Before me stands a man covered in heavy iron chains wrapped about his form. His hands are pinned to his sides and force his upper legs together while his ankles are hobbled. The guards who led him in act as though he is the most dangerous man in this whole castle. It was a pitiful sight to see him slide in to the room and then fall to his knees. Any traitor, I reason, should be treated like this, even if he's an old man who barely seems capable of committing such an act. His head is held high as one final act of defiance against me, and I have an urge to kick it in to the ground. The gall.

"His name is Eldislav Hunter," Dungeon master Godric reads from his scroll. "He was found guilty of treason, and is sentenced to death by hanging."

"He cost me a soldier in the Legio Mortis," Bishop Lambert stands to my left and folds his arms. He's a squirrely fellow, preferring to be around the dead than the living. He claims it brings him closer to God, but I know he has one foot in the pits of the underworld like I do. "He might be old but he is still fit due to his profession. I recommended we put his heart to the sword instead, and have him replace the soldier he took."

The old man shakes his head. "Please, your highness, I have two young daughters..."

"No, you have one." Godric replies as I start to pace in front of him. "Your eldest daughter, Josephine it says here, is dead, and your middle daughter is not your daughter at all. She is Edeva Delsor, and her real father is Henry the Usurper."

Eldislav's face continues to follow me, and I resist the urge yet again to send my boot right in to his smug forehead.

You are misreading him, but you should kick him anyway.

I pause in my pacing and shut my eyes. Not now Kaz, I think at the demon. In the back of my head I hear a scoff and then look back down at Eldislav. Kaz has a point, I must admit. Though his head is held high, it isn't a look of defiance. There's a frightened, pleading expression in his eyes.

"Eva became my daughter when I married her mother, your highness." he admits. "It was not an act of treason, it was an act of love. I fell in love with Winifred long before I knew she was Queen Winifred."

Bullshit.

"Bullshit," I snort. The three men, as well as the guards standing on either side of Eldislav, turn to me. "You knew who the queen was, and instead of turning her in, you kept her for yourself. Begging for mercy for the sake of your one surviving daughter? You should have thought of that all those years ago when they first stumbled to your doorstep in search of shelter or whatever happened."

I waved my hand dismissively, and Eldislav frowned. "I was hunting in the woods for my supper, your highness, and I heard the soft cries of the little princess. She was only twelve, and her mother had twisted her ankle but she refused to leave her. I carried Winifred all the way back to my cabin."

"How generous of you." Godric remarks. "And for that, you will die and leave your young daughter without a family." The guards pull Eldislav back to his feet and practically drag him out of the room, though he's strong enough even with all these chains to walk by himself. Godric, a tall svelte man, with his long hair braided behind him, leans against the doorway. He was dungeon master to both my father and Henry, and in reality cared not for why a law might be broken. He followed whoever was in power at the time, and I knew I could count on his loyalty to me. Eldislav's little fairy tale story was cute but would not sway Godric towards sneaking him out or trying to convince me to go easy on him.

Commander Anselm, on the other hand, is a completely different story.

In he strides, past the guards hauling Eldislav out, shoving aside Godric and Bishop Lambert as he approaches me. I fold my arms, only wondering what he'll say to me. He's always been a bit of a bleeding heart despite his bloody past and his prowess on the battlefield. I would say he is the angel on my shoulder, a counter to Kazaxon in my head. Kaz never likes to listen to him, since most of Anselm's suggestions aren't brutal or violent enough for his tastes.

"Your highness," Anselm runs his fingers through his short, gray hair, his hand pressing against the big scar on the side of his head. "It has been nearly a week, and you have yet to give your answer on what you plan on doing with the princess."

"Execution, of course." Godric says for me. "What else would we do? She's the only child of Henry the Usurper, and we cannot have anyone in his family alive. Can't have a repeat of history..."

"I would also suggest putting her to the sword. She would make a good addition to the Legios."

