Which meant, mostly if anything, the townspeople would spend today gossiping and discussing Solace's fate instead of harassing her. Tomorrow, though, before she left, she knew they'd come. They'd call her names and berate her and tell her this was the only thing she was good for.
And, she knew, all she would do was smile.
Tonight, though, she could read. Read and prepare. She didn't want to cry or frown or anything. She wouldn't call back to them and negate their claims. She needed to remain strong and sure and let them remember her as a hero, the woman who offered herself to the Demon King in order to save everyone and keep peace.
She knew she needed to do this, but why did it seem so hard and impossible?
***
"Do you have any questions, Solace?" Mayor Bennett asked her.
"No, sir," she answered.
He nodded, his expression austere. "Alright. With this, I announce you absolved of all crimes and treachery you have ever committed against the town of Glenwood. With this, and my authority as mayor, the woman, Solace, shall now be marked as one of the willing sacrifices for the Demon King, a hero, to wed him and do as he sees fit. Solace, you will bridge the gap between the monstrous host and the humans so that we may keep our peace for another century. Glenwood thanks you."
Solace couldn't remember having committed any crimes or treachery against anyone, let alone against Glenwood. She didn't know what to say, wasn't sure how to react, except to nod. Maybe, perhaps, she'd done something she didn't know about? What, though?
Standing in the middle of town on a hastily erected platform set up for just this occasion, she tried to remember. The only thing that came to mind was what always happened, though. Everyone hated her for their own reasons, and she understood that she wasn't perfect, but was that a crime? If her stitches to Thomas's church pants weren't exceptional, with just one minor mistake, was that treachery? Or was it something before that?
She never knew her parents, since they'd died when she was young. Maybe it had something to do with them. Father William knew them, but the only thing he told her was that she was barely one year old when they passed. He refused to elaborate and said that doing so would ruin their memory. She sensed something more from him, though, something he didn't want to tell her. Since he was the only one who acted kindly to her, she didn't want to press the issue and make him reconsider his opinion of her.
Two men walked up the steps of the platform and stood at her sides. They said something to the mayor, then they each took one of her arms and escorted her off the platform. Men and women muttered all sorts of things as she walked with her guards. Some said nothing important, treating this day like any other, while others whispered about her fate and what would happen. No one seemed concerned in as much as they sounded curious about the specifics involved.
In fact, quite a few people acted the opposite of concerned. Mayor Bennett said she was a hero, but these people still despised her.
"Good riddance," one man said, more than loud enough for her to hear.
"Thank the gods we're done with her," Mrs. Miller said to her husband.
Thomas watched her walk away, silent and teary-eyed. She smiled at him, hoping to reassure him, but she couldn't stand to look at him for long. If she did, if she continued smiling at him, she knew she would cry.
"I hope the Demon King doesn't expect a virgin," Levi shouted above the hustle of the crowd. "The horses got to her first!"
That broke the unease, and more than a few people laughed. Those who didn't laugh broke away and went back to their regular daily routine. The crowd dispersed, bored with the high council's decision already. Before Solace even left Glenwood, everyone had forgotten about her.
"Sorry, there," one of the men escorting her said. "We really are thankful, Solace. I am, at least."
"Quiet, Stan," the other man said.
"Look, Bill," Stan said. "I have a daughter back home and it could have very well been her going instead of Solace. I know that the council voted, and the obvious choice was her, but what happens in the next hundred years? What if my great-granddaughter is chosen then? You should be thankful, too."
"I am," Bill hissed. "I'm thankful, but that doesn't excuse her. They can put it in the history books all they want, but I don't care. It doesn't make up for..."
"She doesn't even know. It's not her fault."
"You think she doesn't? I doubt it."
Solace listened and smiled and tried to act indifferent. While the men argued and walked her towards the edge of the Forest of Sacrifice, she stayed strong. Or, she tried, but the constant, unstoppable shaking emanating from the center of her body, rattling out to her legs and her arms and every part of her, might have shown otherwise.
