Chapter 1 – The Volunteer
She was left at a the mouth of a jagged black cave. A willing sacrifice to the village's great protector, the ancient Serpent Lord.
She confidently nodded and Ardyn Stronghood walked into that black suffocating hole- alone.
As she walked through the dark, she thought to herself.
'This was my choice, and I live without both regret and fear.'
She saw the glow of the golden cave long before she ever reached it. When she stepped inside, it took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the light.
As soon as they did, she saw the wonder of the smooth walls and floor.
She also saw the massive serpent watching her from the far end of the golden cave. His massive body was looping around a huge mound of gold and treasure, his head resting at the top, and his eyes were focused on her.
Her heart pounded within her chest, not because she was afraid but because seeing the Serpent Lord struck a deep cord within her, she was taught to loathe the half-breeds, to not trust those with magic.
And now…
… something shifted and sparked within her soul and it made her both curious and furious at the same time.
She knew better than to fall for the temptations of the beast-kin.
'What is this flutter? This motion that is exciting and forbidden at once?' Her eyelashes fluttered as she tried to focus her thoughts and her wavering sight.
The serpent watched her keenly, his eyes narrowing with curiosity at her facial expressions. No human entered this cave and watched him so intently.
What was this emotion on her face? It wasn't fear, he recognized both the look and taste of fear on a human, and this – this was not it.
His eyes went wide at her next action.
She took in a big breath, her chest rising high with the effort, and spoke clearly.
"My name is Ardyn Stronghood, My Serpent Lord, and I am your sacrifice this year."
Everything went quiet. The serpent watched her, curiosity swirling in his gut. He could she that she was an anomaly. That she was oddly, beautifully unique.
The thought of a human being beautiful surprised him.
He moved along his treasure, angling for a better look, because he wanted to know how both he and this anomaly would react.
Ardyn stood her ground, never flinching, waiting to see what would come next, but he saw a flicker in those beautiful amethyst eyes and a spark was struck within him again.
He felt it flow swiftly through him and warm his complete being. He narrowed his eyes, he wanted this girl.
Finally, the serpent's head rose. His gaze still fixed on hers. His great black body continued to slide across the massive pile of treasure to face her directly.
The silver streaks in his scales glistened, as if they were fluid, every time he moved. He brought his huge, fanged head above her and looked down.
"My sacrifice," He hissed, his long tongue jutting out after every other word. "And how are you so sure that you will be accepted."
She tilted her head up, determined confidence rolling through her. There was no turning back.
"That part is up to you, My Lord. Your will is my command."
He blinked.
How interesting this stunning creature was. His body warmed more as those eyes seemed to peer into his soul.
He great serpent body rose, the coils loosening to rise high into the ceiling of the cave. His voice booming down to reverberate against her tiny being.
"And if I do not want you as my sacrifice?"
His massive head came down fast, much too fast, and their eyes met, electricity sparking between them. Ardyn's mouth went dry as she looked into those massive silver pools mesmerized.
"What if I take you was my treasure Ardyn Stronghood? What if I claim you was something more precious than any gold or gem?"
She frowned was this some trick? Her eyes roaming of his pile of treasure.
Smoke rose around him, black and silver, it surrounded him completely. He spoke from the smoke, his voice ethereal and oddly clearer than before.
"You call me Lord, so you understand that what I want I get." With this she found her voice.
"I do My Lord. Do with me as you please."
The words flowed easily from her lips even as disgust rose in her chest. She had to give herself over to the vile creature, but it did not mean she would fully embrace it. It was duty, nothing more.
A melodious laugh flowed from the swirling smoke and she could not help but smile. The smoke plumed inward as if it were going to disappear in a single central point.
Ardyn blinked and before her stood the most beautiful creature she had ever seen.
His black scales glistened with drops of silver, deep moats of the silver accents flowing down his arms and legs. As he walked toward her it all seemed to ripple and flow.
Her heart hammered in her chest and her breathing was uneven. He stopped before and she looked up to find him staring down at her too intently.
Her tongue slid over her lips and she swallowed hard. He smiled and she felt pulled into him by those hypnotic silver eyes.
He leaned forward and cupped her tiny chin in his massive hand, she intuitively closed her eyes, like a small child waiting for a surprise. His breath hit her face, it was loamy, ancient, spiced with cinnamon and ginger and she impulsively inhaled deeply. She wanted to remember it, etch the memory of this scent into her brain.
"Ardyn Stronghood. You are mine, from this moment forward you belong to me to do with as I please. This I, the Serpent Lord of Terra Pulchra, decree to last forever. Let any challenge me for this and they will be destroyed."
The last words were spoken against her lips. His scales like soft slivers of exotic minerals. His touch nourished her lips and tongue and the sensation made a small moan escape her mouth.
She frowned internally, bile rising to the back of her throat. Had she been bewitched? She was not supposed to enjoy his touch, or want him to be close to her always. What was this and why did it ring natural.
He traced a clawed black finger along her soft white cheek. Those jeweled amethyst eyes, calm, quiet, and searching. There was not a hint of fear even with him so near, even with his claw to her skin.
Why did he keep getting lost within those eyes? How was her skin so soft?
His eyes narrowed, and something deep, distant, and hidden stirred within him, and he found that he would cherish her always.
"Come with me. I want you to see your new world."
She blinked rapidly, stepped into his embrace calmly, and felt an odd pushing and pulling sensation engulf her body.
She only realized that her eyes had been shut tight when he let go. She opened them and gasped.
Her heart swelled as she looked out upon a vast, beautiful valley, huddled deep within an even larger cave.
It was truly a burst of color and wonder embraced by grey stark heaviness.
Her amethyst eyes twinkled as her heart seemed to resonate with the sight, as if this was where she had always belonged.