~CONOR~
How do you know Abigail!" the King demanded.
We both ignored him, sitting in our designated sections in the dark dungeon; the small bar window being the only source of light.
We didn't give a flying shit about this stupid King. He couldn't kill us; he wouldn't dare to. We were just bait. All he wanted was information. The moment he got it, he'd torture us like the others and free us. But Abigail would be in danger and we wouldn't allow it.
I glanced over to Kris, his eyes filled with rage as he stared at the dirty cement floor.
"Stubborn pieces of—" the King began, but he was cut off by the door opening; a guard entering our cell. He immediately bowed to the King, rising up in attention.
"What is it!" the King yelled.
The guard paid no mind to his loud voice. "I've brought news about the girl, your Majesty," he announced.
I turned my gaze to him, side-glancing to see Kris’ attention on the skinny man in silver armor.
"What is it? Has she been located?" he demanded.
"She's dead, your Majesty," he announced.
"You’re fucking lying!" Kris screamed, tugging at the chains that kept us attached to the wall.
The King grinned, turning his attention the guard. "Are you sure?" he asked; a glint of happiness flickered in his eyes.
"Yes, your Majesty. A purple dragon had tried to take her to the next village for help. I let one of our spies follow them and it was confirmed that she'd died from her injuries. They are getting ready for the mourning ceremony. She will be cremated tomorrow night," the guard confirmed.
I glanced over to Kris whose eyes were wide; tears beginning to pool and began rolling down his cheeks.
"No," he whispered.
I bit my lip, my heart dropped at the news. We couldn't protect her. She's...gone.
"Excellent. Yes! Finally, that nuisance is out of the way," he cheered, laughing loudly. He continued to grin, heading toward the door.
"Your Majesty, what should we do with these prisoners?" the guard asked.
"Let them stay the night and mourn their pathetic loss. I need to go celebrate. If they behave, you can release them in the morning. I’ll let you know if I change my mind," the King replied.
"Understood," the guard replied, bowing.
The King began to cheer and sing, heading out of the dungeon. I looked up at the guard, his once black eyes glowed a bright blue. I looked at him in confusion, realizing he wasn't a red dragon, but blue.
"Who are you?" I mouthed, not wanting the guards outside to hear my question.
"In time. Tomorrow we move," he mouthed back. His eyes returned to normal, turning his gaze on Kris who was sobbing. He gave him a sad smile, turned, and exited our dungeon; closing the metal door behind him.
In time? I pondered his words, trying to ignore the tears that rolled down my cheeks. The woman I didn't even get the chance to know was taken from us. If this was the world we lived in, a cruel place where innocent people were murdered for showing kindness, I didn't want to be a part of it.
As we cried in the cold, dark cell, I made a vow. I would rid of this King of his existence and bring an end to his cruel way of ruling. I'd bring peace and harmony to all our lands, and reunite us once more.
In Abigail's memory, I would become King.
~ABIGAIL~
A fog surrounded me, images passing by me in quick succession. I see myself with Raphael, we’re both clad in battle armor as I hold the sword Alyse gifted me tightly in my hand.
The expression in his eyes is different than what I’m used to. Instead of irritation, I see love.
“We will save them.”
The scene fades and I see myself in a small cave system, blood running down my arm as Raphael cradles his chest, a rib is obviously broken.
He smirks at me, as my eyes light up the cave, my power easily coming to our aid and engulfing us into a soft silver glow.
Our wounds heal and lust flares in Raphael’s eyes as he moves toward me, his intent clear. “I don’t want to fight this anymore. I’ve wanted you the moment you saved Conor. I saw in you the spirit of someone who fights for what they love.”
He pulls me close, kissing me passionately. We fall to the floor in a tangle of limbs and he leans slightly back, his eyes piercing mine.
“I love you, Abigail. I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner.”
My heart beats wildly through the vision and I try to pull myself from the abyss I’m sinking into, but I’m too weak. It's weird that now that I'm faced with death, I have no more power to fight. I'm helpless to the darkness that was trying to consume me; drowning the remaining specks of life I had left.
Regret sank in. I wished I'd spent more time with Alyse. I wished I’d gotten to learn more about Raphael. I wondered if Conor was my mate too? And Kris...poor Kris. We just met, yet now he was in the King's clutches with Conor and I wouldn't even get to say my last goodbye.
The image of my grave flickered in my hazy mind. Maybe that was not a dream, but a vision of the future. Maybe they would be better off without me. I couldn’t even protect them from the King. I let my revenge cloud me and here I am, dying.
The King didn't need them. He needed me. If I died now, it would be for the best for all parties. Sure, they would mourn me, but eventually...they would move on and forget about me.
I was just Abigail...
Abigail Fiammetta.
A female who helped three magnificent dragons and paid the price for these actions.
I tried to get my revenge. I truly did.
But here I am.
Fading away.
But even though my hope was all for nothing, the last thought I had was to get a second chance. To be able to somehow survive this and have a fresh start. I wouldn't let revenge cloud my judgment. I would keep this promise...
I promised if I had a second chance...I would bring justice and peace to our corrupted lands.
To Be Continued.