Delilah

By Nikillya Favors

During the year 1413, love has no place in a chaotic environment where ruthless killing is needed to keep the citizens in line.

Much to her dismay, Princess Delilah has been forced to abandon the love of her life, Charles, to keep her citizens and kingdom safe. Now by her father’s command, she must marry the tyrant, Lord Wesley, or face execution, just as her own mother did years earlier. Delilah, who is full of fire and willfulness as she lives through her own fantasies, is now left with a decision with the potential to change the trajectory of her life forever. Will she do the right thing and marry the man, which goes against her character, or will she abandon her princess role and flee in the name of rebellious love?

In this tale of romance, deception, and hope, a young princess must decide whether to betray her country and pursue true happiness or forsake love and accept the royal title and sacrifices destiny has gifted her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jan 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781480878136

Nikillya Favors

Nikillya Favors is a first-time author who lives in Damascus, Georgia.

Book preview

CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Warning:

This book is intended for a mature audience over the age of eighteen. The contents of this book and its entirety contain fictional characters, dates, time, places, beliefs and situations. Conjured from the authors imaginations and are not meant to be implemented by any individual or individuals.

As the author holds no legal responsibilities or knowledge to any such actions, any persons decide to react on their own free will and sprit. Please keep this book out of the reach of adolescence, and impressionable individuals due to strong contents which expresses potentially triggering contents including domestic abuse, incestual themes, rape, dubious content, and torture. All characters/situations are fictional and are not based on any individual nor situation known to the author at the time of publication, creations, and developments of any kind.

The author does not hold any responsibilities regarding any health, mental, physical related issues any individual may, may not have, or develop. This book and its intended purpose are intended for fictional reading entertainment only and nothing else. The author holds no responsibility for any damage done to personal beliefs, relationships, or personal property. Please use discrepancy when handling this book. Again, This book is intended for a mature audience over the age of eighteen. This book and its entirety contain fictional characters, dates, time, places, beliefs and situations.

PROLOGUE

March 13, 1413

My dearest Charles,

You are more than the love of my life, but I fear our affair must end. Sadly, the only way to extinguish the devil’s flame is for me to marry Lord Wesley. Allen is confident this union, along with the birth of an heir, will unify our lands. For property, power, and wealth, people are willing to do about anything, including sacrificing the lives of their kin.

My love for you runs deeper than words can declare. If there were another way, I would choose you a thousand times over. Howbeit, I have been betrothed to His Lordship, and this troth is futile. I have been tormented with these unfathomable circumstances and have contemplated dooming myself. Once you receive this letter, I beseech you to heed, my love, and trust that madness has depleted me.

Before I am to be yoked, I intend to ride you once again. I know it is foolish to desire something so damning, but despite all, I do. How am I expected to wed a man I have not yet seen?

Moreover, I pray you will find benevolence in another more deserving than me. Your safekeeping is everything, even if I am not the one wielding it. Regrettably, another will bed the man I love. Oh, how I wish this unbearable weight of suffocating sadness would cease.

I must confess, the abbreviated occasions granted by Father Time have been indeed precious. How could I forsake the many nights we spent inside the long-forgotten cottage in Cypress Forest? I recall the way I burned with desire whilst your tongue roamed betwixt my legs. I confess, my love, you hypnotized me with your passionate gaze, after which my love stole my breath away upon entry, and with each powerful thrust I craved more.

I know these memories must become my secret and nothing more. I cannot help but smile at these impressions because they have fled from their time to comfort me. My heart will forever remain intertwined with yours, even when Wesley claims my body.

When I call it to mind, your touch is the perfect melody that my soul cannot shake, and your smile is another beautiful note. When our bodies were romantically intertwined, the heavens above made way for its splendor. Yet, the heavens loathe it since our affection overshadowed God’s fondness for the world.

If I do Allen’s bidding and marry His Lordship, then, my dearest, I implore you not to follow. If you do, we both will be slain. Even though I am his daughter, this guarantees no exception. My father has his suspicions already. How Allen managed to unveil our romance is a mystery.

I am forever reminded what will happen if my obligations are not satisfied. War and havoc will doom us. Just imagining the shrill cries of Havana citizens is overwhelming, along with thoughts of others blown to bits, children orphaned, and still more women and children raped and dismembered. Sadly, the survivors will be sold to slavery. If there are any. How could I live with myself if I allow this to happen?

My beloved, I wish there were a way for this madness to abate, to save them and have you to myself. Regretfully, my sweet, it is not the way it is meant to be. My father can be cruel and heartless. So heartless, in fact, he forced me to witness a grizzly execution.

