Young Writers Society

So it's a little long, but thank you all for reading and your feedback!!!! 

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Alexander

I walked out of the room, making sure to lock the door as I exited. What happened in there-I had no idea. As soon as I hit Angelique a she became a different person. Almost frightening.

I quickly shook the thought from my head as I heard her cries from the room upstairs. She was a simple thief, and nothing more. A pathetic, yet beautiful woman.

I left my home and headed towards the castle gates, where I would start my daily training.

Every day in this kingdom was much like the last. It sickened me.

Wake up, walk to the castle, train, walk home, and sleep. On the occasional off day I would get to help the King with his work, as I was one of his most trusted advisers.

Unfortunately, today was not one of those days.

I entered the castle grounds with my head held high, nodding to those I knew. The castle before me stood grandly with gray cobblestone and high reaching towers. Despite my inner protests, I avoided the majestic castle and headed to the training area just outside the walls. Today was not a day to stay inside and manipulate the king, making him think my ideas were his.

Once I reached the wide open area filled with horses, sand, and other men, I retrieved a sword and shield and started to practice for battle. I dueled with fellow knights of lower standards and won every match I participated in. Whether this was out of talent, or fear from my opponents, it did not matter. All that mattered was I was dominating the training field, showing everyone who they should be looking to.

Halfway into the day I was lucky enough to battle my friend, Henry. Like me, he was one of the highest ranking knights in the kingdom and had a bite as fierce as his bark. Many of the woman in the kingdom thought him the most handsome bachelor around.

He had striking blue eyes that could send daggers into your soul, with dark brown hair that he kept neatly shaven. His features were rough and hands calloused from many years of battle.

As I held my breath and waited for our duel to begin, we smiled to each other momentarily. Before starting, I smirked his way, knowing I had already won.

My feet danced on the sand beneath me and armor rattled as I struck Henry with my sword. We both started off our duel strong, parrying each other's blows and avoiding the sharp edge of the swords. Having known him since childhood however, I knew how Henry battled. I moved quickly around him causing his footing to falter. My feet stayed steady as I danced around him, and before long he was on the ground with my sword at his throat.

Instead of finishing him off, I drew back my sword and extended my hand towards him. He took it with a wide grin, and I lifted him from the ground.

By the time our duel was over, the sun was setting over the horizon and I was drenched in sweat and dirt. My fellow knights were winding down their day as well, handing their weapons and armor to the slaves to put away. I was about to leave Henry's side to start the journey home, when he took me by the arm and gave me a look. I knew the look of his, so I stayed put while he handed off his equipment.

When he was finished he came up next to me. We began walking out of the castles courtyard and back to town. I waited patiently for him to speak, knowing what he wanted to talk about was not something we could speak freely about near the castle.

When we were finally through the gates and walking the dirt path home, he spoke.

"I saw the King today." His voice came out low and rough.

I paused for a moment, taking in the news. "How is he doing?"

Henry laughed before responding. "Same as always."

I smirked. "You mean you found him cowering in his chambers while he sends men out to do his dirty work?"

"Exactly what I mean." We both shared a loud laugh about our king before Henry continued in a serious tone. "I'm tired of this, Alexander. It is time we take what should be ours! The king ruling over us has no right to be there. He is a coward that killed his brother to gain the throne. That may have worked in other lands, but not here."

I sighed heavily. I knew this was true, for Henry and I spoke of this issue daily. Many of the knight's in the court shared our opinion as well. "You know it's not that easily done, Henry. We need time and a vast amount of planning."

We both stopped in the street and looked into each other's eyes. Henry searched mine for something, but sighed when he didn't find what he was looking for. When I looked into his orbs, all I saw was a hungry expression-one that wanted power.

As Henry turned away from me, I caught him by the arm and continued on. "Listen. I want him gone and to be in his thrown as much as you do. Give me some time to think of a plan. In the meanwhile, we can start to speak to the other's in the court and find out what everyone else is thinking."

I watched Henry's frame tense, then relax slightly. He looked to me with a smile on his face and nodded in agreement.

"Alright." He said slowly. "I agree. Rest well, Alexander." Without waiting for my response, he turned and left for his home.

