Captured by sight (Book 4)

Chapter 14

Fallon POV

“No, no need to fuss, I’m fine” I say to the guard pleading with me to have more food. I’m getting irritated with them, can’t they see I want to die, can’t they understand?

“Please, just a little more, we need you-“I cut him off glaring at him furiously

“Listen, I have been more than patient with you and your constant begging. I want to die, get it?” I bark at him and his eyes go wide

“No please… I beg you” he says moving closer

“Just leave me alone, I have done all you asked. I have now been broken, go run along tell your master he won” I say lying back down

“You don’t understand princess” he says again and I sigh rolling onto my back

“If I let you tell me this will you leave me alone and let me die in peace?” I groan

“If that is your wish after I’ve told you then yes” he says and I gesture for him to continue

“We had word from your friend, he and Katya got help” he says and I look at him

“Yeah, right” I say but he shakes his head

“Please, you have to believe me. They’re coming for you, for us” he says and I look at him, his eyes are honest and kind, like they’ve always been

“And if I believe you and nothing happens? Then I survived just to be punished for oh I don’t know, breathing or having a heartbeat” I say and he rests his head on his hand

“No, they’re coming. Please, what if you don’t gain your strength and they do come, what if we need you to lead us?” he asks and I groan

“You’re irritating you know that?” I ask sitting up

“You must choose your hard princess” he says and I look at him, my heart clenching

“Not fair” I say and he chuckles

“Dying like this is hard, being prepared to live is hard. Choose your hard” he says looking at me expectantly

“You might just be the biggest pain in my ass, you know that right?” I ask grabbing the plate and biting down into the bun

“Good, because if you die, the king is going to have our heads” he says sitting back, pleased with himself

“You chose your hard?” I ask eating the rest of the food and he nods

“Yes, I’m dead either way. But I choose to die doing something good for a change” he says and I nod

“We’ll all die someday, why chose to die now?” I ask and he leans his head back

“If I fight against your family I die a traitor, if I fight with you I might make amends for my past grievances, maybe the goddess will have mercy on me, maybe not, but you gave me hope. I have hope that even if I am executed I will still have a chance at some happiness, not in this life but the next” he says and I giggle

“You thought this through” I say and he nods

“So you assume, should this war happen, that my family will execute you” I say and he nods

“I heard the stories, read the legends. You are fair and just, but also feared, your grandmother is known as the feared queen” he says and I snort

“She’ll kick your ass just for saying that” I say and he looks at me

“She’s feared yes, but she’s feared for doing what no one thought possible, not for being ruthless” I say and he sits forward

“Okay so, you know about her scars?” I ask and he nods

“Yeah, never got them in battle, she was abused severely by the man she dated in college” I say and his eyes go wide

“But she completed the warrior trials” he says and I nod

“She did, still the only woman to do it and survive to this day. She hates it when people refer to her as ruthless, she’s kind and loving, caring and devoted to her family and our kingdom. She’ll never act in anger unless provoked, usually by threatening her family or close friends” I say and he scoots even closer

“She sounds amazing” he says his eyes glinting with amusement “Is it true that she’s tall and strong as an ox?” he asks and again I chuckle

“Well, she is strong, but she’s not as tall as the stories tell. She does however have the ability to stand out above the rest, but that’s just who she is” I say and he nods

“And her mate, the king?” he asks and I lean against the cold bars

“He’s tall and handsome, with midnight black hair and silver grey eyes that can look into your soul. He gives the best hugs in the whole world, loves Nana way past the ends of time and will give everything he has to see us, his family happy and cared for. He is strict, but fair. Strong but gentle, he’s never made any of us, his biological children or adopted children feel less loved than the other. I’ve never seen him angry, ever, but I heard he has quite the temper” I say and he sits there, resting his head next to mine

“I wish I knew my grandad” he says and turns his head to mine “And your dad? Is he like them?” he asks and I look down playing with my fingers smiling

“Oh my dad is the best. He’s a lot like my grandad, he just doesn’t hide his anger that well. He raised me, alone you know” I say and he moves to look at me while I tell him about our adventures when I was a little girl

“He loved pranking uncle Dean, hell he loved pranking anyone. The only person he never dared to prank was aunt Violet” I chuckle, wiping at my tears and continue “He has two great fears in this world, the one is my great grandma and the other is aunt Violet” I tell him what happened to my dad when he was sent away, then his life there, our life and later when we had to come back

“I feel guilty sometimes” I say and he gently take my hand through the bars

“Why?”

