Captured by sight (Book 4)

Chapter 11

Fallon POV

I bit my lip as his footsteps faded and when I thought he was out of earshot I broke down crying. The pain is so overwhelming I can’t help it, it hurts to breathe, to talk but it hurts more knowing that this is the end for me. I tried to stay strong, I tried to be positive, but those words I gave him was my last gift. He’ll save them, but I won’t be here anymore by the time they get here, my body is shutting down slowly, I have nothing left but to give up. Dying seems like the easy way out doesn’t it? But it will give me freedom, I will see them in the next life, I’ll wait. Without pain, without torture, this will be my legacy, the princess that gave her life to those she never knew. My body is numb now, I feel cold so I close my eyes and will my mind to show me their faces, for the last time. I love you, I’m sorry for the pain I will cause, but don’t let my death go in vain please. I pray to the goddess and then the silence takes me.

Unknown POV

I’m walking back to the castle when the pain hits me, my steps falter and I stumble to the ground, my heart is beating irregularly, my breathing becomes erratic and one of the guards run up to me

“My lord” he says but I clutch my chest, struggling to breathe

“My lord, what’s wrong?” he asks sounding a bit panicked and I glance back

“Get…her” I rasp out as the pain of my heart breaking overtakes me

“Who?” he asks and I reach up gripping his collar

“The one in the box” I gasp before falling on the ground writhing in pain. His eyes goes wide in shock and he calls to the others

“Help!” he yells, the beast is screaming in pain, and it feels like I’m dying

“NOW!” I growl out and three guards rush past me toward the box. I try and stand but I’m so weak

“Help him” I hear the one say and they help me into a sitting position. Trying to catch my breath, it hurts, s**t!

“Get her to the doctor now!” one yells running toward the castle with her skinny body in his arms. I only catch a glimpse of her feet as they pass, she has no scent which is strange, even humans have scents. The others are still struggling to get me on my feet, gasping for air

“Get the master” the one says but I grab his arm

“No, I’m fine” I say and will my legs to work. Biting through the pain I stand slowly getting to my feet, supporting myself holding on to them. My head is spinning, but I take a deep breath calming my racing heartbeat

“Let’s get you to bed sir” they say and we slowly make our way to the room. My steps falter here and there, but I manage to get into bed

“You” I growl and he stops

“You’ll tell me how she is?” I ask and he bows

“Yes my lord” he says and leaves. The pain is better now, and my vitals seem to have stabilized, but I still don’t understand. What connection do I have with her? How come I’m feeling such strong emotions toward her? She said she wasn’t the princess, it wasn’t a lie

“You there?” I ask him and he grunts

“Do you understand this?”

“No, but we have to save them both. He’s going to pay for what he did to her” he growls and I nod

“Oh yes, to them both” I say and drift off to sleep. The next morning I wake with a headache, it’s not a big one, more like a hangover, those irritating headaches. I finish up and walk out the room

“My lord” her voice makes my brain vibrate and I growl lowly

“Are you alright? I heard what happened last night” she says and I groan

“I’m fine, I was just tired” I say and her hungry eyes rake over me. Go away annoyance

“I have to return home, there has been another attack” I lie, and her eyes go wide

“Oh no” she says in mock care

“Yes, I think it would be better if you stayed here until I return. For your safety my lady” I say giving her a small grin and she blushes

“Oh my lord, your care is much appreciated” she says and I turn toward the door

“I will see you once it has been dealt with. Stay safe my lady” I say and head outside before she can say anything else. The car is already waiting, I get in and we’re off. I open the envelope that was left on my bedside table and read it

“My lord, the young lady is stable. Thank you for your assistance, she would’ve perished did you not intervene.

Safe travels,

Stefan”

I growl loudly crumpling the note in my hand

“You did that to her now you’re thanking me?” I hiss and look out the window. I must’ve drifted off to sleep, the next thing I hear is Gunther gently waking me

“My lord, are you alright?” he asks with worry in his eyes

“Yes… no… I’m tired, I’ve never been this tired in my life” I say rubbing my temples

“Let’s get you settled” he says but I refuse

“I need to speak to them, now Gunther. Every minute counts now” I say and he sighs defeated

“As you wish my lord” he says and we walk to my office, I lock the door and take a seat. I take out the cell phones, placing them next to each other on the desk and look at them

“Hhmmm, which one was hers?” I wonder but then the one screen lights up

“Fallon! Answer me please” the message reads and I pick it up, sliding the screen I tap on the message, Mom. No this will upset her too much. Tapping into the contact list I scroll down until I find the contact I was looking for, I press dial and wait

“Fallon! Goddess sweetheart you nearly gave us a heart attack” his voice booms

“It’s not her” I say and he growls

“What are you doing-“

“I don’t want to explain it here, she’s in trouble” I say and he growls again

“What the f**k did-“

“Nothing, please I’ll contact you within the hour” I say and cut the call. Okay, now we need to get rid of these, they are probably tracing it already. I write down the numbers I need and call Gunther

“Yes my lord” he says and I hand him the two phones

“Make sure these can’t be traced back to us” I say and he nods disappearing into the shadows

“Okay now, this is going to be fun” I mumble and dial his number from my phone

“Hello?” he answers

“Are you ready to listen?” I ask and he growls

“If you hurt her, so help me I will rip you apart” he growls but I just chuckle

“Still the same Belmont” I say and he stills

“Who are you?” he asks and I clear my throat

“Your highness, you don’t know me, but I have dire news regarding your granddaughter sir” I say formally and he seems to calm down

“Where is she?” he asks

“In a terrible place. We tried to locate her, but this will require us working together” I say and he stays quiet

“Who are you?” he asks and I sit back

“A friend”

“You sent the email a few weeks ago?” he asks

“Yes your highness”

“How can we trust you?”

