Chapter Twenty-Nine

Serafina

Elves passed us through the corridors. Some with laundry. Others with freshly polished cutlery. All kept their heads bowed lowly, wearing mere rags compared to the finery the fae nobility donned. Iron circlets rested on each of their wrists. Disgust rippled as I came to the conclusion that they were hardly more than slaves. Halting my pace completely, I couldn’t hide my disdain for what I was seeing. Kellen looked down at me, then where my focus was.

“It’s just the way it is.” He explained, as if that was answer enough.

An elderly elf woman walked by, her arthritic fingers gingerly held a silver pitcher. Just under the iron bracelets I could make out harsh purplish marks. The iron was toxic to the elven kind. Anyone would know that.

“It’s barbaric. Why would anyone think that this is okay?” I muttered, watching the woman walk towards the Dining Hall.

Kellen shrugged his shoulders, his face placid.

“To keep them in check. Elves are the closest race related to the fairies. If they are not kept under the thumb of the king, there is a risk of a riot.”

I let out a bemused huff.

“They should.” I muttered, hoping he heard it.

The dining hall in Lockwood was breathtaking. The entire castle was built into the trunk of an enchanted tree, with vines and foliage traveling up the inside walls and fairy lights floating freely towards the ceilings. If I wasn’t a prisoner I would have commented on it, but as I sat at the table to listen to Oberron’s plans for me my fuse was shrinking by the second. I refused to even touch any of the fresh fruits before me.

“As there has been no legal marriage, we can move forward with a wedding and work on the bond issue later.” The king announced from the head of the table.

“Why can’t I be the one who gets her?” Hamish whined from beside his father.

My skin crawled as the prince’s lecherous eyes roamed from my face to my chest. Did he think I was deaf? A flick from his tongue to his top lip became my breaking point. Slamming my hands down on the table I rose to my feet and squared my shoulders.

“This has been quite the breakfast, but I am ready to head out now and return to my husband’s side.”

Turning my heel, I made a straight line for the door. As I walked a chilled laughter erupted behind me, and I knew it was from Oberron. Still, I was determined to leave, my sense of direction be damned.

“You are feisty, but it’s rude to leave the table before your king has dismissed you.” He hummed.

“You are not my king.” I said through clenched teeth and trying to not turn around to confront him.

A snap of fingers echoed through the hall, causing my breath to hitch in my throat. Long vines began darting for my limbs and neck. Jumping back, I was able to dodge each attempt at entanglement.

Noticing a large open window facing a dense forest, I lunged towards it, putting all of my energy and thoughts into my spine. I had never manifested wings before, nor had I even seen Elek’s yet. But it was worth a shot if it meant an escape.

Searing pain ripped through my flesh. It wasn’t like when the gills formed before. My very bones were stretching and contorting to form large white feathered wings. Wings that I had seen on a depiction of Belinha as she stretched them over her creations. There was no time to test them out as I pushed them downward to create small gusts of air to ride on.

It’s going to work! Pushing down harder and faster, my feet came off the floor and the window was only a few feet away.

If I can just stay straight! Almost there!

As I reached towards the window, I hoped to propel myself off the sill. Then something large dashed before me causing me to crash harshly to the marble floor. The entirety of my weight landed on my left arm, creating a nauseating crack and burning to rush through me. I nearly cried out as the mountain that had stopped me knelt down to pick me up and cradle me close to a broad chest.

Turning upwards, I was face-to-face with Kellen. His mouth formed a grimace as I winced in pain.

“I can heal that for you.”

His tone was soft; empathetic. It made me want to punch him in the mouth, and I would have if one of my arms hadn’t become useless because of him getting in my way.

“I’d rather let it fall off than have you continue to touch me. Now, put me down.” I demanded through gritted teeth. My breath came out harshly as I dealt with the pain.

Rather than listen to my command, he instead walked me closer to his father, who was laughing darkly at my broken body. I didn’t even have the strength to recall my wings. They just dragged along the floor limp as Kellen walked with me.

“You are delightful. But I would expect nothing less from Cato’s granddaughter.” Oberron said, delight shining in his eyes.

I stiffened. How does he know?

“You’re famous amongst my people.” He started to answer, ushering for Kellen to bring me even closer.

“‘Daughter of me, daughter of the sea.’ Those were some of the last words spoken before the goddess left this world. And finally, after many millennia, here you are.”

“What do you really want with me?” I pushed through the pain to speak, feeling myself wanting to black out.

“To keep you safe, of course.” His smile did nothing to mask his mocking tone.

What a load of trash.

“Why are you seeking to expand your borders?” I continued. Any information he was willing to give up would be valuable.

His smug faltered into a sneer.

“What would a child like you know of my plans?” He hissed.

“Being the granddaughter of a deity has its advantages.” I said, stealing some of that smugness for myself.

“Kellen, put her back in the dungeon. She’ll receive a proper room when she starts feeling a little more compliant.” Oberron ordered, holding my gaze as he spoke.

As we walked through the door I could hear Hamish behind us at the table.

“I want her father. Please give her to me instead.”

I wanted to retch.

For the entire walk back to my cell I stayed silent. Although, that didn’t prevent Kellen from speaking and attempting to reason with me.

“If you agree then I can bring you to a nice room with a warm bath.” He bargained.

With great care on his part, I was lowered to a pile of straw on the dungeon’s chilled floor. I still didn’t acknowledge him, instead finding a rather intriguing stained pattern on the floor more interesting.