Chance was thirty-eight years old and a loyal beloved cully to my father. He and his family’s undeserving demise will forever haunt me. Chance was condemned as a traitor, a thief, and a threat, but I know better. How cruel a punishment had he suffered before his own death? And to add more tarnish to Chance’s namesake, Allen made a public display of it.

Howbeit, years of unquestionable devotion quickly vanished when Alderman Recod, my father’s trusted advisor, produced substantial evidence regarding Chance’s disloyalty and questionable judgment. Allen fed into Recod’s allegations without hesitation and was anxious to administer the death sentence. Recod later reported that Chance had fled the city, fearing the king’s wrath. But I know better. Within seconds, my father added a hearty bounty for Chance’s head, dead or alive.

The word of a handsome reward swept through Havana like wildfire. Every able-bodied man was on the prowl. Within days Chance was discovered outside the city of Serpentas, where he was ruthlessly apprehended and escorted back to Havana’s stronghold, where Allen lectured me in my obligations to His Lordship. Lieutenant Penn barged in to award His Majesty the long-awaited news. Armed with this information, Allen, Recod, and Penn dismissed themselves.

For days, Allen would disappear and resurface once the day ended, only to storm into the dining hall with heavy sweat pouring from his brow, his shirt splattered with blood, and his knuckles scarred and bruised. I inquired why he deemed it fit not to change and if he had considered any possibility of Chance’s innocence? That is when he gave a chilling glare and warned me henceforth to never question his judgement.

With these spoken words, my father barely ate. His forehead was wrinkled with frustration, his eyes gleamed gray with vexation, and pulsating veins appeared along his brow. My mother remained silent altogether and ignored her husband’s ghastly appearance. After mealtime concluded, he retired to the throne room and paced the floors, muttering incoherent suggestions, theories and scratching his forehead profusely. This went on for days at a time. I feared for my father’s sanity if his obsession did not cease.

How to inflict more pain on his foe after Chance was beaten with everything at the king’s disposal? Allen exhausted all his readings in the library and even the strolls below in the catacombs. Yet Chance continued denying Recod’s allegations. Finally, after many hours of deliberation, my weary king found his answer. The next day, I noticed Allen’s menacing snarl, and Recod—who slipped a small parcel into Lieutenant Penn’s hand and took his place at his private table. What I did not know was Allen ordered Chance strapped to the breaking wheel and starved for days under the harsh sun prior to his disgusting solution. He also sent word to his commanding officer, Roman, to lay siege to Chance’s homestead.

Once the order was confirmed, Allen mandated that my mother and I stay at his side and, along with Recod, were escorted by Lieutenant Penn to the homestead. Whatever did Recod give Penn? I wonder undoubtedly; it must be linked to his vendetta against Chance.

Upon our arrival, Roman and his elite assassins apprehended the residence and detained Chance’s family outside. Emily cradled her whelp and supplied slight comfort to her girls. I confess hereafter, four guards rolled Chance into view. Everyone was rattled by his hideous appearance, except for Allen and his cronies. Chance barely clung to life. His once-handsome face was distorted, swollen, and ruined by hideous bruises, gashes, and scars. His limbs were broken and detached. There was no mistaking that he would soon die of infection.

The ungodly sight of the breaking wheel made my skin crawl. I sympathized with him, how he tilted his head lifelessly to see his kin. I peered at Allen, who sat majestically with Recod; both men basked in the glory of their adversary.

I returned my focus to Chance and studied the missing appendages and how they oozed pus. Allen gave a slight nod to Roman, indicating that Emily and her tots were free to flee to their worthless protector; howbeit, the girls hid behind their mother, afraid of their father’s appearance. With trembling hands, Emily kissed her husband whilst cradling her babe.

Their love-sickened performance didn’t sway my father one bit; instead, it infuriated him more so. Out of rage, he ordered his minions to search their chalet. What they were hoping to find is beyond me.

The ruckus cause Emily’s babe to become restless. Moments later, Allen’s men emerged unsuccessful. Why? Could they not find anything testifying to the charges against Chance? Roman gave a slight nod, indicating something had been done. Out of pure vexation, my father ordered the assassins to restrain Emily and her children, whose names were Jade, Jewel, and Gabe, the babe.

As Emily tore from her captives and threw herself at the king’s mercy, begging for clemency. Please! Milord, I beseech you, do not do this! My kin nor I wrong you not!’ She wailed, frantically peering backwards at her frightened daughters, who struggled to breathe under the might of their captors.

