Out in the Cold

"They're coming, Your Majesty."

Geiya's eyes shone with fear. Beads of sweat dripped down his face and neck. I turned to look at my father at the head of the table. His eyes held no emotion. I looked at my mother, her eyes screamed with fear. I looked at my little sister, so many tears had gathered in her eyes, that they were almost rolling down her cheeks.

"Leave us Geiya."

My father finally spoke. He didn't look up, he didn't flinch. I had never seen him like this. Was he scared? No. My father was never afraid. He fought multiple battles in his time and always emerged victorious.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Seconds later, the door closed leaving the four of us alone. We all sat in dreadful silence. No one dared to touch the food on their plates. Outside the door, you could hear the clicking together of swords. The groans of men in pain. You could smell the blood oozing out of their bodies. You could almost taste it.

"I'm scared Father."

I looked up at Nayla. The tears had travelled down her cheeks and to her chin. My mother placed her hand over hers in an attempt to give her some comfort. It failed. Her tears continued to fall with ease.

"Did I teach you to be scared Nayla?"

My eyes travelled to where my father sat. He was a man who rarely showed emotions. Whenever Mother would tell tales of how he swept her off her feet, I would always wonder how that man turned into the stone-cold King we called father.

"No father."

Nayla shook her head slowly, not daring to look at him. She was the most scared of our father. I didn't blame her. She was a twelve-year-old who wasn't allowed to be just that. My father started training her to fight with swords when she was just five. Anytime she would hurt herself, he would yell at her to stop crying. He would tell her not to be weak. He would always say "Wounds heal but your dignity does not".

"Bring me some water Leiya."

I quietly rose to my feet. He had asked all the maids to leave us and I wouldn't dare to disobey him. I picked up the large wooden jug on the other end of the table with both hands. The sounds coming from the other side of the walls overshadowed the sound of water pouring into his cup. I stood so close to him that I saw little moisture on his temple. Sweat.

My father never sweated, except, of course, he was in battle. Even when he trained, he never broke a sweat. He always said they were nothing compared to all the battles he fought. My hands trembled as I held the jug firmly to myself. My father, the strongest man in the whole Herra kingdom, who all my life taught me never to be afraid, was... afraid.

"It is time."

He took a sip out of the cup I had just poured water into. Taking his time to swallow before he continued.

"Degar could kill me and your mother but he wouldn't kill you both. A man of pride that he is would rather parade you both to his kingdom as spoils of war."

He clenched his fists around the cup. If it wasn't made of strong wood, it would have succumbed to my father's angry chokehold.

"Whatever happens, do not lose sight of each other. Always be within reach of one another. You both are stronger together than you will ever be apart."

This was my father's way of saying goodbye to Nayla and I. I looked up to meet his eyes. They weren't as commanding and certain as they always were. I saw an emotion I had never seen before but I wasn't sure what it was. He nodded his head lightly. I knew he was putting me in charge of looking after my sister. I nodded back. I was going to do it with my last blood.

Suddenly, the noises on the other side of the door grew louder and louder. Accompanied by many footsteps. My heart began to beat louder and faster. Just then, the two large wooden doors flung open. Bloody-looking men with swords marched in. My mother immediately reached out for Nayla but the sword-yielding men got hold of them both. In a split second, we were on our knees with swords to our necks.

"Aww. Did I interrupt the family dinner?"

I moved my eyes in the direction of the evil man. King Degar. Tales of his reign of terror travelled far and wide. He had a scar that ran across his left eye. He had a frightening look with an eerie of danger around him. If there was any doubt about the stories I was told about him, they had all cleared.

"Any last words. Philip."

He stood on the other end of the table. Looking intently at my father who was held hostage on the other end.

"Let my family live."

My father's speech was restricted by the sword held tightly to his neck. Now I was convinced of the emotion I saw in his eyes earlier. It was fear. Then it hit me, my father was going to die.

"As a good man, I would honour your dying request. But first."

With a wave of his hand, he instructed his men to force us to our feet. Except my father. This time my mother's and sisters' faces were wet with tears. I watched in total horror as he took out his sword and made his way towards my father. He stood over my father with a plastered grin across his face. A sickening grin.

"You're going to have to die first before I can grant your wish."

My father didn't have the chance to respond before the long, metallic, sharp object was thrust into his chest. Everything happened at once. My father's muffled groan. The screams of my mother. The shrill cry of my sister. The breaking of my heart into a million pieces. My mother struggled out of her captor and rushed to my father as he fell to his side.