***
They arrived at the forest's edge in less than an hour. Stan and Bill peered around, frantic with worry. By then, Solace felt better. Not entirely at ease, but somewhat more so than before. She stood tall, looking forward, awaiting her fate.
Two lumbering ogres thumped through the forest. They approached Solace and the two men. Each wielded a heavy club in one hand and looked menacing beyond belief, standing two feet taller than any regular man and with faces like rotten apples.
"This her?" one of them asked the men.
"Look small," the other said, scrutinizing Solace.
"Yes," Bill said. "This is her. Solace. She's... she's the sacrifice."
"Sacrifice?" the first ogre asked, lifting a thick brow.
Stan elbowed Bill hard. "She's the bride. For the Demon King."
"Solace," the second ogre said, testing the name for himself. "Funny name."
"I happen to like it," Solace said, deciding she had a say in whether her own name was funny or not. "I think it's very nice."
The first ogre looked at the second and let out a hearty chuckle. "She tell you!"
"She do," the second said, frowning. "Sorry, Solace. Good name. Me Gronch."
The first grinned and thrust a finger at his chest. "Me Crunch."
"Why do they call you Crunch?" Bill asked.
Crunch bared his sharpened teeth. "Like to crunch." For emphasis, he licked his lips and then snapped his teeth together.
Solace flinched. The two men took more than a few steps back.
Gronch rolled his eyes. "Right, right. We go now. Keep peace. Glenwood good neighbors. Here."
The ogre reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin as big as Solace's palm. He flicked it towards the guards and it flipped through the air, catching a glint of the late afternoon sunlight as it fell towards the men. Stan caught it and almost dropped it.
"This thing's heavy," he said.
"Heavy good," Crunch said. "Bigger is better."
Stan and Bill didn't have time to discuss the formalities of largeness and goodness. Having received the peace sigil, they rushed back towards Glenwood. Crunch and Gronch stared after them as they ran away, confused.
"In hurry?" Crunch asked Solace.
"Dinner waiting, maybe?" Gronch offered.
Solace shook her head. She didn't know these two ogres, and she didn't know what was waiting for her at the end of their escort, but she needed to make the best of it. "They're scared," she said. "They hate me."
"Weird," Crunch said. "You pretty. Bastion like."
"Bastion?" Solace asked.
"Demon King," Gronch said. "He Bastion."
***
Gronch and Crunch led her through the Forest of Sacrifice. They pushed aside tree branches so she could walk past them without ruining her clothes and they lifted her up and over any fallen logs they encountered. At first it took some getting used to, and she didn't know why they did it, so she asked.
"You Queen," Crunch said, as if this was all the answer he needed to provide.
So, that was it? They helped her because she was the new Queen, the bride for the Demon King, Bastion. A simple courtesy and nothing more. Most likely they'd treat her differently once she arrived, when threat of the Demon King's disap
proval was gone. The King, Bastion, was probably waiting at the entrance to the monster city. He'd want to see her, of course, and make certain Glenwood hadn't sent him some frail excuse for a woman.
And, really, if anything, Solace wasn't frail, so she didn't expect to disappoint him in those regards. She wore a ragged dress colored in a simple brown, and she was in a constant state of hunger because she never knew when she'd eat her next meal, but she was strong enough. She knew how to work and had spent her fair share of time cleaning. More voluptuous than muscular, but she could hold her own. And, despite everyone in Glenwood mocking her, she thought she looked pretty. Her hands were too calloused, but she had lovely honey blonde hair that ended in curls and the rest of her skin was soft and supple.
Not that anyone could see that beneath her dress. Except the Demon King might want to? She blushed at the thought of it. Wasn't that his right, though? As her husband obviously he'd want to see her body. And on their wedding night it was essentially a requirement. Would he find her attractive, though? Adequate? Since he was a demon, he probably had different ideas on what qualified a woman's beauty, and really, no one had ever called Solace beautiful to begin with, so she doubted he would. She liked to think she was, some prize hiding beneath a rough exterior and waiting for her one true love, but...
