A broken Amora sat there for a long time in silence…stunned. Barely daring to breath, the burning sensation in her lungs slowly subsided. There were no breaks, no peace, no solace in this place. She knew she had to find a way out of here, and soon or she was going to die.
Hurriedly standing from the pool, Amora stepped out and grabbed a towel sheet, wrapping her body in it, she stood for a moment to let the trembling sensation subside. Then she grabbed another towel to begin working on her hair. Then, carefully walking to the doorway Amora peaked around the corner to make sure no more surprises awaited her. After briskly reaching the bed, she grabbed the grey linen gown Arda must have laid out for her and dressed quickly. At the foot of the massive bed sat a bench, with a large tray of food. There was some sort of fresh stew, still steaming, which sat in a bowl for her. A handful of grapes and fresh cut cheese were also present, placed next to a half loaf of bread. A goblet of wine and full pitcher sat to the side on a small stand beside the bench.
Given how long she had now gone without eating, she normally would have devoured the food immediately. But the encounter with the king just now had left her stomach in knots and her appetite was nowhere to be found. She stared at the massive bed. Standing before it for a moment before deciding that she didn't want to sleep here. Simply put because she was fearful. Afraid of what might happen in the dark of night. She would basically be serving herself up on a platter if she slept on this thing which was the centerpiece for the room. She quickly looked around and decided the carpet would not be very comfortable. She then noticed a large ornamental chaise in the corner of the room near the bookcase. That would have to do for now. It gave her a direct line of sight to the door, allowing her back to face the wall.
Grabbing a heavy fur blanket from the foot of the bed as she walked by, she made her way to the lounge chair, and made herself comfortable. Amora clutched the fur closely around her, almost as if it could somehow protect her. It seemed an eternity had passed before she was finally able to relax enough to attempt sleeping. Every small noise in the castle jolting her back awake, fearful of another visitor. But eventually exhaustion won out. As Amora's eyes grew heavy, the last thing she noticed was the sky through the window turning a dark shade of Orange and purple as dawn grew nearer. A moment later she closed her eyes and let the sweet relief of sleep drown out her sorrows.
Godwynn sat quietly in his study, musing over a glass of mead he rolled in between his thumb and index finger before taking a leisurely sip. His messy hair was still damp from the shower he had just finished. He looked to the door cocking a brow, as he heard the sound of wet footsteps approaching….His father burst through the door. Not speaking a word, while tossing his pair of soaked boots to the side he met his son's eyes. Godwynn smirked and set his cup down. "Father…why are your feet and breeches wet?"
Drogath shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, "had a conversation with our little captive, made sure we understood one another." The dark prince's brows shot up in surprise.
"And what part of this conversation…uh…required water?" Godwynn chuckled.
The dark King looked at his son apathetically, "The part where I forced her compliance."
Godwynn could feel a strange knot form in his throat, such an unfamiliar feeling. Coughing, He tried to clear his throat, but it seemed like it didn't do anything to help relieve the sensation. Not wanting to look as if he had some form of ailment in front of his father, however, he decided to ignore the sensation, swallowing the urge to soothe his throat. Although now it was no longer his throat, his whole body was beginning to feel on edge as the knot moved to his stomach. And he had no explanation.
"I see. I would have assumed having her brother now as a captive would have been more than enough motivation to inspire her compliance?" Godwynn cocked his head to the side. The crawling sensation continuing to grow.
Drogath looked his son over. He could see the Dark Energies flowing from around Godwynn. He could sense that his son was becoming agitated for some unknown reason. "It probably would have been, but I would rather save that detail for later..." Drogath took an annoyed breath,
"When requesting the Fates to perform a Twin Flame Binding…there can be no hesitation, by either party. Or they will not allow it, I will save that detail for right before the ceremony…to assure her emotional compliance." His father stated, an air of arrogance filling his voice.
Motioning to the air surrounding Godwynn "But don't worry my son, she is still intact for your enjoyment, if that is what is causing you this anxiety, I did not touch her in that manner."
