Chapter 3

Thersia's feet felt heavy as Luka dragged her up the stairs, her mind racing with worst case scenarios. She tried to wiggle her hand out of his grip, but the more she tried, the more he tightened his grip on her till her wrists were sore.

Luka led her down a long hallway filled with portraits of people Thersia had never seen nor heard of. She did notice the similarity between them and the Ice King, they all had piercing blue eyes.

She wondered if their children would have blue eyes as well, or if they'd just have her grey eyes.

Wait... hold up... Our children!? Thersia.... She groaned.. Get a hold of yourself, this is not a normal marriage and so sexual relations of any sort were out of the equation.

Thersia's mind raced past the uncomfortable notion of a future bound to him by blood ties, her focus fixed on escaping him.

Luka stopped abruptly in front of a door at the end of the hall, and released his grip on her wrist entirely. She wiggled her hand out and exhaled. She felt a sense of relief wash over her, but once again, her happiness was cut short.

Thersia blinked at the semi dark room and wondered if her life was going to be cut short in this room because she talked back at him. She should have just been mysterious and kept shut.

The room was dimly lit, there was no source of light other than a few candles flickering to light up the room. Thersia adjusted her eyes to darkness and saw books, endless rows of books. It had that musky and pungent smell of old books.

It had to be some sort of library or study. There was a large desk in the centre of the room and Luka walked over to the desk. He leaned against it and fixed his eyes on her.

She felt the temperature of the room become cold, she had chills on her body due to the intensity of his stare. She knew she just had to avoid eye contact or she would be lost staring at those scary and gorgeous piercing blue eyes.

"So, Thersia," he said, his voice low and menacing, "I think it's time we had a little chat."

Thersia swallowed hard, it felt like she had a bone stuck in her throat. She tried to prepare herself mentally and emotionally for what was to come next.

She wondered what he wanted to chat about, but she knew it couldn't be good. Who has ever had a discussion with the Ice King and came out alive with their dignity intact?

"What do you want to talk about?" she asked, clearing her throat and maintaining eye contact to try and sound brave at least.

His lips curled up in something that wasn't a smile, it sent shivers down her spine. Whatever it was on his lips, she didn't believe he was smiling, but if he was, then it was a cold and calculating smile.

"Oh, I think you know exactly what I want to talk about," he replied,

"You see, Thersia, I've been watching and analysing you since we met in your father's office, and I have to say, I'm really not impressed by your washed out skills".

The room was so still, you could clearly hear a pin drop. She went through different emotions at once. Embarrassment, confusion, hatred for him and then anger.

Who was he to judge her? They barely knew each other and he was suddenly claiming to be an expert on her? She couldn't react, she had to keep her cool and play this game carefully.

"What do you mean? What are you on about?" she asked him. She was genuinely confused about what he was talking about.

Luka laughed and it felt like the room became colder. His laughter was devoid of emotion, it was cold, a mirthless sound. He looked at her and wondered if she really thought him dumb and stupid. Did she really think her actions weren't that obvious?

"Don't play dumb, Thersia," he said, "I know all about your stupid little tricks. I know all about your attempts to escape."

Thersia's heart immediately came to a halt, it stopped beating abruptly due to surprise and fear. How did he know? She had been so careful, so sure that no one was paying her any attention. Did she slip up at any point?

Ughhh... This was bad, her plans were already failing even before she executed them. She needed a distraction, she needed something to stall time and engaging in a baseless conversation might give her time before she probably dies.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, trying to sound innocent and clueless.

Luka leaned forward, his blue eyes gleaming in the candlelight. "Don't lie to me, Thersia, I hate liars the most," he said, "I have proof, I have proof of everything you've done."

Proof? What sort of a sadistic man did she tie her life to?

Her breath caught in her throat and she swallowed hard, she tried to relax her trembling fingers as she thought of a plan. But it was difficult because her mind kept blanking in fear.

She was trapped, caged in this room with a man who seemed to analyse her thoughts and moves. He was a monster and she was terrified of being in the same space with him. An excessively handsome monster.

Maybe she could strike a deal with the devil. She wasn't sure it would work, but there was no harm in trying to reach for the stars.

"What do you want from me?" she asked, normalising her voice and trying to sound brave.

Luka smiled again, a sinister smile that was definitely snatched from the devil in hell's face. "Oh, I think you know exactly what I want from you, dear wife," he said with a smirk, "I want you to behave, Thersia, I want you to just do exactly as I instruct and be a good little wife."

Thersia's palm twitched. Her blood boiled and she had the strongest urge to smack him really hard on his face.

"A good little wife and do exactly as you instruct?" She scoffed

She had no other choice than to obey him to be fair. She was at his mercy and it wasn't like she had much to lose anyway. She would just play along and obey his rules.

"I'll try," she said, trying to sound calm and obedient.

Luka looked at her, his eyes baring her soul and just replied nonchalantly. "Good girl. I'll be watching you, Thersia. I'll be watching you every step and if you try to defy me in any way, I really don't think you'd be able to escape the consequences."

She nodded her head obediently. She knew she had to be very careful, she had to play her game carefully to avoid being caught again. She couldn't let him make her his plaything.

Luka smiled again. A cold smile. "Good," he said. "I'm glad we understand each other, Thersia. Now, let's get some rest. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

Thersia nodded, trying to mask her distaste. She knew that she had to be extremely smart. Her husband was smart and she had to be smarter than him, even though it sounded impossible.

As they left the study, Thersia felt a sense of determination wash over her. She would be the perfect wife for him and she would win his trust and then disappear.