No longer. That wasn't to be. She was the Demon King's now, his wife, his possession. It didn't matter what he thought of her just so long as he accepted her as Glenwood's peace offering.
The idea scared her. She didn't want to be just a thing, an item to be owned.
"You slow," Crunch said.
"Yeah," Gronch agreed. He picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder.
Solace squeaked. "Excuse me!"
"Shh. Quiet. I carry."
"I don't think I need to be carried."
"No worries, Solace," Crunch said. "Gronch don't mind. He strong."
"It's not a matter of..."
Gronch patted her rear with his hand, making her squeal. "You not heavy. Is easy."
His hand stayed on her ass, balancing her, while he carried her through the forest. She didn't think he meant anything by it, but it was horribly awkward. His fingers rested lightly on her body, the middle one finding a spot in between the cheeks of her butt, while the fingers beside that lay along the curves of her hips. With such large hands, his thumb and pinky finger easily fit around her waist, too, and he held her in his grip, firm and steady. Every jolt and bump as he walked sent his fingers moving slightly this way and that, teasing and pushing at her rear assets.
Solace squirmed, trying to get loose a little bit, maybe hoping he'd realize this was awkward for her, but it didn't help. Thankfully he didn't carry her for too long before they arrived. It was degrading, but it was also probably something she needed to become accustomed to, unfortunately.
"Here," Crunch said. "You first, Solace."
Gronch lowered her to the ground like she was his pet or a doll. "In there," he said, pointing to a hole.
"What?" she asked. "Where's the city?"
"There," Crunch said, also pointing to the hole.
"Down," Gronch added.
Glancing at the hole, Solace saw a ladder protruding from the top. She bent down then lowered her feet into the hole, finding purchase on the rungs. Grabbing the topmost rung, she looked back at the two ogres. "This?"
"Yeah," they both said at the same time.
Solace descended. Tree roots and tufts of dirt stuck out from the side of the hole, but not enough to impede her path. In fact, the hole was rather wide, and as well it should be since how would ogres fit down it otherwise? Solace's petite frame was nothing compare to their musculature and broad shoulders, so if they could make it then so could she.
Except, with every foot she lowered and every rung she descended, the hole became darker and darker. She saw a glint of light far above her now, but barely anything. A circle showed her the way back aboveground with nothing to guide her below. She felt crushed and anxious, lowering herself to who knew where, without any reservations at first but soon gaining many rather quickly.
The ladder ended and she placed her feet on solid ground. A tiny man with a hat approached her carrying a lantern.
"Who the fuck are you?" he asked.
"I'm Solace?" she said, confused.
"Are you sure?" the little man asked. He stood about as tall as her waist and he held the lantern up high, by her breasts. "Nice chest," he said.
"Excuse me!" she said, annoyed. "I'm... I'm the Queen. Or I'm going to be. I'm not yet."
"So?"
"I thought..." This wasn't at all what she expected.
Gronch clambered down the ladder and stood next to Solace. "This Solace," he said. "She bride for Bastion."
"Oh," the tiny man said. "I guess that's good."
"Is good," Gronch said. "She pretty. Bastion like."
"Ehhh, she's alright," the man said. "Kind of tall. Nice butt, though." Without any hesitation, he slapped her ass.
Solace stared at him. "Can you please not do that?"
"Jonas just tenderizing," Gronch said. "Is good."
"Yeahhh, tenderizing. Let's go with that." The tiny man, Jonas apparently, smirked.
"I don't want to be tenderized," Solace said. She held her hands behind her back, covering her butt. "I'm not a piece of meat and you can't eat me."
"Huh?" Gronch said, looking at Jonas, confused.
"Beats me, bud. Better bring her to the wisps, though. I'll tell Bastion she's here." Jonas saluted the ogre then shuffled off down a hallway. Before he left, he tossed the lantern to the hulking ogre.