“Let me fix your arm.” He pleaded, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small piece of tree bark. “This will ease the pain and quicken your healing.” He offered it up to me.

Through fallen strands I glared up at him and swatted the bark away with the back of my hand.

“As I said before, I would rather it fall off than accept your help, you worthless lying piece of trash.” I vowed coldly.

He let out a long sigh and slumped towards me, raising up my left hand. This time I did cry out. From my shoulder to my wrist, it was excruciatingly painful to move.

“I want to help you, Serafina, but until you let me, I must take these away.” He said, tugging at my two bands.

“No.” Fear ripped through me as I realized what he was going for.

Throwing myself backwards, I was able to take my arm with me. The band that Cato had given me was crucial to my plans of escape. Without it I wasn’t going to be able to transform at will and it would be much harder to heal myself. Then there was the band that connected me to Elek. Such a small trinket now meant the world to me.

“You can’t just kidnap me, hold me against my will, and then steal from me.” I kept my tears at bay as I spoke, though I felt myself crumbling at the very thought of losing the rings.

A cool wall hit my back, and suddenly there was nowhere else to go.

“It’ll be better if you just accept your new life here and with me.” Kellen said, kneeling. His hand shot out, pushing my shoulder into the hard stone.

Again, I cried out in agony as it felt like fire ripped through bone and muscle. How could anyone be so cruel?

“We can’t have you transforming anymore and you won’t be attached to the Dragon Prince for much longer.” Kellen continued as he lifted my hand again.

I screamed louder as the rings were pulled free. Once in hand, Kellen left the cell, locking the door behind him with a glowing palm.

“I’ll come by later with your lunch.”

As his footsteps faded up the stairs I allowed my brain to wander to the darkest of thoughts. I was going to kill him. Him and the entirety of the royal court. He made a fatal error when he took the rings.

The first being that my wings remained, with no signs of potentially retreating. The second was taking the band that weakened my connection to Elek. Although I would rather have kept it, having it gone would allow for Elek to find me much quicker.

As promised, Kellen brought down a tray of lunch later in the day. After two hours of watching me in silence, he was forced to return the tray untouched. He attempted to feed me again for dinner, just for a repeat trip back upstairs with none of the food picked at. I wasn’t going to give him any satisfaction in believing that I owed him something for keeping me alive.

Later that night, I sat in utter darkness attempting to bring forth the energy surrounding me to mend my damaged arm. Without the ring, I was slowed down considerably, having to concentrate and mend each fiber of bone and torn muscle one at a time. By dawn I had only managed to heal my upper arm, the rest was still useless and I was left as husk sucked dry of all my energy.

Instead of Kellen escorting me to the dining hall, Hamish volunteered. A glint of sadistic pleasure in his eyes had my stomach overturning as he shackled my ankles and wrists.

“There will be no running today.” He warned, putting another chain around my wings to link them together.

My limited movements caused me to stumble frequently up the stairs. Once at the top, Hamish became bold and attempted to cradle me in his arms. I was quick to slam him back with my body. Recovering, he snatched my upper-arm.

“If you can’t move with these chains, then maybe I’ll come and visit you later tonight.” He whispered into my ear, clutching onto my upper arm that had only just mended.

A chill ran through my body. I had to get out.

King Oberron sat at the head of the table, waiting for us. A small glimmer reflected in the sun as he waved my rings around in the air.

“Forgive the precautions, Princess Serafina.” Oberron mocked, “I need to have you close by and can’t have you flying off.”

He then brought the rings to his eyes, inspecting them.

“It’s fascinating how you were able to use an object as powerful as this. Who gave it to you?”

“A god who will show you his wrath if I’m not returned soon.” I warned, not knowing if Cato would even be aware that I was kidnapped.

Oberron huffed out a laugh.

“Will he now? You know, I’ve never slain a god before. Regardless, it seems that this ring allows you to make your own set of wings. I wonder if you could make new ones without its effect.”

Before I could ask him to elaborate, the back of my head was hit with a blunt force and I crashed to the floor. Many large hands pushed me down and I began to thrash and scream.

“Let me go!” I screamed, trying to throw the body off me.

Coming to stand before me I could make out the dark brown shoes of Hamish.. Looking up my stomach churned as he looked down at me, a sword hanging loosely by his side. A malicious grin spread across his face.

“No!” I cried, fighting harder. Hot tears streamed freely down my face as I realized what I was about to endure.

Where is Kellen? I wondered as I managed to hoist myself up by slamming the back of my skull into the nose of the person holding me down.

Hand-to-hand had never been my strong suit, and being bound made defending myself nearly impossible. Yet I continued to slam my body into any One soldier attempted to pull me back towards him by grabbing at my face. I bit down as hard as I could on his palm and managed to take a chunk of his flesh with me as he pulled away.

Spinning in every direction, I searched for an exit. The window was locked, as well as the door. Cruel laughter echoed behind me. I spun to see Hamish peering at something behind me. When I looked, there was only empty space. Turning back to him my heart thumped hard as his grin grew wider.

Coming up like a soft breeze, I felt him behind me and there was no time to dodge. I met the floor, screaming in agony as I landed on my injured arm.

“It’ll be easier if you don’t fight it.” Kellen’s voice spoke into my ear as he pinned me down.

More soldiers came to hold me as Hamish approached again, staring down at me with malicious intent.

“Hold up her wings, I don’t want too much blood to stain the floor.” He commanded.

Tears seared down my cheeks as I fought, trying to roll over to no avail. Again, Kellen lowered his mouth towards the shell of my ear.

“I’m sorry.”