Eighteen

A month passed and Otreg begged me to go with him to the Solstice celebration, but I always declined. I spent most of my time in the library or in my room. I found myself getting irritated whenever either male asked for me and began to act as if I hadn't forgotten what they've done. I didn't really feel bad, not yet.

The day before the Solstice, I was reading in my bed when Otreg came in and crossed his arms. "Thelia, it's time to get out of this castle and into fresh air."

"I'm busy," I said absently, intrigued by the book.

"I don't care. You're going with me tomorrow even if I have to carry you."

I paused and looked up at him. "You can try, Otreg."

He rose a brow. "I will."

So, when the time came for him to drag me outside, I hid in the attic and continued my reading, not bothering to look out at the celebrations.

The morning after, I was exhausted and grumpy. I told Cam to leave the day to myself and buried myself under the blankets. I'd stayed up all night and finally succeeded in my search. Now, I had to confirm it.

The door to my chambers slammed and I jumped. Before I knew what was happening, the blankets were thrown off and I was being carried out of the room and down many hallways. Screaming, I kicked and punched my assailer, but my attempts were useless.

Soon I found myself outside the castle and then thrown into cold water. I choked and spluttered, before glaring at Otreg. "I'm going to kill you!" I hiss.

He grinned. "Only if you can catch me!"

I screamed again, then made my way back to my room and made sure to lock the door. I got into the hot shower and grumbled to myself as my body warmed up. When I finished, I dressed then rang the bell.

Thiebaut arrived a moment later and I said, "Tell Zargis I want to go back where I belong tonight, or I will kill his best friend."

Startled by my order, Thiebaut stared at me for a moment before hurrying away. I waited, pacing my room.

Ten minutes later, Zargis barged in. "You what?" he demanded.

"I want to go home!"

He glared. "For what? Because Otreg was messing around?"

I seethed and said what I knew would hurt him. "No. Because I was taken against my will to a place I do not know, to help a person who never needed help, and to be made to live a false life of a castle royal when I'm a slave."

Zargis stared at me, but I felt his mood darken. He said, "You aren't going back to that place, Thelia. I don't care what the price is or how much you hate me, but you are never going back."

I stared at him, stunned at his response. Then, I swallowed my retort and stepped back. "If that's how you're going to be, then don't be surprised when I do something you least expect."

He takes a pace towards me, eyes going amber. "If you try to hurt yourself, I will find you, bring you back here, and chain you up. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you here."

"Even if it kills me?" I ask, arching a brow.

His eyes narrow. "I'm warning you, Thelia. Don't try anything!" With that he stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him.

I waited for a few minutes, then left as well, going downstairs. I bump into Otreg in the foyer and cross my arms, glaring at him. "Where are you going?" he asks warily.

"Away from you and Zargis," I answer, then slip around him.

I don't make it outside when he catches my arm and gets in front of me, blocking my path. "Thelia, please don't be stupid. Whatever the cause for your anger, don't do anything rash."

"Otreg, as much as I would like to jump off the edge of the kingdom and fall to my death, all I want is to take a walk around. If I am not back at a decent hour, you can haul me back and chastise me. I don't care right now as long as you let me go right now and be alone."

He blinked and I honestly thought he would fight me more, but he stepped aside and said, "Just be careful."

I don't reply, but stroll on out and turn onto a road.

To my surprise, people were about everywhere. Children ran around the streets laughing. People saw me and greeted me cheerfully as if I always take a walk. I waved and smiled but continued until I came to a sudden halt. My heart jumped into my throat as I find Otreg hadn't been lying about being in the sky. There was no ledge, no railing, nothing to warn you about the sudden emptiness I almost fell to.

My head spun and I felt sick. A pair of hands pulled me back and made me sit on a chair. "Breathe."

I did as I was told and took a few minutes to calm down. When I finally was able to look up, a male with dark brown eyes and even darker hair was watching me with concern. "Who are you?"

"My name is Switch." He furrowed his brows. "You must be new here. Don't worry, you'll get used to knowing how far the edge is."

"Why is there no warning?"

He shrugged. "Normally the only people who come this far are the ones who can fly. Others stay in the center."

I swallowed and nodded, still feeling somewhat sick. "Which one are you?"

Switch grinned. "Flyer." With that reply, he took off his shirt and I saw his wings. They were a dark blue with purple streaks.

"They're beautiful."

"They're okay," he said and stood up. "Are you okay now?"

I smile. "Are you going to show me your tricks?"

He laughed. "Not today, but come over here again sometime and I will."

I nod and he walks away. I sit there and stare out to the great expanse of sky just waiting to be explored. I wanted to explore it. I wanted to see what it feels like to dip in and out of the clouds, to dive, dive, dive then suddenly shoot straight back up into the air again, barely missing the ground. To fly would be like a dream.

I sighed. I knew that dream would never come true though. There was only one male I wanted to fly with and he wants to chain me up like a prisoner, not only that, but he would probably fly to Unda and make me watch.

My anger flared and I stood and began to walk the perimeter of the kingdom. But soon it got dark and I had no idea where I was. I tried to find my way back to the castle, but the roads were confusing and never led straight towards it. I began to feel alone, I began to cry. I sat down against a wall and buried my face in my hands, knees curled up to my chest and sobbed.