She kneeled in the pool of blood that was beginning to form beside him. A pool of his blood. She held his head up and cried uncontrollably. Degar watched in satisfaction. Spread across his lips was a smile of achievement. The kind of smile you put on after you win a medal, not after you murder a father before his family. He made me sick. He made my blood boil.

"Get the girls and let's head home."

He turned, heading towards the door.

"And her?"

He turned and I followed his eyes to my mother kneeling beside her now dead husband. He looked long and hard at her, not with pity or empathy but with indifference and nonchalance.

"Kill her."

The words rolled off his tongue with ease and my eyes widened in horror. My mother didn't move. She was dead inside already. Nayla kept screaming and crying but I was too numb to do either. I took one last look at my mother as the men dragged us away. Even with the tears and blood on her face, she was still fair and beautiful. The most beautiful woman I had ever known, inside and out.

We were metres out of the door when once again, I heard the thrusting sound of the sword. It was accompanied by a loud thump. I knew what that meant but I was too scared to look. Nayla ran into my arms, crying uncontrollably as the men led us farther away from the doors. It was just us both now.

As we made our way out into the snow and the cold air violently hit my face, it became clear to me what my father meant when he said "To some people, the cold is cozy but to others it is cruel". It was then my eyes began to water.

Chapter 2

A small gift

Nayla and I were forced to walk through King Degar's town. Our hands and feet were bound in chains and we were pulled forward by a man on his horse. Men, women and children booed at us as we went. Some of them spit at us. Others cheered, commending their King and his men for their victory against our kingdom. Anger boiled within me but there was nothing I could do.

I looked at Nayla beside me. Her head was lowered and she dragged her feet. Her eyes were puffy and swollen. She had been crying since mom and dad were killed and the tears just kept coming. She was too young for all of this. The suffering. The pain. The humiliation. I would give anything to give her a normal life.

Our walk of shame went on until we reached the gates of the castle. It was huge. Twice the size of ours, now lying in ruins. King Degar unmounted his horse and the crowd cheered even more. He whispered a few words to the guards in charge of our chains and seconds later, we were being pulled into the castle.

Its interior was dampening. Almost sad. We were led up a flight of stairs and through a hall until we came before a small podium. We were pushed onto the podium and the crowd went wild. We were entertainment for them. I was still on the ground when I noticed King Degar's blood drenched shoes.

"Once again, your King has returned victorious!"

He yelled with his hands in the air. The people cheered once again.

"And these."

He pulled Nayla by her hair causing her to scream in pain. I launched myself at him. Almost immediately, I felt a sharp force pull me to the ground. My chains.

"That one's a little fiesty."

The crowd erupted in laughter. I knew he was referring to me. I was thrown to the ground with so much force, I couldn't bring myself to even stand up.

"As I was saying."

He went on, pulling Nayla to her feet by her hair.

"These are your prisoners. Your servants. Your slaves."

His tone deepened at the mention of slaves and the crowd cheered even louder. I bit my bottom lip in anger. I would rather die than be a slave to this man and his people. He threw Nayla to his side and she landed with a thump beside me. I reached out for her and we clinged onto each other. She had brushes everywhere on her pretty skin.

With a wave of his hand, Degar instructed his guards to take us in. We were pulled up by our chains and dragged through the halls. We were led to a small room. It had just one window and a small bed. The guards let us out of our chains, pushed us in and shut the door.

Nayla slowly lowered herself onto the bed, crouching her legs to her chest and wrapping her arms around herself. I looked around the small room. There wasn't much to see. In the corner was a bathroom big enough to fit one person. I sat close to Nayla on the bed. I pushed the strands of hair that covered her sweaty face to the back of her ear. It made me realise she was crying.

"You have to stop crying Nayla."

I stroked her hair gently.

"If father was here, he would yell at you."

I knew I wasn't saying the right words but I never had to console anyone in the nineteen years of my life.

"I cannot be strong, Leiya. Every part of my body aches and I am very hungry."

She whimpered. It took us two days to get here. In the cold, without food or water, we rode on a horse for miles. The only thing we had were the clothes on our bodies.

"Father always said, they can break your body but do not let them get to your spirit."

My father's words didn't make much sense to me when he said them as they do now. I was still stroking Nayla's hair when we heard the locks in the door move. She immediately sat up and held onto me tightly.

