Captured by sight (Book 4)

Chapter 6

Unknown POV

“Don’t make me tell you again, she received her punishment, now leave” I state and he shuts the door. I slump into my chair rubbing my face

“I hate doing that” he says and I nod

“Me too, but I have to be fair”

“That was a little extreme” he growls

“You going soft on me?” I joke

“No, but we could’ve done something else”

“I know, we acted in anger”

“It’s because we’ve been away from her for so long” he says and I nod

“You’re right. We need to see her”

“Yes let’s” he says sounding excited

“Wow, that’s new”

“She’s our mate, I know this is different, but I can’t help it” he says and I laugh

“Me neither. I need to eliminate him first, he’ll threaten her. As long as he doesn’t know about her, she’s safe”

“My lord”

“Yes Gunther”

“She’s ready to see you sir” he says and I stand

“Bring her in please” I say and he leaves. A pale skinned, dark haired young woman comes strolling in. Her dark yellow eyes rake over my body and I have to grit my teeth to keep from shivering in disgust. A year ago I might’ve accepted the offer, but now it’s different

“Oh look at you my lord” she says giving me a curtsy

“Lady Cordula, a pleasure” I say taking her hand and kissing her knuckles

“Oh my lord, this is a magnificent palace” she says but her eyes stay on me

“Thank you my lady, please have a seat” I say and guide her to the chair. She sits down, making sure I see her massive breasts straining against the thin material. No class

“Lady Cordula, I have invited you here to discuss a business transaction” I say taking my seat

“Oh, and what type of business are we talking about my lord?” she asks leaning forward, pressing her breasts together. I’m going to be sick

“Your brother”

“Urgh, that i***t” she says sitting back

“Well, we might find a way to rid us both of a mutual enemy” I say and her eyes sparkle

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend” she says and evil grin spreads on her face

“Well what do you propose my lord?” she asks playing with a strand of hair

“We will need to ensure Stefan trusts us” I say and her cackling laughter fills the room, making my skin crawl

“He doesn’t trust anyone my lord, you know this” I sit back, tapping my claws on the desk

“Yes, I do but he trusts you” I say and she hums

“What’s in it for me?” she asks

“What do you want?”

“Well, we’re both alone, consenting adults” she says and I swallow the growl

“If we are to be married we’ll have a combined power to rule the whole continent” she says and I frown

“I don’t want to rule the whole continent, I just want Stefan gone” I state

“Fine, then I want to rule” she says and my blood runs cold. She’s crazier than him; luckily she doesn’t have the manpower

“We couldn’t make that decision, it will have to be made by the royals my lady” I say and she laughs

“When we have a combined power, we can overthrow them too” she says. I really want to rip her throat out now

“You aim high my lady”

“I always do, shame my dear father never saw the potential I truly possess. So what do you say?” she asks and I look at her

“I will not be blackmailed my lady” I growl and she laughs again

“It’s not blackmail, it’s a suggestion” she says sweetly

“You would turn on your own blood so quickly?” I ask and she shrugs

“We were never close, Stefan always had his sights set on the throne, we have a common interest” she says and I nod

“How will we gain his trust?”

“We will make sure he thinks we are getting married, thinking that we will merge the power, he’s constantly on a power trip, so the more allies…” she smiles. I hate you

“The more power I get it” I groan

“So my lord?”

“I will not marry you, let’s make that clear” I state and she smiles

“Oh I understand my lord, it will be great seeing my brother fall” she says with a gleeful sigh

“I will not interfere in your territory, and you will keep out of mine” I say and she nods

“As you wish my lord”

“I don’t trust her” he says

“Neither do I”

“We will have the agreement drawn up, tomorrow we sign” I say standing

“Can I make one request my lord?” she asks and I turn to her

“I want him to be publically executed” she says, hatred glowing in her eyes

“Fine” I growl out and walk to the door opening it for her. She strides up, places her hand on my bicep and gasp dramatically

“Oh my lord, I never realized you were so muscular” her finger tracing my shoulder, down my chest and abs, stopping just above my belt. Don’t kill her, don’t kill her

“Thank you my lady, enjoy your evening” I say and she pouts

“My fake fiancé not joining me for dinner?”

