*Authors Note/TW: I will try to let you all know when there could be a trigger warning. If I miss one, please let me know. This chapter contains some assault. It's not a lot, but enough.*
Kestra heard the door to the dungeon open and tried to ignore it. The guard has been more than annoying the past few days. She had it with his flirting attempts and conversations.
"Morning Princess." His voice was a smooth and cheery growl. Unlocking her cell, he brought in her meal. He always brought hers last so he could spend more time with her, one on one. As Kestra looked at him, she noticed he was wearing his standard outfit. A black tunic and pants, his clawed glove on his left hand, and an armored vest. He once told her that there was no need to wear chain mail if you're just patrolling.
Kestra remained sitting on her cot, her chin on her knees, and glared at him. He was indeed a strong Morvaie with brute strength, but not very intelligent, making Kestra wonder how he ever received the rank of general. Kestra noticed his smile showing his pointed teeth as he slowly approached her. She didn't scream or back away. This wasn't the first time that this had happened, and she knew that as long as she was here, it wouldn't be the last.
He held out the food that was provided. When Kestra refused to take it from him, he shrugged and set it on the floor. She noticed he had gotten bolder with his attempts when he sat at the foot of her cot. "What you thinking about, Princess? You no longer have to think about me when I'm right here." The guard was trying to be as sly as possible.
Kestra rolled her eyes in response, wanting nothing more than for him to leave. However, it wasn't her lucky day. She bit back a gasp as she felt him move closer. What is he doing? She thought as she felt his body closing the gap between the two of them.
He moved in closer to kiss her lips. Kestra sensed this and pushed him away with disgust. "Still have quite a fiery spirit there, I see." he growls, almost laughing. Quickly, he grabbed her hands with his gloved hand. He gave her a peck on the cheek before releasing them.
"Get away from me, Yungite." Kestra says with enough force as she could muster.
"Aww, come on now. I thought that we could have a pleasant conversation for once."
Kestra knew he feigned to be hurt. He had done that so many times that Kestra knew it was all fake. She turned her head and looked away from him as he still sat on the cot. She remained silent during his questions. The past few days, the quieter she was, the quicker he would leave.
"Don't be like that. What's bothering you?" Yungite continues. "Come on. You can tell me." Silence. "Did you know that you're quite a popular topic around here, Princess? Especially with Kentight. He often talks about you with the rest of us and how he tried to capture you in the castle, and about the first time that he saw you."
"Like I care." Kestra snaps back. She tried a different approach to get him to leave. "Why would I ever care about what you Morvaies talk about, anyway?"
"Now, now. No need to be defensive." He took a piece of her hair and played with it as he continues. "Of course, I don't really blame you. I've heard that there are so many secrets that your parents have hidden from you that you don't even know who you are."
"What are you talking about?" Kestra glanced at him. Her parents had indeed hidden things from her. She figured it was about the war, but when he said that, something in her stirred.
"Unfortunately, I can't give you that information." He kissed her once again on the cheek before he got up before he left, chuckling as Sylvaria snarls at him.
Kestra wiped his kiss away with her sleeve in disgust. She looked at her breakfast and realized it was the same as always. A hard roll, water, and mush, which is supposed to be some attempt at porridge. She sighed as she moved to the floor. Tearing apart the bread, her mind wandered. What should she do about Yungite when he returns to take the tray? She never expected him to be so bold, especially after his all too many failed attempts.
"You could always kill him." Sylvaria spoke softly.
"What?" Kestra snaps out of her thoughts. "That would end up with me getting sent to Drave and in a much worse situation. You know that."
"Just a suggestion." Sylvaria replies. Kestra couldn't help but smile. Even in these wretched circumstances, her friend still made her laugh.
"A suggestion that I like very much." Gallix grumbled. He hated watching as Yungite kept trying to flirt with Kestra. He hated how he couldn't do anything to protect her. "Or you could make him think he's won before damaging his ego beyond repair." The three of them laughed at the thought before finishing their meal. Kestra knew it would be a bit before Yungite returned and continued to think in the silence for the next few minutes.