Allen only peered downward as if she were a filthy mutt riddled with disease and rid himself of her. When he did this, Gabe slipped from her forearm and struck ground. Emily scrambled for her babe and then offered it her breast; needless to say, it was not effective.

Penn noticed that something had slipped from her dress and instantly handed it to His Majesty. My father studied the small trinket carefully. I sensed his irksomeness increase as Allen’s jaw tightened.

Was this the item in question?

All these years you served me, you served another? Allen demanded.

No, it is not I who serve … milord … Chance said breathlessly as a slip of paper floated from the odd item. The paper read: Prove your devotion unto me and gift the head of Allen and his kinsman.

You lie. How is it this was obtained from your wife’s crossings? Allen grilled.

Milord, please … that be not mine, for I have never seen such a thing. I swear! Emily pleaded.

‘Take them and bar the door!’ Allen ordered, and the officials obeyed.

We are innocent! You know it! What cowardly king would slay an innocent woman and her babes without cause? She bellowed and struck him.

Never has anyone forgotten their place and swiped His Majesty. Without hesitation, he returned a much more vicious blow. As Roman wrestled the children inside, Jade and Jewel screamed for the aid of their father. Howbeit, what could he do? He was helplessly bound to the Lady Catherine’s wheel.

Both Club and Reed struggled to restrain Emily, who unsheathed a small dagger concealed under her garments and slashed Reed’s forearm and his face thrice. She evaded both men and attempted to slash Club’s jaw. Howbeit, he evaded the blade. Ignoring the painful, gruesome gashes, Reed grabbed Emily’s hair as Club tore the screaming infant from its mother and pummeled her to the ground. Yet her will remained untamed.

Nonetheless, when Club held a saber to Gabe’s throat, she did what any good mother and pled for her whelp’s life. This delighted both Allen and Recod.

Get inside, Allen growled. She obeyed obediently; howbeit, her eyes remained lit with fire. Once she was inside, I am assuming Jade and Jewel ran to their mother for comfort. As Penn secured the door from the outside.

We heard Emily began beating on the door wildly from the inside, demanding her son. Even still, her grunts could be heard as she desperately tried to pry the door open, but Allen had ordered a small wedge to be placed to trap them inside. Whilst outside, I bit my lip unsteadily, praying Allen would reconsider his verdict. Instead, my mother’s horse trotted up beside me, so she could clutch my hand, indicating she understood wholeheartedly. Club held Gabe so His Majesty could see. However, he simply turned his nose and gave a slight nod to Club. I averted my attention to Reed, who tended to his wounds whilst cursing incoherently.

I ask you again. What have you stolen from me? Allen growled.

Nothing … milord … Recod … Chance tried to confess.

What did I tell you, milord? Recod interjected. This filth continues to lie even upon his deathbed. How doleful.

If you value the child’s life, you will confess, Allen threatened.

The Lord favors valor, justice, and truth. There is no harm in confessing thy disloyalty. Recod professed.

You speak of my treachery … yet you have conveniently neglected to inform thy foolish lord that it was you who sided with his enemy.

What’s this? Do you care not for the life of your only son? My liege, have I not had your best interest at heart? Recod said earnestly.

Never … that be not my son ... Chance stammered.

Instantly, Club slit the babe’s throat and heaved him through the window to Emily who constantly banged on the door. From the outside, we could hear the horrific screams of Allen and Recod’s soon-to-be-victims.

Confess or your bitches will be next! Allen threatened. Chance swore, even in his current condition, that he would cut my father down. And who could blame him?

Immediately, Roman delivered several blows to Chance’s gut, erupting his festered stitches. Allen was pleased and ordered four toes collected. One for each of his brood. Club was all too ecstatic to oblige; and retrieved a small satchel and a saber and hacked off the appendages one by one.

After Club’s task was completed, he stuffed the bloody bag down Chance’s gullet. Simultaneously, Allen ordered the cottage set ablaze. I must assume the first arrow flew through the window pierced Emily’s breast. Because we heard a heavy thud, still she gathered what little strength she had and staggered toward the rear, instructed her girls to lower themselves, and broken a window. Black smoke flowed upward as their straw roof caught blaze.

About a minute or so later, Jade emerged coughing and helped her eldest sister through the opening. In turn, both girls aided their mother, who clutched the remains of Gabe. Recod, the clever bastard had anticipated this and had stationed Lieutenant Penn and three others to stand guard to apprehend any escapees.

At that moment, I envisioned myself demounting my horse and rescuing them. Howbeit, I knew the moment my foot struck the ground that Allen would have me slain, daughter or not. I had once begged my father to spare them, but he struck me and demanded I still my tongue.

