~GOLD~
WE HAVE TO GO BACK! We can't just abandon her!" I snarled, anger vibrating through my body.
I didn't know why I felt so eager to return, to save the innocent woman in the fields. But the way my body grew hot and my anxiety shot up and down like a wave, I knew something bad would happen to her. I felt it was my duty to stop it.
"We don't even know her."
"So what if we don't fucking know her! It's thanks to her Co—"
"Code names, idiot."
"Fuck you, Purple arse!"
"You're letting your cock influence your thinking," Purple huffed.
"I'm not letting anything influence me! If it wasn't for that woman, Blue would be fucking dead!" I snarled, taking a step forward into his personal space.
His purple eyes narrowed on my gold ones.
I may have been the gentle and quiet one in our group, but he knew not to tempt me with my anger. He was a hot head all the time, but push me past my limit and I'd show you true anger.
"Gold, get out of my fucking space."
"Make me," I dared.
We heard a groan; both of us turned our heads to Blue who had been asleep moments ago. He opened his weary eyes, looking confused for a moment. I rushed over to his side, ensuring he didn't try to sit up or move. He needed to rest and recover if we planned to make it back to the village at a decent pace.
"Easy there, Blue. Don't move," I ordered.
"You guys are loud," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
"Sorry. We'll take it outside. Just don't move, understand?"
"Ya...the girl...is she okay?" Blue asked.
I frowned, looking over to glare at Purple who rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest in defiance.
"Purple doesn't want us going back. I don't know if she's okay." I confessed.
"Go...check...please?" he asked.
"We shouldn't leave you in this state," Purple argued.
"But...she...danger..." Blue struggled, his eyes already beginning to close.
"I'll talk with Purple. Just rest. We’ll be outside if you need anything," I reassured him.
He closed his eyes and his body relaxed. Within seconds, he was fast asleep.
I placed my hand on his forehead, making sure his fever hadn't spiked again. I stood up and walked over and grabbed a white face cloth. I was glad we'd hidden some supplies during our journey here, just in case anything occurred.
I soaked the cloth in a bowl of water, squeezing the excess out and walked back over to Blue. I went down on one knee, placing the cloth on his forehead. He sighed, stirring for a moment before he relaxed once more.
I hated seeing my comrades in pain, especially Blue and Purple Arse. The woman in the fields flashed through my mind; her beautiful brown locks flowed with the passing wind. Her heart-shaped face, pink lips, and curvy figure made my body tingle with desire. Finally, her eyes; those beautiful blue-green eyes flickered with curiosity and worry. She didn't need to heal us. In fact, she looked as though she was unsure how she even helped Blue.
I could sense her confusion, fear and a hint of happiness at our presence. As if our arrival had made her feel a sense of purpose. But I abandoned her; we had left her to face the consequences of her interference. We needed to go back. I needed to confirm with my own eyes that she truly was okay and not receiving some type of punishment from that ruthless man who called himself a king.
I rose back up, turned, and ushered Purple to leave the tent. We walked into the cool breeze of the night, the tall thick trees providing shelter and shielding us from the watchful dragons that were scouting for us.
"We can't go while Blue's in that condition. He'll need at least three days to recover. Not to mention the fact the sky is filled with those arrogant red dragons. We'd be putting ourselves at a higher risk than we were before," Purple explained, lowering his voice so we wouldn't disturb Blue.
"Then answer me this. You didn't feel ANYTHING when you saw her? Not a tingle or your heart skipping a beat? You felt nothing for her?" I questioned, crossing my arms as I narrowed my eyes at him.
He was silent, matching my gaze with his own— his sour expression proved to me he was hiding something. He looked away, before walking toward the forest. I groaned, following him.
"Stop running away, you fucking arse!" I shouted, speed walking to meet his pace.
"I felt nothing."
"Look me in the fucking eyes and tell me you felt nothing for her," I commanded.
He came to a stop, and took a deep breath. He turned to face me, looking straight into my eyes. "I felt nothing," he repeated.
I held back a growl, wanting to punch some common sense into his head. If Blue recovered and Purple was still insisting on acting like the arse he was now, I'd go by my bloody self. I was ready to drop the subject when I noticed a flicker in his purple eyes that continued to hold my intense gaze.
Regret...
"You're lying."
"Why do you care so much about this strange girl! Because you felt something? What could possibly cause you to be so lost in this newly blossomed ambition to save this blue-eyed damsel in distress? She's probably home sleeping by now," Purple huffed.
"You know as well as I what the rules have been in that village. He kills the same shifters who devote their life to him. I couldn't sense a dragon in her. Maybe she was hiding it or something, but to me she felt human, meaning she's helpless against the King!"
"That's an assumption and you have no evidence to support those rumors," he mumbled.