When they heard the door opened, all three looked to see who it was. Kestra felt her heartbeat quicken when she saw it was Drave. "What is he doing here?" Sylvaria whispers to her as Drave descended the steps.
"I don't know." She replies in her own whisper. "It can't be good, whatever it is." Sylvaria and Kestra both looked at Gallix, who appeared surprisingly calm, and they couldn't figure out why.
Once Drave reached the cells, he looked at Kestra. He looked at her with pleading eyes, something that she hadn't seen often. She sensed he was trying to send a message to her. One that she wasn't understanding. She looked away when Drave gave her a slight smile. She looked at the ground as Sylvaria growled at him.
"Relax, Sylvaria." Drave spoke calmly, but a hint of urgency in his voice. Turning to Gallix, he continued. "I believe you have information that I need." Gallix maintains his calm demeanor as he gave a nod to Drave.
Kestra's eyes danced between the two, trying to understand their unspoken communication. She watched as Gallix walked towards the bars and Drave unlocked the cell. Drave placed his hand lightly on Gallix's shoulder and escorted him out of the dungeon. Kestra and Sylvaria looked at each other in confusion. "What was that about?" Kestra finally asks once Drave was gone.
"I have no idea." Sylvaria replies, still surprised. Whatever it was, it's making me consider if there's something greater happening.
Kestra just nodded her head in a silent agreement as she made her way to her cot. Lying down, she placed her left arm over her eyes. She couldn't get over the fact that Gallix was so calm when Drave entered and that he didn't put up any fight. Drave called Sylvaria by her name after not doing so since their capture. Why did Drave have a sense of urgency in his voice? What was his hidden message he tried to communicate with her?
Kestra was once again pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of the door opening. She knew exactly who it was, so she didn't bother looking. Kestra heard heavy footsteps descending the steps. There was a slight scraping noise, and Kestra knew that the guard had picked up Gallix's tray. The footsteps retreated up the steps before returning. Kestra hoped he would just pick up her dish and leave. But like several times previously, it didn't happen. She heard Sylvaria growl, and her cell door shut. After a few seconds of silence, she lifted her arm slightly. Just enough to see what was going on. He was standing there, just staring at her.
"You don't have to imagine I'm here. You got the real thing right in front of you." Yungite taunted.
Kestra refused to respond and kept her arm over her eyes as she closed them. She hoped it would discourage him from trying anything. When she heard his footsteps approaching and felt his fingers on her arm, she realized it wasn't working. When she felt his weight on the cot, she quickly withdrew her arm. He growled softly and kept her legs pinned beneath him, despite her efforts to move.
"What do you think you're doing?" Kestra snaps, disgusted.
"Easy now, Princess. I will not hurt you." He replies as he leaned down in another attempt to kiss her. He watched as she moved her head. Undeterred, he kissed her cheek before pulling his head away.
Kestra tried to kick him off of her without success. She even tried turning to free her legs from his weight that was on them.
"Tell you what, Love." He says calmly as he watched Kestra struggle. "You give me a little affection, and I will leave. Nothing extreme, just a little thanks for making sure you are fed."
"And if I don't?" Kestra angrily replies. She didn't want this wretched Morvaie to be around her any longer.
"I will get it if you do it willingly or not." Yungite replies says in a matter-of-fact voice that was rare. He would not move from the cot until Kestra gave him a reason to.
Kestra gave a silent sigh before looking at him. She couldn't stomach the fact of granting this creep a hug, but knowing that he would stay until he got one was worse.
"Fine, but let me get up." Kestra finally replies sternly. She felt the pressure release and stood. She saw him follow suit with a look of determination in his eyes. He was going to take full control of the situation if she didn't. She saw him take a step forward.
