Meeting Again

ABEL EVERHART'S POV

I wake up to the feel of soft fingers caressing my hair, which probably is a dream. Still I can't help thinking that it's Princess Rowena who has finally visited. But it turns out to be her other, selfish sister, seated on the edge of the slim bed.

She looks nothing like Princess Rowena. But is more modestly dressed than her other sister who was utterly envious of Princess Rowena.

"You're the most beautiful man I have ever seen," she whispers in a pleasant tone and smiles amorously. "I wonder if my sister didn't steal you from the opulent chambers of your father's palace and not dirty dungeons like she claimed," she adds.

Guess both of Rowena's sisters are jealous, disgraceful idiots that seek her destruction. I wonder why they couldn't choose to be wise and brave like her instead. 

"Your destiny was to be the most powerful emperor, to rule over all lands and kings. Princess Rowena stole you so you would not have the crown," the lady says in a bitter tone, her fingers leaving my hair to caress my neck. "I would be kind enough to take off your chains if you were my slave." 

I have to bite my lips to stop myself from snorting out loud. Princess Rowena saved me from death itself, whatever the reasons for doing so were, I don't think she owes me more than a good treatment. 

"With your consent and our father's approval I can buy you from Princess Rowena. You will have all the fine things you have ever dreamed of," the idiotic princess promises. 

The heavy door suddenly swings open and three of Princess Rowena's guards steps inside. "Her highness Princess Rowena demands that her slave be taken to her chambers," ones states, not bothering to address the princess in the room in a noteworthy manner. 

"You can take him. I was leaving anyway," she responds in a furious tone, but steps away from the bed anyway.

Finally it sounds like I am going to be seeing Princess Rowena again, in her chambers!

"Come with us!" the guard orders. 

I step out of the slim bed and they grab my arms instead of my chains and lead the way out of the cell, up a curving staircase and down several hallways of the majestic palace before halting in front of two, golden doors. 

"The door is open," Princess Rowena's voice speaks from the other side even before the guards knock.

One slowly cracks open the door and the Princess Rowena's spacious chambers happens to be one of the most exquisitely furnished spaces I have ever seen. Every item is either made of gold or silver. Only golden silk materials cover the cushioned seats and the massive bed that can fit half a dozen people.

"Enter," one of the guards orders.

I step into the room alone and fall to my knees. The breathtakingly beautiful Princess stands beside a chest of drawers, dressed in a flowing white dress and two silver bracelets. 

"Stand," she orders.

I rise back to my feet but this time keep my gaze fixed on the floor.

"Take off your shirt and lay on the bed," she commands in an even more authoritative tone and my brows rise in astonishment.

I gaze up at her face to ascertain that I heard her right. Back in my father's kingdom a slave would be beheaded for the crime of touching the bed of a royal. She allows me to stand or sit in her presence, but I doubt she would let me on the ornate bed whose beddings are of pure silk. 

"Have you lost your hearing, slave?" she questions and I realize that I mistakenly stared at her enchanting face for far too long. 

"I feel like I didn't hear your orders well, your highness," I answer. 

"I think you did hear me well. Do as I asked or you will be joining the other slaves in their empty cells," she responds.

I am still afraid of doing what I think she ordered because my mind might have imagined her saying what my ears were craving to hear. Anyway I have got no option but to do what I think she said I do. Who knows what the other slave cells are like without a bed?

I slowly pull off my shirt, glancing at her several times to gauge her reaction. Her face lacks a hint of emotion. I wonder how she can so perfectly mask them.

I make my way towards the bed and lay down near the edge. 

She turns away and pulls some bottles of herbs out of the drawers. She places them on a tray together with a clean, white woolen cloth. She picks up the tray and approaches.

I grow more nervous as she sets down the herbs on the small table by the bed and takes a seat close to me on the bed.

"Turn," she orders.

I roll once to lay on my chest and belly, putting my injured back on display. I watch her pour one of the herbs on the cloth and gasp out loud when she presses it against one of the wounds on my back. 

"Be quiet! I do not like screams inside of my chambers," she hisses.

I wasn't expecting that she would be treating my wounds. I am trying extremely hard to feel grateful, but the pain is worse than that of the leather whip smacking my back. 

I should probably focus on the soft touch of her fingers. It feels heavenly before she presses the wet cloth against another tender wound. I bite hard on my lips to suppress the involuntary gasp.

The wounds would probably have gotten infected without treatment. And I would not have prefered anyone else to be treating them. Nevertheless it isn't exactly a thrilling experience as you would imagine.

"Was it your father or his disgusting sons that did this?" the Princess asks, her voice still as emotionless as ever.

"It was a punishment to entertain my father's favourite son, Elon. He preferred to do the whipping himself when it was my turn," I answer. 

The Princess falls quiet for a long moment, her fingers resting motionless on my back. 

I never thought there is a thing in this world that can shock her. I know better than to stare at her eyes to see if there is a hint of emotion in them.

"What would you do if you were to acquire great power over your father or his sons?" she asks. 

Is she speaking about the Elowen's crown that I might be it's unexpected heir? Yes, if I got that I would have all the power over my traitorous father, his sons and every other kingdom. I would be the mighty emperor that they desperately sought to become.

"I am not so sure what I would do to them. I would . . . probably take away that throne that turned King Roderick into a monster," I say.

"So you have no interest in avenging your pain? Or the death of your human mother?" the princess asks, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

She intentionally presses the wet cloth harder against another tender wound, as if reminding me of the pain that I have been put through every day of my life. I bite my lower lip again to avoid screaming inside her chambers. 

Perhaps I should reconsider what I would do to my father and his werewolf sons if I had great power over them. They deserve to know what's it's like to be tortured for the viewing pleasure of heartless royals. I doubt they would withstand the pain, but they would learn nevertheless.

The golden doors creaks open again and one of Princess Rowena's servants steps into the room. She bows deeply before speaking. 

"Your highness, the gathering is ready to meet the emperor," she reports in a joyous tone. 

The emperor? Surely it cannot be me they are speaking of. 

"Tell my father I will be bringing him in a short while," The Princess answers in a frigid tone.