The Beast Within

A King's Game: Chapter Thirteen

I spent the next day locked in my room.

I didn't want to see anyone, not the king or the prince or Roland, not even Interra and Amatha.

The image of their gruesome tapestry weighed on my mind, and when I closed my eyes I could see the picture in vivid detail. I feared the king's reaction when he saw what they had created, for surely he would answer with a swift blade. The twins had spoken of their eagerness to be married, but their creation was nothing less than a threat to their groom's life.

It was not a gift, it was treason. 

What did they intend with such a thing? Were they so proud that they believed themselves above reproach?

There was no one, I decided, that I truly understood in the castle.

Even the whelp, as gentle as he was, could not see the horror of it all, and the terrible wrong that had been done to him.

Roland did not come to take me to the dungeon, and for that I was grateful. Had he appeared, I may have fought him—or worse, allowed the wolf to take over. An image of the animal roaming the castle and devouring anyone it came upon crossed my mind.

No, I wouldn't be a monster like my keepers.

I intended to skip dinner and go the whole day without eating, but a servant came at dusk to fetch me, and no amount of arguing or pleading would sway her. The king had commanded all to be present, for there was a special surprise after the meal. I knew right away what it was.

My nerves were on fire as I sat beside the king. He didn't notice my trembling and carried on as usual, while the twins behaved as if nothing was wrong. My stomach was unable to stand more than a few bites of food before it shuddered with nausea.

What would I do if I had to watch Interra and Amatha die? Would I flee the hall and attempt escape? I thought of begging them to destroy their work, to never let another pair of eyes look upon it.

The moment came when the king rose from his seat and raised his hand to silence the room.

"When my brides first arrived, they explained it was a tradition in their land to present me with a gift. A tapestry, woven in honor of our union, that had to be finished before we wed. At first, I wanted to ignore their request, but now I believe the anticipation was worthwhile. My brides have completed their work, and wish to present it to myself and the court. It will hang in this hall as a testament of their love, until the end of my days as king."

Polite applause followed his announcement, and the king turned to his brides with a grin stretched across his face.

"I'm eager to see how my patience is rewarded."

At the clap of his hands, several servants entered the hall. In their arms was an enormous tapestry, which had been rolled to prevent anyone from seeing it until the proper moment. Whispers rose as one end was tied to a hook that descended from the ceiling. A thin rope kept the shape of the roll, waiting to be severed when the king gave his command.

Once it was properly secured, the king nodded and a servant cut the rope. The hook began to rise, allowing the tapestry to unfurl as it was lifted into the air.

I looked down at my plate, not wanting to see the disturbing image. My stomach turned and I was certain what little I had eaten would return to the table. There was a collective gasp from the court. From the corner of my eye, I saw the king's smile fade, replaced by a look of bewilderment. He moved from the table, his footsteps carrying the only sound in the hall, and walked to where the tapestry was displayed.

Almost too quiet to hear, I heard him utter, "What have you done?"

I glanced at the twins but their faces held no emotion.