"Well. Come on then. Where is it?" He taunted as his arms spread, waiting for her. When Kestra hesitated, he stepped forward, backing her to the wall, and growled in frustration. "Unless you want both of us back on that cot all snuggled up nice and close, I wouldn't test my patience."
Kestra gently bit her lower lip as she took two steps towards him. Once she was close enough, he grabbed her and pulled her into him. After a few seconds, Kestra pushed away, glaring at him. "You got what you wanted, now you're part of the bargain."
"Not yet, I haven't." He smiles. Kestra just looked at him in confusion. "There is one more thing. A small kiss." He taunted. Seeing the look of shock that crossed her face, he chuckled. "I will give you a choice. The kiss or the cot. Which would you prefer?"
Kestra couldn't believe him. She thought she could get away with just a hug. He's a little smarter than I thought. Kestra thought, as she tried to avoid it by stepping to the right. She gasped in shock as the Morvaie grabbed her arm.
"I'm not leaving that easily, Princess." He whispers in her ear as he pulled her back.
Sylvaria couldn't watch this anymore and snapped at Yungite. Clouded by anger, she ran into the bars. Shaking off the pain, she heard him laugh.
"You are not the brightest of creatures, are you, dragon? We reinforce the bars for a reason. That means you can't do anything. Besides, this has nothing to do with you." Yungite says, before turning his attention back to Kestra. Swinging her around, he pushed her onto the cot, laying down next to her. "I warned you. I guess you wanted to be in my arms more than just giving me a kiss." Yungite whispers as he put his arms tightly around her. He pinned her arms to prevent her from pushing away. "Maybe this is how we can spend tonight. Together, in each other's arms, with nothing bothering us. Both of us getting some well-deserved sleep. Enjoying each other's company."
Release me and keep your distance. Kestra demanded, as he pulled her closer to him.
"Not until I get my kiss."
Kestra nearly shuddered as he kissed her forehead. Come on, Kestra. You can do this. It's just a little kiss on the cheek. It's not as bad as what he's doing now. And the sooner you do, the sooner he will leave. "Alright. Alright. I will. Just stop." Kestra says, forcing her emotions down as he kissed her forehead again.
"You're going to need to prove it because I'm not falling for that again."
He shifted his arms enough so that Kestra could kiss him, but still held her tight, so she knew who was in control. Kestra took a deep breath as she propped herself onto her arm. Come on, Kestra. You can do it.
"Better hurry a little unless you want me to kiss you instead. And this time, it wouldn't be on your forehead." He taunted as he pulled her flush to his body for warning.
Kestra moved quickly to his cheek after that and let her lips just barely touch his skin for the kiss.
"Now that's better." He spoke calmly. He pulled her back down onto the cot and climbed on top of her. With a smile, he leaned down towards her. Kestra moved her head, forcing it to her cheek once again. He got up off the cot before looking back.
"Your part of the bargain." Kestra's voice shook slightly as she stood up. She was going to avoid his grasp before he decided he wanted them both on the cot again, and this time did not let her go.
Yungite chuckled as he picked up Kestra's tray and headed for the cell door. He stopped and turned to her. A wide grin was upon his face. "That wasn't so hard, was it?" Before she could respond, he had locked the door and headed up the stairs.
Kestra allowed the shivers to come through her body. She needed to lie down. Glancing at the cot, she shook her head. Instead, she curled up in the corner next to Sylvaria's cell. She felt the warmth as the golden tail curled by her side. It was a comfort to know they still had each other. She allowed her eyelids to shut and dose off to sleep.
She heard footsteps descending the stairs. Kestra realized that after a few hours, Drave returned with Gallix. She could tell they were whispering and listened carefully, hoping that this wasn't some dream.
"Thanks for the information, Gallix." Drave whispered. "This will defiantly help. But remember that we cannot act like we did before. You know what I have to do."
