“Here we are dear brother. I am king and you are a traitor.”
The prisoner sitting in the dark palace dungeon made no comment.
“As king I now have everything and more. The people trust me and despise you. The nobles respect me and detest you. And now…”
Footsteps echoed throughout the dungeon.
The prisoner tensed.
A figure emerged.
They wore a white cloak.
A cruel smile crossed the king’s lips.
“Your own wife loves me.”
The woman lowered her hood.
A radiant creature.
Glossy blonde hair that seemed to glow with the help of the dim candles posted on the prison walls.
Long batting eyelashes that hid delicate blue eyes.
This gentle woman had no expression.
Her tender pink lips gave no hint to her mood.
A blank, expressionless doll.
“Malia.” Breathed the prisoner from his cell.
The woman lifted her gaze and looked directly into his eyes.
She was studying him as though he were some new mold growing from the corner of the cell.
The king smiled and took the woman into his arms.
To this, Malia pressed her head into his chest and sighed.
“Why bring me down here to this place, my king? You know I dislike filth.”
“Patience my dear lady, I only wish to reveal the one who has acted so beautifully. A performance like none other. You see dear brother, Malia was nothing more than an actress I hired. She always belonged to me…”
The king stroked Malia’s head softly. She closed her eyes in complete submission.
The prisoner backed away.
This was not the same women he had shared the past two years of his life with.
The Malia he knew was stubborn and distant. She was reluctant to speak to him at first, but eventually they found common ground in their sudden marriage.
Malia was never affectionate or friendly.
She was cold to him and kept their conversation short.
It was impossible to like Malia, and yet her beauty made him lenient with her.
She walked in the garden like a fairy, roamed the hallways like a ghost, and crept into his dreams in the middle of the night.
Never had he confessed love to her, his own wife, and yet their was some strange pull that kept him bound.
It was in the passing moment at the stairs of his home, the moments were she looked at him through a window, and when she stayed sewing on the sofa just to listen to him play piano in the evenings.
She always kept her distance. Always.
The king watched with satisfaction as the prisoner’s heart was broken.
It was a painful realization that the woman he loved was nothing more than a staged enemy.
Malia opened her eyes and glanced at her imprisoned husband.
She sighed.
“I do not want to stay here. I’m tired.”
“By all means my lady, you should rest.”
Malia turned to go, but the king pulled her to him.
He smiled waiting for her to kiss him.
Malia smiled and caressed the king’s face.
“You have it all and you still want more… how greedy…”
She kissed him.
Slow. Deep.
Pulling away, Malia touched his lips.
“Do not question my loyalty, my king. It is unwavering.”
Malia left the palace dungeon as quietly as she entered.
The king laughed.
“You are so gullible brother. I thought it would be impossible for you to be best by anyone and look now. A dainty girl caught your eye and you were oblivious to her true nature. I will enjoy seeing your end. The mighty prince, protector of all people is to be destroyed once and for all!”
The king left.
***
Hours passed.
Night had come and went.
The sun would greet the sleepy kingdom before long.
Footsteps echoed.
At this point the prisoner was not interested to see who had come.
“Get up.”
The prisoner looked up.
Malia, in her white coat.
A devil in disguise.
She produced a key from her pocket. Quickly she unlocked the cell door.
Watching her silently, the fallen prince dared not believe in her kindness.
“What do you want Malia.”
“For you to live.”
“Why?”
“Because you do not deserve to die. Not like this.”
“Suddenly you are a contradiction.”
Malia stood at the door and crossed her arms.
“I betrayed you. Yes. It was out of necessity. Sadly, my life story is not important at the moment. Now, come on, there’s not a lot of time-“
The prisoner pushed Malia away. She stumbled back and fell.
She gasped.
Rushing to her, the prisoner held her down and cupped his hands around her neck.
“Innocent people died because of your actions, Malia. How dare you come down here and pretend to help me! Have you no conscience?!”
Malia flinched. Tears stung at her eyes. She reached her hand up and touched his hands.
“I am responsible for things far worse than death… I live with chains so heavy I wonder why lightning has not struck me down yet… releasing you from this cell is a small step of grace.”
Narrowing his eyes, the prisoner focused on Malia.
She was… beautiful.
A firm sigh came out of him.
He released her.
“You dare disobey my brother?”
“…He will never know. Should he suspect, then I think my end is befitting…” Said Malia softly.
She rubbed her neck with her eyes closed. Sitting up slowly, Malia wiped away that single tear from her eye.
“You should worry about yourself.” Said Malia sharply, “I am not your concern.”
“No… not anymore.”
She stood up and pulled out a small bag.
“There is a narrow hallway that leads out of the palace. Waiting by the palace wall is someone who owes me their life. They will take you safely out of the kingdom.” Said Malia.
Hesitant to accept the bag, the prisoner looked at Malia.
Her eyes were downcast.
She was avoiding his eyes.
That was the Malia he knew.
A woman who dared not gaze at him.
Instead of taking the small bag, the fallen prince touched Malia’s chin and lifted it slowly.
She gripped the small bag in her hands and closed her eyes. Her head was in his hands. She was obedient to him. She did not resist in the slightest.
“Malia, look at me.”
She opened her eyes and met his gaze. Malia, blinked quickly and turned her head away.
He grabbed her and pushed her against the wall, forcing her to be still.
She was trembling. Tears began streaming down Malia’s cheeks.
“Look at me.” He repeated.
Malia dropped the small bag, and the gold coins spilled out. She grabbed his arms and pleaded.
“Enough of this! You are wasting time. I- I cannot be gone for too long, they’ll notice-“
The fallen prince leaned forward and touched Malia’s cheek. She became silent and closed her eyes.
Tossing her arms around him, Malia embraced her dear husband while sobbing bitterly.
She buried her head into his chest and took deep breaths to stop crying.
“Was it always like this…Malia?” asked the fallen prince, “I suppose I have been foolish for failing to recognize the truth in your eyes. You can lie to anyone you wish, because there is nothing you desire from them. You lie to everyone and yet there is an exception… your eyes tell the truth no matter what you say… so you have been afraid to look at me…”
The fallen prince, this shadowed prisoner held Malia in his arms. She was sinking into him completely relieved from the pain.
He sighed deeply. He held her tightly. Holding her head, he rested it on his shoulder. Her neck exposed to him.
He leaned forward to speak gently and let his warm breath linger on her.
“Malia, your beauty bewitched me. It was a mindless pleasure to use your body to tempt me. A kiss means nothing to you Malia, you have a different kind of love, a brutal and tormenting love that you used on me… Malia, you should never have loved me… never…”
Tears streamed down Malia’s neck and the fallen prince brushed his lips to taste the bitter salt.
Malia shivered as he kissed her left eye.
“Please… no more… please, don’t…”
“I know that you are helpless, Malia… completely subdued…”
“Enough, please…”
Her coat fell down and her dress was easily ruined.
Malia covered her chest and pleaded again. She stared at him waiting for his answer.
The fallen prince touched her hands and pulled them away.
Malia stared at him with such ease that he could not help but kiss her hands.
“Your heart is mine, Malia. I will take it to the grave…”
And at that moment, lightening struck.
