Captured by sight (Book 4)

Chapter 10

Unknown POV

Pacing up and down in my office I am torn between talking to the girl and just throwing them both in the dungeons to rot. But that would make me no better than him, he said she was punished for nothing. Dammit! What should I do? If I trust them this might cost me everything, but if I don’t it might be my biggest mistake.

“Talk to her” he says and I stop pacing

“Are you insane?” I ask and he grunts

“No, I just have a feeling about this one” he says and I chuckle

“What? No killing today?” I ask and he hisses

“I don’t just revert to violence”

“Yes you do”

“No I don’t”

“Yes you-“my office door swings open revealing a very happy Gunther holding her little hand as they stride inside casually

“Gunther” I say my voice low and she stops. Her big yellow eyes locked on me

“My lord” he says bowing and she gives me a curtsy. Oh please

“We came to seek an audience with you” she says and I raise an eyebrow

“Regarding?” I ask and she glances at him, he smiles and nods

“To discuss a serious matter” she says. I bite back a smile

“Well, have a seat young lady” I say taking my own seat looking at her intently

“Well?” I say. She takes a deep breath and looks me dead in the eye. She has spunk

“My lord, I have been sent with a message” she says and I sit up

“The place I come from is in trouble. We live in poverty and are treated badly” she says and I tilt my head to the side

“How so?” again she closes her eyes taking another deep breath

“We found someone, she came to us and now we have hope. She is strong and beautiful, she also has taken our punishment” she says and my heart aches at her words

“Why would she do that?” I ask and she shrugs

“She says it’s what good people do” she says and I lean forward

“How can I trust you?” I ask and she smiles

“She said you’d ask” reaching into her small bag she takes out a picture sliding it over to me. My eyes go wide when I look at it

“Are you the knight?” she asks and my heartbeat speeds up

“What?” I ask and she leans forward

“Are you the brave knight that spoke to her when she was being held in the water room?” she asks and I open and close my mouth, not sure how to answer her

“I-I… she called me that” I say looking at the drawing

“She drew that, she told us about you. How kind you were, that you saved her” she says and I chuckle

“I didn’t save her, I wanted to” I say softly and suddenly her little hand covers mine, her eyes big and honest as she stands there

“You did. She has been so happy and singing almost constantly since that day. Even the guards have changed, they don’t tell on her anymore when she encourages us, telling us that help will come” she says and this warms my soul, my cold hard heart beating a little faster

“She sings?” I ask softly

“Oh yes, her voice is like that of an angel my mom says. When she sings it lightens up the place, you feel like dancing, and then she does this too” she points to the sketch in my hand

“You said she did this when she came back?”

“Yes sir, she was very weak, but she wouldn’t give up. She drew you, although she didn’t know about this” she says tracing my scar and the beast purrs at her touch. I close my eyes and then she leans closer whispering

“There is a princess” she says and my eyes shoot open

“What?” I ask and she nods

“There is, but she said I couldn’t tell you her name. No-one must know her name, she’s scared they’ll use her to get to her family” she says and my heart starts hammering in my chest. That’s what he said, this is bad. Having a princess as leverage is really bad, this could cause a world war.

“Katya, were you sent here to tend to lady Cordula?”

“Yes. Mommy said it would be better for me here. But I only came because the princess said I can save them” she says, tears brimming in her little eyes

“She was right, now no crying. Warriors don’t cry little one” I say wiping at a tear and she nods, steeling herself

“Well Gunther, we have a new recruit. Please ensure she’s settled before going home” I say and he nods

“Come on little one” he says and she stands firm looking at me

“Anything else?” I ask, she glances at him seeming unsure about something

“You are a good man, she was right about you” she says and my heart skips a beat

“Thank you for helping” she says and slowly wraps her arms around my neck. The beast makes a strange satisfied noise and I place my arm around her small body, closing my eyes. This is what love feels like, I’m sure of it. I am infatuated by my mate, but I don’t know if I love her yet. But this must be love, unlimited, non-judgemental, pure love

“I will do my best. Now hurry before the witch sees you” I whisper, and she giggles

“Are you not going to marry her?” she asks looking into my soul

“We’ll see” I say and she lets go, I feel cold all of a sudden. I watch as they walk out and look back at the sketch of me. She was right I do look better with shorter hair, and that, what did she call it? Oh yes, quiff does look good. I fold it and place it in my secret drawer.

