Chapter 7- Living with Kurnich

[CW- Implied marital abuse, physical and emotional, not graphic or "on screen". Please take care of yourself while reading.]

Laughter spilled out through the air of Canidass castle. The main hall was filled with the sounds of a banquet. The lords and ladies of the different Lycan houses had gathered, their wolven heads tearing at the roasted boars and baked rice dishes. Ladies laughed and danced, their diaphanous dresses diffusing the light around the room. Lords vied for their attention, or quietly whispered political deals in the background.

“Oh, your majesty, you are ever so funny!” one of the ladies laughed, fawning over Kurnich.

“It’s such a shame you had to be married off so young,” another fawned, practically sitting in his lap.

“Indeed, it’s not as if this union has produced many heirs,” the last said, smirking to the side.

“I suppose,” Kurnich grinned. “But I have a son now, that’s what matters.”

“Surely, you must be wanting more than one heir, though?” the first lady said, nuzzling into his neck.

“More would be nice,” Kurnich grinned.

“He can always take on a concubine.”

The room fell silent as all eyes moved to Ariadne. She was sitting quietly, eating with cutlery. Her delicate hands reached for her teacup. Her hair was pinned up in subtle swirls, her dress of a much thicker fabric, in a style from the North, with bishop sleeves that had extended cuffs. Compared to the other ladies here, Ariadne saw no point in showing off. Why would she need to? She had just silenced a banquet with seven words.

“Ari…” Song whispered in her mind nervously.

“You dare-?!” King Kurnich growled, standing, throwing the other ladies to the side.

“I imagine it would solve some problems for you, would it not?” Ariadne asked before sipping her tea. Kurnich snatched the cup from her and threw it across the room.

“Be silent,” he hissed.

“You insisted I come with you,” she replied, folding her hands into her lap.

“I said come with me, not cause a scene,” he replied.

“So the queen is supposed to be silent as other ladies of the court drool over her husband?” she asked. The vein on Kurnich’s forehead started bulging and pulsing. She hadn’t known that was a possible biological response for Lycans until she met Kurnich. His clawed, paw like hands gripped at the chair next to Ariadne, almost splintering the wood. She didn’t like to admit how much pleasure she derived from making him angry in public.

She couldn’t make him like this in private.

Not safely.

“Y-your majesty…” one of the ladies behind him whimpered, as if trying to calm him. Ariadne shot her a warning glance she knew the lady wouldn’t heed.

They didn’t seem to understand that she knew Kurnich best.

“Out,” he whispered.

“Am I allowed to take my dinner?” Ariadne asked.

“Out!” he bellowed.

She stood up, took her plate, and left quickly.

Her heeled boots clicked on the stone tile of the castle, and with each step her shoulders relaxed.

“That was too close,” Song whispered in her mind.

“But it worked,” Ariadne replied before stuffing a bread roll into her mouth.

“What if he had lashed out?” Song replied.

“I’d have all the more reason to leave,” Ariadne said. “And a bruise to prove my story.”

She turned the corner, passing the large stone carvings of the original castle. Canidass Castle had been expanded multiple times by different rulers. It was no surprise that she had been placed in chambers that made her walk past this particular carving. Lycan figures scratched out of stone, bowing down to the moon goddess as werewolves walked away.

It was a clear statement to her.

You are of the inferior line. You are one of the cowards who took the easy way out. You will never be one of us.

Not that she ever intended to be one of them.

Her marriage contract had been incredibly generous in that regard. She would not be forced to conform, bow down to them, or participate in their religious practices. Her relationship to the moon goddess was her own. Her parenting choices were her own. Her life was… mostly her own.

But not enough.

She pushed open the door to her chambers. They were well-appointed, with soft green walls, thick curtains, and tapestries draping every surface.

She put her plate down and threw herself onto her bed.

Four years.

She had been married to that bastard for four years.

He was a complete waste of time and energy, and the only reason she had not left sooner was one fucking clause in the marriage contract.

In exchange for marrying Ariadne Sinclair, the house of Kurnich Canidass offers the Claymore pack five years' worth of gold, supplies, and assistance. This is in addition to any private compensation her family has been afforded.

She was so close to being able to escape. She had hoped to avoid bringing a child into this…

And then she fell pregnant.

She had agreed to sleep with Kurnich once a month. Her mother had taught her the herbs needed to make a contraceptive mix. Of course, these things were not 100% effective.

She slowly stood up and smoothed her hair before going to her desk to eat her dinner. Ariadne looked out from her bedroom window down at the Lycan knights practicing drills in the courtyard. Another show of strength. Kurnich did seem eager to… Compensate for something.

Her mind was interrupted by a knock at the door.