I frown at that suggestion, raising an eyebrow at the Bishop. Princess Edeva, a member of the Legio Mortis? I prefer only strong, able bodies in the crypts, and my pickiness tends to be why they're not yet full despite how long I've been king so far. I think back to the portrait in the storerooms of the castle. It was one done shortly before I reclaimed my throne; a little girl with blonde hair in a blue dress, smiling pleasantly at me as I sneered at her successful escape. How could some skinny little thing like the girl in the portrait ever be useful in my army?

She should burn if you will not do it to the old man. Someone needs to die a traitor's death.

I agree. I smile a little at Kaz's idea, and look over to Anselm. "I don't want her in my Legio Mortis, but I have a feeling that is not what you were going to suggest, Commander. Usually you leave the undead things to the Bishop."

"That I do..." Anselm shudders. For a hardened warrior, he is squeamish when he thinks about my necromancy. "But no, that is not what I was going to suggest. I just came from the princess's cell. Have you gone to see her yet, or brought her before you?"

"No. Why should I? She's the daughter of Henry, and she has his eyes. I don't wish to look at them."

"You are not worried she has been mistreated, are you?" Godric asks. "She is being fed and clothed, and her interrogations have been mild at best. I cannot offer her all the comforts of a princess, as she is not one in the eyes of my king, but I can assure you she won't be dragged through the courtyard in chains like that old man will be when the time for execution comes."

"So that is your final decision? Execution?" Anselm looks among us.

"If you have another suggestion, I would hear it." I reply.

Why? Just burn her!

Let us hear him out first.

"Your highness... As you are aware, there is still unrest in your kingdom. There are small rebellions that you are able to quash, but every few years they resurface and are always larger in number. The people do not like your necromancy, they do not like your dark powers, and they maintain Henry I's ideals are superior to yours. The country's divide between support for you and support for revolt grows."

"If they rise up in number, I have soldiers, living and dead, to decimate them, Commander." I say confidently.

He frowns. "Yes you do, Alekso, but if there is no one in your country to rule, are you truly King?"

I pause at that, and unfold my arms as he continues.

"Word has already spread throughout the capital, and to the nearby cities and villages, of Edeva's capture. The fact that she is still alive will intrigue the rebels. Killing her will only incite them." Anselm braces himself. "I suggest an alternative..."

"Which is?"

"They'll call her for to be released, to escape and lead a rebellion against you. I have no doubt about that. But they will also call for her to be Queen. We can avoid much of this if we just..."

As he speaks, I begin to straighten up and stare daggers in to him. I feel the tenseness in Kazaxon as well. My demon enjoys the fighting, the revolts and the bloody response I bring them. What he is about to suggest is a means to stop all of that but a very extreme one.

"You want me to marry her?"

The instant the words leave my mouth, I hear laughter from Godric, the Bishop, and Kaz simultaneously. Anselm, however, is unfazed. His steely eyes remain on me as the two men at my side calm down. He waits until I refocus. He can tell by the look on my face when I am... distracted.

"You cannot be serious, Commander. Marry the daughter of Henry the Usurper? The man who killed my father and my brothers? The man took my family's kingdom and forced me in to hiding for years!"

"As I recall, you avenged your family and took your birthright back." He's ever calm. "I also remember you telling me you would not just avenge the Aurelians, but redeem them as well."

"Which I have done. I am a better sovereign than both Henry and my father, am I not? I have replenished our coffers and maintained alliances with our neighbors. Not to mention I have rid the cities of highwaymen and corruption from the church."

Aneselm nods, and I am grateful he does not hold my means of cleaning up the country against me. "Sometimes one must do unseemly things for the greater good, your highness, and I understand that. Kazaxon the Red is a good example of the lengths you will go to for your people."

I feel a surge of pride from Kazaxon. Taking him in to me was the turning point in my rebellion, and Anselm is right that I would do whatever I could for my kingdom. But marrying that girl? A Delsor? A traitor? I look towards the Bishop and Godric, realizing they are not very good company for such a conversation. Bishop wants corpses, and Godric will say whatever he thinks I want to hear. "I must speak with my uncle." I throw a hand up in the air, waving at the three of them, and exit the tower.

