Seducer of Souls - Chapter Three and Four

Ann held on grimily, digging her hands into the horse's thick black mane.  The treacherous ride brought dangers but determination drove her on, with new resolve she encouraged her ride to greater efforts.
Noticing the main gates were open, Ann turned the stallion in their direction.  Soldiers rushed to close them and block her path.  Trusting the horse's strength, she leaned over its neck, closing her eyes when all before her where scatter like leaves.
Briefly, relief washed over her as her mount cleared the gates and rushed down the adjoining steep plains.  She lifted her head slightly trying to get some kind of bearing.  In the distance a forest came into view, hoping the trees where part of Norstar forest she focused the stallions attention towards them.  If she could reach the forest, there might be an opportunity to hide from Draken and his soldiers.
 
The forest loomed agonisingly closer, just a little further and she could be safe. Sweat rolled down the horse's neck and its nostrils flared alarmingly.  Realizing exhaustion could overcome the beast; she tried to slow it down. 
As she tried to ease the horse back, a great shadow appeared from above, looking up she cursed.  Draken pursued her riding Toka.
The stallion started to weave, unnerved by the great black dragon.  Fighting to control the frightened animal, Ann griped him with her thighs and tried to turn him towards the forest.
Toka dived in front on them, blocking their trail.  The horse lurched sideward nearly pitching Ann off.  Desperately she tried to sooth the beast, but to no avail.  Fear raged through its feverish mind sending it into an erratic dance.
She hung on, all hopes of control forgotten, finally the horse reared up throwing her backwards.  Landing heavily, she cracked her head on the hard ground.  Pain flashed intensely through her mind, struggling to retain consciousness and still hoping to reach safety, she rolled over onto her side.  Her sight darkened with the endeavour.  Flopping back, she became dimly aware of Draken walking towards her before darkness consumed her senses

 * * * * * *

Geran angrily paced outside the bedroom that adjoined his own.  He had delivered Ann there into the hands of gifted healers that offered their services to his family.  He now impatiently waited for news of her injuries.
He stopped pacing when Niriam appeared on the landing.
"This is your doing," he snapped.
Niriam's eyes glinted.  "I tried to smooth the way for you. "
"Killing a maid smoothed things did it?"
Niriam stridded up to her son, putting aside all respect.
"Don't you question my actions.  You forget whom you speak to," said Niriam.
Geran straightened to his full height.  "No lady.  You forget whom you deal with.  Now father is too frail to rule, I am king of the Northern Lands."
"You are king and just like your father you have a vicious streak.  Mark my words son, you may break this girl but she will never enjoy your company.  No more than I do your fathers."
Facing her wrath Geran returned his mothers intent look with his own steady dark stare.
"I will have much more with my queen than father has with you."
Niriam laughed bitterly in his face. "She will never be a willing spouse, she will only ever been a breeding mare.  Keep company with whores if you want real pleasure."

Her laugh ceased when Geran's slapped her across the face, the sound echoing around the narrow passage. 

Geran looked at his mother, saddened by her bitterness.
Softly he said, "I think it would be best for you to retire to your room."
Without further argument, she turned her back on him and disappeared down the corridor.
He took a keep breath to steady his temper before walking into the bedroom.  On entering the healers parted from their patient allowing him to move to her bedside.

"She will recover my lord," said one of the healers.
Geran nodded. "How long?" he said.
"We are unsure.  However, we do not expect any response from her for some days."
Geran dismissed the healers.  Then sitting holding her slim hand, he pondered on what the future would bring.
If he wanted a willing queen, he would have to woe her, seduce her and show her all the opportunities that royalty brought. Reaching out he ran his fingers through her hair brushing it away from her pale face.  He would have an equal at his side, not a mad women who only endured his presence.  He would find a way to become her hearts deepest desire.