“So you were right” I say and he laughs

“I always am” he says in a cocky tone

“No you’re not”

“Well what do we do now?”

“I have to make sure she’s safe first. I haven’t heard anything yet” I say and he agrees

“Shall we go?” he asks and I glance around

“The old way?” I ask and he hisses in happiness

“Yes please” he says and I nod, I open the window and take a deep breath. I look around making sure the coast is clear and jump down, running into the dark night before I shift and take off toward the city.

“This feels great!” he says and I smile, as we make myself comfortable watching as he moves through the trees toward her

Fallon POV

So cold, so cold. Okay Fallon deep steady breaths, you have to get through this. Just a few more hours then the sun will rise. Deep breaths, in…out…in….out. See you’re fine, this will be over soon, they are there now, I know they are. This is almost the end. My teeth chatter uncontrollably, my skin has gone numb because of the cold water, my bones are cold, but I will see this through. I will not give up, screw him.

“Princess?” I hear his voice and I look up

“Hey b-b-big  g-g-guy” I say shivering but I manage a smile

“We came to fetch you” he says reaching out to me

“O-o-oh, s-s-sure” I say moving my trembling hand to meet his. I don’t even feel his warmth as he takes my hand, pulling me closer to the side. They gently lift me out of the water, wrapping a blanket around me, the other one takes off the box, I slowly move my feet once they’re free

“Th-that f-f-feels g-g-good” I say, then he does something I never thought anyone of them would do. He sits down, pulling me to his chest rubbing my arms and back to warm me up. I lay my head on his shoulder still shivering

“I-I’m o-okay” I whisper but he doesn’t stop, he keeps rubbing. I pull my legs up tucking them between our chests and I can’t help but sigh. Goddess this feels good

“Better?” he asks and I nod

“Thanks” I whisper, he nods and stands holding out his hand to me. I take it and stand, but suddenly the world starts spinning and I grab my head

“Princess” he says and I see him reaching for me but I fall. I never hit the ground. Feeling weightless I drift off to sleep. Oh yes, sleep, sleep is good. I wake up, feeling warm and snugly, I turn but there’s someone holding me. My mind clears and I move away

“Honey?” I hear her groggy voice and relax when I realize its Katya’s mom lying behind me

“Sorry I woke you” I whisper laying back down. She places her arm around my middle and I settle into her embrace. We both need this, she’s still a mother and I’m still a daughter, so we find that in each other. I fall back asleep dreaming of my family, Kyle and my friends. I miss you so much. A few days later we’re back to the usual menial tasks, but then I take out a shirt and my heart skips a beat. It’s him, he’s here, oh thank you. I take a deep inhale of his glorious scent, my head feeling a little dizzy and again that strange warm feeling stirs inside me.

“Oh I wish I could meet you, my brave knight” I whisper

“Princess can you please fetch the clean sheets?” the old lady asks and I smile

“Sure” I say and exit the room, glancing at one of the guards

“Just fetching the clean sheets” I say and he follows me outside. I take a deep breath of fresh air looking up at the night sky

“Beautiful isn’t it?” I ask but he stays quiet

“Our souls will rest among them one day” I say sighing, but he’s unmoved

“Not a talkative one are you?” I ask chuckling, we reach the clothes line and I place the basket down smiling

“You can be amazing

You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug

You can be the outcast

Or be the backlash of somebody's lack of love

Or you can start speaking up

Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do

And they settle 'neath your skin

Kept on the inside and no sunlight

Sometimes a shadow wins

But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave” I sing dancing while taking down the sheets. I get so engulfed in my happiness I dance around him, tracing his chest lightly with my hand, but he grabs my wrist and I stop

“Don’t” he says and I pull my hand back looking down, then he steps closer

“Stop” he says and glance around, taking me in his arms and I smile singing again he leads me in dance

“I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

Everybody's been there, everybody's been stared down

By the enemy

Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing

Bow down to the mighty

Don't run, stop holding your tongue

Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live

Maybe one of these days you can let the light in

Show me how big your brave is

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

Innocence, your history of silence

Won't do you any good

Did you think it would?

Let your words be anything but empty

Why don't you tell them the truth?