"I know Drave. Know that I don't blame you for any of this. You did what you had to protect the kingdom and the Liberator. I'm just glad that you came to your senses before it was too late. Even if you have to kill me, Drave, know that I never doubted you. You also know my role. I must attempt the rescue."
"That I do. Thanks, my friend." Drave replies as he left.
Once he left, Kestra found herself once again drifting off to sleep.
***
"That's it." Gallix snaps his fingers as he spoke. In the last few hours, he had been pacing up and down his cell, mumbling to himself.
"What's it?" Kestra asks, still sitting on the stone floor at the far edge of her cell.
"We are going to get you out of here." Gallix sounded triumph.
"Gallix, I will not leave without you and Sylvaria. Surely I've told you that before." She shook her head as she replies.
"True. But," Gallix started, staring at Kestra. "I'm going to get all of us out."
"How do you plan to do that?" Kestra's confusion clearly showing in her eyes. She had been here long enough to know that escape was near impossible. She had tried her magic multiple times, using every spell she knew that might help, without success.
"When the guard comes down to check on us, I will take his keys." Gallix smiles.
"Good plan," Kestra replies, "but there are two major flaws. First…" Kestra held up one finger as she spoke. "What's your plan for getting the keys, and second, how will you get him close enough?"
"You wouldn't object to creating an illusion, would you?" Gallix was still confident. He saw the way she crooked an eyebrow in surprise. "Princess, if you can't do it, you need to tell me now so I can think of something else." Gallix dropped the urgency in his voice.
Kestra sighed and stood up. "What do you need me to make?"
"I need you to appear in my cell. It may sound outrageous, but it's necessary."
"I appear there, then he will use the keys to get in to grab me. Do you plan to knock him out and lock him in?" Kestra asks. Since she knew she would be overpowered, she never attempted that.
"Now, you get it." Gallix smiles.
Kestra sighed. She knew he meant well, but how could she let him risk his life like that? If Yungite were to find out that she used an illusion to escape, someone would forcibly take them to Drave. No danger would befall her, but Gallix would meet a swift demise. Or would he? Kestra thought. The conversation between Gallix and Drave still played in her mind.
He could see the fright in her eyes. "Kestra. If everything goes according to plan, they won't kill me or send me to Drave."
Kestra nodded her head and sat back down in the corner. Very little light came to that corner unless there was a torch in the cell. She closed her eyes and relaxed, knowing the illusion wouldn't work if she was upset. She opened her eyes when she heard a door open and saw Gallix signal to her.
"Illknoe." Kestra whispers under her breath.
An image shimmered next to Gallix. By the time the guard had reached the bottom stair, the duplicate was now a flawless copy.
"How did you get there, Princess? It looks like I might get to sleep with you after all. You need to learn a lesson about doing what you're supposed to." Yungite's voice was low and raspy. Almost like he had barely learned to talk instead of growl. He set down the trays, mumbling under his breath. He fumbled with his keys as he spoke. Once he unlocked the door to the cell, Yungite went straight for Kestra's illusion. So focused, he didn't notice Gallix stepping behind him, blocking the exit. Once Yungite reached for the illusion, it started to shimmer and fade. Shocked and stumbling back, he tumbled into Gallix. He felt a hard blow come to his neck. With a thud, he collapsed on the stone floor, unconscious.
Gallix wasted no time. Locking the cell door, he turned to the stairwell. He was uncertain if there were other Morvaies up there, if they heard their comrade. After a few seconds of silence, he went to Sylvaria's cell. Once he tried to insert the key, he jumped back.
"What's wrong?" Kestra's panic was clear as he came to unlock her cell.
"Magic protects her cell. Drave thought of everything. He knew you wouldn't try to escape unless Sylvaria could as well."
"I can't leave her, Gallix." Kestra replies, as he opened Kestra's cell.
"Go with him, Kestra." Sylvaria smiles. "I will be fine. Drave will not harm me."
"What do you mean? You don't know that for a fact." Kestra pleads.
"There is a lot about Drave you don't know." Gallix answers.