I am greeted by my valet, Sebastian, who quickly rushes after me. "Your highness, all things in order as you had hoped?"

"Where is my uncle?" I ask as I head towards the great hall, where Jean tends to frequent and wait around to lecture me on things he disagrees on. He is but ten years older than me but likes to think of me as someone he molded in to the king I am today.

"In the great hall, your highness." Bash calls after me. I crack a little grin, but continue on. My valet is loyal and a mage himself, hoping one day I will train him. He would never be a diablarist though. He is far too afraid of that sort of power.

I pause right at the doors, waiting for the guards to open them. As suspected, Jean stands there with the chamberlain, whining about the drapery for a banquet of which I have no knowledge. He turns to face me with a big smile on his face, "Alekso, there you are!" and I resist the urge to roll my eyes as he strides over with his golden cape billowing behind him like some glorious knight off to battle a dragon. Restoring the Aurelian dynasty has done wonders for him. With his lands and titles back, and a handsome allowance from the crown, he spends much of his time going to and hosting feasts.

He would spend all of his money too if I didn't rein him in every once in a while. Even so, his political knowledge has helped me in many occasions; this situation should be no different.

"Uncle, I need your advice on something."

It is ridiculous that you would even consider the commander's suggestion, Kazaxon hisses in my head. Burn the girl for treason and be done with it.

Jean, who can also tell when Kaz is speaking to me, waits a moment before setting his hands on my shoulders. "Is it this business with Princess Edeva? How exciting, hmm? After all this time, the little brat yet lives! Do you believe what she says about Queen Winifred being dead?"

"Godric believes it, and even if she is alive, she would be too old and frail to be the spearhead of a revolt. Edeva herself, however... Anselm warns me that rebels would proclaim her their leader if she lives, or a martyr if she dies."

"Ah. Well, I have made arrangements for her public execution in two day's time, at your pleasure of course. I am even holding a feast to celebrate after! All of our allies, those who helped us reclaim our birthright, will get to see the daughter of the Usurper burn!"

Kazaxon resonates pure joy at the thought. I glance behind me at Bash, who listens intently but otherwise shows no real emotion for or against any of this. Then, I turn back to my uncle.

"There may be no execution, if I consider Commander Anselm's suggestion of marrying the girl in order to calm her father's lingering supporters."

Jean stares at me for a few seconds. "Truly?"

"He believes if I show mercy and spare her the torch, and unite the Delsors and Aurelians, it may bring peace to the realm."

"Well, the methods with which you rule your country are why people are fighting you now, Alekso, not how you became king. Marrying someone does nothing to change that." A sigh escapes him. "You know, your father was against remarrying after your mother died, and the loneliness destroyed him. I would not want for that to happen to you. Imagine a mighty king, dying of loneliness."

You will live for as long as I choose you to, Alekso. You need no heirs, no womb to hold them. Burn the girl!

"I suppose it would show the rebels you might be willing to make peace without giving in to their ridiculous demands, and it would also show that you are not like Henry. You won't murder the children of your enemies like he did, not to mention this might stop our allies from trying to claw at the chance of solidifying unions of their own with you. I know you don't need a wife, after all, but they don't."

Alekso, is it personal reasons that have you so torn? Are you lonely? Do I not keep you company?

I smile slightly. Perhaps you do not provide the type of company a woman might, Kaz.

Then go to a brothel and burn the traitor!

Kings do not go to brothels...

"If marriage is the path you are leaning towards," Jean interrupts. "At least take comfort in the fact that she is no longer that skinny girl in the portrait you sneered at for years."

I turn back to Jean at his casual remark. "I know that. How old is she now, nineteen?"

"Yes. I went to the tower when she first arrived here. I wanted to see her for myself. My, has princess Edeva Delsor grown up, in all the ways it counts." He laughs, huffing his hands up to his chest.

