The Cruel Prince's Captive

Chapter 7

Iefyr pulled on the green jacket that was his father’s, it brought out his eyes, green just as his fathers were. The jacket had buttons lining the front, buttons of gold and lines of gold beside the buttons, it reminded Iefyr of some formal military attire and this seemed fitting since he felt he was going off to war. His father, being from a warrior race, this may well have been some sort of attire of a soldier. His mother came in to see her son smiling proudly as she looked upon him.

“You look so handsome,” she said, “just like your father,” her eyes became distant as she thought of the man she loved. Iefyr turned to her. “I am so proud of you, my son,” she added.

“You know, this feast is just a pretence, Ievos simply wants to parade that poor girl, to taunt me and how powerless I am to help her. It is merely part of a game,” Iefyr replied.

“Yes, perhaps. What happened to your brother? He used to be such a sweet child,” she said and Iefyr glared at her.

“He is not my brother,” he said.

“No, I suppose he isn’t anymore,” she said sadly.

“Will you join us?” he asked.

“Do you think my presence will be welcome?” she asked.

“As welcome as mine," he replied.

“It is especially for you and the hunters, it would be an insult if you declined,”

“Yes, I know, I don’t want to give them an excuse to come at us, besides, I hope to check on Tolanda, especially after earlier, she looked so terrified.” He said.

“There is nothing you can do, Iefyr, please don’t get yourself in trouble,”

“I already promised I would be careful,” he reminded but he also knew he may not be able to keep that promise too well, if Ievos forced his hand. No, he had to be careful, he would not stand a chance freeing Tolanda from his brother, too many guards and the queen would have him killed if he tried to fight the prince. He would still go to check on her.

~~

Tolanda was now dressed for the party, her feet were in shackles as promised and her dress was yet another sheer one. It seemed it was uniform. She watched as the prince readied himself for the feast, her eyes full of disdain. He had selected some loose trousers to wear but the material of them made them look smart and the top he chose was another one which was flung over his shoulders and left open. She realised he was always dressed in some way with loose fitting clothes and if any top it was always open like he felt hot all the time. She wondered if his headaches would get worse if she somehow managed to make it too warm in this room at night whilst he was sleeping. Perhaps if she was able to quietly close the balcony doors which were always open, then… she looked down, the shackles would make noise and they would stop her from running. She looked over to him again. He was onto his hair of which he pulled up into a ponytail with a golden clasp. He looked positively regal and shining in gold as his top had gold encrusting the edges. He looked pleased with his appearance and then proceeded to his door and called a servant who seemed to know exactly what their duty was this night as she hurried in with a tray which held some alcoholic beverage of which he poured one for himself.

“If I give you a drink, is it going to calm you or make you more excitable?” he asked Tolanda but she did not reply, she simply did not have the energy. Was this how it felt to be broken?

“I’ll allow it,” he said and took one to her. She accepted it. “As fun as it is torturing you and watching you squirm, this doesn’t have to be such a battle, you know,” he said and she felt her anger return, she was not broken, her fight was still there.

“Do you just expect me to welcome you? Do you expect me to accept what is happening to me? I am here as a slave, a prisoner! What makes you think I would not fight? What would you do if this were reversed?” she asked him, and he seemed to consider his answer for a moment.

“I suppose you are right,” he said and moved away. She took a sip of the alcohol she had been provided, perhaps it would make her night go easier, it had a bitter taste and she grimaced, she was not surprised the prince’s taste was inclined towards something bitter tasting. She watched as Ievos stepped outside as the sun was going down and the sky began to glow, she decided to head towards him and join him, she wanted some air. She stood a little behind him and looked out at the sky. It was beautiful casting orange and bright yellows over the elven forest, the prince’s words ruined it.

“Tonight, Tolanda, you will be our entertainment,” Ievos said after hearing her shackles draw closer.

~~

Iefyr was walking with his fellow hunters; all were dressed in their best clothes. Hunters came from various classes within elven society, so some were better dressed than others. They were all directed to enter the great hall together and stand in a line before the queen and her royal party. Prince Ievos sitting to her left as usual, with Tolanda on the floor in front of him. Iefyr seethed and met eyes with the beautiful human woman; he wanted so badly to save her from his brother. The prince had his usual smug grin and was also looking over at him. Iefyr broke eye-contact with him and stood looking straight ahead, not at anyone now, he would give neither Queen nor prince the satisfaction. Queen Cauladra stood from her throne and raised her arms to greet the honoured guests.

“Hunters, of all status, I welcome you, this banquet in honour of you brave men and women who venture into the cruel world of humans so that we may feast. Afterall, you likely caught most of this meat yourself,” she said which got some polite laughs from the guests. Iefyr rolled his eyes, plenty of food is caught yet the slums barely see it, he tries to sneak them some on his way through after a successful hunt but it is expected that he bring it to market or to the guards. “Let us eat,” she said, and the food was brought to them and placed before them on tables. Iefyr looked to see Prince Ievos tip some food onto the floor in front of Tolanda and force her head down.

“You eat from there,” he ordered, and she just looked at the spoiled food. Iefyr stood from his seat but Lerenis and Kendrel both put their hands on his arms to urge him to sit. Ievos met his brother’s angry eyes, a satisfied smile on his face. Iefyr wanted to kill him but thought better of it and returned to his seat; his appetite having left him.

“I know it’s awful, Iefyr but you must keep yourself under control. You have no power here, Prince Ievos could destroy you should you give him chance,” Lerenis whispered.