Slowly, the door opened and to my relief, two women walked in. They looked old. Not too old but somewhere around the middle. They each held a bucket and had some items with them.

"Do not be scared, child."

One of them said while the other closed the door.

"My name is Taera and this."

She gestured to the one that just closed the door.

"... is Mudra. We're here to help you clean up."

They both gave us comforting smiles. Nayla slowly let go of me and raised her head up to take a proper look at them.

"We won't hurt you child. I have a daughter just like you at home."

Taera spoke softly. I knew she was speaking more to Nayla than to me.

"Come. Let's get you cleaned up."

Instinctively, Nayla looked at me for approval. I nodded. The women seemed friendly and all they had with them were clothes and cleaning items. Taera waited patiently for Nayla to climb off the bed and walk to her.

"What are your names dear?"

Mudra finally spoke, and to me. Her voice was softer than Taera's.

"I'm Leiya, and that's my sister Nayla."

Kaltain Kingdom

Helion

"Please, your Majesty. We only carried out our King's orders. He was going to kill us if we refused."

He cried at the top of his lungs, holding his neck with his two hands, and swinging his feet in mid-air. I was not about to let them go just yet. No one dared to enter my kingdom secretly and go unpunished.

"Who is your King?"

Whoever was stubborn enough to send men into my kingdom deserved a little gift from me.

"King Degar your highness."

They both cried out even louder. The force holding them up in the air was getting stronger.

"The one with a scar on his eye?"

I cackled when they nodded in agreement. I tightened my fists and they struggled even more for air.

"How about I send your King a small gift?"

I grinned when I saw the fear in their eyes. They knew what was coming.

"Please your."

I waved my hand to the right, violently throwing the men in the same direction. They crashed into the wall and dropped to the ground. I watched them from my throne, listening to their heartbeat slow down until it stopped.

"Calin."

"Yes, your Majesty."

"Severe their heads from their body and send it to their King. Along with a written note that says I'll pay him a visit very soon."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

I got up and retired to my room as the corpses were being carried away.

Chapter 3

A bigger gift

The little window in the room allowed only a small amount of light in but I could tell that the sun had risen completely. Nayla slept peacefully beside me. The bed was small so she slept fifty percent on the bed and the other fifty percent on top of me.

Mudra and Taera had been taking care of us since we got here. They would come everyday with our food and make sure we were clean. Nayla was getting a little more comfortable. She would laugh at their jokes and eagerly listen to their stories. They always had stories to tell her and she was beginning to look forward to them.

Mudra was a widow with two children. Taera was still married but with just one child. A daughter of about Nayla's age. A guard would also come to check us once everyday. We were fed just once and left to ourselves until the next day. All we did was sleep. I turned my head when I heard the locks on the door. Nayla also moved. I knew she was excited to see the two women.

The door opened to reveal the two women as expected but something was different. They didn't look as cheerful and bright as they always did.

"Good morning dears."

Taera smiled but I didn't feel right. Mudra closed the door behind her and sat on the bed beside Nayla.

"Leiya, you're going to come with me okay? Mudra will stay here with your sister."

She said slowly and calmly. It was like she was saying one word at a time.

"What? Why?"

I looked at each of them in confusion. Nayla's eyes had fallen and she looked like she was about to cry.

"The King's orders dear."

She smiled weakly but I still was not convinced.

"Do not worry about your sister."

I heard Mudra say and I turned to her. She had Nayla holding onto her, using her fingers stroking her hair.

"She's safe with me."

"I promise."

She added when she noticed my hesitation. I didn't have a choice. If I didn't go, I know he would come here and harass us both.

"I'll be back before you know it, Nayla."

She nodded slowly and I bent down to place a kiss on her forehead. Taking a deep breath, I looked at Taera. She gave me a reassuring smile and a small nod. After taking one last look at my sister, I walked through the open door. I felt instant regret as the door closed and turned back.

"We have to go dear."

Taera said softly but ironically holding my arm tightly. A wave of fear rushed through my veins but I remembered how Father spent his entire fatherhood teaching me not to fear.

I nodded and she let go. As we walked through the halls in silence, I looked closely at each guard we passed. They didn't scare me. If I was given a sword against any one of them, I would put up a good fight. Maybe even win.