Get off me! Emily wailed, coddling her lifeless whelp’s body. Recod nodded, and immediately both girls were speared through as Emily screamed. Club went to withdraw the babe remains from her arms. Howbeit, she dove at him again, only this time it was she that submitted momentarily to the fight.

You have nothing to lose. How is it your wife’s will remains strong? Recod asked.

Let … my wife be … Your quarrel …is … with … me … not she, Chance stammered feebly as Emily lunged toward the king.

Protect His Majesty! Recod bellowed. Straightaway she was put down, and sadly, all Chance could do was weep softly for the loss of his homestead.

My mother’s grip tightened around my forearm; we both shut our eyes, hoping to drown out the gruesome scene.

Burn them. Recod expressed coldly.

Each man aided the other as they flung four lifeless corpses into the blazing shack. How could my father deem Recod’s barbaric actions justifiable? What had they done to deserve this brutality?

So, I sat idly by and watched. Why must the innocent be punished for a guilty man’s crime? This is to be our fate if we are caught. Allen is deeply set in his ways and refuses to move, even if it is in the name of affection.

I looked to Recod, who sat on his steed, pondering. He said to his lord, They needed to be made an example of. As the thick cloud of smoke cleared, the heartbreaking poses of Emily and her kin burnt remains welcomed us. Never had I witnessed something so horrific. Allen, Recod, and Penn, on the other hand, were quite content.

After witnessing his family’s deaths, Chance was reverted back to the palace courtyard, where he was displayed naked, submitted to further torture, and starved for three days more. Once milord had his fun, he and his henchmen dismissed themselves to their quarters for the night. That is when I snuck out and attempted to provide Chance with suitable nourishment and tend to his injuries, knowing all the while that I could be discovered and mayhap subjected to the king’s cruelty. Even though he is my father, this means nothing to him. Nonetheless, Chance refused my services, and I could not blame him.

I am the offspring of the tyrant who slayed his kin, to say the least. Why should he trust me? However, night after night I tried to rectify my father’s mistakes, and each time Chance refused. Howbeit, on the fourth day, Recod presented my father with the brilliant idea of making Chance’s execution a public display to show how ruthless and fearsome my father can be.

A week later, the day began eerie and still. Recod was the first to rise and helped His Majesty dress. Once outside, we took our seats in the stands as the spectators gathered, as mandated.

All week, Chance had endured all sorts of punishments. How was it that his will had not broken? This question alone rattled our minds.

My father instructed Chance to be naked and beaten in full view of everyone. Whips, chains, and whatever else was available were used to pummel a defenseless man. Undoubtedly, this was some of Recod’s doing, in addition of Club, who severed Chance’s ear and hoisted it upward as homage to his King. Meanwhile, his brethren Reed used a mace to crush Chance’s kneecaps, ankles, and ribs. This was done as a warning to anyone who dare side with Allen’s foes.

Most of the townsfolk cheered, while others remained silent. My father nodded in approval and lifted his hand, indicating when Chance had had enough. Both men ceased and took their marks. Allen gestured to the executioner, who bowed respectfully, ran to center stage, unsheathed his knives, and cut Chance free.

Many of the spectators booed disapprovingly as the headsman aided Chance to a standing pose. As you can very well guess, both Allen and Recod were unnerved. Unexpectedly, the headsman picked Chance up by the throat, slammed him onto the platform, sat on his back, tucked both of his arms behind his knees, and slowly slit Chance’s throat.

The unpleasant sound of a man drowning on his own blood was unsettling to say the least. The official’s killer grabbed his prey by the hair, forcing the wound to extend and showering his audience with the gore of a traitor. When this was done, my mother and I turned away; howbeit, Allen and the Alderman did not bat an eye. The headsman took it a step further and grabbed a spear nearby and speared Chance through the ear. This action was clearly excessive. As Chance lay on the podium’s surface, pulsating, the headsman stomped and broke his neck. This was enough to make me ill.

Then, as asked, the headsman gifted his lord with a powerful strike and detached his adversary’s head, only to skewer it on a pike directly in front of me. I dare not question my father’s motives again. Afterward, Allen ordered his foe’s remains to be scattered unto Havana’s unchartered parts.

Later that very evening, a vast celebration was commemorated over Allen’s fallen nemesis, declaring this would be the fate of all who opposed him. All of it sickened me. How could they celebrate the undeserving punishment of an innocent man?

Recod stood beside his lord, chattering something and all the while nodding to Penn, who took his leave. I could not help but notice how Roman stood next to His Majesty’s wife, hands on his blade, ready to strike. What proof was there to sustain Chance’s execution? But I kept silent and allowed my father to enjoy his victory.

