Chapter 1❣️2

Avia's POV

It's morning! Another miserable day of existence. I sit just by the open window of my pathetic excuse of a room. My little cloth rolled at the corner, my only covering during the cold nights.

Droplets of water land on my head. I divert my gaze to the point of leakage. Someone must be using the guestroom right above my room.

Anytime someone uses it, the water seeps through the cracks on the ceiling and finds it's way to my room. I quickly move out of the way and drop a metal bucket right under it. I exhale sharply and rush to freshen up.

Today is the day I finally get my freedom, I thought inwardly and a smile spread on my lips.

I freshen up and comb my dark brown hair into a bun. I look at myself in the cracked mirror. I marvel at my own beauty.... too bad it causes me a lot of problems being a slave and all. Sometimes I wish I didn't have such adorable freckles.

I head out of my room and meet everyone working hastily. What's going on? I thought to myself.

I walk through the whole chaos and make my way to the kitchen. I wanted to find out what's going on and the person who always has the gist works there... Martha.

Usually, she is surrounded by palace maids who want gossip to pass away time but alas, she was on her own, lips sealed and hard at work.

I took in my lower lip and walk up to her. I pick up one of the dirty dishes and began scrubbing. Hey Martha, why is everyone in such a frenzy, I ask her although not lifting my gaze from the dishes in front of me.

Do you ever know what's going on, tsk tsk... She clicked her tongue. Anyways, the reason why everyone is too busy to admire your beauty or cause you trouble is because the Ice lord will grace this palace with his presence, she said almost in a whisper.

I gasp softly. The ice lord?? I almost started dancing right there. How could everything be so in my favour. Everyone is too busy preparing for the ice lord's arrival that no one will even notice if I pass out and die right now.

This is the chance I've been waiting for. I pick up a few plates of leftovers and walk out of the kitchen, heading straight up to the second room up in the tower.

If I want to escape, I need to have my strength. I quickly stuff myself with the excess food the royals didn't see fit to grace their glutton bellies.

Suddenly I hear the sound of trumpets, announcing the presence of a dignitary. Suddenly the clouds covered up the beautiful sunlight and a chilly breeze swept through the palace.

I could barely hear anyone talking or chattering. It's like everyone went mute. He's here!

DARREN'S POV

Walking into this kingdom wasn't like me at all. Why did I agree to the invitation of Barney. I wouldn't bother to add his title because I feel he doesn't deserve to be a king.

Was it because I was persuaded by Calix or I needed a change of scenery.

I walk into this mediocre excuse of a palace and I'm greeted by a pot bellied pig draped in royal robes.

Welcome your lordship, he bellows extending his hand for a shake. What an insult. He must have noticed my change of mood as he withdrew his hand, beads of sweat forming on his face.

If there's one thing I love, it's the smell of fear. I always command respect everywhere I go and I don't want that to change ever.

I suddenly sense a strange energy just outside the palace walls. It wasn't a human or a spell caster or any mere supernatural.....I couldn't pin point what it was and curiosity was eating away at me.

I turn to Calix my right hand man. He seems to have picked up on it too. I'm not surprised as he is a fire phoenix of a high energy level. Just one nod from me and he disappears in flames.

Is there a problem my lord? Barney asked me. I hope not... for your sake, I say in my usually cold tone. I could see the tension in the air and I must say, I'm enjoying it.

AVIA'S POV

Sweet freedom is just at my fingertips. I decided to take the high ground and jump down using the ledges. If I can get into the trees without being caught, then I might actually pull this off.

I could have stayed here at least I had shelter and clothing but I overheard that I would be sold to some goblin merchant who is always at sea and I'm not a fan of water bodies. I get seasick. Plus if someone tries to rape me as usual, I won't have anywhere to run to.

If I escape, I can leave a normal life in some human village. Everyone thinks I'm human so I should be able to blend in.

As I leap to the second ledge I notice a flash of flames just by the ledge in front of me. Suddenly, the creature appeared in front of me.

It wasn't an ordinary creature, it was a fire phoenix and he was quite handsome.

Due to the shock, I step back and lose my balance. It is quite a fall from this height, I think I'm going to lose a life today, I thought to myself but he jumps after me and as soon as he grabs my waist, we are engulfed in flames and I saw myself in the middle of a crowd.

Everyone's eyes were on me and my senses were on high alert. The fire phoenix man stepped back and an even more handsome man came to view.

His pale white face and blue eyes were quite the striking features. He seemed to resonate a powerful aura and my heartbeat doubled.

I noticed that I was sitting on the floor but I didn't have the courage to stand up. He steps closer to me and squats right in front of me.

Are you a lynx? He asked suddenly and I felt a lump in my throat.

Everyone gasps and I could hear them mumbling among themselves. I couldn't just keep quiet and confirm their suspicion. No... I'm not, I mumbled lowering my gaze for a moment.

His cold eyes scan my body and landed on my boobs.

You are a lynx aren't you? He asked and I shook my head in denial.

He stretches his hand and grab my breast. My pupils turn orange and my claws elongate. I strike him right across his face in anger or maybe it was my reflexes. It's not a new thing for people to try to take advantage of me.

Immediately everyone's faces turned pale and some people passed out.

I feel the air around me getting cold. He raised his head up and his wounds closed up, healing himself in a matter of seconds.

All his guards surrounded me with their weapons aimed at me, waiting for their master to give them the command.

I immediately regretted my actions. Not only did I reveal the fact that I'm a lynx, I also struck the infamous ice lord right across his face. I'm so dead, I thought to myself.

But what he said next sent chills down my spine..... His lips curved into a smirk and he held up my chin.... I WANT HER.

What????? I heard someone mutter from behind. It was Samson, the king's nephew. He is an elf and one of my least favorite people in the world.

He has tried several times to rape me although he has never been successful. But he has touched me in ways that make me feel disgusted with myself.

I know he wouldn't want to let me go until he has had his way with me.

Did you say something? I hear the vicious man in front of me say. It sounded more like a growl.

He stood to his feet and his eyes darkened. The walls started freezing up, icicles protruding from them.

Please forgive him your lordship, King Barney pleaded. I knew if he could fall on his feet he would but his obese tummy proved too difficult.

The ice lord looked towards Samson's direction and immediately a strong force sent him crashing into the wall.

Either I take her with me,or I turn your entire kingdom into an ice palace with you people as ice statues, your call Barney, he said firmly.

The audacity to address a king by his first name. "Take her your lordship, she is all yours, anything you want is all yours anything at all", King Barney bellowed lowering his gaze.

Like that my fate moved me into the clutches of a demon. As I stare into his emotionless face, I could tell that my suffering had only just begun.

CALIX'S POV

I've never seen Darren cause such a scene because of a woman talk less of a mere slave, although the fact that she is a lynx does set her apart.

She is quite a beauty and young as well. She dared to strike the infamous ice lord and she is still breathing, I must give her the much deserved accolades.

It seems Darren is done negotiating or better yet, he has gotten his way as usual. I signal the guards and they quickly bundle her up.

As usual Darren walks out first accompanied by everyone else. I wonder why he chooses to dominate using his ice powers when he is also half- fire hybrid.

I've tried asking him a few times but he prefers to be mysterious. This new girl seems like she's going to rock some boats in Darren's life. I can feel it.

I hope she survives longer than the other slaves * sigh *