“I always came first for him, he never had the life he deserved because he always had to choose. That’s why I came here in the first place, to give him, my mom and my brother a chance to be a family, without having to choose me” I say closing my eyes

“No, that’s not fair” he says and I chuckle

“Well, that worked out well huh?” I joke but he squeezes my hand

“No, you can’t be this selfless and still blame yourself” he says and I glance at him

“You think? Watch me” I say and he chuckles

“What if they didn’t want you to? Did you give them a choice?” he asks and I shake my head

“They would’ve chosen me, they always do” I say and he nods

“Don’t you get it?” he asks and I look at him

“They choose you because they want to, not because they have to” he says and my jaw almost hits the floor

“My mom died when I was little, I remember her vaguely, but one thing I will never forget is that she chose me. She gave her life for me, never forget princess, there are so many depending on you but we will gladly lay down our lives for you, we chose our hard. Choose yours” he says and just like that he leaves taking the empty plate with him. I watch as the light fades and the darkness envelopes me. That came out of nowhere, what the hell? I sit in the cold, dark and very lonely dungeon, his words mulling over in my head.

“I swear I lived” I sing softly to myself. Okay let’s say he’s telling the truth and they are indeed coming, I know they’ll get all the help they can, they will do whatever they must to get me. They did it for uncle Cayden, Nana and aunt Amala. Okay Fallon, your dad didn’t raise you to be weak, he’s always shown you great strength in the face of impossible adversity. Time to show them what I’m made of, I’m a Reyes, we never give up. I start doing push-ups. Back straight Fallon. I hear his voice and my determination starts to grow as I continue my workout. Two more princess. He urges me on and I squeeze my eyes shut, pushing my weak body harder. You can do it honey, come on. He chants in my head and I grunt pushing my body past any restrictions, my mind becoming clearer as I go on.

“I’m going to survive this” I whisper repeatedly, steeling my will to live, my decision to choose the hard, the idea of fighting my way out, for our freedom.

Unknown POV

I sit up as the sun rises slowly casting its rays over the quiet valley and I feel as if something in me has changed, I feel determined, stronger even. I look at the magnificent landscape stretching out and make my way down the mountain. When I walk onto the grounds I see hundreds of soldiers, all with different uniforms, the royal ones much more than the rest standing in straight lines. Prince Leo and Prince Kit walking between them barking orders. Then a tall vampire approaches from the side and calls out

“Prince Leo!” he says and Leo freezes, turning around slowly

“Ace?” he asks and the man smiles. They walk up to each other and hug in greeting. I walk toward them, their conversation happy

“Oh goddess you’re a sight for sore eyes old friend” Leo says and the other man nods

“Still the same Sarge” he says and then they turn to me approaching

“Well, I never” the dark skinned man says extending his hand toward me

“Alfred Jameson, but you can call me Ace” he says smiling

“Feared one, good to meet you” I say and he scans me up and down

“Yes, it seems myths are real” he says and I smile

“I was never a myth” I say and he chuckles

“We told our kids stories about you to keep them in line” he says and I grunt

“Yes, it seems I am the boogieman. Anyway, your highness, are these the soldiers?” I ask looking at the men

“Some of them. The rest will arrive throughout the day” he says and I nod. Thank the goddess, we are going to need them more than they know

“Excuse me, I have some business to attend to. I will have Gunther call you for the meeting” I say, bow and walk toward my room. I clean up, get dressed and make my way to my office. I make the dreaded call, she goes on about missing me and so on, before I end the call and then I phone the dungeon

“Send her up please” I say and then I call Gunther, asking him to get our guests gathered in the living room. Half an hour later I walk into the living room with a very scared girl trailing behind me

“Good morning, I trust you all slept well” I say bowing and they greet me smiling and nodding

“I’m pleased to hear it. I apologize for the short notice, but we have another person here who can assist us” I say and step aside the young girl visibly trembling with fear

“Why is she shackled?” Isa asks and I look at the girl

“She’s the one that was posing as the princess the whole time your majesty” I say and they all turn to her

“Before we have a repeat of last night, she wasn’t harmed while here or forced to say anything other than the truth. Please try and stay calm” I say glancing at Prince Leo. He nods, taking his wife’s hand and the girl wipes at her tears

