Duty

Avas POV

I always feel nervous when I go to see the king, him being my grandfather does little to make me feel comfortable around him. I take some deep breaths and I walk the hall to his office. Before I open the door, I plaster a smile on my face and prepare myself for the happy grandchild act.
“Ah Ava, come in” He gestures for me to sit opposite him.
“You called me?” I ask.
“Yes I have something I wish to discuss”
“oh what’s that?” I ask innocently
“You have been hiding something from me” He says
Fear stabs at my heart. I worry immediately that they have caught Ash. My brain panics and frantically tries to come up with a plausible excuse. I try to present my face as surprised rather than fearful, but I doubt it is working. I wait for him to elaborate, the silence seeming to draw out unbearably.
“you left with the dragon the night of the ball” he says. I practically slump over in relief. Then I realise that this could still be bad, what if he knows why he is missing and my nerves are on haywire again.
“I..I was embarrassed” I stutter and drop my head.
“And why would you be embarrassed, it is great news he wants you, I only hope he returns soon” The king beams.
“I don’t think he will return. When he got me to the room, he rejected me and flew off.” I lie quickly, its the best cover story I could think of under pressure.
“What! And why would he do that! You are my blood, he should be lucky to have you!” I’m glad he is taking this personally, the blow to his ego seems to have enraged him enough to blind him to my lies.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know why. He mumbled something about my smell and then left” I elaborate.
“Hmm, I suppose your blood is a curious aroma with all the different components in it, perhaps it was not to his tastes. Probably that useless father of yours tainting you” He rants. He never fails to blame my father.
“I’m sorry. Things are going better with Juan though” I say changing topic.
“Oh good. He has a very strong genetic background and he has the greatest range of shifting ability, hopefully your child will be able to take on at least some of his abilities.”
“I hope so. I believe he will seem me again soon” I say trying to smile.
“You must make haste, the heir is the most important thing.” He says.
“I will send him an invitation to meet now” I say as I turn to leave.
“Good girl” I hear him say as I leave.
When I get back to my room, I flop onto the bed, exhausted from all the stress. I hope Ash is ok. It was a pretty close call earlier and he is risking a lot with all his sneaking around. I am curious about his mate suggestion. I suppose it would be possible and it would explain the intense connection I feel to him after only a short time. Part of me wanted to mark him more than anything, but I know I can’t give up on our plan. I just got my mother back, I will not lose her again.
I start to write a note to Juan, thinking about what to do and how to ask him here, but I fall asleep before I finish. I am woken by an urgent knocking at the door. I jump up and answer. It is my mother.
“They have Ash” she says clearly distressed. “I can’t stay, the guards are just behind me but I just wanted to warn you”. She kisses my cheek quickly and runs off down the hall, just as the guards round the corner. I shut the door and curl up into a ball. Dispair fills me. I don’t even want to know what they are doing to him. I hug my knees close to my chest. I need to help him. I need to find him and get him out. A new sense of urgency and purpose clears my head. Ok, so how do I find him? I think about every small pot plant I have seen in this castle. I try to tune into them without having my own to touch. It is no use. Maybe if I could get a message to him somehow. I can’t think of anything useful that I can do from this room so I will have to search physically. Before I leave I focus all my energy on the image of a small white flower in Ash’s hand. I may not be able to find him yet, but I hope that worked to let him know I’m with him.
I go to change into more practical and hopefully less conspicuous clothes. Just as I pull on a tight but stretchy non corseted black dress I hear another knock. I run to open it, hoping it is my mother. It is not, it is the king. I step back in surprise and curtsey slightly to him.
“Child I have a task for you” He says coldly.
“Oh, what task?” I ask
“Forget about Juan, I have found a better match for you. He may not be willing, but we have ways around that. I was being gentle on you, hoping you would have time to adjust to life here before I had to show you this side of my research, but this opportunity can’t be missed. You must fulfil your duty now” He says ominously.
I freeze, no, he can’t have found the dragon. If they have Ash, maybe they also found him. I have a horrible feeling that I know what will be asked of me. I hope the dragon is still sedated and not able to reveal my lie. I really don’t want to go. I consider running, slamming the door, tying up the king in vines, but my body is numb as the king drags me down the hall.
“What is my task?” I ask weakly fearing the answer.
“Make me an heir! If he resists or is still unconscious then inject him with this” He hands me a syringe. “It will stimulate a state of hyper arousal”
Em no thank you. I have seen that man aroused and it was not pleasant. “What about Juan?” I ask, desperate for an out.
“Juan can have a turn later. If this works I won’t need you after my perfect heir is born and you can do what you like with Juan or whoever else”
Ok so all nicety was just a ploy to make me more likely to bend to his will, this man clearly does not care for me at all. I start to cry, terrified to face the dragon again.
“Oh grow up child. You will be locked in with him and you will not be released until the deed is done. There will be not food or water either until you have done your duty.” He threatens as he pushes me inside a small room and I hear the door lock behind me.
I turn slowly around the room and see a large muscular back filled with scars. A tall man faces the wall, his face hidden in the shadows. My eyes are drawn to his hand, in it he twirls a small white flower.
“Ash?” I whisper tentatively.
He turns and I barely recognise him, his face and body are so swollen and bruised. I gasp.
“What did they do to you?” I ask horrified. I walk over to him to survey the extent of the damage. He pulls me close and whispers in my ear.
“They may be watching, we need to keep up the act.” I sigh. This is not going to be easy, but he is right.
“Who are you? What are you?” I ask louder for anyone to hear.
“Its none of your business!” He shouts making me jump. I don’t miss that he has stolen my phrase though and I have to fight back a smile.
“It is my business, I’m princess Ava, you are in my kingdom” I say
“Well Princess, you must not have been raised well if you do not recognise me” He says.
“And why should I recognise you?” I ask
“I’m prince Ashton of Loria.” He says, sounding all high and mighty.
“Prince Ashton, I’m sorry this has happened to you. I actually used to live in your kingdom. Your father is a good leader” I say sincerely.
“Wait, are you the Ava that knows Ezra?” He asks, acting shocked well.
“Ezra! Yes I came here to save him before I learned who I am. My grandfather released him and the others in exchange for me staying” I explain
“I came to find you, my father is planning an attack, but we wanted you out safely first.” He says, subtly explaining to me the story he has told about his presence here.
“I’m so sorry that this happened to you because of me” I say, not acting anymore as a genuine tear rolls down my cheek. He tenderly strokes my cheek, wiping away the tear and making me look at him.
“This is not your fault. It was never your fault. I let the scouts down. I started this” He says