The heroes escaped from the two cells and felt an odd relief once their magic had come back. Even though their magic was new it already felt like a part of them. Brian had finally allowed Inga to come close enough to him to remove the ankle cuffs.
They trudged back down the dim corridor, the air thick with despair, as Jayla inquired of the captive whether she desired freedom. The woman let out a chilling screech, retreating into the shadows of her cell, only to erupt into a fit of giggles, swaying back and forth. Her fingers clawed at her own face, laughter mingling with madness. With hearts weighed down by sorrow, the heroes ascended the stairs once more, knowing that rescue was a distant dream—perhaps a doctor could return to mend what was broken.
The quietly looked through the bars leading out of the dungeon and saw that the guard keeping watch was busy conversing with another guard.
"They wouldn't have wanted us to lock up the heroes."
"Well, how else were we supposed to detain them? They're called heroes for a reason, magic restraints were the only way to go."
"We could have talked with them."
"Imagine if they had ignored our requests. We would have been the ones facing the executioner's blade. We were instructed to detain them, but the specifics were left out. Whatever unfolds is not on us; they should have provided clearer guidance. Since you're new here, you might not realize just how ruthless the duke can be."
"But it was the royal family who passed down the order."
"It doesn't matter where the order originated; what truly matters is the duke's command. We have no ties to the royal family, and that's for the duke to manage, not us."
Suddenly, the two men stood rigidly at attention, their voices hushed. They saluted a petite woman with brown hair, dressed in a vivid red uniform decorated with medals on her shoulders. "I require you to take the prisoners to the throne room," she instructed.
After a couple moments longer, the woman walked away and the two guards turned towards the thick door and unlocked it expecting the hallway to be empty they found themselves face to face with the heroes. They backed up in fear but Paul said calmly, "Lead the way." Jayla was glaring at them but she made no move to attack.
After several minutes of following the guards through a seemingly endless series of hallways, the heroes finally reached a grand corridor that led to two impressive, ornately carved doors, with guards standing sentinel on either side, armed with polearms. The elder guard took the lead, while the other two stepped aside to allow him entry. Upon entering, the heroes found themselves in a vast chamber that felt like a scene from a historical play.
At the far end, three thrones were positioned on a dais, unmistakably belonging to royalty, with one throne slightly askew and set further back. The woman on the throne was an elf, her skin glowing with a subtle golden hue, long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders, and light blue eyes that sparkled with wisdom. Next to her was a dwarf, short and stout, with a thick dark red beard and warm chocolate brown eyes, dressed in opulent velvet robes threaded with real gold. The third figure, a dusk elf with a grayish complexion and long black hair, wore a frown that clearly expressed his discontent.
The woman, adorned with a magnificent crown of gold and rubies, was the first to break the silence. She was undeniably beautiful, her ageless face unmarred by time, yet her eyes hinted at a wisdom that suggested she had witnessed the world since its dawn. In contrast, her husband, the dwarf, appeared to be much older, though it was hard to believe he truly was.
"I am Queen Sol, and beside me is my life mate, Consort Jabir. We have gathered you here today with the intention of strengthening the bond between our kingdom and your heroes party. We invite one of you to choose one of our children as your life mate. You have the option to select from three sons and two daughters, with the exception of our daughter who is destined to be my heir."
"I wouldn't mind picking up another hottie as long as she looks like you," said Paul.
Amy rolled her eyes but said nothing, she certainly wasn't about to step forward to claim a random guy.
Then everyone was startled when after a small pause Olivia stepped forward and spoke. "I'll consider a match with one of your sons. Please bring them out so that I can meet them."
No one dared to question Olivia; they were too stunned by her announcement. Typically, she was the rational one, the one who carefully weighed every decision and warned them against taking unnecessary risks. It struck them as strange, not realizing that she had been contemplating her single status for years, especially after Amy had nudged the topic back into her thoughts. Life had a peculiar way of presenting opportunities, and now one had arrived. If none of the royal family's sons piqued her interest, there was little she could do, but exploring the possibilities certainly wouldn't hurt.
The queen commanded her guards to summon her sons. Soon, three young men entered the throne room, flanked by their loyal protectors and adorned in splendid garments. The first son was short and bore a resemblance to Paul, a robust figure with blonde hair and deep brown eyes. The second was a tall, muscular elf, his long brown hair cascading down his back, radiating an air of superiority and self-importance. The third son was petite and slight, his lips quivering slightly as he took in the scene around him. With his thick, shiny golden hair and striking cerulean blue eyes that sparkled like the ocean on a bright day, he was an elf with a lean build, suggesting he was a swimmer. His attire was understated, making him appear more like a scholar than a prince.
The three sons bowed to their parents and then gave a slight nod to the duke sitting beside their parents, then they turned around and nodded toward the heroes party.
"Step forward and greet Hero Olivia who has graciously agreed to examine you with the possibility of agreeing to choose one of you to become a life mate of hers," said the Queen.
The first to stride forward with an undeniable swagger was the imposing elf with brown hair. He radiated a confidence that bordered on arrogance, behaving as if he were a prize for women everywhere. Had his demeanor been more amiable, she might have found him appealing, but his attitude was simply intolerable. He tossed his hair back and shot her a wink, causing a wave of irritation to churn in her stomach. "I am Prince Tob. I believe we would make a fantastic pair; I have countless ways to delight a woman, and I would be honored to have a hero as my partner."
The dwarf approached with a warm smile, "Greetings, enchanting lady, I am Prince Mick. I must confess that I am involved with someone else at the moment. Yet, if your heart desires me, I would be open to parting ways with her. Please understand that I would need a week to communicate my intentions to her, as she is not in town right now."
The third man looked up, their gazes meeting, revealing the most captivating blue eyes. He offered a slight bow, saying, "I greet you, Hero Olivia, I am Prince Bell," and quickly tucked his hand behind his back, realizing he still clutched the book he'd been reading when the guards came to collect him. Their mother was always assigning them tasks without considering their feelings or what they were already engaged in. Now, she was insisting that one of them bond for life with a complete stranger. Fortunately, he had Tob to divert the attention of the women; no one seemed to notice him when Tob was around, charming the ladies. In fact, he was the only one among his brothers who remained unattached. Tob had a number of maids he was currently involved with, while Mick was in a five-year relationship with a woman he refused to commit to due to her humble origins.
I would like to walk around your gardens with your son, Prince Bell," said Olivia.
Startled, he lifted his head, and their eyes connected again for a fleeting instant before he handed his book to a guard standing behind him and bowed his head once more. "It would be my pleasure."
Olivia was taken aback by the richness and masculinity of his voice, which she hadn't fully appreciated earlier due to his soft tone. He broke away from the lineup of brothers and moved toward her, offering his arm for her to link her fingers around his elbow. As he guided her to a side door leading to the back garden, two guards followed a short distance behind, maintaining a protective presence without intruding.
Coming Next Time: Down the Scary Hole
Are you sure that a shard of the Subjugation Stone is down there?