"Don't turn a blind eye to what's going on in these parts, Purple. You should know better. You’ve travelled to the other villages. You, out of all of us, should know about his ways. The endless amount of cruelty in his very being and his self-centered ways. Loyalty? Dedication? Those don't mean shit to him. Once you've pissed him off, you’re dead," I stressed, recalling the multiple rumors and stories that had been filtering throughout the kingdom for years.
"You didn't answer my other question," Purple reminded.
I rolled my eyes. "She's the one...I can feel it," I confessed.
He frowned, his expression going blank. "You can't be sure."
"She's connected to me, Purple! I...dammit, just seeing her from afar, I knew she would have a purpose in my life. That WE have a purpose to fulfill together. I want to be by her side. To protect her from whatever challenges that she will have to face. Yet, I left her. I abandoned her for the sake of us not being caught. You’re right. Maybe she is in her bed, sound asleep. But my body isn't giving me such reassurance. I know she's in danger, Purple. I know in here." I pointed to my heart, patting it twice to emphasize my words.
He sighed, ruffling his black locks. I knew he could see the fear in my eyes. The fear that this woman I felt connected to would be taken away from me before I even got a chance to know her.
I wanted to learn her name and feel the soft touch of her pink lips. I wouldn't get to enjoy her, all because I fled instead of fighting to save her. I should have taken her with us.
Even if she wasn't what I thought she was, I would still protect her from whatever punishment the King gave her.
"Please, Purple," I begged.
His eyes widened at my pleading voice. We had our differences, but rarely did I ask for help and he knew that.
"When Blue recovers, we'll do a quick check. They may be heavily guarded so we won't be able to do anything until they think we've escaped, which could take up to a week. Is that okay with you?" he explained, asking for my confirmation.
"Yes," I replied. As much as I wanted to rush over and search, I had to think logically.
"Fine. I'm going to survey the area and make sure our traps are in place. We shouldn't be discovered this deep in the forest, but better to be safe than sorry. If I find any wildlife for food, I'll hunt it and we can prepare it before we sleep. Keep an eye on Blue," Purple ordered.
"Understood."
He turned to walk away, but stopped.
"Gold…"
"Yes?"
"She'll be okay," he whispered.
I didn't get why his words calmed the nerves that had been troubling me for hours, but they did.
"Thanks, Purple."
He nodded, glancing up at the sky before he began to walk away, disappearing into the darkness of the forest.
I sighed, crouching down and ruffling my golden locks. I stared at the small patch of flowers below, noticing a unique flower among the lilac purple, pale yellow, and dark blue flowers.
I reached out to feel the soft texture of the exotic flower in the center— the silver blossoms a rarity in our lands. Again, I was reminded of the girl and her words.
“You have to go!” she begged, trying to push me away.
I wouldn't budge; my body didn't want me to separate from her. Of course, her being human contributed to her failed attempt to try and move my large dragon form, but just the thought of her wanting to protect us warmed my heart.
I had moved to stand in front of her, stomping my foot in frustration. I needed to tell her that she was mine to protect. Not the other way around.
“Please! You must go! If my clan sees you here, they will kill you and also me for being seen with you,” she declared.
At the mention of her risk of being killed, my resolve flickered. I would never want to put her in danger, nor contribute to her early death. That was never my intention.
I stared into her turquoise blue eyes, forcing myself to nod in agreement.
“Don’t worry about me, I’ll see you again,” she promised.
I knew her words were untrue, that the opportunity for us to meet again would be close to impossible, but when they flowed in her angelic voice, the sound made my ears tingle and heart flutter with joy; I vowed I would find her again.
I could hear the sound of the other people, the villagers making their approach. I took a few steps away, stealing one final glance at our savior, the one who helped us escape and maybe...just maybe...my mate.
I leapt into the air, flapping my wings as I soared higher and higher into the sky, heading to our secret hideout deep within the forest. I knew I was being followed, but as I increased my speed, there was no doubt in my mind that I'd lose them.
Now I was here, staring at this silver flower in the midst of the night. My finger brushed lightly against the fragile petals, giving me a sense of reassurance. I rose to my feet, glancing up to try and get a glimpse of the starry sky above.
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath as I prayed with all my might.
Please, sweet angel. Stay safe for me until we meet again.
~ABIGAIL~
“WHO ARE THEY?”
The king’s men restrained me and dragged me back to the Chief’s home. They chained me in the dungeon below the house. I knew it was used for prisoners, but I never dreamed I’d be in there.
