Chains

Aurelia

I screamed so long and so loud that my voice cracked and my knees gave out. Over and over again I played the image of Galorian going over the edge. When it happened the first time, it had been so fast. Now as I watched the replay, everything was slow.

He was running, strong legs and back pushing him onward. His sword was raised and at the ready. It would have been beautiful to see if I did not know the outcome. He had gotten just close enough to think that he would be able to land a blow. There had been no reaction from Zephyrus.

Then quick as a flash of light from a storm cloud, he simply waved his hand and the force of his power took Galorian down to the floor and over the ledge. He even had a smirk on his face as he had done, knowing that was what he would do the moment Galorian took a step towards him.

My arrow! I cursed myself for forgetting about it and turned my tear-soaked eyes to see that my arrow and landed in the shoulder of the one who killed my lover. The sight of it sobered me slightly and I realized I was on my knees in the same spot I had been standing to set the arrow free.

I started to crawl to the edge. I needed to see. I knew what this building looked like, knew that it was tall and thin. That there were no ledges or windows. But I still needed to see. My hands were colder than the frozen morning by the seas. Colder than the dark cave that I had grown up in. They were ice, my body was ice. My heart was ice.

I got to the edge only to see nothing but blackness. The way down was dark and unforgiving. I knew there was no way that he had survived the fall. It was impossible. Strange sounding sobs started to escape my torn throat. Why? Why did this have to happen? Why did he have to be such a reckless fool?

“I must say. Your arrow took me for surprise. Where did you learn such a skill?”

I knew the answer but I would say. There was no way I would betray Kairios. No way that he would claim his life as well. For the first time I was glad that they both were not here. I hoped that what they faced in the city would delay them long enough for me to end this bastard.

I tried to speak but the tears in my throat took over and only air came forth. I sat there at the edge, looking into the darkness, waiting for hope that I knew would not come. Our plans.... they would never come true.

“You are the first to draw my blood in many, many years, dragon queen.” I could guess that he was standing as the sounds of a chair being pushed back broke the uncomfortable silence that was growing around me.

I will be that last as well. I wanted to say but could not. I turned to look at him. He was indeed standing, with one hand on the tip of my arrow still lodged into his flesh. He gave a great yank and threw the shaft to the ground. He rolled his shoulders and blood started to trickle from the wound. It was not normal blood. Instead of a dark red, he bled a dark rich purple. He truly was a monster.

he noticed my stare and took his other hand and placed it over his wound. S light smoking and a down turn of his mouth was all that indicated what he was doing. When his hand came down again, the wound was closed and the blood flow stopped.

He could heal himself?

“Now then, all of that screaming has given me a head acke. Come here so we may talk in a civilized manner.”

I made no movement or sound. All I did was stare at him with a promise of death. I would kill him. And I would enjoy it. All I had to do now was figure out what to do. How would I end him. If he could heal himself, I would have to do it in one blow. One single attack that ate the life right out of him. Otherwise, it would be a never-ending fight and Saira was not here to heal me in return.

He started to walk closer to me. Four small measured steps and he was standing right in front of me. There was a small distance between us. I had to look up to meet his eyes. This would not do. I would not sit at his feet and be owned by him. I was free, I would die free. I shot to my feet and smirked at the tinge of surprise that passed across his evil face.

“You are fast, aren't you? I cannot wait to see what else you can do with such speed.” His eyes glowed with intention and his hand came to his chin and he smiled openly. “Even the thought of it has my heart pumping and excitement flowing through me.”

I squinted my eyes at him. I knew of what he was thinking, and I would never, ever, show him the speed at which I could make love. He would never have the pleasure of my body in his bed.

I tried to say as much but my throat was dry and cracked. Only blood seemed to seep into my mouth from the back of my throat. The smile faded from his lips as if he could sense the thought behind my unspoken words. His only response was to raise his hand towards me and my body was wrapped up in some invisible force.

“Come sit. Let's talk and I will think about healing that throat of yours. I may want to hear what you have to say, and other things.”

I wanted to stay where I was, to fight him on everything he wanted from me. But his magic was on control of my body now. My side screamed at me from the places that his new spell touched the scar of his old one. My feet were dragged across the floor, forcing me to follow him to the table.

He waved a hand at the seat that sat next to him and I was forced into it. Anger flashed through me at the control that he had over me. I had to try and break it. I had no powers of my own, I had to hope that my will power would be strong enough!

“I know you hate me; I actually like that you do. But I have many, many years of plans laid out for you and I. I would rather spend them in comfortable rooms rather than a dungeon. Wouldn’t you agree?”

He looked at me waiting for some response. I wanted to tell him that I would rather spend those years in the dungeon alone, freezing and starving than spend one night in his bed. My words were gone so I poured that feeling into my eyes and stared at him with all he hatred I had.

“Unfortunate. I will have to find a way to rectify this. Magic could do wonders.”

There was no magic that would truly change my thoughts and feelings. He would only have but a shell of me, if I let it get that far. I had to break his hold on me.

“Open your mouth.” He demanded suddenly.

I recoiled at the demand and clamped my lips shut. I would not do what he asked.

“Open your mouth now, and I will heal your voice. I grow tired of this one-sided conversation and your dirty stares.”

No. I would not! I tried to break my arms free but remained tethered to the chair with my arms pinned to my sides.

He stood quickly and closed the distance between us faster than I was able to blink in shock. His long fingers dug in to my cheeks. He was stronger and faster than I ever would have expected! His fingers dug in deeper until I had no choice but to open my mouth to him.

“Good girl.” He said with a seductively evil look.

He bent in closer and the bonds that held me in place tighten around me. I was completely unable to move. He stopped just before his lips came to hover over my open mouth. I wanted to kick and scream, to fight back. But I was weak and captured. It was over.

He opened his mouth slightly and breathed deep into my own mouth. Tears started to fall from my eyes and I cursed each and every one of them for their weakness. His breath was cold and warm. It tasted of fruits and medicines. The combinations were complex and confusing. My mind and throat started to numb as his breath worked its way into me.

When he was done, he did not pull back. He remained right before me. His grip lessened slightly and I was able to close my mouth once more. His eyes tracked the tears that betrayed me. He was curious about them...

I was too angry and to defeated at the same time to care what he was thinking and feeling. Then my shock grew even more as his tongue snaked out and licked up the falling tears. His eyes flashed with intrigue and he moved to the other cheek and did the same.

“Your tears taste finer than any wine, dragon queen.” His hand dropped from my chin and came to rest on my neck and his fingers began to tighten once more. His grip was tight enough to cause panic but air still flowed down to my lungs.

I shocked even myself when I drew my head back, hitting it off the chair, and swinging it back towards him. My fore head came into contact with his nose and the sound of breaking bines brough a savage smile to my face.

He grunted and stumbled back, hand flying to his face to stop the bleeding. His wounds were healed quickly and when his hand fell to lay across my cheek he smiled like a devil. All I knew was pain and flashing lights before my eyes.

“That was naughty.” He said in a deep husky voice. “I would advise against doing that again.”

“I will never stop fighting you. I will never become the prize you desire. Cast whatever curse you like; I will never give over to you freely. You will only have a shadow of what was before. A husk to remind you that you have failed.”

“We shall see.”