I continued walking without him, thinking of what I could do. It was true what I said, the king needed to go. The people may love him, but they didn't know the real him. He was a power driven coward with no regard for the people of this kingdom. I, on the other hand, loved my fellow citizens and lived among them. I had the potential to rule this kingdom, and the people would love me. I would rule over them with bravery and fairness.

I was practically running the kingdom anyway. The king himself came to me weekly for advice on foreign countries and war planning.

That was another thing. The king seemed bent on war, almost as if he wished to set up his people for slaughter. I kicked a stray stone in my path, disgusted at the man ruling over me. I knew how much better of a job could I do.

By now the sun had set and I was at my doorstep. I walked inside, drained and tired from today's training.

~~

Angelique

I was pulled out of my sleepy stupor by a noise coming from downstairs. I heard the front door open and heavy footsteps come in through the door. I bolted up from my position on the wall, preparing myself to meet Alexander. I had come up with a plan while he was gone, and I was ready to put it into action.

I walked across the room and next to the door, in the small space between it and the wall. I pushed myself up against the wall, trying my best to flatten myself. I heard his heavy footsteps come up the stairs, then stop right outside my door. Keys jingled on the other side, and I knew there was no turning back. My heart was pounding and head rushing, but I welcomed the feeling. It only fueled my anger and determination.

A key was inserted into the lock and the wooden door slowly started to open. I held my breath as the door was fully opened and Alexander stepped through. He kept his hand on the knob and pushed it all the way open, until the edge of the door hit the wall I was pushed up against. I was cowered behind the door now, waiting in the shadows and the small space provided.

I heard a curse come from Alexander's lips and he fully stepped through the doorway, entering the room. His hand left the doorknob and his heavy footsteps went further into the room, searching for me.

As soon as I heard his feet pass the door, I quietly started to close it. I held the hinges so it wouldn't creak, and watched through the crack as Alexander walked fully into the room. Once I had the door open wide enough, I stepped through the opening that held me close to the wall and slipped past the door. I was now in the room, wide open, with Alexander's back to me. Watching his every move, I quickly started to back up from out of the room and head down the stairs.

As soon as I was through the door however, the floor beneath me creaked loudly and Alexander spun around to meet me. We locked eyes for a minute before I turned and began to run down the stairs in my heavy dress. I held onto the wooden railing next to me for balance as I ran as fast as I could.

Why did I run? My plan was to knock him out then lock him in this room!

I had no time to think of my actions however, for I heard Alexander's heavy feet pounding behind me. Before I got the chance to jump the last step, he had wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him.

I struggled and kicked at him, hoping to hit a sensitive spot and make him let me go. Thrashing wildly, I hit every exposed body part, but he took no notice. After about a minute of struggling, he finally released me, dropping me to the ground beneath him.

I noticed he had pulled me back up the stairs, and was preparing to pull me back inside the room. I looked at him angrily and turned to run down the stairs once again. He caught me by the arm however, and held my wrist in a deathly tight grip.

"Let me go!" I screamed at him. I pulled against his grip on my arm with all my strength.

His amused eyes looked to me, then the stairway behind. Before I knew what was going on, he spoke and let go of my arm.

"As you wish, m'lady."

Without warning of letting me go, the force of me pulling away from him caused me to fall backwards and down the stairs. I rolled and crashed loudly along the wooden steps, hitting my head and sides painfully. The fall seemed to last an eternity, but was only a few seconds. When I landed in a heap at the bottom of the stairs, I kept my head down and let a few stray tears of pain fall. I heard Alexander descending the steps slowly and dreaded each inch closer he came.

When I heard him come to a stop next to me, I tried getting up and inching away from him. Before I could move however, he had lifted me up by my hair and held me close to him. He spoke to me in a low growl.

"You shouldn't have done that."

I fought the power rising within me. It was fueled by my rage and fear, something that I couldn't hold back easily.

Alexander was lingering over me with a terrifying and anger filled expression. Suddenly, he grabbed me by the hair and flung me away from him, so that I hit the wall closest to the stairs. My head bounced off the wooden and stone wall and left my vision blurry.

"Don't you understand what I did for you?" Alexander's voice boomed through the small house. "You could have died but I took you in!" He met the last word with an enraged roar and a kick to my stomach.