I shuddered in the corner, wishing the chains that bound me could shield me from the punishment ahead. How could one act of kindness have led me to this moment? My ankles were restrained with rusty old copper chains; the King stood before me. His dark eyes portrayed an evil I couldn’t understand. He was supposed to be our King. The one who took care of each clan and each person within our clans, not someone who would continuously torture me when I had done nothing wrong. We’d been at it for days, at least that’s what it felt like. The reality of the situation was I had no idea how much time had passed since meeting those mysterious dragons and being captured.
The King strolled toward me, the blood-coated whip dragging on the floor as he neared. He wanted answers that I could not give, and I feared that whip would be used on me.
“I don’t know.” My voice trembled with fear, as I pushed myself against the corner of the mossy stone wall. Tears stained my flushed cheeks as I continued to quiver.
How could I not tremble at such immense power? His essence alone caused goosebumps along my skin, just by brushing up against me. It made itself clear, that I was nothing compared to it. I was powerless and couldn’t defy him.
In some part of my mind, I regretted helping that blue dragon and his friends, or as the King emphasized, rogue dragons. No dragon could be worth this much pain and torture.
But, I couldn't have allowed him to perish, to die because of some small thing like freeing cattle on the Red clan’s land.
The feeling I got when the gold dragon’s eyes locked on mine, was so powerful I couldn’t even begin to understand it. Entitlement? Ownership? Belonging?
My mind couldn’t recall the right words to describe how I felt in that very moment, but I knew my soul would not permit them to come to harm. Not without getting to know them and learning why they affected me so strongly. It was like we were connected by something much more than chance, like destiny. Such a hypothesis was what made me feel that saving them was worth it.
These kinds of thoughts would not help me get out of my current situation, regardless if I actually regretted my actions or not.
The King stood before me; his eyes narrowed prior to snorting and turned toward his guards who stood at attention.
“Three days. Give her no food and barely any water. She will be chained unless I say so. If she thinks I’m stupid enough to believe she’s not involved with those thieves, she will be in for a rude awakening. She’ll fess up soon enough.”
“How about washroom privileges, your Majesty?”
“There’s a hole in the corner. Let her use that.”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
The King turned to glare at me once more; my blue eyes locked onto the cement floor beneath me as I curled myself into a ball.
“Pathetic. No wonder her father abandoned her.” He grinned with satisfaction, knowing his comment cut me deeply. The pride he took in hurting me was unbelievable.
I couldn’t understand how a person could hurt someone so cruelly.
His guards gave me one last pitying look before following him out of the dungeon, slamming the door shut, driving home the fact that I was alone.
I sighed in relief before breaking out into sobs. I didn’t understand why I was being held captive and tortured for something that was just simple kindness.
Did they really think I had something to do with the rogue dragons? I was harmless. I couldn’t even shift. How could I possibly be associated with them? I didn’t know who they were. I wished the King would believe me.
Besides, it didn’t seem like that big of a deal to release cattle from their enclosures. We had multiple paddocks and an endless supply of cattle. So what if we lost a hundred? They bred fast enough that they would be replenished in a couple of months. We would just have had to cut back on meat for a while, or at least ration it better.
I turned my gaze to the small hole, or should I say my designated private washroom. I had to laugh at my poor attempt to make my current situation better. I was in a dark-ass dungeon for reasons that made no sense and had my own personal hole in the floor to do my business. Marvelous.
I had no sense of time, the rectangular bar window just above my ‘washroom’ was the only source of light. From the barely showing sun, I gathered it was late afternoon. My shift would have been done by now.
Life was probably out on the paddock wondering what had happened to me. He would wait and wait before he finally realized I wouldn’t be coming. My heart broke at how hurt he would be from my absence.
I bit my lip, and frustration flooded me as I began to worry about my mother. What would happen if she found out I was in the King's possession? Would she come to plead my innocence? I prayed she didn’t. I couldn’t afford to put her in danger. She was all I had, and I would never want to jeopardize her safety, especially for something I had no participation in.
“Yes, this is all just a misunderstanding. It will get solved soon enough. They’ll realize I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and was being a good Samaritan. Yes, just a mistake,” I mumbled to myself, tightening my hold on my knees as I rocked back and forth.
“She still hasn’t budged?”
“No, your Majesty. She hasn’t eaten for three days. We’ve only given her water when you requested. We did remove her chains to allow her to use the washroom, but that is all.”
I stirred awake, hearing the commotion just outside the door. The King’s voice alone re-ignited the fear within me. I felt weak from not eating for three days, but I stood my ground. I was innocent. I knew nothing about these rogue dragons they kept speaking of. Why couldn’t they understand?
“Very well. I will take over. Go for a walk.”
“Yes...your Majesty.”
My eyes widened at his words. I frantically sat up and shuffled back to my corner. I didn’t know if it was because the King was about to make his appearance or the hesitation in the guard's voices as they agreed. I heard their footsteps fade before the clicking sound echoed against the dungeon walls. The door slowly opened to reveal the King, a wicked smile on his dry lips as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.