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

See you be brave” I stop and he dips me low, pulling me back up he steps back and bows, I curtsy

“Thank you, your majesty. That was my greatest pleasure” he says and I nod again

“Oh dear sir, the pleasure was all mine” I say smiling and pick up the basket, humming another tune walking inside with him trailing behind. That was random, but wow he can dance, it was almost like dancing with my dad

“Thanks, you have no idea how much that meant to me” I say stopping in front of the door and he nods

“Anytime princess” he says and walks away. I finish my task, but I can’t help myself, I have to smell that again, it’s like I’m addicted to this scent. I go to bed after dinner, a huge smile on my face. Today was a good day right? Well sort of, during the night I’m dragged out of my room, again I’m fighting but there are three guards dragging me down to the torture chambers

“What have I done?!” I yell but they don’t answer. They struggle to strap me down and step back

“I hear you like dancing” his dark hissing voice says from the darkness

“I didn’t break any rules master” I plead but he laughs

“No, I just despise dancing” he says and the most unbearable pain shoots up my legs and I scream out in pain. They press the red hot iron against my feet again and I scream until I feel my voice break

“Please!” I beg in a hoarse voice and he laughs

“Don’t make me do these things. Why do you insist on making me look like a monster?” he asks and I let out a pained laugh

“Choose your hard” I say breathlessly and I see the guards stiffen

“What?” he says and I clear my throat

“Choose. Your. Hard” I say again but the one pulls back and lashes my feet relentlessly. I cry, scream and plead but to no avail. They have no intention of letting up. I pull on the restraints, writhing in pain

“Enough” he says and the guards stops, his chest heaving as he steps back

“Take her to the cage” he says and then it goes silent, I hear a door open and close then they let me down, dragging me behind them

“No please” I beg in a raspy voice

“Open it” the one says and my body goes rigid. Asshole

“Get in” he says pushing me inside the steel box. They slam the door shut and lock it. It’s too small, I barely have space to breathe in here. My legs pulled up to my chest, the stench of my burnt flesh and blood fills the space. I want to cry, I want to scream but what good would it do? I lean my head on my knees, squeezing my eyes shut, gritting my teeth as my feet throb in pain.

“Wonderful” I sigh, there’re two holes on either side at the bottom, probably for fresh air or whatever. Why does he keep punishing me? I danced with the guard, he wanted to. Oh crap, he must’ve told him that we danced. Oh no, is he okay? The monster might’ve killed him for it. Dammit Fallon, can’t you do anything right?

Unknown POV

We scale the side of the hotel, under the cover of darkness. Now I just have to find her window and then all will be well again. I glance around, but the night is quiet, no movement so I grip the wall tightly and slide around the side, glancing inside. I see her sleeping figure, her chest slowly rising and falling. I sigh, but the beast isn’t satisfied, he pries the window open and I protest loudly

“No!” I yell but he ignores me

“Get away from her!” I yell but then it hits me, that scent, that beautiful… no wait that’s not hers. She smells different.

“I knew it” he growls and I shift back. Silently observing her as she sleeps

“This is not right, we’ve been watching her for months, no more than a year and she’s always been here” I whisper and look around. Then I notice small things, there are no paintings, no paint supplies, nothing. Just her clothes strewn all over the floor. These are not the type of clothes she normally wears, it’s more revealing. I move closer to her and take a deep breath. What the hell? She can’t change her scent

“That’s not her” he growls and I lean closer looking at her face. I want to touch her, but I’m scared she’d wake up. Goddess she’s beautiful

“That’s not her!” he yells again. I slowly reach out and gently trace her hand and my eyes go wide

“There are no sparks. Shouldn’t there be sparks?” I ask and he hisses loudly in my head

“Imposter!” he yells and I fall back, tripping over a pile of clothing and her eyes flutter open. She sits up rubbing her eyes and then they go wide, so does mine

“What the hell?!” she yells and I stand, her eyes fills with fear and I growl

“Where is she?” I growl and she cowers

“Please don’t kill me” she begs and I grab her hair yanking her up

“Where is she?” I growl again and her eyes close

“I-I don’t know I swear” she says trembling

“Who are you?” I growl sniffing her neck

“No-one” she says and I frown

“Name” I say my voice low and menacing

“I-I have no name. They just said I should do this. I swear Feared one, I don’t even know who she is” she says and I release her. Her body crumpling to the bed and she moves away quickly putting distance between us

“Where is the other one?” I growl and she points to a door

“If you value your pitiful life, stay here and keep quiet” I hiss and walk through the door. I find another door and open it. Growling loudly when I see them having sex