We came before two large doors that reminded me of the last moment I spent with my parents before they were murdered. The doors opened slowly and I was ushered into what looked like a court. The door closed, shutting Taera out and leaving me by myself.

I turned to find two men staring intently at me. The arrogant King Degar and a strange looking man.

Helion

"King Degar, is it?"

I watched the ugly looking man jerk up from his bed. I could taste his fear and it excited me.

"He. King Helion. How did you get here?"

He stuttered as he pulled up his covers to cover himself.

"Did you get my message?"

I asked as I looked around his room for something that would interest me.

"I apologise for the mistakes of those fools, your Majesty. They were rogue's. I did not send them to you. I mean, why would I?"

The disgusting taste of his lie replaced the sweet taste of his fear. I instantly came up right before him, standing at the edge of his bed. His eyes lit up in horror and once again, I could taste his fear.

"You send men to my kingdom in secret and now you lie to me?"

I whispered in utter disgust. I stood so close to him, I watched his adams apple retreat slowly and back up again.

"I sincerely apologise, your Majesty."

He mumbled.

"Why don't I offer you a peace offering?"

He suggested with a small grin, sparking my interest in what he had to offer.

"I'll seize the breath from your lungs if I don't like your offer."

His smile immediately faded and I was the one smiling instead.

"Follow me, your Majesty."

He scurried away from me to the other side of the bed and jumped to his feet. He dashed for his robe and put it over himself.

"After you."

I said to him when he looked at me. He mumbled some inaudible words before walking out the door. I followed behind him as he led me to another room further down the hall. On our way, he whispered some more words to a guard, sending him on his way.

We walked into the room. I housed a chair that looked like a throne , a small table and two other smaller chairs. I only wondered what this room was made for.

"Can I offer you a seat, your Majesty?"

I heard him say as he walked to the throne looking chair. I instantly sat on the chair before he took another step. He jerked again in horror.

"Yes you can."

I said with a grin on my face. Just then the doors to the room opened and a girl was ushered in. She looked at us both in confusion. I watched her eyes closely, she looked at Degar with so much hate.

"I present to you, your peace offering, your Majesty."

He gestured towards her and her eyes lit up immediately.

"Peace offering?"

She mumbled in disbelief.

"Shut your mouth."

He was so quick to dismiss her.

"I am nobody's peace offering."

She declared firmly. Her hate for him became stronger.

"I said shut your mouth or she's going to pay for your foolishness."

Immediately her eyes lost their determination and I tasted what I couldn't taste in the beginning. Fear. She remained silent. Had she given up already?

"What is your name?"

She lifted up her eyes to meet mine.

"Leiya."

She mumbled. Her eyes held so much emotion, it was hard to discern.

"You're mine now Leiya."

I watched as the light disappeared from her eyes. Her face went pale and she looked like she had just seen a ghost.

"You will not take me alive."

I looked at her in amusement and very little things amused me.

"Fine with me."

I shrugged and waved my hand at her. She immediately fell to the floor.

"Is she.. is she dead?"

I had completely forgot Degar was in the room with us until he spoke.

"Don't be a fool. I made her unconscious."

I stood up from his chair and walked towards the girl on the floor. I picked her up and threw her over my shoulders.

"If I perceive any faint indication of your presence in my kingdom, I'll be back for you and that time I will have your head."

He nodded hurriedly and smiled sheepishly. A moment later, I stood in the middle of my room with a girl over my shoulders.

Chapter 4

Separated

Kaltain Kingdom

Leiya

I rubbed my eyes and opened them slowly. I noticed a candle lit chandelier, directly above me. My brain felt a little fuzzy and I couldn't remember anything. I slowly sat up and my eyes widened when I noticed the things around me. It was a bedroom. A big beautiful one.

I started to rub my temple with my thumb, hoping that my memory would come back. It didn't take long before it did. The memory of kissing Nayla on her forehead, promising her that I would be back soon, flashed through my eyes. The events that followed started to come back in bits and in no time, I remembered I was brought here against my will.

I jumped off the bed like I had seen a creature on it, and headed for the door. After a few futile attempts to let myself out, it took me a moment to realise I was trapped. I had only one option. Scream.

I started to bang my fists on the door, and scream really loudly.

"Let me out."

I yelled the words louder each time.

"Are you trying to bring my castle down, Leiya?"

I was startled by a voice behind me. I turned around immediately to meet a man standing beside the bed. He looked familiar, and I stared at him intensely for a second.

