Liara woke up with a strange feeling of disorientation. Where was she? And her friends? What had happened to her Shadows? She blinked and then she couldn't believe what her eyes saw.
A huge magical portal was opening very close to her. However, something else was happening. Something much more pressing. She was being carried, in arms!
Liara tried to separate herself from the stranger's body, but her strength failed her. By Mégano! What had they done to her that she couldn't lift a finger?
"Ready to make the crossing." She heard a male voice say. Gods! What on earth had happened?
Liara had to make an effort to open her eyes once more. It was a group of knights who were dressed in beautiful, exotic suits. All white and silver. They were all exceptionally tall. May the gods have mercy on her, they were going to cross the magical portal with her.
Liara closed her eyes and gathered her strength. Then she looked up, feeling barely able to control the muscles in her neck.
Then she saw a man's face that did not seem to be from this world. A beautiful mouth, and a straight and balanced nose. Eyes of the most exotic shade she had ever seen: turquoise.
The commander of the Angis. It couldn't be...
She was being taken by the Angis. Surely, the soldiers had made a camp and changed their war suits. Now, the next obvious action was to return.
"Sleep some more, Red Witch." She heard the commander say.
What? Then sleep swept her reason away.
Liara woke up once again.
By Megano! She didn't know how much time she had spent sleeping. This time she was able to move. So she quickly sat on the bed. Phew! She had moved too fast and dizziness made the room spin. So, she had to wait for the feeling of weightlessness to pass.
Meanwhile, she looked around. She was in a dreamy room. This was what a princess's private room should look like. Liara thought as she ran a hand through her messy hair. It was so different from her tower. Or the tent she had used during the war.
A huge four-poster bed with golden posts. Walls of bright and polished white tiles, colorful and soft carpets, airy curtains of a delicate mauve tone. Ivory furniture, a tea table, and a huge dressing table with three oval mirrors.
And flowers! Bouquets of white lilies everywhere. In vases and floating in a small mother-of-pearl fountain.
Why was she there? Why had they taken her?
Red witch... The commander's words echoed in her mind. She hated being called that. She wasn't a witch. She was a herbalist. Well, a herbalist with a terrible gift.
Liara stood up and then realized that she had been changed from her battle clothes to a flowing white gown with lace. Never in her life, had she worn such a delicate and beautiful garment.
Wondering who had changed her, she took a few firm steps and began to explore the room. There was a tall glass window and three doors. The side door to the right should be the exit. The door at the back opened to show her a lush bathroom of blue and white tiles. My God! Liara was struck speechless by the luxury. She left there and walked towards the last doors. They were made of white wood and glass. These were wide open onto what appeared to be a balcony.
The heavens opened for her as soon as Liara stepped onto the balcony. By Megano! She had to be at the top of the highest tower human eyes had ever seen. In one corner, there was a pot with lilies planted. Also a glass table with two armchairs and a divan. A man was sitting on the settee.
"You woke up," He told her without turning around. She knew that voice. "How are you feeling, Liara?"
The Angis commander turned around as he said this. His beautiful eyes absorbed her.
How do you feel? How was she supposed to answer? She was beginning to feel frustrated and angry.
"Why am I here?"
"Because I wanted you." His calm response.
What? Liara took a step back. What did that mean? Then, a most disturbing discovery caught her attention: she could not feel the man's heart. The immortal, to be more precise. His heart was not beating.