“I will meet you” I say

“Where and when?”

“I will give you the details, please this is serious sir. I… I won’t make light of this if I were you” I say and he sighs

“She’s still alive” he says

“Yes, as far as I know”

“Alright, will we need to travel?”

“No, I’ll come to you” I say

“Alright”

“Sir?”

“Yes?”

“Only you” I say

“Why?”

“You’ll understand when I see you” I say and he grunts

“Fine, as you wish” he says

“Thank you, see you tonight. Please keep it to yourself, we can’t risk anything” I say and cut the call. I ready everything, making sure Katya is fine, then I make my way to the dungeons

“You, Softy” I call and he stands

“I will need a map of that place, think you can do that?” I ask and he nods

“Yes sir”

“Every detail?”

“As much as I can remember sir” he says and I nod

“When I get back, you will prove yourself” I say and he nods. I leave for my private plane and we take off. I nervously tap my hands on my thighs, this could end badly, if they don’t listen… oh goddess please help me. I’ve been in hiding for so many years. I glance at my reflection in the window and frown

“Sort this out first” I mumble. When we land I take out my phone and dial him

“Hello”

“Sir, I will meet you in an hour at the old entrance to Nullius Terram” I state

“Fine, but you are alone?”

“I have a friend with me, General Dogaru still with you?” I ask

“Yes”

“Bring him, good day your highness” I say and cut the call. I stroll into the barber shop and hand him the drawing, I carry it with me wherever I go

“Like this” I state and he nods. 30 minutes later I look at myself and barely recognize the man looking back at me

“Looks much better sir” he says and I smile

“It does, thank you. Gunther pay the man” I say walking out and get in the car. My stomach is in knots, my palms sweating.

“How does a moment last forever?

How can a story never die” I hum the tune and it calms me, I close my eyes and her voice floods my head

“Sir, we’ve arrived” Gunther says and exits the car. We shift and make our way through the trees toward them. Please stay calm, just listen. They come into view and I smile, he’s aged but you can’t mistake those piercing silver grey eyes, Mihai has become a strong vampire, like his father. We wait in the trees and I see them tense, the next moment a massive black Lycan stands in his place, teeth bared, Mihai has his sword at the ready

“Show yourself” he hisses and we descend, shifting to our human forms and walk up to them. I see Mihai step back, but he regards us carefully

“Your highness, General Dogaru” we say and bow

“Good evening, good to put a face to the voice” he says and nods his head

“Who are you?” Mihai asks and I laugh

“You won’t remember me, I was but a boy when you last saw me” I say and he squints

“No… you’re alive?” he gasps and Belmont frowns looking at me intently

“May I introduce my friend, Gunther” I say and they shake hands

“Your highness it’s an honor” he says looking like a child that got a new toy

“The pleasure is mine Gunther” he says

“Sir, I’m sorry for the secretive meeting but this is important” I say but he holds up his hand

“I first want to know who you are, we’re at a disposition” he says and again I can’t help but chuckle

“I had a name, once, but I am more commonly known as Una temută” I say and his eyes start glowing bright gold and dark blue, the beast stirs and makes the weirdest noise

“I know you” his voice now a dark hiss, the beast rises and speaks

“Koa?” he asks and he nods

“Amund, I thought you… this is not possible” he says looking at me intently

“We survived cousin” the beast says

“Unbelievable” Koa says but then his eyes turn back to their normal color

“Koa knows you” he says surprised

“Yes your highness. We can have that discussion at a later time, please we need to discuss the matter at hand” I plead and he nods

“Very well, tell us what you know” he says and we start telling him about Stefan, Cordula, their plan and when I get to his granddaughter his eyes glow again, pure rage and sadness swirling in them

“They took her! The cowards! They will pay, on my family’s graves I swear it” he growls loudly and I must say, he’s shorter than me, but the sheer power radiating off of him now is intimidating

“Please, we need to stay calm highness” Gunther says and he closes his eyes trying to calm his anger

“You know where he is?” he asks his eyes still closed but he seems calmer

“Yes highness, we need to save her, save them. But Stefan has many allies, this won’t be easy” I say and Mihai grins

“Oh we know, but what he doesn’t know is that we have become ten times stronger since we last met with his father” he says his eyes glowing red

“Great news. I can assist with accommodations. No-one must know you are coming, we need to do this as discreetly as possible. We are having maps drawn up as we speak, they will…” I trail off when my heart constricts in pain and I fall to the ground gasping, clutching at my chest

