text: This story was inspired by the Advenged Sevenfold some by the same name. I hope you enjoy it! \*\*\* She was brought forward, struggling, her hands bound behind her back. The guards threw her to the ground. She landed heavily on her shoulder, whimpering from the pain. Silence fell over the throne room. She lifted her head to meet the gaze of the one that sat over her. He wore no crown, his clothes were simple, but he had a presence. It weighed heavily on her. His hand lifted, flicking a few fingers and the guards gripped her arms and lifted her back into a kneeling position. “She’s bleeding.” The king murmured. “Yes, my king.” The guard to her left dropped quickly to one knee. “She fought us off when we tried to bring her from her cell. One of-” There was only a slight whisper of fabric, but the guard fell silent. She jerked herself to the side, pulling her arm from his hold. He reached out to take her arm again, scowling at her darkly under his helmet. “Enough. Leave her.” The king muttered. “Leave.” “S-Sir?” The king stood in one smooth motion, staring down at them. “I will not repeat myself.” The doors closed and she rose shakily to her feet. The king had not moved from where he stood. She sneered at him. In return he gave her an amused look. “I’m surprised you feel safe enough to be left alone with me.” She spat. “I am not afraid of you. You’re only a woman.” He descended the stairs and took her chin in his hand. “A weak and half-beaten woman. You won’t harm me.” She pulled her chin from his hold with a glare. “I will kill you. You’re corrupt and cruel.” He chuckled, the sound prickling at her anger. “Turn around.” Her heart began pounding in her chest. Her fingers curled into fists. She turned, waiting for the pain she was sure was coming. She could feel the king’s hands on her arms, near her bonds. Then they came loose and her arms were free. Skipping away, she turned to face him. He stood with a dagger in his hand. Casually, he slipped it back into his belt and lowered himself back into his throne. His eyes never left her as she crept across the room, trying the handle of the door. It was locked. “What do you want from me?” She asked. “I want you to kneel.” The king smiled, laying his hands on the arm rests. “I will never kneel to you!” “That’s a shame.” His eyes trailed up and down her body. “It would be disappointing to see such a beautiful woman die.” The king lifted his hand. From his fingers swung a gold chain, a locket hanging from it. Her hand pressed to her neck, pained to see something so precious in his hands. “If you kneel, I’ll return this to you.” “Never.” “Such a shame.” The king waved his hand. “I’ll be sure to give your body a proper funeral after you pass. Wouldn’t want that beauty of yours rotting away too quickly.” She snarled, throwing herself forward at him. And his smile was the last thing she saw.