You."

I yelled when I realised where I had seen him. I charged at him, but halted when he suddenly disappeared.

"Yes, me."

I turned around immediately to find him standing behind me.

"How did you.? Did you just.?"

"Disappear? Yes"

He said before I could even finish. I stared at him in horror. I had always heard legends about people disappearing, but I had never seen it happen.

"Who are you?"

Whoever this man was, he was obviously powerful. If I needed to get out of this room, my only option was dialogue.

"Helion."

He said simply. Once again, my eyes lit up in horror. This was Helion. I was standing in the presence of the most powerful King to ever live, at least that was what I was told. I had heard so many stories about him and his abilities. He was so powerful, he was referred to as the Prince of Hell.

"You're."

I couldn't bring myself to say the words.

"The Prince of Hell, correct again Leiya."

He flashed me a sinister grin and his pupils glistened in bright red. The hairs on the back of my neck stood erect. If all the stories I read about him were true, he could snap my neck and not even have to move.

"Don't worry Leiya, I won't snap your neck."

He said as he walked to a chair beside the bed.

"How did you know that's what I was thinking?"

It only made me fear him even more.

"I didn't, that's just my favourite way to kill."

He flashed me another intimidating grin when he sat down. I didn't know if I could believe him or not, but I wasn't going to risk thinking around him.

"I need to go back to Degar."

I never thought I would ever hear myself say I want to go back to him, but I had to.

"It didn't seem to me like you two are good friends."

He looked at me in amusement.

"We are not."

I almost gagged at the thought of being friends with that man. I would put a dagger through his heart at the slightest chance I got.

"I need to go back for my little sister.", I added.

He didn't look fazed or moved.

"Are you waiting for my response Leiya?"

He asked mockingly.

"I just said I need to go back there for my sister."

I said in an almost yell. He may be powerful but he was getting on my nerves.

"That has nothing to do with me."

He said dismissively. I looked at him in awe.

"I need to go back to Nayla. You cannot keep me here against my will."

I growled, but he continued to stare at me in amusement.

"As a matter of fact I can Leiya, and I will."

He shrugged his shoulders and got up. I was so angry, I didn't know what to do. I was overtaken with so much rage, I charged at him again. This time he waved his hand and I was thrown across the room. I hit the wall violently. My body shuddered in pain when I fell to the ground.

I opened my eyes slowly to notice he was standing before me. I forced myself to look up. He bent a little and looked me squarely in the eyes.

"I don't care that you have your baby sister somewhere else. Degar gave you to me and you are mine."

He whispered, word for word, flashing his red fiery eyes at me. A second later, I was left alone. I curled up in pain and let the tears flow.

Helion

I walked through the halls in amusement after the short episode with Leiya. She knew who I was, but she continued trying to attack me. She had guts, and I liked that.

"Calin."

I called as I headed out of the castle.

"Yes, your Majesty?"

He swiftly came up beside me.

"Take some new clothes to our guest. Get her something to eat, and something to ease her pain."

She was a fiesty one, but she needed to know when to keep her head low and not attack.

"Going somewhere Sir?"

I heard Calin ask.

"I'm going for a hunt."

The sweet smell of fear was in the air. It called out to me, and I was going to find it. I took off my cloak and handed it to Calin. I closed my eyes, sniffing the air to articulate where the scent was coming from.

There it was. My eyes flung open and I ran with the wind.

Hepthan Kingdom

Nayla

I closed my eyes as the tears rolled down the cheek. Taera told me how Leiya was given to a demon man. They called him the Prince of Hell. They told me of the terrible things he has done to people in the past and Taera told me I would never see Leiya again.

I couldn't help but wonder where she was. Was she even still alive or had he killed her? Father said we shouldn't lose sight of each other before he died. I'm sorry father, I mumbled under my breath, as more tears rolled down my face.

Chapter 5

The perfect wife

Kaltain Kingdom

Helion

"I feel like a bad guy, keeping you in here for days."

I stood in the middle of Leiyas's room. She didn't flinch when she heard my voice. I suppose she had gotten used to me appearing at random times of the day.

"What do you want?"

She grumbled, facing the right side of the bed, with her back to me. How rude. She didn't even acknowledge my presence.

"I came to see how my guest is doing? I'm not all bad Leiya, I can be good you know."

I heard her scoff as I walked closer to her. I was feared far and wide, but this girl scoffed at me.

