The other women were sitting quietly, intent on listening to their conversation. They, too, were probably just as curious about what had happened as James.
His voice was even, firm. "I've asked; now tell me the truth."
Aria shut her eyes, reliving the event once again.
* * *
The cool breeze tickled her skin as she sat perched on the ledge of the window, staring out at the boy across the river. Mom sat at the table, busy sewing a new dress after the last one Aria had ruined in the river.
After the war, the world started over, like a blank slate. A cease fire had been called only after the governments had fallen. It wasn't a war between two nations. It had been a war between all the countries. Even those neutral, had found themselves on the brink of destruction, all over one single trait: eye color.
Blues were supposed to be the smartest people, most thought provoking, with a curiosity for learning. Greens were hungry for power and money. They were the first to be eliminated. Brown eyes, what was once most common, had been tied to the destruction of the planet. For those with brown eyes were inconsiderate, insensitive, and unable to accept change. Amber, a rare eye color, was just as quickly eradicated, with the basis of being impure and untrustworthy. For if someone had amber eyes, they were thought to be a constant liar. Hazel eyes were a mixture of greed and insensitivity; they, too, were destroyed. All that were to remain were blues.
It wasn't the first genocide to sweep through the world. It had been the most prominent, murdering billions of people, known years later as the Gem Apocalypse.
Born near the end of the war, Aria grew up in the height of fear and oppression. Her family had found a small plot of land from the farthest city and settled on it, building a cottage for themselves.
In the early days, they were forced to scavenge for food. Her mother would watch over her, and Aria's father would take to the streets, traveling for days on foot.
There were some vehicles that remained, the ones that used solar power. They were not so lucky to have access to one. Wind turbines produced electricity to the royal palace and guard towers, but where Aria lived, everything was primitive.
They gathered firewood and burned it for light in the evening. In the summer months, the fires were outside, offering a calming atmosphere before climbing into the cottage.
Living on the outskirts of town kept them out of harm's way. The black market and trading centers were in the hub of what had once been a heavily populated city.
They had the river to provide food. They filtered the water, which made it possible for the two of them to survive. Her father had died near the war. His green eyes were what had gotten him killed.
After the war, King Gideon and his four sons pledged to protect the nation. With an army falling behind him and growing in power, The Kingdom of Brayleigh, named for ray of hope, was born. The castle, situated far north out of dangerous territory and surrounded by stone walls, towered several stories.
Aria didn't dare venture toward Brayleigh, for fear if they discovered her truth, that she had green eyes, what it would mean. She never had to go far to ensure her survival. When things got tough, they'd venture across the river to their nearest neighbors. That's how she'd met Ethan, plunging knee-deep in the river and sneaking across to see what all the fuss was about, with a boy just a few years older. To her surprise, he had brown eyes. They shared a secret, though boys had less to concern themselves with, now that the war ended.
Occasionally, she would see him splashing in the river to get clean. Her curiosity got the best of her and she dared venture over to tackle him in the water just a day ago.
Staring out the window at Ethan, she watched as he stayed busy in the fertile soil, planting seeds to grow for the summer crops. Lost in thought, her mother said something, but her words were drowned out.
In the distance, a van raced for the small village. Were they searching all homes or just theirs?
By the time she realized the danger, the van had approached. She slammed the window shut and raced for her bedroom.
The royal guards broke through the lock on the door. One guard kept a pistol on Sophia, the other searched the house, finding the emerald girl hidden in the closet. Dragging Aria by the arm, the guard with the gun on Sophia shot her in the head. Her body collapsed to the floor in a heap. Aria screamed in horror and tried to fight back. What little strength she had within her, echoed inside the cabin. One guard lifted her over his shoulder as she tried to fight him off, kicking and screaming. The murdering bastards took her mother just as they'd taken her father, and now they had her.
* * *
"Your guards murdered my mother, dragged and drugged me from my home. Anything else you wish to know?" Aria asked, short-tempered.
James stepped close enough to feel his breath against her cheek. "I can see your reluctance to be here, but I assure you no harm will come to you, Aria."
It was hard to believe him, given the circumstances. Aria crossed her arms defensively. She didn't say a word. There was nothing to say that would please him and make her happy. She wouldn't lie or pretend to care about him when anger ebbed away at her and boiled in her blood. Not when he made Aria think of her mother and asked her about what happened, as if he pretended to care. Unlike the other women here looking for something, she just wanted her freedom returned. Pretending eluded her.
"You will join me for dessert," he said and took her arm, leading her out of the room and away from the prying eyes of his other courtesans.
Aria walked alongside of him, but she wasn't pleased with the situation. She tolerated it and him. He hadn't asked her to do anything inappropriate yet and she felt capable to handle dessert. Her stomach grumbled just thinking of food, so long as that was all to be expected of their encounter.
James ignored the rumbling noises coming from her stomach. He took her arm as they walked. She didn't pull away. What good would it do? "I do hope you will like it here in Brayleigh. I know it isn't your home, but I do hope, one day, you might think of it like that."
Did he quickly forget that his guards had murdered her mother? She didn't have a choice. Aria couldn't leave, and she desperately wanted to. She didn't answer him. What could she say to please him and be honest?
James led Aria outside through the back doors. Quick on her feet, the pavers were warm under her bare skin. Why did they not provide them with shoes? Were they afraid they would use them and run away?
Aria stared at the ever-present wall, knowing she could never escape. Had he led her outside to toy with her or remind her that she was his prisoner? "I thought you might like some sun," he said.
"Seriously?"
"Yes," James said. He frowned, not quite seeing what was wrong. Could he truly be so oblivious?
The prince led Aria to a small table on the patio, made of metal, with a glass top, and seated no more than two. Why have something so mundane in a palace so grand? One might have expected a table the size of a king's mattress or perhaps larger. Of course, it did look old and had to be a relic from an earlier era. There were very few new goods on the market.
"Have a seat," he said and pulled out the chair for Aria to sit down.
Aria obliged; she had no other choice. As she sat, her body relaxed. At least she had her clothes on, unlike an hour ago.
"Sadie!" he said, calling to one of the servants. "Bring us some croissants and cookies. I'd like to impress my new friend."