“I have business to attend to, good evening my lady” I say bowing. She kisses my cheek and walks out swaying her hips. The moment the door closes I take my handkerchief and wipe at my cheek frantically

“Never seen you do that” Gunther says chuckling. I glance at the red lipstick smears on the handkerchief and shiver visibly

“I’ve never been this close to throwing up” I say throwing the thing in the fire

“You going to do it?” he asks and I nod

“It’s the only way to make sure when she comes here that she’ll be safe” I say turning to him, my claws retracting, my vision darkening to complete darkness

“If I may?” he asks and I sit down gesturing for him to sit

“What if she doesn’t keep her end of the deal?” he asks and I sigh

“We’ll be going to war. That’s why I am trying everything possible to avoid it. We are not strong enough to take them on” I say

“They could help” he says

“I don’t want to bother them with insignificant things Gunther”

“What if they find out about her?” he asks and I growl making the windows shake, his calm face comes into view

“I’ll kill them all myself” I say threateningly

“Burkhart phoned me today” he says and I exhale

“Is she fine?” I ask and he nods

“He said she’s not with that young man anymore” he says and I smile

“Thank the goddess, I wanted to rip his heart out when he kissed her” I say and he nods

“She’ll be at the art festival tonight” he says and I stand

“As will we” I say smiling and he nods

“Love sick puppy” he jokes and I nudge his shoulder

“I never in all my years thought I’d be blessed with a mate Gunther” I say, feeling my face flush a little

“It’s amazing isn’t it?” he asks and I nod

“Does it go away, this feeling?” I ask and he stops

“No, not even after you’ve lost them” he says, the hurt flashing in his eyes

“Anja was special, we all miss her dearly” I say and he nods

“She’s waiting for me. I hope to join her soon” he says

“Not too soon, let’s get this situation with Stefan sorted out and then you can go” I say

“You’ll be lost without me” he says and I laugh as we get in the car

“Also true” I say and we drive off. An hour later we’re weaving through the crowd trying to locate her

“There” he says and I stop. We step into the shadows so that I can see

“Oh goddess, look at her” I say leaning against the wall, the beast purrs at the sight of her. She’s dancing with some friends, her hips jutting side to side on the beat and I feel myself getting hard, thinking of those hips grinding against me

“She really is beautiful sir” he says and I nod. The song ends and she turns laughing at something the other girl said, it reaches me and tingles run down my spine. They each take a shot, laughing and enjoying themselves while I stand there, admiring her from afar

“Sir?”

“Hhmmm?”

“We need to leave” he says and I sigh

“Alright” I say looking back. Her angelic face turned away but I smile. Soon my love, I will have you in my arms and all will be well, good night my beauty

Fallon POV

“Princess?” I hear his voice and stir

“Morning” I say stretching out; the wounds have healed nicely, thanks to the girls. But I’m still in the dungeon

“You can go back to your duty” he says unlocking the cell. I stand, my body aching from sleeping on the hard floor, the skin have started callousing in places where my bones press on the floor

“Thank you” I say stepping out. We walk in silence toward the door and then he escorts me up the steps, back to the laundry room. When he closes the door I’m attacked with hugs

“Princess!” Katya squeals making me giggle

“Glad to see you missed me” I say and they smile

“We thought they…” the old woman says but I take her hand kissing her knuckles

“No, they didn’t” I say and I see the relief in her eyes

“Anything interesting happen while I was gone?” I ask the little girl

“Mommy and I had cake” she says and my eyes go wide

“Really, was it good?” I ask and she nods

“Yes, it was my birthday” she says and I frown. They don’t have names, or can’t remember their names but they have birthdays? How peculiar

“We have her birthday every year, I won’t forget the day this blessing came” her mother says stroking the girl’s hair and I smile

“Just after my 18th birthday my mom came back, was the best present ever” I say and again my heart clenches. I missed all their birthdays

“When is yours?” Katya asks and I smile

“Well, mine is in April” I say and she squeals

“It’s almost April” she says

“Really? You have a calendar?” I ask and they nod

“We do, what day?”