’Brothers till the end!’ he proclaimed. The sound of several glasses clinked in agreement, and the conversations resumed. Howbeit, my mother sat unenthralled by the actions of her husband and his ruthless advisor. She along with Roman allowed their eyes to study the expressions of their party participants.

I isolated myself from the festivities and trekked to the foyer. That is when I spotted Penn disappearing into the king’s private bureau. What was he up to?

Weeks after Chance’s demise, his head still rots on the castle’s post. Birds have long since plucked out his eyes from their sockets. His lips, or what’s left of them, turned to leather under the rays of the sun. The rest became homes for flies and maggots.

Allen said this will be your fate if you dare trifle with the ceremony. I have learned more about my husband-to-be, Lord Wesley. I regret to report he is just as barbaric as my father and Recod combined. Furthermore, it is said Wesley possesses a strange sexual morality and treats his subjects viciously.

What’s more disturbing is on the fifteenth day of this month, he ordered one of his servants’ dames dispatched. From my understanding, this was done by hanging her from the toes. Then the poor girl was thirteen and was forced to dawn the scavenger’s ring, a torturing device, made up of one single large flexible medial, that conformed to the victim’s body, binding them into an uncomfortable pose. This device could be tightened at will. Wesley, along with his men, raped and beaten her, even going as far as to gouge the poor dame’s eyes out. Once they finished, they liberated her of her breasts and tongue. I am told he even sliced parts off her if she refused to comply.

I cannot help imagining what horrors she faced. How can anyone do something so cruel? Whatever her crime was, undoubtedly it was not worth that. Why should I be forced to wed His Lordship? This entire matrimony is unholy and barbaric to say the least. I understand my union will never be founded from love but rather from power and wealth. Even now my heart weighs heavy. Words seem pointless, and so does my life.

What is the purpose of living when you are banished from it? For the safety of Havana and peace, I must adhere to my duties and relinquish our love. But I cannot help but recall the way your lips felt pressed against my neck and how your hands familiarized themselves when they squeezed my breasts with authority.

Oh, you magnificent devil, you know how to arouse me. I wish I could continue writing, since you are the only one who understands. Have I become drunk with the devil’s elixir? My dearest, I seal this interior with a kiss and a lock of my hair. Keep it as close to your heart as you are to mine.

This vellum and all others will be stored under the loose brick in the abandoned cottage, overlooking the barren fields at the edge of town. Please understand this’s a choice I wish I did not have to make. But as a princess, I am compelled to this union to the tyrant Lord Wesley. But once more, if it were up to me, I would forego my duties and live happily with you. If only we could share life together under God’s watchful eyes. Howbeit, only in dreams and quiet thoughts will we ever be together.

CHAPTER 1

A s I finished writing, overwhelming thoughts of the endless twilights that Charles and I had stolen away just to be in the comfort of each other’s arms crowded my mind. Why must our merriment be denied in favor of someone who was not equally yoked as I? I was pondering this as I folded my letter to him when a lone knock interrupted.

I ignored it and continued to contemplate my options. Soon after, three aggressive knocks followed. Again, I refused them. That’s when my mother, Alania, allowed herself access. She wore a silk navy blue bedgown that clung tightly to her curves. Even the way her beautiful locks twisted and coiled around her full breast was flawless. My beauty failed in comparison to her beautiful Ebonneian features. Even her brown eyes beamed with authority and grace.

Yes, Your Majesty? I asked, easing the parchment inside my dresser.

"Delilah, why do you appear so despondent?" she asked, scanning my room for an explanation to why her knocks went unanswered.

Just the news of my sacrament to Lord Wesley is unnerving. Why would Father arrange such an unmatched proposal? Why cannot I be free to choose whom to love? I confessed bitterly.

She extended her arms. Oh, my sweetest child, I know not your father’s intentions or why he insists you bed a man whose age exceeds his. It’s a heavy burden we women must pay. Howbeit, believe me when I say I fought this endlessly. Nonetheless, I understand your concern entirely. I, too, had to make that unwilling sacrifice. She confessed scornfully and turned away.

What happened? I asked.

She wavered for a moment, inhaled deeply, and exhaled with contemplated remorse.

My father, King Kabuki, arranged my espousal to Allen. I hated your father because of his deceitful tactics, his pale skin, his stringy brown hair, and his disgusting, lustful blue eyes. Honestly, after our improper marriage I felt. It took me years to give myself to him freely.

I don’t understand your meaning. I confessed embarrassedly.

"I’ll never forget the way