Chapter 15: Another One??
Eliana is unable to look the Chief in the eye as she sits across from him. The tent that they are in, is much larger than the one Jasper is resting in. There is a large bed and on the other side, stock piles of provisions.
“How am I going to get out of here,” she ponders to herself.
“Do not be frightened, young woman. I do not bite,” the Chief grins.
Hiding the shiver nipping at her neck, Eliana swallows roughly. “I would like to thank you for allowing us to stay, while Jasper heals.”
“Ah, but of course. The Darcy’s are still a part of my clan. You on the other hand, are not.”
She bites back a whimper, “I know, and I am terribly sorry for the intrusion.”
The Chief leans back in his chair, “It is perfect timing, truly. That the Princess of Drein appears at my door at the same moment as Climont troops invade my territory.”
“W-what are you talking about?” Tears begin to blind her, as fear builds in her chest. Eliana’s body begins to quiver.
Scoffing, he sneers, “Oh come now. I have been alive for some time now. I remember when we Pivurlions were not outsiders. When I would visit Drein to trade with the villages our fish, I caught glimpses of the royal family. I do not forget a face, thankfully, Princess.”
“Oh no, what am I going to do,” she whimpers in her mind.
“Please,” she begins, her body shaking, “Please do not tell anyone.”
The chief cocks his head to the side, “Why, do you not want your beloved Darcy’s to know who you are?”
Swallowing her fear, Eliana stares at the table. How would they act, if they found out? Would they turn their backs on her? They barely know one another.
The Chief strokes his long beard, “Do not fret, Princess. I have no intention of handing you over to the soldiers, or even my brethren who are currently trying to assassinate you. They have broken away from the clan.”
Eliana is still uneasy, but she allows herself the slightest moment to relax. At least she will not be dying, yet. “Why would you do that for me?”
The Chief laughs, his entire body shaking in the process, “Oh, little Princess, it is not for you that I do this.”
She tries not to show her confusion, “I do not understand.”
“It has been a few years, but I am in search of a new bride.”
“What,” she thinks to herself.
His eyes glisten with delight as he speaks, “I have an opportunity for you. Your country is in ruins. The capital city of Zaline will not last much longer. A marriage will protect you from your enemies and safeguard your future.”
Mind running rampant, Eliana tries to force a coherent sentence, “I, why me? I am human. I was under the impression that you only married to strengthen your clan?”
“I believe there is more power within you, than you truly realize, Princess.” He raises his brow and tries to lean forward, across the table.
“I have no power, no strength. I am weak and useless. There is no reason for a Chief such as you to lower yourself this much.” Eliana bites her cheek, hoping that this is enough to cause him doubt. How is she to get out of this?
Much to her dismay, he only grins, “Do not fear, I am a reasonable husband.” He shrugs, “If you decline, I cannot force you. Though, it is sad to say that our resources are limited and I must put the safety of my people first. I cannot risk a war with Climont. I am inclined to give them what they desire. I also do not know if we have enough medicine to treat Jasper for much longer.”
Eliana scoffs, her brow hardening, “Are you, blackmailing me?”
The Chief shakes his head profusely, “Oh Princess, I would never think of such a barbaric way.” He raises one brow at her and folds his arms in defense.
Pausing, the Princess weighs her options. If she leaves, alone, there is no way she will be able to make it home alive. If she stays, she will have to be married to this man for the rest of her life, not to mention share him with three other women. The thought causes a shiver to roll across her shoulders. Should she take her chances, or play it safe. There are downfalls for both options, but the latter ensures the Darcy’s are safe. “Okay, I will accept your marriage proposal, as long as you heed some stipulations.”
“What are they, my little kitten.”
She is taken aback by his audacity at the way he speaks to her, but she quickly pushes those thoughts away. “You allow the Darcy’s to stay, and you never tell them who I really am.”
The Chief’s smirk is half hidden under his beard. “You have a deal, Princess.”
As she sits there, Eliana cannot stop the nausea from rising up in her throat. One more arranged marriage that she does not want.
>><<
“Papa, I will not marry her,” Jasper argues once more. His shoulders are tense and his hands are clenched.
Conrad’s body is boiling with anger, “I have already warned you. Finding you a mate is the only reason that we have come here.”
Mama sits quietly, staring at the ground.
Jasper bares his teeth, “And to make sure Eliana is safe, is it not?”
“Yes, we want to make sure she is safe, but she is not our priority, you are. You are our son.”
“I do not care about a mate. I will not be forced into a loveless marriage.”
Papa shakes his head and folds his arms, “Your security is all that matters.”
“You fought for mama when you found her. She is your mate and you would’ve done anything to be with her.” Jasper’s shoulders are trembling with his rage, his eyes wide.
Conrad bulges up his chest in response. “You have not found yours, though. It would be different if you had.”
“Truly? What if she is from another clan, or not even of the Pivurlion race.”
Conrad is struck into silence for a moment. “You must mate a werebear. It is impossible to be mated to a human. When our race was created, the mating bond was formed in order to strengthen our bloodline with fellow Pivurlion. That is what the Drulians intended it for.”
“I do not care what they intended for us, this is not what I want.” Jasper goes to the front of the tent, “I will not mate, no matter who the female is that you choose for me.”
He storms out, leaving the flap swaying.