“17th” I say and they smile

“We’ll tell the cook, he’ll do something special. He’s taken quite a liking to you. Never seen the old man show any emotion until you came” one woman says and I start with my task

“I’m lucky then, to have so many people that care” I say

“It’s because you care majesty” the one lady says and I nod, still smiling. This helps, maybe this is how aunt Amala survived, knowing that there were still people who cared. I just hope that I am as lucky as she was. I had a lot of time to think down there, we’re getting out of here, not sure how yet but I won’t make the same mistake of telling anyone. Being burnt with boiling water was not my idea of fun, so I need to gain trust around here, keep my head low and get as much information as possible. My birthday comes and the old cook sure did make it special, we each got a piece of cake, I had the biggest one, they sang to me and I had to make a wish. I wished for strength, courage and wisdom.

“We made you something” Emily says and produces a package

“Oh thank you, this is very kind of you” I say opening the package. It’s a dress, pure white with dark stitching, not an expensive one but it is very beautiful, hand stitched of course so it makes it more personal. I stand holding it against me and their faces light up

“Oh it’s pretty” Katya says and I nod

“The prettiest dress I’ve ever seen” I say and the girls blush

“Sure you had prettier dresses than this” Lilly says and I hug her

“Yes, might be but none of them were hand stitched, just look at these patterns” I say tracing the fine stitched patterns at the hem of the dress

“They said to give you this” the old woman says handing me another package

“They?” she nods toward the door

“The two guards” she whispers, I slowly open it and gasp

“Oh my goodness” I take out the leather belt, dark brown with brass buckles, strong and has… whoa it has a scabbard, for a sword or dagger… why would they? Oh goddess

“It goes perfectly with the dress princess” Katya says and I nod

“It does, seems my friends have been busy” I say looking around the small room

“We just wanted to make it special princess. You’re used to… much more but we hope this helps” Katya’s mom says

“You know, when I was little my dad used to bake us cupcakes, then on my mom’s birthday we’d go to the cemetery and light her a candle, the candle blew out every time and I knew she made a wish. Those were the best birthdays, just us, nothing big. So this right now is the best birthday I had in many years” I say, the tears burning my eyes but I blink them away

“We’re happy to share it with you dear” the old woman says

“I’m happy that you’re here, now let’s have some cake” I say and we sit chatting and having cake. Later that night I’m awoken by screaming

“No please!” she begs and I get up rubbing my eyes

“She’s just a girl!” she yells and I swing open the door. Two men are pulling Katya but her mother is holding on for dear life

“Hey! Let her go!” I say in my Alpha voice and they step back quickly

“What’s the meaning of this?” I demand

“She’s been sold” one says not looking up

“Sold? To who?”

“The feared one, the master’s sister” he says and I scoff

“Take me, one slave is as good as another” I state but he shakes his head

“No miss, she wants her” he says

“Well she can’t have her”

“Princess please” Katya’s mother pleads

“It’s fine, let me handle this” I turn back to them

“P-princess?” the one asks trembling

“Just a name, nothing more” I state and he nods

“This woman-”

“Lady Cordula”

“Yes her, how does she know of the girl?” I ask

“The guards miss” I look up glaring at one guard and he steps back

“You let them sell these girls?!” I demand but he shakes his head

“N-no they are sold off by the master”

“Like cattle?!” I yell and he steps back again

“Of all the things you do to them, treating them no better than stray dogs, you have the nerve to sell them?!”

“Princess please keep your voice down” she begs again

“I will not keep my goddamn voice down! This is inhumane, we live in the modern world with power hungry fools like this?! How dare he treat them like, like… like-“the deep menacing voice speaks from the shadows

“The slaves they are” he says and I spin around

“Show yourself you coward” I demand, but his voice moves without him making a single sound

“You dare command me?” he asks and I laugh

“Oh you petulant scum, you think this is acceptable?” I ask

“I asked you a question princess” he hisses, this makes me shiver but I stand my ground

“I will not be intimidated by a pathetic fool like you. Hiding behind your guards, coward!” I yell then my legs are kicked out from under me, I fall on my back and notice two glowing red orbs looking down at me

“Did I not warn you not to defy me?” he hisses

“You did, I just don’t take orders from self-centered, pitiful tyrants” I groan. Something wraps around my ankles, like a vine, jerking me up, my body slamming against the wall then the hard floor and back again. THUD-THUD-CRACK-THUMP-SNAP

