Prologue
Devastation came wrapped in many forms. The most cruelest of them all was in the form of love. I realised this as I stood with my allies in a huddle formation while guards flanked us from all sides.
Their swords were pointed in our direction, creating a wall of impenetrable metal. Beads of sweat rolled down my face beneath my mask and I opened my mouth to let air in, sucking in the humid breeze.
We were at the end of the line, and there was no way back. Not that I intended as such; I was not leaving until we found him, even if it killed me.
The room we had come crashing into was the Throne room of the palace- except it was hurt to tell by all the debris strewn across the deep red carpets from where we had broken down the wall. A group of knights were swarming the area intended to be the throne, but due to the heavy fog, it was hard to see who was sitting on the ruler’s seat. The guards around us were all yelling and milling around so quickly that it made the atmosphere hard to concentrate in.
Yet my eyes were laser focused as I tracked each and every move made by every person in the room. Even in the heavy mist, I was certain that I could detect him by silhouette alone.
I was proven right when my line of sight narrowed on the figure sitting on the throne with unmistakable authority.
‘Look! there he is.’ I pointed towards the nearly concealed figure and as my allies swung their faces in the direction of my finger, their faces were marred with relief as well.
Suddenly the figure pushed out his arms and rose from the chair, walking in small deliberate steps towards the centre of the room where we were being detained. His scent grew closer, filing my nostrils and my chest ached with such intensity that I was surprised I was still upright.
He was here- the love of my life, was alive and well.
I called out his name in a rush,
‘Alex! It’s me.’
His face turned towards mine slowly and I smiled, my eyes tearing up. Though, it fell as fast as it came-when I met his gaze and my blood ran cold at what I saw.
I was looking into his eyes, but he was no where to be found.
His eyes were empty, save for a cold indifference that I had never associated with myself.
What had they done to him?
I stepped closer and placed my hand on his cheek,
‘Darling, it’s me.’
His hand shot out and grabbed my wrist, pulling me towards him roughly as he asked,
‘Who are you?’
My throat clogged up as tears made my eyes blurry. My mouth gaped in horror as he released my aching wrist and turned to the guards.
‘Seize them at once.’
A strange numbness overtook me as the guards placed those cold metallic cuffs on my wrists, and all I could do was stare at him. His regal form was turned away from me, draped in a deep red robe and jewels- an attire that he never preferred before.
I snapped out of it and began to thrash against the chains while screaming for Alex to come to his senses. Something must’ve gone through because he turned back around and walked over, before cupping my chin and lifting my face towards his own.
He seemed almost introspective, clinical even. His eyes flashed with a different kind of darkness and his next few words shattered my heart into pieces.
‘This one’s too beautiful to be wasted in a prison. Have her prepared and sent to my bedchamber.’
He released me for a second time today and walked off, the sounds of his steps echoing off as he reached the door.
The numbness was different now, the agony I felt was so far gone that I didn’t even feel it anymore.
What had I done all this for? All these last few months, working myself to the bone to find him.
As the guards dragged us towards a darkened hallway, I closed my eyes and welcomed the darkness.
I hope this nightmare ends soon, this is the type of devastation that I’m not strong enough to face.
