Victims of beauty

Pov Alexander 

I had done it, I made my decisions and informed her that soon she was going to be my wife. She was upset but I did not care, after all she was a woman, they were always like that when it came to getting married, they would say no, but it really meant yes! 

After consulting with my men, I stayed in the room alone. I needed to clear my head and think about my next steps. If there was going to be a war, there were so many things I needed to consider. Number of soldiers, necessary weapons and food were the main concerns, however, first I needed to solve another problem. 

My mind was clouded, there was a barrier that made it difficult for me to concentrate. My instinct was taking charge of me, body and soul. I tried hard to focus on what needed to be done next but the only picture that came to my mind was those violet marbles looking at me in fear and parted rosy lips. I had to find a way to extinguish the lust that was burning me. I needed to take her and made her mine as soon as possible. 

I despised my weakness, never in my life I had been challenged against my instincts, whenever I needed a woman, there were so many available. From w****s to those attending my court, begging to be my bedmate. That was my relationship with women, they would entertain me and warm my bed, but that was all. I had never given them any thought or tried or planned to get them, they would have come to me with a blink of eye or nod of head. 

Roxanne was different, she was a princess and despised me for obvious reasons. I did not know why I cared about that, but I wanted her to like me, to want me and long for me as I did for her.

She was going to be my queen, I could offer her and her family their respect and wealth and send Darius to a prison and keep him there as long as he lived. It was killing two birds with one stone, I needed Perian's approval and acceptance to be able to have them as soldiers and so far, I had not been successful. They were looking at me as a savage barbarian who attacked their country, even though they were also fed up with Darius as a king. I knew that sooner or later there were going to be riots all over Peria and the time was running out.  

Roxanne was a delightful solution, while Darius was feared and hated amongst his people, she was loved and respected for her kindness and by saving a peasant girl and asking for people's freedom on the first day of our arrival she had become a hero. If I married her, people would have accepted me as their rightful king.

There was something else that bothered me, the promise I had made to Dara. He wanted Roxanne and now I knew that I could never Let him have her, but to break a promise was as big a sin as betraying your country, it would have ruined my reputation forever. Then a thought came to my mind, something evil, a satanic plan to get ride of Dara without staining my name. I called a guard and sent him to bring Dara. 

I weighed my plan in my mind, it needed careful consideration. After a while the door opened and A soldier announced Dara's entrance.

I told the soldier to let Dara in. He stepped inside and bowed quickly. For some reason, his presence made me uncomfortable, his black eyes were looking at me like he knew exactly what was going on inside my mind. I studied his face carefully, olive skin with black eyes that were shadowed by long thick eyelashes, long nose and thin lips that made him look headstrong and determined. His chin was covered by his black beard which was always neat. His black eyes seemed hollow, like two wells with no end. 

" Sir Dara, thank you for coming." 

" I am at your service my Lord." 

" We have received worrisome reports from the Eastern boarders, apparently Ravi, king of Eastern land, thought that I am going to attack them next so he alerted his army and they are now getting ready for a battle." 

" Another war so soon?" 

" I have no intention of going into another war, my soldiers are tired and it will take weeks to recruit and train new soldiers. That is why I need you." 

He bowed. 

" I am at your service my lord. Do you need me to train soldiers or help with planning the battles?" 

I got up from my throne. 

" No, I need you for something far more important. You are going to be my messenger to the Eastern king, I am going to send a message of alliance and friendship to him and hopefully we will avoid the upcoming war, of course I am relying on your royalty and wisdom in this mission and I know I can trust you." 

I was talking nervously, praying in my heart that he would not find my intention. He seemed ignorant, so I continued.

" Do not worry, I have not forgotten your reward. As soon as you are back from this mission your service shall be terminated here, I will give you a province in the north to rule over. It is small but has a rich soil and you would soon be wealthy as a king. 

His eyes followed me as I walked down, still waiting for me to finish by giving him what he had asked for. I avoided his gaze. 

" You shall always have my alliance and appreciation for what you had done. You will receive a considerable amount of gold and as many horses as you want from Darius's stable." 

" What about Roxanne?" 

He finally said it. I smiled. 

" Ah, yes, the princess. Well, I gave you my words that you may have anything you want and when you are back, you shall have her." 

He smiled in satisfaction and bowed. 

" I thank you my lord for your generosity. I would certainly go for this mission and let me assure you that I will do my best to resolve the matter." 

I smiled back. 

" you shall leave by tomorrow morning so get ready. I will give you my sealed letter tomorrow before you go." 

He bowed again and turned to leave, by tomorrow morning, I could say goodbye to this man forever. Ravi would finish the job for me, he would murder him in a blink of eyes considering what I had done to his messenger but just to make sure, I would send an insulting letter to seal Ravi's fate. Then I remembered something. 

" Dara, wait." 

He stopped and turned. 

" I was wondering, since I am putting a lot of trust in you, if you can tell me why you betrayed Darius." 

He seemed shocked by my question and then his facial expression changed into anger, but I was not letting go. 