My eyes narrow, resting on Jean as my voice lowers. "You went to see her?"

"Part of me did not believe it was truly her, but although she is older, it is certainly her."

"You went to see her and did not tell me?"

He frowns. "It is not like I was going to help her escape, Alekso. As I said, I just wanted to get a look at her."

My hand shoots out and grabs Jean by his throat, my teeth clenching as I apply slight pressure. I cannot understand why I am so angry he saw Edeva before I did. I had no plans to see her at all. I just wanted her dead. Leaving her in the tower these past few days was more out of apathy than anything else.

"Your highness!" Bash reaches for my arm, just as Jean does.

"Boy," my uncle hisses out. "Boy..."

"Your Highness," I correct. "I am your king, and you would do well to remember that."

My hand loosens at Bash's urging, and I let go. Jean coughs as he stumbles away, glancing around to see if anyone noticed his few moments of humiliation.

Why let him live? He undermines you. He has from the start.

He is my uncle, Kaz.

I hear Kazaxon snort. Bash gives me a concerned look, and I know it means my eyes must have turned black. He calms as they revert back to normal. With a sigh, I lift my hand again, this time to send some healing energy to Jean. He glares at me but straightens up, adjusting his intricately patterned collar.

"Forgive me, uncle." I relent. As annoying as he can be, he is the only family I have left. "Do not go boasting of an execution just yet. This might end up," I sigh. "...a wedding."

"Your highness," Jean bows dramatically, before we part ways. I look down at Bash again and he takes a step back. He has been my valet for a few years, but my powers understandably still frighten him.

"That demon in your head," he points towards my temple. "He is not in control, is he?"

"It is complicated," is all I can honestly say. I know if I could see Kazaxon in front of me, he would be smiling.

***

I sit, curled up on the only chair in my room. It is cold and dark in this tower with my only light a window I can't reach to look out. I suppose it does not matter, though. Every night the guards chat softly about my impending execution, and while it should instill nothing but utter terror in me, I had accepted long ago that one day I might be found and one day my life would end this way. I am more worried about my poor stepsister Gisela. Eldislav and I are doomed for sure but what will become of her? Surely they will understand she is too young to be implicated in anything past and present. But that means once she's released, she'll be all alone in that cabin, if it is not taken as property of the crown. Then she will be on the streets.

A shaky sigh escapes me. Eldislav will be shown no mercy. They will burn him as a traitor, and unless someone in the court recognizes my legitimacy as a royal, I will burn beside him. I was taken directly from the village's jail in to a carriage bound for the castle, and then to the Tower, all in my nightgown. They threw a dress at me, but it is so cold up here and the blanket provided to me is a thick, scratchy wool. I am grateful though, because I saw out from the barred window of my cell door two guards dragging poor Eldis past me in chains. He and Gisela are commoners. I might be considered illegitimate by the king, but I was born a princess, so my treatment is a little easier. I am fed, and every so often someone will peek in to my cell to check on me, but at least I am not chained up. It is a hollow assurance considering I will be dead soon.

When my thoughts are at their darkest, I barely hear the sound of the door unlocking and someone making his way inside. It is the dungeon master; Godric he called himself. Behind him steps a man in dark armor like the kingsguard, except his cape is all black, no red. He is older as well, with gray hair and light brown eyes. Even with the obviousness of his age in his hair, he looks to be strong and well built for the military. I ascertain he is nobility as well.

I quickly rise to my feet and smooth out my gown, trying to look as presentable as possible even among the dreariness of my cell.

"Princess Edeva Delsor," the older man says. "My name is Anselm Blackmore, I am the commander of his highness' royal army. It was to be my duty, as well as Godric's here, to see you to your execution in two days--"

"On what grounds?" I quickly ask. "Existing? Being Henry Delsor's daughter?" I attempt to maintain an air of defiance, but I hear the cracks in my voice, as must they. I am so close to crying.