~ Guilt ~ 2011
The look on the King’s face was unspeakable. Torn between mourning his lost love and seeking the truth, he found himself trapped in a storm of conflicting emotions. The details of her death burned into his mind—each word about the rape stoking a fire in his heart. Hatred swelled within him, an unrelenting desire for vengeance. He wanted nothing more than to see their blood on his sword.
The mark was indeed there, just as he had feared. Though he recognized it, it was only from the stories and mythical tales of old. As he made his way back to his chamber, the weight of the day pressed heavily on him. He desperately needed a bath, to wash away the blood—Lamora’s blood. He needed to be alone, to think clearly about what must come next.
The chambermaids moved quietly, filling the bath with pails of steaming water. Others tended the fire, placing logs with careful precision. The King watched as the flames crackled and popped, their light dancing across the room. Solemnly, he requested his supper be brought up, along with a stout ale.
When the room was set just right, he dismissed the maids, allowing silence to reclaim the space. Slowly, he undressed, each movement weighed down by the thoughts swirling in his mind. Nothing made sense; confusion clung to him like a shroud. He sank into the bath, letting the warmth seep into his bones, welcoming the temporary relief it offered. The heat spread from his fingers to his toes as he sank deeper, allowing the water to rise over his mouth.
The scent of sandalwood and sage filled the room, a gentle reprieve from the lingering smell of blood. But the metallic taste of it seemed to burn on his tongue, an unshakeable reminder of what had happened. He let the water rush over his face, soaking his hair, wishing it could wash away the guilt that gnawed at him.
He knew exactly why she had been in the meadow that afternoon. He also knew why she had chosen that particular spot—how else would he have found her so easily? He had begged her not to go. It was too far, and the darkness would soon fall. She shouldn’t have been traveling alone. He slid deeper into the water, wishing he could disappear beneath its surface and never reemerge. Knowing why she was there was one thing, but who else had been with her?
He loved her. She knew that. But men have their lusts, their desires. No one knew. Well... one person knew. What was he to do about her? Damn it, he wasn’t supposed to be this person. How had it come to this?
He had everything he needed with Lamora. He loved her. But the secret weighed on him like a stone, pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe. The guilt was relentless, heavy and cold, and it threatened to consume him whole.