" Was that because you proposed to the princess but Darius said no?" 

This time he laughed. 

" I did not betray Darius because he rejected my proposal, in fact, I have never proposed to Roxanne. But I knew she was mine and I just had to wait for my opportunity." 

" Then why did you help me and stabbed Darius in the back?" 

" Because I hated that man! I loathed him for what he did to my cousin because of Roxanne and I wanted revenge. No one can take her away from me, she is a part of my plan and she is mine." 

He had forgotten about me or where he was, shouting words as if he was talking to himself. 

" What did he do to your cousin?" I needed to know. I had heard so many things about Darius's cruelty and I wanted to know what caused this man to turn his back on his own country. 

His eyes became clouded, a shadow of sadness fell over those black seas. 

" I had a cousin, Sasan, whom I loved like a brother, he was seven years older than me and I always followed him everywhere. He was big and strong and mastered riding and fencing so everyone predicted that he would have a shining future in Darius's army. He used to teach me arching and since both our fathers had important positions in court, we were allowed to practice in the castle's front yard everyday. One afternoon, Sasan told me he wanted to do something dangerous and I should not follow him. I asked him what he was going to do and he told me he wanted to see The princess. He knew that she was kept in her residence and it was forbidden for everyone to even get close, but he had heard so many things about her and wanted to see if they were true. 

I forced him to let me come, otherwise I was going to tell my father what he wanted to do. He was not happy about it but had to agree.

We picked a rope and hook, climbed a tree and jumped on the wall, sneaking carefully to avoid the guards, until we reached the west wing. In an ordinary time we would have been spotted, but it was harvest time and the guards were helping servants to prepare for the festival. 

The west side had the most skilled guards and they were always watching. They never left their posts because they knew the punishment Darius would consider for negligent guards. 

Sasan used the hook and rope to jump on the other wall and helped me to join him. We did the manoeuvre as quietly as possible to avoid being caught. Then we peeked into the forbidden garden. 

She was there, in the middle of the garden, by the lake, sitting on a rock. Her face was unveiled, we were not close, but still I could see her bewitching eyes and rosy lips. None of us could take our eyes of her. Then suddenly she pulled her dress up, revealing her beautiful long legs and put them playfully in the water. 

We were both watching without even blinking, observing her every move. Then someone called from her chamber, she got up hurriedly, covered her face and rushed inside. After a few moments, we made sure she would not return and decided to go back. That was when we got caught.

The hook collapsed under my cousin's weight and he fell. The guards saw us and long story short, in a few seconds we were captured and brought to Darius. He screamed at the guards for their negligence and sent them to dungeon. Then he turned to us. He asked if we had seen anything. I was speechless of fear so my cousin answered and said that we had not. Darius looked at us head to toe and then smiled, a creepy smile that I can never forget. He walked to Sasan and pointed to his pants which was showing a big wet stain in front. My cousin turned red in shame as Darius walked slowly and examined the stain and made fun of him and his manly abilities. After all he was only seventeen. 

For a moment, I thought we were safe, he was smiling and making jokes, so he was not going to send us to dungeon. But then, he came straight to me and slapped me so hard across my face for lying to him. I fell to the ground and almost blacked out from the stroke. Then I heard an ear piercing scream, it was my cousin who was begging and pleading for forgiveness. Darius walked to him with his dagger and cut his manhood, while still smiling. Another scream and he fainted 

Darius told his guards to take him to dungeon but look after him and if he lived, they were going to sell him on Arabian market as an eunuch slave.  

After that, I also became unconscious and when I woke up, I was in my own room with my father on my side. He asked me about Sasan but I said I did not know where he was. We have never found out what had happened to him, but then I swore to myself that I would avenge him, I would make Darius ache the way he did to my cousin.  

If you had not attacked Peria, I planned to have a coup and overturn Darius's government, then I was going to take Roxanne in front of his eyes over and over for what he did to beloved cousin, but then you attacked and I decided to help you to get what I want. I am telling you now that nothing can stop me from my revenge so you better give Roxanne to me." 

Shocked by what I had heard, I watched him leave with no other words. Darius was truly a monster, to torture someone in that way just because of what they did out of instinct was a horrifying crime. Some part of me sympathised with the man but then again, it was not Roxanne's fault what had happened to his cousin, so I could not allow her to pay for Darius's deed.  

I had to call Farhad and Cleon and draft a letter to Ravi. For a moment I dreaded their judging eyes but to hell with them, I was still the king, the great king of Peria, and what I wanted, I would get.

POV Roxanne 

Days passed and he had not come to visit me again. The last time I saw him was when he came to announce his proposal and left without noticing how upset I was. Everyday, I expected him to come around, I spent every moment in fear of him and what I was going to do. I could not sleep well in fear of what would happen to me when I finished my plan, or worse, if I got caught red handed. It was a constant nightmare, but I was determined in my plan to kill Alexander.

