"P-please… release them," I say weakly.
Prince Barrios looks over his shoulder. His golden eyes blaze, churning like a black fire hole. I can see the swirling air sink into his eyes, attracting all the magical power in the area from Diethard, Gottwald, Leonita, Eulalia, and me. His body glows as he absorbs the energy. Until now, I haven't witnessed magic to this degree. He does nothing but stand before my servants, projecting immense power effortlessly. This doesn't compare to what I did with Diethard and Gottwald. I barely knew what I had done—it just happened. The difference in our powers is indisputable.
"L-let them go... I-I... I-I will go with you. J-just let them go!" I say, my voice labored.
The pressure against my body engulfs me. The Prince stares at me for a few moments that feel like an eternity. My body rises to the point of no return. I can't fight against his power any longer. My handmaidens and guards have already succumbed to the onslaught. But as abruptly as it started, the pressure vanished. I let out a deep breath I didn't realize I was holding, panicking to breathe as much air as possible. Prince Bardas holds me firm with his arms, preventing me from collapsing onto the floor like my followers.
"Tell them to leave, my lady," Prince Barrios demands.
They struggle to look up at me, but I nod my hand for them to listen to Prince Barrios.
"Wait for me," I whisper, the fright in my voice apparent.
They soberly nod. Diethard and Gottwald push themselves to their feet. The men bow to me and turn to help my handmaidens up. The ordeal seems hardest on them. 'Was it because I didn't kiss them like Gottwald and Diethard?'
They walk away in the opposite direction with reluctance, heeding my words and leaving without protest. Forsaking me with wolves, they have no choice in the matter. Staying by my side could have cost them their lives. Prince Barrios watches as they retreat until the sound of their footsteps vanishes. I try to break free from Prince Bardas' grasp but realize how strong this man is. Even with my previous body, I wouldn't be capable of breaking free. I'm struck by another stark realization.
It's beyond my comprehension how scared I am. His grip tightens as his brother looks me over. Prince Barrios examines me like a trophy or product he plans to purchase. He runs his fingers from my chin down my neck to the top of my breasts. My skin tingles as his right-hand gropes my left breast, and he slides his left hand down my waist under my dress.
"Stop!" I struggle to say.
"There's that strong resistance spirit again… Even after your short demonstration, Barrios. Perhaps, she needs another demonstration," Bardas suggests.
"Let go of me, Bardas!" I say more emphatically, yet my voice comes out shaky.
His grip on my breast tightens, and his fingers rub the top of my mound. There's a fierceness to his touch, a deep yearning coming from within him. Barrios shows a similar intensity of emotion. His gaze never leaves mine as Bardas slips his fingers between my thighs.
"I wonder what your life was like before you found yourself here," Barrios says, walking up to me and putting his hand on my cheek. His other hand falls on my right breast, his grip intense.
I struggle to maintain composure sandwiched between the two princes. My thoughts of being observed by onlookers don't even sneak into my mind. Barrios stands as close as Bardas is behind me. I feel the sweat crawl down my skin. Barrios stares deeply into my eyes while Bardas gently kisses the back of my neck. His fingers dance slowly over my womanhood, teasing at thrusting his fingers into me.
"It was perfect! I didn't have to deal with idiots like you!" I say weakly. Barrios squeezes the tip of my nipple with his fingers, sending an electrifying torrent through my body.
"You could always go back to your life. There is no reason for you to stay here…," Bardas says, licking my neck.
"It doesn't work that way, but it doesn't matter. I can go home anytime, and I can come back."
"What do you know of this world?" Barrios asks.
"Not much, but I'll learn!"
Barrios leans in for a gentle kiss on my lips as he gropes my breast. His other hand runs down my stomach, to my hips, and around my back. Bardas pulls his hip back to allow his brother to squeeze the bottom of my butt cheek. His grip is firm, and his fingers dig into my soft flesh. A primal need burns deep within these two men, and they make it clear I am the source of it. Barrios pulls back slowly, looking into my eyes. Our eyes meet for several moments before he slowly backs away.
The Prince places his hands on my shoulders, turning me to face Bardas, who hastily embraces me with both hands, groping my bottom tightly. He kisses me as if he'll never see me again. The passion is on a level I've never experienced. I want to protest; I wish for them to stop, but my hands remain at my sides, motionless. Not a bone in my body wants this to end. I want them to take me to any room in the Castle and have their way with me. I fully expect that to happen, but like Barrios, he simply pulls away and gazes into my eyes. He stares at me for an even longer period than Barrios.
"I have important business to take care of. But I'm certain my brother can take care of your every need," Bardas says with a prolonged pause.
His hands tighten on my bottom for several more moments before finally letting go and leaving. A sadness washes over me as I watch him walk away.
"Hmm, it seems we are alone now," Barrios says.
At that moment, I feel a deep need to stop him from walking away. 'How could I feel this way about someone who just feels me up without even asking?' Yet, I feel no anger toward him. Not directly. I'm angrier about the culture than anything else. I turn back to Barrios and regard him. 'How could both men have such a pull over me?' I consider all that has happened today and decide it's time to find my handmaidens. They must have found a place to wait for me along the way to the Castle.
"What do you know? I have places to be as well," I say hastily, turning to leave.
He catches my wrist, pulling me back to his chest. Like before, he has my wrist behind my back, pulling me so I have to stand on my toes. Even then, he towers over me. I'm so small in comparison. The look in his eyes is indecipherable. His face is void of expression, yet those eyes peer into my soul. His gaze strikes my body in such a way that I feel both fear and admiration. My thighs tremble. This man arouses me, and I fight the feeling with every fabric of my being.
His touch sends shivers down my spine as his gentle hand connects with my trembling chin. With a firm yet delicate grip, he lifts my chin until our faces are mere inches apart. My toes barely remain on the ground. His breath is hot as he exhales. I try to look away, but I can't. I'm in a trance, compelled to look back into his fearsome eyes. Despite the terror I feel, there's an underlying feeling. These emotions are alien to me. 'What are these feelings? Where are they coming from?' There were girls I had crushes on growing up. Even one or two I may have loved. None of those emotions compare to these now.
His lips come closer to mine. I hold my breath as I gasp. Our lips are so close I can taste the moisture from his mouth. My heart races out of control, yet I feel him—a steady and undeniable beat. He's calm and in control. Here I am, unable to be at ease or in control. That's clear to him. He knows he's in command. As Bardas did moments before, he touches my lips, too. Both men have a powerful pull over me.
They know it, and that's their power over me. It doesn't matter that I'm this supposed Royal who will be the High Queen. None of the reasons that brought me to this world, a world I know nothing about, matter. What matters is that I'm here. He's completed some unknown journey, searched his whole life, and dreamed about this. And now I'm here, right in front of him. He'll never let me go. For reasons I can't understand, I find comfort in that. 'Is this Fate? Is this what I was born for? My destiny to be his?' I can't wrap my mind around it.
Another realization dawns on me. I'm not the person I thought I was. The person I used to be ceased to exist once I woke up in Sidra. He died the moment I turned eighteen.