“Oh crap” I gasp out grabbing my arm, I think my leg is broken too

“You want more?” he asks in a voice that makes you think of the wind during a thunderstorm, dark and ominous but strong

“You cover my eyes when you let them burn me with boiling water, now you hide in the shadows, seems to me that you’re scared. Why can’t I see the face of the enemy?” I growl, getting back up

“You have no idea who you’re angering little princess” he hisses again and I laugh

“Neither do you” I growl, moving quickly I jump toward the corner his voice was coming from, my finger grab onto something, but it’s scaly and slick, like a crocodile’s skin. Then strong jaws sink into my side but I use all my strength and punch at the head, he hisses loudly, his jaws releasing me and I roll away

“You b***h!” his voice now a mixture of anger and hate

“Awe the little man hurt?” I mock. Bad idea

“GET HER!” he yells and the place fills up with guards, I grit my teeth, and stand. Squaring my shoulders

“You dare go up against me?” I ask and they stop advancing

“I said get her!” he yells again

“I am the granddaughter of King Belmont Reyes, the king that has ruled fairly for centuries, the niece of King Cayden Reyes. My father, Prince Leopold Reyes and still you will go against me, my family?” I ask and some step back. Looking at each other not sure what to do

“He rules you with fear, there’s no dignity in that, no honor. He can’t even show his face, some of you have seen my uncle?” I ask and they nod slightly

“We have nothing to hide”

“Except you princess, a name hidden from the world” he hisses

“My name is not hidden, my identity was, seems that failed since you found me” I growl out and he laughs

“Yes, you were so innocent” he says and I frown. I turn to face him when another sting in my neck makes my legs buckle

“Sleep my sweet” I hear his voice fade as the darkness takes me. I wake up to dripping sounds, my hair and face dripping with icy cold water. I move my hand to wipe my face but realize I’m restrained. I shake my head and glance around. This is a different place, I’m strapped into a cage like thing, my hands and legs bound by chains and shackles, but this damn water

“Hello!” I call out but there’s nothing. At least they didn’t take my clothes off. The water drips on my head, running down my face, falling off my nose. Tap-tap-tap, then it runs a little faster, slower. My scalp burning from the icy water. I will not break, they can’t make me give up. I chant over and over in my head. I look around, and I see streaks of light through a hole in the wall. It’s either sunlight or light from the next room, so I focus on the light. Shaking my head every few minutes, the pain in my dislocated shoulder and possibly broken leg my only companions. I just hope they didn’t take Katya, please let them be safe, please. I plead. This is my fault, I should’ve just kept quiet. No you’re a princess, you can’t keep quiet about this. This is a gross abuse of power, he needs to be stopped. My rational side argues

“How?” I whisper but there’s no answer. Tap-tap-tap, the sound of the dripping water echoes. My body shivering making the chains rattle. My jaw set I focus on my family. Little Lennox running out the back door as I chase after him, crying with laughter. My mother’s loving face, smiling at me with pride in her eyes. Then my dad, his tall, strong figure fitted out in his cammies and green shirt. His kind eyes searching my soul, his soft fatherly voice echoing in my head

“I’m not a soldier, but I’ll fight through our darkest of days

Get on my shoulders

I’ll carry you all of the way” before I know it I’m humming the tune, my eyes closed as we dance to the soothing sound of his deep voice, singing to me, reassuring me that he’s there, I’m safe and loved

“I love you princess”

“I love you too daddio” I’d say as he hugs me to him. His strong arms creating a barrier between me and the world. Oh dad, how I wish you were here, to save me.

“Don’t give up Fallon” he says and I nod

“Never” I say to the empty room. The light eventually fades, and it confirms the fact that it is sunlight. Somewhere I fall asleep, my dreams plagued with images of my family dying, drowning in a lake of ice. I try my best to break it, but I have to watch in horror as their eyes glaze over and they sink to the bottom, the darkness of the depths swallowing them

“Noooo!!” I yell and my eyes fly open. My heart hammering in my chest, my ears ringing as the blood rushes in my veins, my lungs taking in gulps of air

“A dream… just a dream Fallon… just a dream” I whisper calming my nerves