Chapter 005: The Journey to the Beast

(Liora's POV)

“On your knees.”

The command came from one of the royal guards.

I stood in the middle of the throne room, my wrists still sore from where the guards had held me earlier. The plain white dress felt unfamiliar against my skin. Without my jewellery, my royal robes or the crown that had once rested upon my head, I barely recognised the woman reflected in the polished floor.

Alistair sat on his throne with Seraphina beside him.

I looked at him, hoping that perhaps he would reconsider. That maybe, after the court had emptied and the anger had passed, he would remember that I was his wife.

But he only gestured impatiently.

“Kneel.”

I didn't move.

The guard behind me pressed a hand against my shoulder and forced me down.

My knees struck the cold marble.

Alistair didn't even look at me as he reached for a document on the table beside his throne. He dipped his quill into the ink and began writing.

I watched his hand move across the parchment, unable to hear anything but the faint scratching of the quill.

When he finished, his Beta looked down at the paper and read the words aloud.

“To His Majesty, King Hazem Valthazar of Verkhane. In recognition of the recent unfortunate incident involving your merchant vessel, Solmora offers this Omega as a token of apology and goodwill. Her bloodline is the purest in our kingdom, and her blood may prove valuable to Your Majesty.”

Alistair paused to add his signature.

Then he pressed the royal seal into the wax.

A simple document, a few lines of writing… that was all it took to turn me from a queen into a sacrificial lamb.

Alistair handed the note to the Beta, who had been standing beside the throne.

“Make sure it reaches King Hazem.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Seraphina leaned towards Alistair, examining the document with a faint smile.

“How thoughtful of you, my love. I'm sure the Beast King will appreciate such a rare offering.”

Alistair gave her a satisfied look. “I'm certain he will.”

I lowered my head, swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to tear the document apart and throw it in his face. But I was kneeling before a man who had already decided that my life was worth less than a ship.

“Get up,” he ordered.

I struggled to stand, my knees aching.

Two guards approached carrying iron shackles. One seized my wrists while the other fastened the metal around my ankles.

The sound of the chains locking together made my stomach turn.

I stared at them in disbelief. “Are these necessary?”

“Do you expect us to let you travel freely?” Alistair asked.

I looked at him. “I am not a criminal.”

He gave a small, dismissive smile. “This wit of yours wouldn't save you. Your best option was to have a functioning womb and give me pups.”

The guards pulled me towards the doors.

As the doors opened, I realised the corridors outside were crowded. Servants, palace attendants, soldiers and members of the royal household had gathered along the way. Word had clearly spread about my departure, and they had come to witness it.

They watched as I was led between them in chains.

Nobody stepped forward, somebody called my name, some looked away, others whispered behind their hands. A few stared openly, their curiosity barely concealed.

I kept my eyes ahead.

The chains dragged against the floor with every step, announcing my humiliation to everyone who had once bowed when I passed.

I remembered that one day.

Five years ago, I had walked through these same palace grounds dressed in white and gold, but that day the white had been silk, and the gold had been jewellery. Flowers had been scattered at my feet, and the people of Solmora had filled the streets with songs.

They had called me their beautiful Queen.

They had praised my pure bloodline, my family, my grace and the prosperity my marriage would bring to the kingdom.

Alistair had stood beside me throughout the ceremony, holding my hand as though he never intended to let it go.

He had praised me before the nobles. He had whispered how beautiful I was, how fortunate he was to have me, how he wanted to build a family with me.

I had believed every word.

I had been more than a bride that day. I had been an honoured Queen, a symbol of Solmora's growing prosperity. My family had helped establish the kingdom's trading power, and my marriage had strengthened the connections that allowed our merchants to prosper.

I had been welcomed as someone valuable.

Now, the same people watched me being dragged away like an unwanted possession.

Oh, how far I had fallen.

When we reached the palace entrance, a carriage was waiting.

The guards helped me inside, though the shackles made even that difficult. One of them climbed in after me, while another took his position outside.

Before the door closed, I glanced back at the palace.

I thought of my parents.

I hadn't been allowed to see them since they were dragged away. I didn't know if they were still in the dungeon, whether Alistair intended to punish them further, or whether they were even alive.

I had begged to see them. I had asked the guards, I had pleaded with the Beta, but nobody had given me an answer.

The carriage door shut.

And just like that, Solmora disappeared behind me.

And tears blurred my vision.