Godwynn could feel some of the tension leave his body….was this really what was causing this sensation…the unknown… not knowing what had taken place between his father and the princess…his future bride? ….But…Drogath only said not in that manner…not that he did not touch her…then what did he do? Shoving the intrusive thoughts to the back of his mind he decided to take the out that his father had provided.
"Yes father. It seems that I am more eager than I realized to be the one to claim her innocence. Forgive me if I seem hostile. Ha!" Godwynn grabbed his goblet and raised it to his father, plastering a large smile on his face. Drogath, seemingly satisfied with the answer, grabbed an empty goblet himself and quickly filled it with mead to meet his sons raised glass. "To the Dark Kingdoms"
"To the Dark Kingdoms" Godwynn agreed. They each drank the entire contents of their glasses, before setting them back to the table.
"I am off to bed; we have a busy day tomorrow my son." Drogath proclaimed. Then stood and briskly headed out the door…leaving his sopping wet boots where he had tossed them, laying in a spreading puddle on the floor.
Godwynn sat there for a moment thinking of his interaction with his father earlier in the evening.
Earlier his father had led him down to the dungeons. He had been eager to show him the nail in the coffin for the Atherian Kingdom. His father was quick to reach the last cell and open the door for the dark prince. Sitting slumped over in one of the prison cells, had been the High Prince Lewan, the future king of Atheria, sitting with both hands and feet shackled. The future Atherian Ruler had apparently come to save his sister. It surely was a noble task…but one he should have left for someone else to perform. Godwynn had shaken his head in disdain for the prince.
As the Dark King had told it, Lewan, apparently had been blinded by his emotions, and attempted to sneak into the Dark kingdom the night before their entourage had even arrived. His horse had somehow managed to not only catch up to them…but get ahead of them, bypassing, without either prince realizing the other was near. No doubt the storm had hindered their abilities to hear or see any signs of the other.
In hindsight the Atherian's horse was quite a remarkable beast as well, being capable of covering such a distance, so quickly. Maybe the Golden kingdom had decent War Horses hidden somewhere up their sleeves, Godwynn smirked, instead of those pathetic examples in which the Lethorians had ridden.
To hear-tell of the story, Father had been standing in the Astrology tower speaking with an Elven mage when they had both noticed the Brilliantly white Stallion moving quietly through the woods along the far side of the castle. With a lightly armored Lewan leading the way. It was father who had quickly defeated the young prince and taken him prisoner. Upon further inspection, Lewan's face was definitely wearing evidence of the fight. Both eyes were blacked, his lip had been swollen. However, he wasn't missing any limbs and wasn't burned up or cut up. And most importantly he wasn't dead. Father had been fairly lenient with the young man, given his own history of excessive brutality. Godwynn was certain, this was no doubt so that he could use him as a tool.
Godwynn sat for another moment longer pondering the situation, before slowly standing from his study table. Stretching he decided he was ready for a little bit of rest himself. He only had a couple hours before the sun would come up. His father was in a hurry to get his plan in motion now that he had the tools needed. And that meant Amora and himself would have to stand before the fates to secure their sealing, as Twin Flames, as soon as tomorrow. Leaving his study, he headed to the adjoining room which housed his sleeping chambers.
Laying on his bed, The Dark Elven Prince couldn't help but think back to the moment he had with Amora in the Kitchens. The way her breath had hitched when he had surrounded her. How she seemed to lean into him for safety, without realizing what she was doing. How reactive her body had been for him. Her skin had been so soft. And her scent…her scent was like soft lavender and Neroli, beckoning to him. Calling him.
Shaking his head as if to rid his thoughts of her, Godwynn chided himself. She was just trying to plant herself in his head. High elves tend to manipulate the mind with their magic. He was certain this was just some trick of hers to gain his trust or protection, and she knew what she was doing. 'But she was innocent'. He shook his head again, innocent or not, he planned to break her. She would not hold any power over him, he would not allow it….Rolling to his side Godwynn forced his eyes closed and willed himself to sleep.
Sleep never came.