Chapter 3: The decision

Terra couldn't sleep, she just couldn't believe the drastic turn in her life. Ogled by one monster or eaten by another. Her poor father, she thought.

The sound of someone entering her chamber stopped her heart.

" Terra, I know you do not sleep. "

It was the Queen, come to gloat no doubt.

" What can I do for you, Mother?" she asked drily.

" You can stop being selfish and think about Illyria, not just yourself. "

Terra merely sighed sadly, knowing her stepmother was right.

She had to think about her people but she refused to choose the pirate, he made her skin crawl.

" I will do what's best for my people. "

The queen smiled as she saw the determination on Terra's face. She had done what she had come to do.

Not even a minute after the Queen left, her chamber was breached again. Caspian eyed her for a long time before he spoke.

" Listen to me child, I have cared for you like my own daughter, do not choose that scoundrel...fight!"

" How can I fight, Caspian?"

" Go to the Vampire King, just see him ,if he's worse than the pirate...."

Terra nodded, she was doomed either way at least this way was her decision.

She would set off for the mountain kingdom tonight.

Caspian helped her to pack a small satchel of food and water and snuck her out of the palace. He'd drawn her a map that led to a shortcut between the two kingdoms so she would be back in her bed by dawn, hopefully.

He wanted so very much to go with her but he knew he couldn't risk it with pirates lurking on their shores.

He knew the Vampire king would be good for his Terra, he just hoped she saw it that way too.