“Calm down, they won’t harm you. You have my word” I say, loud enough for all of them to hear. She nods and steps a little closer to me

“You may ask your questions” I say and they start asking her, being as polite and non-threatening as possible. The woman do most of the talking, Leo doesn’t say anything, he just stands there looking at her like he is scared of her

“No your majesty, I had no choice” she says and I glance down

“Tell me child, did he threaten you?” Isa asks and she nods

“Yes. But the lady, she made sure we had everything we needed” she says and they look at me

“Lady Cordula” I state and they nod. Goodness, for a feared family they sure are caring

“Did he hurt you?” Cayden asks but she looks at me

“Only when he found out. He was angry” she says and they look at the king, he nods and they turn their attention to me

“I was angry, it was to be expected. But I never lay my hands on anyone in anger if not for a good reason” I state and again they look at Belmont, he nods and they seem to relax

“Is my daughter alive?” Leo asks, and she looks at him

“They won’t kill her, they need her” she says and then Etienne steps up

“It’s true, they need her for leverage against you” he says and I growl lowly

“What was that?” Leo looks me in the eye and I bow my head

“Nothing your highness” I say stepping back

“Well, we need a plan, no three plans. This is not going to be easy, I suggest we wait for the general” Isa says and they all nod in agreement

“Breakfast will be served shortly, excuse me” I say and walk out the living room. Again I find myself in my office. I hear footsteps and then I smell him

“Yes your highness” I say turning around, facing the king

“Is it true?” he asks stepping closer and I frown

“Excuse me?” I ask and he sighs

“About you and Cordula being engaged” he says and I look out the window

“Yes and no your highness. I did what I had to, to gain Stefan’s trust. But I hate that woman so much I could freeze hell over” I growl out and he chuckles

“I know the feeling” he says and I raise an eyebrow at him

“Adrik, he was the source of many years of hatred and anger for me. You mentioned your mate is in there” he says and I nod

“Did they kidnap her too?” he asks and again I just nod

“It’s not ideal, I know. My wife was captured by Adrik too. It hurts doesn’t it?” he asks and I nod

“Yes, more than anything” I answer softly but honestly

“We’ll get her out, you have my word” he says turning to me extending his hand, I take it and he smiles

“You are a good man, my wife phoned me last night and she has unbelievable intuition. She said you are a good man with a generous spirit, although you never show it” he says and I turn away walking to my desk

“Haven’t been called any of that in a long time, although the nightingale did call me brave, and kind” I say smiling at the memory

“Is she your mate?” he asks but I shake my head

“No your highness, she is not. She was the girl I met by chance. I don’t sleep easily, I have learnt to live without it, so one night I was there, not being able to sleep so I took a stroll, then I heard her voice, she was in what they call the water room. I always regretted not breaking down the wall to get her, the last time I spoke to her was the night she almost died. This horrible box in the middle of nowhere, so small no man will be able to fit in it, but still she sang, still she gave me courage to sought you out and beg for help” I say and he sits there in deep thought

“You mind telling me who your mate is?” he asks and I look down

“No your highness, all will be done in its own time” I say and he smiles

“I understand, well let me go greet the others. I hope you realize we’ll be discovered if we don’t move out within the next two days” he says and I stand

“I can’t wait” I say, the evil grin spreading on my face

“See, you have the look and everything. You live up to your reputation sir” he says with a playful smile

“The stories are greatly exaggerated your highness” I say and he laughs

“Yes, I believe so. Care to join me?” he asks and I follow him as we make our way outside. I gasp when I see the people gathering on my front lawn. This can’t be real, can it?

“Hey Granma” the king says and hugs the woman. Good goddess

“Hello my lovely boy” she says lovingly before turning to Leo

“Hello my little monster, how are you under circumstances?” she asks worriedly

“I’m okay gran” he says but I know he’s lying, I understand why. A man with jet black hair, a tailored suit and obsidian eyes walks closer

“Hello my dear family” he says happily greeting everyone. I am stunned. What in the blue hell is going on, how do they know these people? More importantly how do they know such powerful people?