"You did nothing for me! I was living a great life until you came along and kidnapped me!" I screamed at him in protest as I tried to crawl away from his towering frame.

"Oh, you lived a great life, did you?" I took the time while he was speaking to stand up. It hurt my body to do so, but I refused to kneel before the coward in front of me. "Moving from home to home every night, trying to stay out of the cold? Watching your so called friends sell you out? Sounds absolutely wonderful to me."

"Maybe it wasn't the life of a highly esteemed knight as yourself, however it suited me fine! I never asked you to save my life." My voice was getting louder and my hands gestured wildly around me. I paused momentarily to catch my breath before continuing on. "You think you saved me, anyway? Well you didn't! I've been locked in this forsaken house for two days, I haven't eaten, I've barely slept, and now I have to endure a beating from a coward!"

A burning was emerging from within my body, building with every word that left my mouth.

By the time I was done with my rant I was breathing hard and tears were etching my eyes. I turned away from Alexander's enraged face to hide my tears. I didn't want him mistaking my tears of fury for those of defeat. As I was turning away from him, Alexander caught my elbow and brought me back to face him. He dragged me against my will to stand uncomfortably close to his overpowering frame. I tried blinking back the tears now streaming down my cheeks, but to no avail. Alexander eyed them with mock pity before he spoke.

"Call this what you will. If you think I kidnapped you, fine. If you believe I sealed your fate of death, fine. What you think doesn't matter to me." I tried pulling away but his death grip on my elbow only grew tighter. "What does matter, is that you do what you're told. I'm through with threatening to turn you in, we both know that won't happen. However, if you step a foot out of line again, you will regret it. I don't care what you say, you're mine now."

Alexander tightened his grip further on me before spinning me around and throwing me against the closest wall. I weakly slumped down against the wall, hopeless of fighting back. The power within me was still there, but I didn't dare let it show again. I heard his footsteps draw near to me, before his hand came down and lifted my chin to meet his face.

"Yes, you're all mine now, beautiful." His words softened slightly as he brought his face close to mine.

Then, he did something completely unexpected.

Alexander lowered his lips upon mine until they met with unexpected gentleness. He lingered there for just a minute, before withdrawing and letting go of my chin. I sat there in shock as a smug look spread across his face.

"Now, Angelique. I think some dinner is past due. Wouldn't you care to prepare me a meal?" Without waiting for a response, he continued. "All your supplies should be in the kitchen. Call for me when you are through."

Alexander left the living room and walked through the archway across from me.

I sat on the floor numbly for a few more moments, trying to process what had happened.

He kissed me. Alexander actually kissed me.

I shuddered at the thought and brought my knees up to my chest, fighting back the sobs that threatened to consume my body. How dare he kiss me! How dare he take something that pure away from me, without even thinking about it!

I heard shuffling in the other room and his voice soon sounded to me. "I don't hear any cooking going on!"

I glared in the direction of his voice and slowly lifted myself off the ground. I looked around the room I was in and found I was myself standing in the kitchen. The front door leading to my freedom stood just a foot in front of me.

I quickly and quietly rushed to the door and tried the handle. When it wouldn't budge, I practically screamed in defeat. What was I going to do? I couldn't just give in and start acting as a slave for this man! The idea was preposterous. I needed to get out of here, but I had no idea how.

I leaned against the wall in the kitchen and thought to myself. The only way I was getting close to escaping was if I gained Alexander's trust. To do this, I need to seem as if I've given up and I'm obeying him. Yes-that would also mean cooking and cleaning for the useless pig.

I sighed once more and looked at the room I stood in again. With no other choice before me, I began to prepare a simple peasant's meal. As I cooked I silently cried to myself. My body was stiff and sore, and my mind was damaged heavily. Not only had the man beaten me, but he stole my first kiss-something that was supposed to be pure and shared only in marriage. Alexander took that from me, and now there was no chance of anyone ever wanting me.

That kiss was also the last pure thing I held on to. It was the last shred of something I treasured before I came to this place. Where I was before here, everything was perfect and wholesome. Here on earth, things are twisted and corrupt. I told myself when I was put here, that I could always hold onto that first kiss, and it would be the only link from me to my real home. Everything else put aside, I could hold onto that forever.