“You!” I growl and pull him off her my claws digging into his back and he yelps

“Master!” he howls and I look at the old man growling loudly

“I trusted you” I growl before ripping his head off and dripping his body with a dull thud, then his head drops and rolls away my eyes never leaving her

“P-please” she begs covering her breasts

“Where is she?” I growl stepping closer

“It… It was a prank” she says her eyes filled with fear

“Good, two for the price of one” I hiss and grab her dragging her effortlessly behind me. She’s screaming and trashing around. I throw her down and the two quickly move and hold each other

“Get dressed. Now” I say and they scramble, pulling on random pieces of clothing

“Gunther, we have a situation. Bring the car” I say through the link

“Where are you my lord?”

“The hotel. Now Gunther” I growl and stand there watching their every move

“I will not spare your life, but you will tell me all you know” I say and they nod quickly

“Well? You need an invitation?” I growl stepping closer

“N-no. We’ll talk, we’ll talk” the one that looks like my mate says

“I’m not known for my patience” I say and they glance at each other

“Th-there was this lady, she said she’d pay us. She paid for all this, and then she said we’re pranking Fallon” the other one says and I almost sigh. Fallon, oh goddess it’s perfect

“And?” I growl, she looks at the other girl

“She had a mock kidnapping, but they brought her back. Kyle said it was funny” she says and I frown

“That is not your friend” I growl and she looks at ‘Fallon’ confused

“What the hell? Of course it is. I’d know my best friend” she says and I growl again

“Tell her” I instruct and the one that looks like her lowers her head

“I’m not” she says and the other girl shoves her away

“But you… you know all this and… how?” she says panicking

“They gave me her memories, and I have this potion I have to take once a week to…” she gestures to her body and the other girls looks between us. She gets up and moves closer to me

“Oh god… oh s**t, oh s**t, s**t, s**t” she says over and over

“Your language, young lady” I groan and she shuts her mouth

“Your parents, that’s why your mom, I mean her mom phoned me… oh crap this is so bad” she says, her face as white as a sheet

“Why?” I ask and she looks at me

“She’s royal” she says and I nod

“No you don’t understand. Do you know who she is?” she asks and I shrug. She’s about to tell me when Gunther strolls in with two guards in tow

“My lord, what is the meaning of this?” he asks scanning the room, my appearance and then he looks at them

“That is not her. This one doesn’t know where she is, and Burkhart, well he’s not with us anymore” I growl and he steps out. Seconds later he comes back

“Take them” he says but the friend grabs my arm

“I’ll take this one. Take that one and clean this mess up. Come” I say and they get up and walk silently out the door. I place my arm around her waist and glance down

“Hold on and don’t scream” I say and she nods. I jump out of the window; she shrieks but luckily doesn’t scream. I land quietly on the ground below and run. Making my way through the shadows holding her tightly to my chest I run to my cottage. No-one knows about this except Gunther. I step through the door and place her down

“Talk” I instruct and she nods

“You heard about the royal Lycans?” she asks and I nod

“Yes, how does a human know?” I ask and she smiles

“We’ve been best friends since 3rd grade. I know her family well” she says and I nod sitting down

“So what is she to them?” I ask and she sighs

“Okay, so I’m scared shitless right now, you have weird ways but if you kill me can I at least say goodbye to my mom?” she asks and I sigh

“If you tell me the truth and let me keep you safe I won’t kill you” I say and she lets out a relieved breath

“Thank you” she says and slumps back

“Tell me” I growl and she sits up again

“Yes, right. Okay so do you know the family?” she asks and I nod again

“I know of them” I say

“How much?” she asks and I groan

“I know the king is Cayden, I know his father Belmont” I say and she nods

“Okay, so his brother, Cayden’s I mean, you know him?” she asks and I frown

“I heard they’re a big family, don’t know their names” I state and she nods

“Well prince Leopold Neo Reyes” she pauses and my eyes light up in recognition

“He has his grandfather’s name” I say and she nods

“Yes he does” she says and I nod

“What about him?” I ask and she rolls her eyes

“Okay, my friend Fallon” I nod

“She’s his daughter, Prince Leo’s daughter. Like she’s third in line for the crown kind of royal” she says and it feels as if someone has knocked the wind out of me

“Why are you looking for her? Did they send you?” she asks and I blink

“No” I say and she moves

“Why?” she asks and I look at her

“She’s my mate” I say and she gasps

“Oh s**t…” she says and I slump back rubbing my face

“Does she know?”

