Didn’t think I’d need him as much as I would. The hunger, the cravings, and the dreamy sense of contentment and security filled me when he came for me.
For the second time, he was there to take me back.
*****
When Justus and Cato escorted me to the new room, I didn’t think they’d stay and guard me. But Justus said he was told to stay with me, so I persuaded him to talk about my wings.
“If you think I’d give you the location of your wings you’re delusional. No one is stupid enough to give you the information, so sit like a good little demon and wait until you’re summoned.” He snickered. The male knew that his king was planning on taking me as his queen. Only time will make me see my wings again, so I relent and rest back in the big bed situated in the middle of the room. Hmm… maybe when they’re asleep I could sneak out. Yeah, I was dreaming of the plan while I looked at my guards with hatred.
It was not until hours later that two warrior elves entered the room telling Justus and Cato that the king had summoned them. I ignored their exchange at first, but then I recognized his scent instantly. And I studied the taller cloaked elf. I almost ran to him, it took all of my self-preservation when I realized it was Armand. I have no doubt, no magic illusions could make me not recognize his scent.
“Come on, we need to get you out of here,” He hugged me and I stiffened in his arms, for a couple of seconds. His body felt foreign but I relaxed when his scent caught my nose.
“Okay, I’m not sure going elf is a good look on you. But you smell amazing as always,” I hugged him back and snuggled into his chest, gave a big sniff of his scent, and let him fill my senses, making me sigh in his arms. Armand chuckled and held me tighter in return.
But then the other cloaked elf interrupted us by clearing his throat, telling us that we should go.
“Come on, we’ll continue this once we’re back.”
I didn’t argue when I took his hand and I let him lead me out of the room.
“That’s Bharat,” he pointed to the cloaked elf and I nodded. “I’m with others and we’re getting you out.” I thanked him and silently hoped that his plan would work, I didn’t dare imagine if it all falls apart.
I let him and Bharat guided me through the maze of hallways until we were out and meeting up with three other cloaked elves by the palatial walls. I was informed that they were Magnus, Phineas, and Armand’s other general, Obi.
We were just meters away from the outside walls when hurried steps were heard. Armand led to grab me, taking me behind him, but his effort was stopped when Justus and Cato had their army of elves surrounding us with their weapons, threatening us, telling us that we were caught and outnumbered.
“You’d think I was easily fooled? I knew all along that king Elegast didn’t summon us, he was out.” It was Justus who said so while his small army had managed to put shackles on Armand and his cloaked elves. We were all forced back into the palace and down the filthy dungeon where I had met Algar and Edric.
“Put the fake elves in the dungeon and get the future queen back to her room.”
Armand took the first hit when he tried to resist and I winced looking at his slightly battered elf face. But then he cursed when the illusion magic tore away and his true identity was revealed.
“Well, well… what do we have here,” Justus carried to instruct his elven warrior to hurt the rest of the cloaked elves and laughed louder when their identity was out in the open. There were gasping sounds from the other inhabitants of the dungeon.
“Okay, put her in solitary confinement, we don’t have time to get her settled, I need to show King Elegast that we have Armand of the West down in our dungeon.”
Justus stayed to watch as Armand and the rest of his warriors were latched onto the walls and made sure that their shackles confined them securely before he headed back up the stairs to exit the dungeon.
It was probably less than two hours later when the king of elves presented himself and came down to the dungeon. He looked like he didn’t fit in, his pale skin, and his clean white attire made him look out of place. But the male exudes confidence when he graces us with his presence.
The elven king looked satisfied finding king Armand in shackles and he gazed at me with a smirk on his face. “Well, now that we have him I’m sure you will agree with whatever terms I’m giving you.” His smile was cold and Justus came to my side and together with Cato they led me out of my solitary confinement to follow the king. The resistance was barely there from my side, though I could hear a loud rattling sound of shackles that I was sure came from Armand’s since it was his voice that echoed throughout the dungeon. He cursed at Elegast which only made the king laugh at Armand and then told me that he was moving up the ceremony.
“Tonight you will sleep in bed, we will have the ceremony tomorrow. No, you don’t have a say in this or the foolish king Armand will die.” He chuckled and reminded me that Armand was the one sneaking into the elven territory. He was a prisoner and will be treated as one and king Elegast would do anything he wants to a prisoner. “So, you, my future queen, you should behave and be the perfect bride tomorrow so we can get through the ceremony then I can rule accordingly.”
“You’re not even fit to rule, you’re a pathetic king. You are forcing me to be your queen just so you can have my army of concubi demons.” I spat out my words in anger though I knew that nothing good will come by riling up his anger.
“Those were the concubi demons you left behind I should add.” He smiled coldly before continuing, “Where were you when they were abandoned by their ruler, huh? It’s no secret that they slipped their way to take refuge in my kingdom while you were playing harem to the South kingdom.” He smirked knowingly, I was a youngling but I knew the fact did not matter to him. I was royalty, I was trained to take the reign whenever I’m needed. But yes, after seeing my family butchered and my wings taken away I succumbed to my weakness and left to take refuge elsewhere.
The thought that he knew about where I was all along made my insides burn. I was shocked but then Justus and Cato were there too, sneakily implanting themselves to be my friends. So, the devious king knew where I was all along and he kept me there until I had a use for him. Damn him. There was no retreating back from his plan. I wanted Armand to come out of the situation alive.
Damned Armand for trying to save me, the man should’ve known that I was not worth saving, no matter how much he loves me. And now I really have to become Elegast’s Queen to save Armand. Damn, this fuckery is never going to end well and I was stuck in the middle cause I love Armand, too much.