Now, it was gone. Because he took it from me.

I could still feel the lingering touch of his fingers on my chin and plump lips against mine. It horrified me and disgusted me at the same time. The longer I sat in the kitchen cooking, the more I realized I never wanted to see Alexander's cowardice face again. If it weren't for him, I would be on my own doing whatever I pleased. I would be closer to leaving this wretched place called earth.

All too soon the simple meal I prepared was finished. I grudgingly set it on the table in the next room before leisurely making my way to the archway to call for Alexander. Before I was within a foot of the doorway however, he stepped through and caught me by surprise. A wide grin sat on his face and he breathed in deeply, consuming the smells of the freshly cooked meal. Alexander strode past me and sat at the table while gesturing me to follow. Grimacing, I followed after him and took my seat next to his at the small circular table.

We ate in silence and I watched as Alexander practically inhaled his food. I laughed smugly to myself as I watched him eat. One, because I was a terrible cook. Two, because in spite of him I spit in the food he was eating. I knew it was childish and silly, but it seemed the only way I could get back at the man.

Suddenly, his voice interrupted my thoughts. "That was wonderful. Now, clean this up. I have errands to run before bed. I'll be back soon, so don't try anything foolish." Alexander got up from the table and strode out the front door, locking it behind him. I sat at the table in slight shock, surprised by his abruptness. Then I looked at the mess I had created and sighed heavily. I was not one to clean, cook, or follow orders. At this point however, I had no choice.

Once I was finished cleaning the mess from dinner, I sat down at the table again, pondering as to what I could do to get out of this mess. There was always the one choice of using my powers against him, but I knew I couldn't do that. If by some chance he got away from me, I would be accused of witchcraft and put to death in an extremely painful way.

No, I had to use my wits to get myself out of this mess.

I walked to the front door once again and tried the handle. I jiggled it ferociously hoping for it to budge, but it wouldn't move. I searched all around the doorway for a spare key, but in vain.

With a frustrated scream I kicked the door in front of me and strode away from the kitchen and to the stairs. Sudden exhaustion had overcome me, and I knew it was useless fighting it anymore.

I slowly ascended the wooden stairs, absentmindedly counting my steps as I went. Once at the top I walked through the old door that led to my room-my prison. Without hesitation, I continued on to the bed in the center of the room.

I laid down on top of it, not bothering to shed my dress, for I was too tired. I snuggled into the comforter and pillows around me, allowing myself a few moments of peaceful respite as my mind wandered to a night full of dreams.

~~~~

Alexander

I walked through the back door of my home, quietly shutting and locking it behind me. It was extremely late in the evening and some well needed rest was overdue.

I made my way through the house to the stairs in the front, ascending them slowly. My feet dragged heavily underneath me and my heavy boots made loud thumps as I walked along. Once in my room, I opened the door and made my way towards the grande bed.

The room was pitch black before me, so I walked slowly to avoid tripping over any stray items.

Once at the bed I sat on the side and started to shed my clothing. First my boots, then my shirt, until I was left only in my underclothes. Finally comfortable, I laid down in the bed and brought the blankets close around me. Once I heard the steady breathing of Angelique beside me, I turned over and gazed at her face.

Even in the darkness, I could make out her flowing black hair, bright red lips, and long eyelashes. I gazed mesmerized by her, as she was the face of beauty. I remembered the first time I laid eyes on her, and how I was captured by her immediately. Her teasing voice, proper frame, there was just something about her that drew me close. When she stole the dresses and Genevive turned her in, it was too good of an opportunity to let pass. Yes, I had to have her, even if it meant going against the will of the King himself. I didn't bother too much about his ruling anyway, of course.

I brought my hand to Angelique's glorious face and pet her cheek with the back of my hand. In her sleep, she was not defensive or stubborn, but looked innocent and child like. Her features were contorted into a face of relaxation as her eyes fluttered slightly.

I brought my hand down to bring myself closer to her, wrapping my arm around her side. In her sleep, she stirred slightly before nuzzling into my chest. I smiled contently and closed my eyes for rest, letting all my troubles fade away.