“Ah the Feared one, glad to finally put a face to the legend” the man with the suit says extending his hand

“Good morning, it’s a pleasure” I say shaking his hand

“Hades, my lovely sister Athena” he says and my eyes go wide. I drop to one knee bowing

“Forgive my crudeness” I say and he laughs patting my shoulder

“Oh get up, no need for all that, ah Ares dear brother” he says and I look up

“Get up son, no need to be so formal” Athena says and I stand

“Well, this is an honor, Ares” the man with dark blue eyes and dark red hair says smiling

“The honor is mine” I say, he laughs

“Well, this is not the type of family reunion I was hoping for but I’m always up for a fight” Ares says and I smile

“Indeed” I say and the lady with the same eyes as the queen steps up

“Theseis, thank you for letting us know” she says and I bow

“My pleasure general” I say and she smirks

“Ah a man of knowledge, no wonder you’re so legendary” she says and I nod. But she goes silent when another man walks up with a smile on his face

“Atrides, how are you?” Leo says and they hug

“Hello junior, good to see you again” he says and turns to me

“General, this is an honor” I say and he gives me a firm handshake

“The pleasure is mine, great work with the clan, they were becoming a nuisance” he says and I nod gratefully

“No trouble at all. Are there more?” I ask but Theseis and Atrides just look at each other for a long moment before she clears her throat and walks away. Strange

“We’re just waiting for, no wait they’re here” Leo says and three cars pull up. A younger version of Mihai exits the car, together with a woman that looks very much like him, some others and then another Amazonian and a Fae man

“May I introduce our general, Dimitri Dogaru, his mother Valerie Dogaru and our Elites” Cayden says. We greet and she eyes me up and down

“I know you, we found you in that village. Near the Slovakian border, yes you were injured severely” Valerie says and I nod

“Yes” I say and she looks at my face

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more” she says but I smile

“Nonsense, you saved my life that day” I say kissing her knuckles then Belmont steps up

“That’s right, I remember now. Mihai dug you out from under the rubble, we had to leave but seems the old woman did indeed help you” Belmont says and I nod

“Yes, she did. Thank you” I say bowing

“You were so small, I feared the worst when we left. But yet here you are, all grown up. I can’t believe it” Valerie says smiling

“Yes, uh” I clear my throat “Shall we?” I ask gesturing to the castle

“You have food?” the one young man asks and Dimitri scowls at him and Valerie nudges him

“Sorry, I’m hungry” he says

“Please forgive my brother’s manners, or rather the lack thereof. He seem to have forgotten his place” Dimitri says scowling at the young man

“No matter, yes breakfast is being served as we speak. Please” I say and they all walk into the castle. Hades falls a few steps behind them, walking next to me

“So are the legends true?” he asks and I groan

“Not all of them” I say and he seems to beam

“We should have a chat once this is over. I am dying to know how you defeated a clan of mermaids on their turf” he says and I nod

“As you wish” I say and we take our seats. There’s barely room to stand never mind sit, so I give my seat up to Valerie

“Please Mrs Dogaru, have my seat” I say and she smiles gratefully. Placing her hand on the side of my face

“I’m proud of you” she says softly, I blush lightly stepping away pushing in her chair. Callan looks at me and smiles, a warm motherly smile. I smile back and clap my hands. Within minutes there is an inordinate amount of food being served. I stand back watching as they eat, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. The love in this room is crippling, it makes my heart ache. I’ve never had a family, I’ve seen families interact, but this is just beautiful. This is what she knows, I can’t take her away from this. I’m used to being alone, hidden away from the world, but this is her world. She’ll be miserable here, especially after being away from them for so long. Oh goddess, what am I going to do? I need her, but she’s going to need them.

“Penny for your thoughts” a voice speaks and I look to the side finding none other than Etienne

“Just thinking of the battle ahead” I say and he nods

“Me too, listen this is overwhelming me too. I never knew this, but don’t be afraid, not of this. You’ll get used to it” he says and I sigh

“No I won’t, excuse me” I say and silently slip out the door. I find a warm plate of food on my desk with a note

“Enjoy your breakfast, I helped with the eggs. XXX Katya” I smile placing the note in my drawer and eat silently. The eggs are good, needs a little salt but its fine. I sit back pushing my plate away and look at the beauty that is nature. My claws retract, my vision goes dark and I lean my head back

“How does a moment last forever” I hum to myself. I can still hear their laughter and banter, it warms my heart knowing that she will be loved, and safe. I have no choice, I love her enough to know she needs them, I have no choice but to let her go.