“No, I don’t think so” I say and she nods

“Who are you by the way?” she asks and I glare at her

“A nightmare” I say and she nods giving me a sly smile

“Apparently. You killed my partner, d**k move” she says and I growl

“Foul mouth” I say and she laughs

“Hey, I’m a human that grew up in a supernatural world. I know how you do things. He wasn’t that good anyway” she says and I frown

“You are very calm about this” I say and she nods

“I mean yeah, my dad was in the Pauci Electi” she says and I frown

“How did a human do that?”

“He wasn’t human, he was a tiger shifter. But my mom is human” she says and I look at her

“I never got the shifter gene, I never got anything actually. Sucks but it is what it is. My dad was killed some years ago, rogue attack. There are some things that can’t be undone” she says looking at her hands

“By rogues? Really? They’re highly trained” I state and she nods

“He made one mistake that day, he got separated from them. He was alone, there were too many, they were outside the border and well it happened” she says looking sad and I laugh

“You expect me to believe that?” I ask and she gives me an evil smile

“No” she says and jumps to her feet. Black smoke protruding from her hands like vines

“Ah I see, Daeva was your mother?” I say shifting. She stops gasping at my appearance, but quickly recovers

“Bingo” she says and rushes toward me

“Seems we both had secrets, goodbye witch” I hiss out and tear her apart before she can blink.

“She told the truth about her”

“I know” I say and pace the room, stepping through her blood and guts, making squishing noises. Stupid girl, she thinks I am scared of a witch?

“Okay, we need to find her” I say and he hums

“The other one, she works for him, Stefan” he says and I nod

“I know, that stupid Cordula overplayed her hand so quickly, they learnt nothing. But with a father like Dirk it’s not surprising. He was also blinded by rage, ruined him almost completely” I say walking back to my castle, the sun is rising by the time I step through the doors

“Sir, where is she?” Gunther asks and I growl

“She worked with them, this is much bigger than we thought” I whisper and he nods.

“Oh my lord, are you alright?” her squeaky voice rings in my head

“Yes, we had some trouble with rogues. It seems your present got caught up in the scuffle, she is dead as well as the guard that was with her” I say and she sighs, seeming irritated

“Oh boo. Oh well, you win some, you lose some” she says and turns to leave

“We’ll be going there today, pack your things my lady” I say and she spins around, wrapping me up in a hug

“Oh thank you!” she says and I pry her arms off me

“I need to ensure your brother knows about the threat, we have some other business to discuss as well” I say and she claps her hands

“Oh that’s wonderful news my lord. Come we have packing to do” she tells one of the servants and hurries away

“You will be joining us Gunther” I say watching as she walks up the stairs

“Sir the others?” he asks and I smile

“We will be using them, later. Now you will go in your other form” I say and he smiles brightly

“Finally” he says and I nod

“We leave in an hour” I say, he nods and I leave for my office. I pull open the drawer and look at the sketch again. Now I have two women I want to save, Fallon and my nightingale. I place it back and then I think about something

“Gunther” I say and he appears from the shadows

“Practicing?” I ask smiling and he nods

“Did you know she’s a royal?” I ask and he looks at me surprised

“No my lord, the few times I saw her back at her home, she was either with the young man or training” he says and I sit on my desk

“Really? Always alone? You never saw any of the royals near her? Smelt them?” I ask but he shakes his head

“No my lord, I had to tread carefully, we were in the Reyes territory, they don’t take kindly to us roaming their territory without permission. But I swear, I sat there, near the foot of the mountain and waited for her to run past. She was always alone there. I’m sure if I had risked moving closer to the house I would’ve known” he says and I nod

“Yes, yes calm down. Now we have to find her and the nightingale” I say and he tilts his head

“How will I find the nightingale?” he asks and I smile

“Oh you’ll know. Remember what Katya said about her voice?” I ask and he nods

“Well, then you’ll know. The princess is there too, so you’ll have quite the task” I say and he steps back transforming into the black mist, his voice like an echo

“No problem my lord” he says and dissipates. Now let’s get there, I just need information, we can only attack when we know our enemy. A few hours later we pull up to his castle, greet and get settled. Luckily he doesn’t think it strange that we don’t share a room, goddess I’d kill the wretched thing in her sleep. I think lying down. I just need a nap, nothing serious, but I have been awake for almost two days. I close my eyes and drift off to sleep. I wake up and the sun has already set, I sit up rubbing my eyes and there’s a knock

“Yes?”