“Not again” I hear Gunther before I feel his hand on my back

“Is it her?” I just nod, trying to catch my breath

“What’s wrong with him?” I hear the king, he kneels down in front of me. My head feels like exploding, my feet are burning and I can barely focus on one thing when the next pain floods my body. I drop on the ground as burning lashes cover my back

“Aargh!” I yell out and they sit there, trying to calm me down

“My lord, breathe my lord” he soothes and I’m trying, I am

“They’re hurting her” his voice booms and their eyes go wide

“Who is talking about?” I hear Mihai, but the lashing doesn’t stop. My whole body is on fire

“The nightingale, he has some type of connection with her” he says and Belmont grabs the back of my neck

“You feel her pain?” I just nod, gritting my teeth

“Your mate?” I shake my head, he glances at Mihai

“I know this” he says and I nod again, I want to scream in pain, this is unbearable

“You are taking most of her pain, she feels but you are taking more than her. She’s in there?”

“Y-yes” I rasp out

“Mihai, our guests will be staying over” he says but I grab his arm

“No, I need…. Oh goddess… to get back” I say but he stands

“We will leave first thing in the morning. You’re going to need rest after this” he says and I frown

“How do…. Aaargh! Please…” I beg curling into a ball

“How does a moment last forever… how can a story never die” I sing softly and the pain starts lifting. I take a few deep breaths, rolling onto my back, it still hurts but its better. They must’ve stopped

“I’m going to rip him apart, slowly. He’s mine” I groan and they help me up. Dusting me off I stand slowly

“Let’s go” Belmont says and I nod turning to Gunther

“Get the car please Gunther” I say blinking away tears. He turns and Mihai speaks up

“I’ll go with you” he says and they walk off

“He doesn’t trust easily” Belmont says and I smile

“Good. Trust is dangerous” I say and he smiles

“She’s a lucky lady, who is she?” he asks but I shake my head

“I don’t know. I’ve only heard her voice. She sang while being locked up. She uh, this is strange. I don’t know what’s happening to me” I say and he folds his arms over his chest

“You’re not one for emotions, this is something you must get used to. She’s going to turn your world upside down” he says, a knowing smile on his face

“I heard you found your mate, did the same happen?” I ask and he nods

“Oh yes, I felt the most extreme emotions but she’s my rock, my comfort and my strength” he says proudly

“I don’t need that really” I say and he throws his head back and laugh

“Yes, be strong and stubborn. She’ll bring you to your knees” he says and turns as the car pulls up. We get in and I can’t sit still, my back stings and burns, making me squirm in my seat. When we reach their house I’m in awe

“Nice place” I say and he nods

“Its home, come on” he says and we exit the car. The guards nod friendly and we feel a little out of place, they’re all so happy. It’s nauseating

“Here, I’ll fetch the queen” Mihai says and we nod entering the room. We step inside and Gunther gives a low whistle

“Fancy” he says under his breath and I scoff

“Waste of money” I groan walking to the bathroom. I take off my jacket and shirt looking at my back. There are no marks, but they might as well be. This hurts a lot

“Your majesty, such an honor to finally meet the feared queen” I hear him say and sigh dropping my head. Gunther you suck up, shut your mouth

“Oh, the feared queen? I uh, I’m not…” she goes silent when I step outside. She looks up at me with wide light blue eyes, she is indeed a very beautiful woman

“Your majesty, it’s an honor” I get down on one knee, bowing my head and kissing her knuckles

“The pleasure is mine sir” she says and I look up at her, giving her a genuine smile

“To what do I owe the honor?” she asks and I sigh

“We’ve come bearing bad news” I say and she nods

“About Fallon?” she asks, her eyes now cold

“Yes majesty” I say and she nods again, I can see the sadness in her eyes but her expression is stoic

“Mi todo” she says and he steps up

“I don’t need details, I just want a target” she says and I smile. Oh I like her

“Amore, we can’t just storm in there, we need a plan. He will help us” he says and she looks back at me

“My sons will be joining us, will you be able to hide the entire royal army?” she asks and I nod standing

“We have space, they will enter under the premise of being tourists. They don’t notice who enters the country. They do however keep a close watch on their perimeter” I say and she smiles

“And the skies?” she asks and I frown

“I don’t know, it isn’t something we tend to watch for threats” I say and her smile turns wicked

“Good” she says and nods

“Good night gentleman, we’ll be heading to the castle tomorrow morning before dawn. Be ready” she says and we bow when she exits

“See, turn your world upside down” Belmont whispers, pride and love shining in his eyes. Would I like it if my mate takes command like that? Would it bother me? I don’t know. The next morning they head to the palace, we return home, waiting for their instructions. We need to get the place ready for them

“My lord” Gunther says as we pull up to my castle

“Yes?” he glances at the castle then turns to me

“We might want to make sure it is indeed fit for the royal family” he says and I nod

“Yes, make sure it is done. I will not be disturbed for the next two hours Gunther” I state and walk to my room. I collapse onto the bed, and almost instantly fall asleep