Suddenly a door opened behind her and she nearly fainted as her knees began to judder. The princess was supposed to be in her room, then who had just come from the other room and was now standing behind her?
"Turn around." A manly voice ordered sending a brusque bolt of shock right through her as his voice echoed in the hallway.
Grabbing her shoulders he made her turn and look right into his eyes and a gasp escaped her lips which were now firmly pressed into a thin line. His blood-red eyes seemed to see right into her mind. She quickly took two small steps backward and hit the door as he stepped forward trapping her between his body and the door to the Fiona's room.
Tall he was, very tall. His hair was as black as a raven's feathers and the ruffles of his shirt danced against his skin. She wanted to run but she felt like he could catch up with her somehow before she could get away. She felt like helpless prey in his presence.
Her only hope was screaming for help, if anyone would heed her call that is.
She opened her mouth but her voice was frozen in her throat.
"Don't." He warned as he placed a finger on her lips.
How dare he touch her? Suddenly she thrusted his finger into her mouth and sank her teeth into it. She doubted it would work but she had to try at least.
The man slapped her face with so much intensity that she could now taste her own blood.
"You're a feisty one,aren't you?" He smirked revealing white perfectly arranged teeth. Holding her by the neck he threw her across the hallway and she crushed into the walls.
Gianna was surprised. Was she dreaming? No she wasn't. The pain in her ribs confirmed this was happening now. She had just had enough time to stand up when he was before her again. No, she couldn't survive another blow.
The air suddenly became stuffy and it became difficult for her to breathe. She was paralyzed to the spot, his menacing aura holding her in a tightening grip. She felt sweat cling to the back of her neck , dampening her hair. Her fear became a tangible, living force that crept over her like some hungry beast immobilizing her brain. Her eyelids grew heavy but she forced them to remain open. She would remain strong no matter what happened. She couldn't lose her consciousness and let him have his way with her. The heavens knew better what he would do.She couldn't think of her way to save herself. But was there any?
It happened. What she had been desperately trying to prevent. Her heart raced as her chest tightened. It felt as if the center of her head was being pulled. A sound roared through her; or maybe she imagined it as her knees buckled and what looked like black clouds pressed their way into her vision.
******
Gael scooped the fragile woman into his arms and teleported them away. Mazarine was waiting for them already. She stood up as Gael and his catch materialized in the room.
"That was really fast." She complimented.
"My skills are impressive as you're well aware."
"Bragging has always been your thing."she smiled and went to inspect Gianna. She was unconscious and blood oozed profusely from a wound on the back of her head.
"She's so weak. " Mazarine clicked her tongue.
" She was very surprised to see me and she has sharp senses."
"Does that mean she knows what you're?" Her blue eyes darkened with worry.
"Not at all. It seems she has never met anyone else like me before."
" If she is so naive and unexposed how would she even summon him and help Fiona?" Mazarine asked.
"She's from a very powerful bloodline Mazarine. Am sure she'll prove you wrong. Believe me; she's our best catch to help Fiona once and for all. The other one is too advanced in her magic thing;she would have smelled our plan easily."
Mazarine seemed thoughtful for a while. If she truly hailed from a very powerful bloodline then she was the only one to help her daughter. She had to even if she didn't want to do it. Her daughter had suffered for way too long and now that redemption was at reach she was not going to take chances.
"Does that mean she completely has no idea of what we're trying to achieve?"
" Yes." Was his short reply.
"Mmmh...it would be easier for you to compel her to do it."
Gael sighed heavily and took a seat. He seemed confused about something. Mazarine took a seat opposite him and studied his face carefully. He couldn't just quit. He was the one to make it happen. Without his help she knew Gianna would easily overpower her.
"Don't tell me you've changed your mind Gael."
"I haven't. I would never change my mind. I made a promise to Gadreel and I don't wish to break it."
"Then what's wrong?"
"I can't get into her head. I have tried several times but it seems like it's shielded."
"I think you underestimated her Gael. If she can shield her thoughts what makes you think she's unaware of our plan?"
In his lifetime Gael had hardly encountered any resistance getting into the humans' heads but she seemed different .
"I didn't underestimate her. She isn't the one shielding her thoughts. It's someone else."
"Who's shielding her thoughts?"Mazarine immediately rose from her seat nervously.
"That I am yet to find out."
"You know that's a huge risk. Whoever is helping her might come to her rescue."
"I know. I'll go find the person then." He said and was about to vanish when Mazarine held his hand to stop him.
"Actually finding that person can wait can wait. Our priority is helping Fiona. My daughter has suffered for way too long. You'll stay here and watch her until she comes to. It has been hard laying our hands on her, can't risk losing her."
Gael sighed. He knew better than to question her decision.
"Make sure to clean her wounds and lock her up." Mazarine ordered on her way out.
Gael brought some salted warm water and began to clean her wounds. She winced.
I am sorry, he wanted to say but stopped. No. He wasn't allowed to show her any sympathy. He quickly bandaged her up and threw her in the cell. He sat just outside the cell reading while keeping guard on her just in case she woke up and tried to escape. Oh , he would enjoy the chase, and this time he wouldn't go easy on her.
*****
Queen Mazarine headed for her daughter's chambers. She must have heard the commotion outside her room. But what happened outside her room didn't seem to concern her anymore. She hardly came out of her room since her return and when she did all hallways would be clear. No one dared cross her path. And after she had passed the servants would whisper to themselves.
Some said she was turning mad.
Others argued she was just mourning her loss.
While those who thought they knew what was wrong with her said she was possessed by her husband's spirit for killing him.
But Queen Mazarine didn't know what was wrong with her. She didn't know what rumor to believe. It was like she didn't know her anymore.
That wasn't her little Fiona. The girl now living in the castle's attic wasn't her daughter. Her Fiona was once a lively soul, a cherished companion to everyone in the castle. Her servants had always been the least busy in the Kingshill Citadel. The princess used to be nearly self-sufficient.
By the time her servants would come to help her take a bath she would have already taken a bath, tidied up her room and gone to her personal library to study.
Mazarine would constantly ask her to let the servants do their job but she would insist on helping them.
She hadn't realized that she had already arrived at her door when it flew open and Fiona stepped out. Her eyes seemed dead.
"What do you want."
Mazarine had noticed that for a few days now she was angrier than before and more distant.
"Is it that time of the month dear?I've noticed you've been moody." She smiled patting Fiona's shoulder.
Reaching for her mother's hand, Fiona removed it from her shoulder. She seemed to be contemplating on her next words.
"I don't need your sympathy. Now, if you'll excuse me I wish to be left alone." She said firmly.
Mazarine felt her throat become sore. She knew her daughter was hurting and didn't want to be seen crying as she watched her take hasty and clumsy steps to get away from her. Suddenly she tripped on the hem of her black dress and was about to fall.
Mazarine rushed to prevent her from falling but she was only fast enough to see Fiona hit her head on the edge of the bed.
She made no sound at all.
"Are you okay?" Mazarine was already trying to help her up but Fiona pushed her away.
Mazarine stepped back shocked.
"Get out." Fiona shouted.
Mazarine didn't move an inch. Fiona needed immediate help.
"Get ... out."She shouted louder this time and forced her mother out.
Tears welled up in her eyes and Fiona slammed the door shut.
Gianna would help her daughter at all costs. When she had sent Fiona to oversee Kyler's ascension to power in the company of guards she had hoped that seeing the outside world would make her more lively. But she was wrong.
Now she would use all means possible to make Gianna do it.Mazarine swallowed the lump in her throat and went to find Gianna.