't seem to matter, he passed women with grand gowns and flowing hair just as quickly as he passed those in rags who appeared sickly. However, as he got closer to me his strides became slower and his eyes narrowed with concentration. He now searched each girl with intensity that some women found to be a good sign while it made others look frightened. I took another small step backwards, falling in the latter category.

He stared long and hard at the woman on my right, running his eyes over every inch of her in the process and when I peered over her shoulder I noticed the beginnings of scar tissue peeking out from under his shirt. I almost took a step forward to get a better look, pulled my some strange force towards his tall, lean body. Through some odd impulse I wanted to reach out and touch him, whether it be his hand or chest. I could almost feel the firmness of his flesh under my palm already. But then he moved on to the woman on my left and rational thought fell over me once more. I let out a sigh of relieve, thankful that my poor slave attire had not been worthy of his attention. But then I heard his boots stop hitting the floor, then the steps were coming backwards me. I held my breath and jammed my eyes shut, telling myself this would all be over soon and I would be back on my old horse again, this time riding home.

A hand closed around my wrist, sending a wave of euphoria up my arm, and when I opened my eyes in surprise I saw the king staring back at me. His dark eyes were ablaze with something I couldn't read and he looked as if he was trying to say something to me.

Then, his expression shifted to one of darkness and control. His grip on my wrist tightened.

"Everyone out." He ordered coldly.

"No." I protested, not wanting to be alone with this beast, half man half wolf.

"Out!" he shouted, turning away from me to look at his guards.

The men in uniform immediately spread out and began guiding women out of the room.

"Please don't go." I whispered to no one in particular. "Please don't leave me with him!"

But no one would listen to a slave. They all left, not even sparing me a second glance while I trembled in front of the king.

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