At first, I thought of an easy kill. Sahra, Darius's Arab concubine, was a master in exotic poisons. Despite her young age, she knew different kinds and how to get them. But I was forbidden from meeting anyone other than my mother and she seemed quite happy of that arranged marriage that was about to happen soon. I could not understand her new attitude, she would not allow me to express my dissatisfaction or hear me saying that I would not go through with this wedding. I could not use her as a contact to ask for Sahra's help.

Sorry barbarian king, no easy kill for you. It seems that gods decided that your death should be painful and bloody just like what you had done to hundreds of Perian soldiers. He had said that he would come to visit me as Darius had, every evening but still he had not shown up. He also had not permitted me to visit my brother, everyday I would send one of my eunuchs to ask for permission and they would come back to say that the king had asked the princess to wait a little longer.

Something was going on, I could hear noises from the castle, the sound of soldiers practising and riding around, they had stopped the late night banquets and from what I had heard there was no request for other harem girls for entertainment. Mother also did not know what exactly was going on but she suspected that there was going to be a war soon.

I felt kind of relieved that Alexander had not come to my room since that day, every time I remembered my plan, cold sweat would run down my spine. Still I knew if I did not go through with the plan the first time I saw him, I could never do it later. I would be under his spell.

That afternoon, my servant came to inform me that the king would come to see me in the evening. My mouth went dry and I could feel the beads of sweat all over my body as I sent the servant away and proceeded to get ready by myself. I put on a simple black dress with beading around the neck and under the breasts. It was silky and long and hugged my figure perfectly. Next, I washed my long hair with lavender water, brushed it gently and put it up using three jewelled sharp pins. My hands were shaking all along, my face was flushed of excitement and fear and I was scared that he would find out everything by just looking into my eyes. I put on my veil.

I sat on a chair waiting and counting seconds, in my mind I said goodbye to my mother and all other beloved friends and family in case I got caught. Alexander would stay in the room alone with me as he wished to see me unveiled so no one could save him. After that, I did not care what they were going to do to me, probably execute me or send me to dungeon but knowing that I saved my people from a barbarian king who knew nothing of nobility would have worth anything.

The door opened and Alexander came inside, accompanied by two guards. I made a curtesy: 

" Welcome to your servant's room, my lord. I have been expecting you for days." I said as I kneeled to take and kiss his hands. 

He seemed surprised by my words, a smile opening his ruby lips. 

" Forgive me my lady for not coming to see you before. I have been occupied with important matters and I could not take time to come and meet you." he took my hand and kissed it in return. 

I did not know why, but I felt a sudden tingle in my heart. My hand was burning in the place he had kissed and the way he was stroking my fingers while holding my hand, was driving me crazy. I tried to get away from him gently, took my hand out of his and walked to the other side of the room where I had prepared a tray of food. 

" May I bring you a drink? I have prepared a beverage especially for you." 

He sent the servants away with a move of his hand and turned to me. 

" Come and sit here with me. I do not want anything."  

How I wished he had taken the drink, it would have made my job so much easier. If he had been drunk then there was no chance of him defending himself. I looked into his eyes and saw two enchanting blue seas, for a second I regretted the whole thing and wanted not to go through with it, but then I reminded myself of all those soldiers who were killed, my brother in dungeon and myself about to be forced into a marriage I did not want. There was no other way. 

" Roxanne, I said come here." he said firmly. 

I glided to where he was, in a flirtatious manner, full aware of his eyes scanning my body movements under my silk dress. Slowly I moved my hand to the veil and took it off, taking my time as he was watching then dropped the piece of cloth on the floor and brought my gaze up to his eyes. 

Yes, I was seducing him. The poor man did not suspect a thing. I stood only steps away from him, looking straight into his eyes. His cheeks were flushed of excitement and he was breathing heavily. For the first time, I noticed a softness in his eyes and curve of his lips, never before had I noticed all the lines and features of his face. He seemed strange but somehow familiar, a man who wanted me to be his wife, killer of thousands, the barbarian king. I smiled. 

" Then allow me to bring you some fruit, it will be a delight in this warm evening."

Why did I say that? I was looking for an excuse to get away from him, his fiery looks had become too much for me to bear. I started to plate up the fruits when I felt him, he was standing right behind me. I felt his hot breathe on the back of my neck, it was like he was inhaling my scent. This time, something was tingling in my thighs, a feeling I had never known. I moved quickly away, dropped the plate and tried to get away but he grabbed my arm. 

" why have you changed your way with me?" 

The seas of his eyes were frozen, damn, he became suspicious. 

" I....I was wrong before. You are going to be my husband and there is nothing I could do about it." 

Tears, they always flew at worst times. I used all my will to stop them, he was still looking deep into my wet eyes searching for truth. My arm was in pain from his fingers' pressure. He read the pain in my face and let go, turning to head for his seat. 

" still, it is hard to believe that you have accepted everything so easily."

That was my chance, his back was to me and if I did not do it now, I would have never got another one. I closed my eyes for a moment and fight away doubts and fears in my heart, then lifted my hand and took away one of the pins in my hair and with all my strength brought it down. I had done it. I killed the barbarian king.