“I know,” Iefyr replied regretfully. Iefyr only grew angrier at his inability to help the poor young human within the prince’s clutches. After the feast was enjoyed the room was prepared for dancing and the royal circle entered their own cordoned off private section of the hall but could still enjoy the party. Iefyr was in no mood for a dance; his head was in a dark place. That dark place only grew darker when he noticed Prince Ievos approach him.

“I see you wear father’s jacket; it suits you,” the prince began.

“Your mother would only have burned it,” Iefyr replied.

“Yes, and it would not look as good on me, I don’t like jackets anyway, they make me too warm,”

“And I always think it’s too cold,” Iefyr replied, highlighting another of their differences.

“Do you still have that bear skin blanket I gave you when we were little?” Ievos asked and Iefyr folded his arms and gave no answer.

“You probably burned that, didn’t you? Oh well,”

“Did Tolanda get to eat some proper food?” Iefyr asked.

“Tolanda? Oh! You mean my dog?” the prince laughed and Iefyr fought every muscle not to lunge at the prince. His palms itched to wrap around his throat and his fists twitched to pummel him into the ground. The prince noticed his internal conflict and relished in his hatred; that was apparent by the satisfied smile on his face.

“She isn’t quite the damsel in distress you think her to be, brother,” Prince Ievos said. “That is the role in which she may have played when you first met her, but the girl has some fight in her,”

“It just means you haven’t broken her yet,” Iefyr replied; hatred in his eyes, “I despise it when you call me brother,” he added and Ievos grinned.

“I know you do, brother,” he said revelling in Iefyr’s seething anger. “Do you wish to speak with her?” he enquired; his tone malicious.

“You would only deny me,” Iefyr said looking away, he did not care for the prince’s games.

“Now what do you take me for? Come, you are half royal, I will accept you into the royal circle for a while and you may speak with my dog,” he said and Iefyr could feel his body shaking with anger but he allowed himself to be led.

“As long as your mother does not try and poison me,” he agreed and Ievos’ grin widened. They approached the private area of the royals for their party after the banquet where only the most noble and prestigious elves were permitted to attend. Iefyr was looking out for Tolanda as soon as he was granted access by being with the prince. Ievos led Iefyr to where he sat with Tolanda who was being ridiculed by some of the prince’s equally cruel friends. One had just pushed her to the ground, and she gasped having bruised her knee. They were laughing at her. Iefyr pushed passed the prince to help her up, he glared at the prince and then turned his burning eyes to the one who pushed her.

“Try that again, or try it with me,” he threatened leaning over to the male elf aggressively. Being half dragon his size was larger than the elven noble.

“Iefyr,” Tolanda gasped. “What are you-“ she was silenced by Prince Ievos snapping his fingers and hushing her.

“You actually treat her like your dog, don’t you?” Iefyr asked him.

“Humans are dirty mongrels, Iefyr, it is only their worth,” he said.

“Is this because humans killed our father?” Iefyr asked.

“It might have been humans, it might have been the dragon race,” Ievos replied. “Who knows? Who cares?” Iefyr dismissed the prince’s words of conspiracy, and took Tolanda to the side. Some of the prince’s friends questioned him allowing this to happen but he held his hand up silencing them and watched closely.

“Are you alright? Has he hurt you?” Iefyr asked.

“You were almost already executed for me, I don’t want you to get in trouble for me again,” she said glancing over at the prince.

“Has he hurt you?” Iefyr repeated and she shook her head but looked down.

“Iefyr… I am not your problem anymore,” she said.

“You were never a problem, Tolanda, it is the laws and ruling of my people that is the problem,” he replied.

~~

Tolanda felt a warm tingle inside of her chest at Iefyr’s concern and at his use of her name and she knew her cheeks were flushed. She could barely contain how pleased she was to see him and in a less desperate situation but knew it would be short-lived. Iefyr looked down at what Tolanda was wearing and realised how revealing it was. It was his turn to blush, and he took a step back. Tolanda realised he had noticed her revealing clothes and she felt self-conscious again holding her arms around her body. Iefyr’s eyes then turned angry and he glared over to the prince who was moving towards them with a sinister grin on his face. He leaned over Tolanda’s shoulder to look at Iefyr.

“The good thing about these robes…” he pulled the tie that held it on her and it fell to her waist, Tolanda being able to catch it this time, “they are so easy to remove,” he snarled. Tolanda found herself dropping to the floor, willing it to swallow her. Iefyr was boiling with rage and he went to attack the prince but Ievos’ friends held him back.

“Now, brother, you escaped the noose once already, don’t do anything that may find yourself back in it,” Ievos said with a taunting grin.

“Please, Iefyr… I am not worth it,” Tolanda cried from where she was on the ground. Iefyr’s bold green eyes burned into Ievos ice violet ones. “Please…” she pleaded once more, and he looked to her.

“Every innocent soul is worth it, Tolanda,” he said before he shrugged off the friends of the prince and saw himself out of the royal circle. The queen appeared beside her son watching Iefyr leave.

“He might have killed you,” she said.

“He might have tried,” Ievos replied.

“You invite that scum in here?” she questioned.

“I wanted some fun,” he simply said and then went to Tolanda taking her arm and pulling her up to her feet.

“Please…” she begged him feeling shame and embarrassment at her half-nakedness, as she tried to pull up the dress.

“You can remain like that for the rest of the evening.” he ordered and Tolanda felt sudden rage at his commands and she decided to strike at him with her free hand. It caught him off guard a red mark appeared on his cheek.

“I told Iefyr you had some fight in you and do you know what his response was? He said it is because I had not broken you, yet and he is right. You think you have been mistreated? You haven’t seen the worst of it!” he growled fiercely in her face and she shrunk back.