He made his way toward me; my body involuntarily pressed against the wall, as if it had come to the conclusion that I had no way out. I was backed into a corner for goodness sake. But, my frantic mind and trembling body weren’t connecting the two together.
He walked into the ray of moonlight that shone through the small window. I took my time analyzing his appearance.
He looked taller than many of the men I worked the fields with, probably six foot seven at least. His bulky stature and wide chest gave the impression he trained mercilessly to maintain the muscles which were surely hidden beneath the tunic he wore. He was dressed in solid black. I expected his eyes to match his attire, but they were a golden-brown. He was known to have had bright-gold eyes in the past, or that's what the rumors had implied. That speculation was clearly false.
His face revealed a few wrinkles and his dry, cracked lips. His long, rough beard was messy and uneven, adding to his disheveled appearance. The only things that led to me believe he was of the higher class were his white teeth, and clean attire. His jet-black hair was in a similar disheveled appearance as his beard, giving me a hunch that he had barbaric tendencies.
"Abigail Fiammetta. Will you not end this unnecessary solitude and confess your crime of aiding the rogue dragons that entered our lands three days ago? It would do us all a favor in hunting them down, and I'd spare your life. I wouldn't want you to waste away down here, alone. It would be a depressing way to die if you ask me," he began, his voice low and menacing.
I shook my head vigorously, pressing my hands together in a pleading motion. "Please, my King, listen to my words. I know nothing of those dragons. I was out enjoying the last of the sunlight with the goats when I saw them fighting in the sky. I was only curious, and that's why I approached. I don't know who they are, your Majesty. Please, believe me," I begged.
He sighed, lifting his finger to wave it left and right.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Oh, Abigail. Do you truly expect me to believe such a made-up tale? I do believe you went to the fields to begin your duties, but it could have been a setup and sadly, you were caught red-handed. What are you plotting? Are you trying to dethrone me?" he accused.
"No, your Majesty! I beg of you, please believe me. I know nothing. I was just following my duties when I saw the dragons fighting in the sky. Your Majesty, please," I sobbed, unable to stop the tears from falling.
I'd spent the last three days with no food and barely any water. My hair was tangled up and filled with soil from the floor. My body itched and was red from the multiple scratches I'd created. My battered clothes reeked with my body odor, and my feet had begun to swell from the open blisters that were now infected.
Why wouldn't anyone listen? How many times did I have to explain the same story over and over again? Someone must believe me! Didn't anyone else see what had happened? I couldn't have been the only one. Maybe they were afraid to come testify in my aid. Was there a way for my mother to ask the villagers for their support in freeing me? To hear my case?
"I guess starving you won't get you to talk. Maybe other methods will," he suggested, rubbing his chin in thought before a grin morphed onto his face; those brownish-gold eyes twinkled with delight. He turned around, exiting the room.
I pressed my face into my hands as I continued to sob, not caring about my cries that echoed around the hollow walls of the otherwise quiet dungeon.
He returned in the early light of the morning, and I heard the sound of a goat bleating out in the hall behind him. When I looked up, I watched him bring Life in, a rope attached to his throat like a leash. The way he roughly tugged told me he had evil things planned.
“A few of the villagers told me of this ‘pet’ you had. I thought maybe we could have some fun.” He grinned mercilessly at me, the tone of his voice suggesting this was some sick game.
“Please,” I rasped, my voice barely audible due to the lack of water. My head ached, and my eyes spun from dizziness as he held a small knife up.
“Tell me who they are,” he demanded, the knife pressed against Life’s throat.
“I don’t know.”
His smile was wiped from his face, as he gripped the handle of the knife tightly before slashing it across Life’s abdomen. I let out a cry the moment Life’s bleating screams reached my ears.
“Please, I beg of you. I don’t know anything!” What little tears I had left to give fell down my face.
When the king realized I wasn’t going to give him any information, he slit Life’s throat as I sobbed.
“I’m sorry,” I repeated over and over looking into the lifeless eyes of the goat I had raised. He didn’t deserve to die like that.
The King sighed and left Life’s body for me to stare at. The guards came in after, offering me a small amount of water and bread. I knew the King would be back. As to how soon, I had no idea.
When the guards came in a second time a few hours later, with more food and water, I knew something was off. Why would they be giving me food and water when the King had just starved me for days?
The only explanation I could come up with was that he wanted to strengthen me for more torture, but there was no way could the King be that cruel, right?
I hoped. I didn’t know how much more of his torture I could take.
I ate what the guards had to offer, knowing I might not get the chance to eat again. If the King had more planned for me, I could only hope I could survive long enough to convince him of my innocence.