“My lord, dinner will be served in 15 minutes” a voice says

“Thank you” I reply and get up. Washing my face I glance at myself in the mirror. I will take that drawing to the barber, I would love to look like that. I trace my scar smiling. I do look much younger in that sketch, we’ll see what he can do. I tell Stefan about the ‘threat’ and what happened to the girl and the guard and he sends out more guards to patrol the outer perimeter

“Well, not many rogues I know that would take either of us on” he says and I nod

“These weren’t local, we believe they came from the North” I say and he nods

“Oh, well they’ll learn like the others did. So dear sister do you have a date yet?” he asks happily and she shrugs

“Oh we wanted to get married in the summer, but after careful consideration I decided on a winter wedding. You know, a pure white wedding” she says gleefully. Don’t puke

“Sounds wonderful. I would like to offer you the garden for a venue, but you probably want to use the one at your home” he says looking a little shy

“Oh thank you dear brother that would be wonderful, right darling” she says and I nod, focusing on the glass in my hand

“Yes, whatever you want” I say not really interested in the conversation pertaining to my fake marriage

“Oh you see brother, he’s such a gentleman” she shrieks and I clench my jaw. I wonder where she is? Will I hear her sing tonight? Oh I hope so, if I can’t see my mate then I would love to hear her voice. No such luck I’m afraid, we spent three days looking for her, trying to figure out how big this castle is. Gunther gave me constant updates, he says the lower levels are like mazes, he hasn’t even made it to the dungeons yet. It’s almost midnight and the beast is restless

“Just let me out” he says but I refuse

“No, you know what happens when I let you run free” I argue but he won’t relent

“Sir” he comes through the link

“Yes”

“I think you should see this” he says and I get up

“Where are you?” I ask

“I’m past the lake, turn left at the big rock I’ll be waiting” he says and I make my way silently through the castle. The guards nod as I pass, strolling by casually

“Can’t sleep my lord?” the one asks as I walk past him on my way to the lake

“No, it seems as if sleep has evaded me” I answer and he nods going on his way. Walking at a leisurely pace down the path I glance at the lake and stop for a few seconds. The stars shining as brightly reflecting off the still water as they are in the sky, creating the illusion that they meet on the horizon, as if they have come down from the heavens and settled on the calm water

“Magnificent” I whisper. Crickets are singing, some fireflies are noticeable in the distance then a soft breeze blows by me and I hear it, it’s her. I look around, not drawing attention to myself and walk down the path, seeing the large rock and turn left it becomes more clear, her voice is softer than before, more strained as her words become clearer

“Let me be empty

Oh, and weightless, and maybe

I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of the angel

Fly away from here

From this dark, cold, hotel room

And the endlessness that you fear

You are pulled from the wreckage

Of your silent reverie

You're in the arms of the angel

May you find some comfort here” I stumble hearing the pain in her voice and then he stops me

“Sir, is that her?” he asks and I nod

“She’s down there” he says and I move quickly to get to her but it’s fenced off, there’s a metal box in the middle and I realize she’s in there

“It don't make no difference

Escaping one last time

It's easier to believe in this sweet madness

Oh, this glorious sadness

That brings me to my knees

In the arms of the angel

Fly away from here

From this dark, cold, hotel room

And the endlessness that you fear

You are pulled from the wreckage

Of your silent reverie

You're in the arms of the angel

May you find some comfort here

You're in the arms of the angel

May you find some comfort here” my heart aches, I want to be with her, he’s right on the surface, blazing rage stirring within me I grip the fence and rip it open stumbling toward her

“Nightingale?” I say and she starts to sob

“No. No please don’t cry, I dammit!” I see the lock but breaking it would surely set off some type of alarm

“Please I’m here… I’m here… please just… I’m sorry I had to leave” I beg frantically trying to get her to stop crying. Can she hear me? f**k!

“Y-you came” she says sobbing and I kneel down next to the box

“Yes… yes I came back” I say placing my head against the cold metal

“I know what you smell like” she says and I smile

“Really?”

