Shielding her eyes from the sun, she looks out over the side of the huge ship that has been her home for the last 6 weeks. Her family has decided not to stay in the new world, but to return to the country of their youth. She watches silently as the ship slowly drifts into port, the muscular dock workers scurrying to tie the ropes at the moorings. It was not her desire to return to this land ofold customs. She much rather preferred the Americas. This country seemed so far behind the times now. She had grown used to her modern amenities.
"Gabrielle!" Her mother's coarse shout brought her back to herself. "Oh, there you are!" Her mother peered out of the small door leading to the deck from their quarters. "You better come in here, and see to yourself before we debark!" Just past her eighteenth birthday, Gabrielle O'Malley felt like she should have had a choice to remain in New York with her relatives, rather than come back across the ocean to a land that held nothing for her. Sighing to herself, she went back into the small room where her family had spent the voyage home. Looking at herself in the mirror, she pulled a brush through her long blonde curls, seeing a look of resignation in her steel blue eyes. Her ankle length dress was worn and shabby, nothing like the finery she was accustomed to. She would be grateful to get off this ship, even if was to return to her family home.
Slowly making her way down the ramp behind her mother and her sister, she was careful to watch her footing on the slippery planks. Just as her feet touched the solid rock of the shipyard, she was jostled roughly from behind. Turning to shout at whoever was so clumsy, she turned her face into a damp cloth. Her body instantly went limp, and she felt herself being lifted, carried, bouncing across strong shoulders. The last thing she heard before she succumbed to the darkness was her mother's incessant wailing.
Paralyzed. That is the only word she can think of to describe her current state. She is well aware of her surroundings. She can hear her captors talking, feel the warm bedding beneath her nakedness, smell the oil from the lamps. She hasn't dared open her eyes, not wanting to make them aware of her alertness.
"She's exactly what his Majesty asked for, no? The fair hair, the ample breasts, the long sleek legs. . . she's perfect. Only one matter to look into, is she as virginal as she appears?" Gruff voices, Gabbie can only imagine the size of these men who hold her captive. "We must wait for the King and his loyal doctor to make that determination," one of the ruffians says.
Gabbie is outraged at the thought of anyone doubting her virtue, but she is even more fearful of the King. Surely they don't mean King Logan. The ruler of this whole land! Her fears are affirmed as someone announces the arrival of his Royal Highness King Logan. Gabbie's heart is pounding, and she fights herself to keep her eyes closed.. "Remove yourselves to the next chamber and I will settle with you shortly!" The voice of the King, telling her captors to leave them in privacy.
"Alas, but she is a beauty!" She feels the thin blanket pulled away from her body. She lies there fully naked as she feels a rough finger glide over her cheek, from the corner of her eye to her chin. She flinches involuntarily, and the King grabs her chin roughly between his fingers. "A faker, eh?" He laughs roughly as her eyes open.. "Doctor, carry on with your examination."
The doctor moves to the foot of the bed, and grasps her legs just above the knee and gently pulls them apart. He lifts them so her heels are touching the bed and then he gently spreads them, exposing her most private area. No one has ever seen this much of her before. She tries to cover herself with her hands, but the King will have none of it. He grasps her wrists and holds them firmly in his grip. "He'll not hurt you, if you behave," he whispers against her cheek.
Tears course down her face and she gasps as she feels warm fingers spread her pink folds. He touches her lightly, running a finger along each lip, and then gently forcing his index finger inside of her warmth. She draws her knees together at this invasion, and he slowly removes his finger. "Aye, she is pure, Your Highness," the doctor makes his findings clear. The King releases her arms, saying "Good, good. I would have hated to have to turn this beauty over to the guards!" And then to her, "Rest now, for in a few hours, you will be meeting your new husband."
Terrified, she jumps off of the bed as soon as the door closes behind them, only to find that she is locked in. There is one small window, too high for her to reach, and too narrow for her to fit through even if she could reach it. Succumbing to her fears, she curls up in the corner and cries herself to sleep. She sleeps fitfully for a few hours, waking when the door is opened by a beautiful dark haired woman. She kneels beside her and says "You must cry no longer. Your face will be swollen and red when it comes time to greet your groom."
"Im not getting married to anyone!" Gabbie shouts at her. She smiles kindly and says "Poor dear, you have no choice in the matter. Either marriage, or agony and shame until you die." She stands up and pulls Gabbie to her feet. "Now you must allow me to help you make yourself presentable."
Guiding her down several long hallways, they come to a beautiful sunken pool, steaming with warm water. "My name is Bethany. I am one of the Queen's servants." "If the King already has a Queen, then he can't marry me too!" Gabbie says. Bethany smiles softly and says, "You are not chosen for the King, but for his oldest son, and heir to the throne, Prince Aerin." This causes Gabrielle to laugh. "Prince Aerin? He can find his own bride! Why does the King kidnap me and force me into a marriage such as this?"
"Aerin so far has chosen not to marry, no matter how many perfect matches the Queen and King have arranged for him at the various balls and celebrations." Gabbie laughs again "Well, perhaps then, he's gay!" Looking terrified, Bethany pushes her backwards into the water and jumps in after her. Gabbie comes up gasping for air, and Bethany is immediately beside her in the waist deep water.
"You must never say such a thing about the Royal family if you want to live!" Gabbie asks, "Well, what makes them think he will want to marry me? I don't have any royal blood in my veins!"
"You were chosen because of your appearance. Aerin has always seemed attracted to fair haired maidens with voluptuous curves. And besides, Aerin is a gentle soul, and his father will be giving him an ultimatum, either he marries you, or you will be given to the guards, and he will kidnap another, and another until Aerin agrees." Silently, she begins to gently scrub Gabbie's skin with a flowery smelling soap.
Bethany leads her into another chamber off to the side of the bathing pool and seats her in front of a huge mirror. She slowly combs through her hair until it is dry, then shows her to a closet full of beautiful gowns. "You may wear any of these that you choose." Quietly, Gabbie looks through the vast amount of gowns and decides on a dark blue one with silver trim. Bethany assists her putting it on over her head, and takes her back to the mirror. Gabbie looks stunning in the gown, she must admit, but she is still frightened. She decides that she will go along with this charade long enough to plan an escape.