"If you're good, you would let me go."

She mumbled, with a touch of sarcasm in her voice. I chuckled softly at how smart she thought she was.

"I'm not that good Leiya."

I let my myself laugh out loud this time, and I noticed she rolled her eyes. I plunged casually into the chair metres away from her bed. I was now able to see her face properly. Her eyes were puffy, which only meant one thing.

"Have you been crying?"

The moment I asked, another tear rolled down her left cheek. She didn't move, she didn't respond. I hated it when people cried. Not because I cared about their feelings, I'm incapable of doing so. It was because I could taste their feelings, and sadness was very distasteful.

"Get up."

I said as I got up. She shot me a perplexed look, but didn't move.

"Get up or I'll make you, and I promise you wouldn't want that."

She groaned under her breath and sat up. I stretched out my hand towards her. She stared at my hand, and stared back at me. Her confusion was amusing.

"Give me your hand."

"Why would I gi."

"Just give me your damn hand Leiya."

I hissed impatiently. She took a deep breath and cautiously placed her hand in mine. I rolled my eyes at how nervous she was. If I wanted to harm her, I wouldn't need to touch her.

Leiya

I closed my eyes and hesitantly took his hand. Almost immediately, I felt a gush of cold wind. My eyes widened in excitement when I opened them. We were not in the room anymore. We stood in the middle of a big green field. The grass was cut so low, you could plunge yourself into it and have a soft landing.

"How is it spring here?"

I asked as I bent down to feel the grass with my hands.

"It doesn't snow here. Unless I want it to."

His response made me look at him. Was he so powerful, he could influence weather? I didn't know if I could believe him. I continued to enjoy the soft, comfy feeling of the grass when I noticed a forest ahead.

"Where does that forest lead?"

I asked casually, trying not to raise his suspicion on what I was thinking. I still wasn't quiet sure if he could read minds or not, and I was being careful.

"There's a small town on the other side of the forest."

He mumbled absentmindedly and began walking away. My mind immediately began calculating the journey I had not even began. If I could just get to the town on the other side, I would find out where I was and how to get to Nayla.

"How far is it?"

I turned to look at him and yelled.

"About a three day journey."

He yelled back. He was now further away from me. This was my chance to leave this hell. Going three days without food and water wasn't so difficult. This was a chance to use the survival skills father spent his life teaching me. I would hunt for fish, and drink water from a shallow stream. When night comes, I would climb up a tree and rest, although keeping watch at intervals. When I finally get to the other town, I'll ask for directions on how to get to Hepthan. It was the perfect plan.

I turned behind me and my eyes searched for him. I needed to make sure he wasn't close enough to use his powers on me. My eyes caught him metres away, talking to another man. I returned my attention to the forest ahead of me. I took one very deep breath, and gathered every muscle in me to run with.

Then I took off. The strong, cold wind blew against me as I dashed for the large trees before me. It took him a short while before he realised I was breaking a run for it.

"Leiya!"

I called behind me. I knew it was him but I wasn't about to stop. I was not going to stop running until I was far away from here. The trees were coming closer and closer and a broad grin spread across my face. I was doing it. I was escaping.

"Leiya don't."

Were the last words I heard before my body crashed violently against what felt like a wall, and everything went dark.

Hepthan Kingdom

Nayla

"My mother used to make my hair into two pigtails as well."

I said to Taera as she braided my hair. She did my hair so gently, like mother used to, and I instinctively began sharing the memories of her I had.

"Your mother sounds like a sweet soul."

She beamed as she twisted the strands of hair together. Mudra stopped coming after Leiya was taken away, and it had been just Taera coming to care for me. We had conversation about everything. When she was around, I didn't quite feel lonely, and I hated it when it was time for her to leave.

"She was beautiful. Inside and out."

I gushed and was about to add to what I just said when the door flung open. We immediately stopped talking, and Taera let go of my hair. I watched horrifically as Kind Degar and a slightly older looking man walked in. They both stared at me with sickening smiles on their faces. I immediately felt very uncomfortable. Taera noticed my body language and slipped her hand into mine. I held her tightly.

"You were right. She is beautiful."

The man said and the King grinned. I tightened my grip around Taera's fingers. My heart raced as the seconds went by and the two men nodded in approval.

"A perfect wife for your son."

I heard the King say, and I immediately felt sick to my stomach.