“Yes… you smell good” she says and sobs again

“Are you hurt?” I ask and she cries out. My heart breaking with each note, each breath she takes

“N-no” she says and I squeeze my eyes shut, I know she’s lying, but I understand why

“Did Katya find you?” she asks and I nod

“Yes, did you send her?” I ask

“No, the princess did” she says and my heart sinks

“I found her, she’s safe” I say

“Did you kill him?”

“No! He’s also… safe” I say and she chuckles

“He’s locked up?” she asks and I sigh

“Yes” I say, I hear her moving but not much

“Okay, I get it” she says and I smile

“I saw the drawing, I just don’t understand something” I say

“Oh?”

“Katya said I saved you, and that you are a princess, but you’re not the princess” I say and she giggles

“No, I’m not. They call me princess because we have no names here. I gave Katya her name, like the guard that was with her?” she says

“Yes”

“I call him Softy, because he’s always been kind to me” she says and I nod

“Oh I see, so this princess, she’s still here?” I ask

“Yes, I believe so. Haven’t seen her in weeks though” she says and a fear starts creeping up in my chest

“She told me you sing, a lot” I say and she moves again

“I did” she says and I sit against the box leaning my head back

“I can’t get your voice out of my head” I say and she sighs

“Well, I found you a song” she says

“Really?”

“Yes, wanna hear it?” she asks and my heart leaps

“Please” then she starts softly, and then her voice becomes stronger, sending shockwaves through me

“How does a moment last forever?

How can a story never die?

It is love we must hold onto

Never easy, but we try

Sometimes our happiness is captured

Somehow, our time and place stand still

Love lives on inside our hearts and always will

Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone

But when all else has been forgotten

Still our song lives on

Maybe some moments weren't so perfect

Maybe some memories not so sweet

But we have to know some bad times

Or are lives are incomplete

Then when the shadows overtake us

Just when we feel all hope is gone

We'll hear our song and know once more

Our love lives on

How does a moment last forever?

How does our happiness endure?

Through the darkest of our troubles

Love is beauty, love is pure

Love pays no mind to desolation

It flows like a river through the soul

Protects, perceives, and perseveres

And makes us whole

Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone

But when all else has been forgotten

Still our song lives on

How does a moment last forever

When our song lives on” her voice fades and it feels as if I’m floating on air. She’s silent, sitting still, not even breathing and I place my hand against the side

“I would love to hear you sing for the rest of my days nightingale” I say softly

“I would love to see you brave knight” she says

“I wish I could take you away… I am trying to” I say

“Yes, I know. Easier said than done, I can’t… I want to but… oh” she breaks down and I sit there listing to her cry and it pierces my soul

“Sweetheart” I plead and she sniffles

“Yes?”

“I want nothing more than to know you, the real you. I just want to see your face, keep you safe” I say and she sighs, sniffles and moves again

“I would like that. My dad he could save me, but I have only the princess now, she’s the only one that can bring them here” she says and I move standing on my knees with my head resting against the cold metal

“I will get her family here, I’ll do all I can I promise” I say and she chuckles

“I know, you’re a brave knight, a kind and gentle man with a generous heart. You have courage knight, don’t let the fear of failing keep you from trying. Trust your instincts, they won’t fail you” she says and her words make my insides stir, this wonderful woman doesn’t know me, but she believes in me

“I’m none of those things” I say and she chuckles

“You will do great things, believe in yourself knight. Believe you can move mountains, be strong, have courage and always know that no matter what you had my heart even if just for a short while. You saved me, you gave me hope and courage. I found light in this darkness, you brave knight are so much more than you think you are” she says and I feel the tears run down my cheeks, she broke my walls, she loves me, even though I can’t love myself. How is this possible?

“How can you be so kind while you are suffering?” I ask and she sighs

“It’s all I can do. Hatred and anger won’t change me, no amount of torture will break my spirit. My grandma always says that our greatest test of strength is measured through our greatest adversities. This will pass, one way or the other I will get out, I hope I can see my family but if I can’t I will watch over them, and you” she says and I let out a painful sob. Oh goddess this pain is almost too much to bear

“I won’t let you die, I swear it” I say standing and looking at Gunther, he wipes his own tears and I raise an eyebrow

“We need to go” I say and he nods

“My sweet nightingale, hold on my sweet we’ll be back” I say and she taps on the side

“Give them hell brave knight” she says and these final words steels my resolve. I walk back knowing exactly what to do, we will give them hell. They will all burn, if just for their injustice toward her, they will suffer