"Wisps?" Solace asked.
"Wisps is wisps," Gronch said, shrugging. "Is good. You like."
Crunch, apparently, wasn't coming with them. Gronch held the lantern high and gestured for Solace to follow him.
The underground cavern was tall, with multiple pathways leading away from the hole to the surface. Jonas took one, but there were three more heading off in other directions, and then a fifth that she and Gronch went down. Gronch stumbled along, humming to himself, and Solace followed after him.
"Is there a city?" she asked.
"Yes. Is road, this. City soon. Go to wisps first."
Oh, yes, of course. She frowned. Despite her earlier question, she knew somewhat about wisps. They were mischievous and vile creatures, shimmering balls of light, that haunted swamps and lured lost travelers astray. Men followed the wisps in hopes of being led out of the swamps, but more often than not they became even more hopelessly gone and drowned a murky death in the darkest depths of the worst mires.
Was that what Gronch had planned for her? Except, no, he couldn't. She needed to see the Demon King, so the wisps couldn't do her any harm. Also, there weren't any swamps down here, not as far as she knew.
She followed the ogre, worrying, unsure about everything and dreading the end of it. They wanted to lull her into a sense of security, no doubt, until the final moment arrived. Prepare her for the Demon King, Bastion, and then listen to her pleading screams. His ravaging, her fear. Her agony incarnate and his wicked, tormenting mockery melding into one, all for the pleasure of the monstrous host.
It... no...
"Here," Gronch said, stopping.
Caught off guard, nervous and on edge, Solace crashed into him. "Oh, I... I..." she stammered.
"Go there," Gronch said. He moved aside and pointed to the end of the tunnel. Built into an earthen wall was a large wooden door. "Inside."
"I can't," she said. "Please, Gronch? I know you're an ogre and this must be regular for you. I understand, but please, don't make me."
"Huh?" Gronch said.
"I don't want to die," Solace said. "I'm scared."
Gronch smiled at her, some wretched abomination of sharpened teeth and gums. "No worries, Solace. Wisps good. Go, go."
He opened the door for her and ushered her inside, ignoring her pleas and frantic grasps for the door casing. With a gentle, yet firm shove
, he sent her in the rest of the way and closed the door behind her, leaving her in darkness.
She stood there, quiet and still. If she didn't make a noise then no one would know she was here. If no one knew, then she could listen and wait for Gronch to leave. She could go back out the door and return to the ladder and the hole and escape to the surface. And then what? She didn't know, but anything was better than being here.
The sound of a tinkle and a sparkle of light ruined her plan. A wisp shimmered into existence in the middle of the darkness, floating ominously in the middle of the room. With its light revealing some of the darkness, Solace saw more of the room around her.
It looked like a den, like the large open living area of a log cabin in the middle of the woods. Instead of logs as walls, polished slabs of earth stood in their place. A marble table occupied one corner of the room, with a curtained off area on the other side. More wisps popped into existence, sparkling and twinkling, and a few of them floated past the curtains. They came back covered in blankets and somehow carrying pillows beneath them, which they zipped over and dropped onto the table.
Almost like a bed, really...
"If you'll lay down," the first wisp chimed, "we can begin."
Solace gasped. "You can talk?"
"If you say so," the wisp said. "Talking is so uncivilized. We prefer to sing. You may talk, though."
Now that she thought about it, the wisp's voice did sound more sing-songy than otherwise.
Solace nodded. "I'm afraid I'm not a very good singer."
"Nonsense," the wisp sang. It fluttered behind her and pushed against her back, urging her towards the table. "Everyone's a good singer if only they try. That's all there is to it."
This was entirely new and caught her off guard. No one except Father William had ever told her she was good at something before. And even then, she expected he only did it to try and counter what others said. It made her happy when he told her these kinds of things, but she somewhat expected it of him, too. He didn't actually think she was good at anything, he just...
His Absolute Insistence: A Scandalous Billionaire Love Story (Jessika, #2) Page 14