"I'm still confused. Drave is a Morvaie. Morvaies hate dragons. So how can you be sure she will be alright?" Kestra asks, exiting the cell.
"The Morvaies will not harm her unless they have a death wish." Gallix tells her.
"It seems too far fetch for me." Kestra replies, going towards the armory.
"You will understand in time, I promise." Gallix called after her.
When she came back, she was holding her sword, along with Gallix's sword and dagger. She noticed Gallix was trying to free Sylvaria still. She saw his hands were red from burning.
"You have to leave." Sylvaria whispers, seeing Kestra come out.
"She's right, Princess. We have to get you out of here." Gallix turned towards her, taking his weapons from Kestra. "I'm sorry I cannot free her."
Kestra touched Gallix's cheek. "You did your best. That is all I can ask." She gave a small smile.
Kestra turned towards her friend that has been through everything with her. Before she could say anything, Sylvaria spoke.
"Get out of here before the guard comes around and be careful. I won't be with you this time to save your neck. Now go."
Gallix and Kestra ran for the stairs. Reaching the top, Kestra nearly fell when she saw a Morvaie, in front of the doorway. "What took you so long?" The Morvaie growled. "You know I don't like you to flirt with the Princess. Especially with what happened this morning." When they turned around, Kestra felt weak in her knees. She was face to face with Drave.
Drave appeared just as surprised as Kestra when he caught sight of her. Before Drave could move towards her, Gallix pull Kestra back behind him.
"Gallix, I should have known you would be behind this escape attempt. Where's the dragon, or could you not break my spell?" Drave smirked.
Kestra could feel the anger swell inside her. Drave knew they couldn't free Sylvaria. He also knew that Kestra didn't want to leave her if she tried to escape. Kestra saw Gallix draw his sword. He can't beat him alone. Kestra thought, unsheathing her own.
"You will not stop us, Drave. You may try, but we are going to get out of here." Gallix spoke with confidence.
"I don't plan to stop you Gallix, I intend to kill you." Drave replies with a smile. Turning his attention to Kestra, he continued. "But Princess. I can't exactly kill you, nor can I let you escape. So I guess I will have to…" They cut Drave short when Gallix knocked him out with one swift movement with the hilt of his sword.
"Why didn't you kill him?" Kestra asks as they ran down the corridor that would lead to the exit.
"He isn't an actual threat. I have no time to explain." Gallix replies. "But we can't go back now. Morvaies probably already seen him, and now they are looking for us."
As she saw the exit, Kestra heard Morvaies gaining on them. They had to push that last bit. All hope sunk when she saw Morvaies guarding the door. Kestra looked frantically for a way to escape. There. She thought. There's a corridor. When Kestra was about to run towards it, she stopped. Morvaies were coming out of that corridor as well. They found themselves surrounded.
Kestra looked around for another way out, any way out. Noticing a crevice on the opposite side of the corridor, she realized that the no Morvaie was blocking it. Seeing the light streaming in, she understood it was their sole escape route. She saw Gallix noticing the crevice as well.
As they ran towards it, Kestra heard something that she never thought possible, Jentod, from a Morvaie. JENTOD! Kestra thought, in shock. Somewhere she heard screaming stop. To her horror, she realized it came from her. Things felt like they were in slow motion as she watched Gallix crumple to the floor. Quickly looking between the two, she knew what she had to do. Gallix would want her to escape. The crevice was only a few feet away. Using all her strength, she ran once more. She pretended not to notice the tears running down her face.
"Surround her." She heard someone shout and understood the words in Moravian. The voice sounded familiar, somehow. She didn't know where she heard it and wasn't about to take the time to figure it out.
A Morvaie stepped before her, blocking her path. For a moment, Kestra forgot her sword was drawn, and pushed the Morvaie aside. As he went to snatch her arm, she drove her sword into his heart. She couldn't see clearly, her grief blurring her vision. She heard the shouts of Morvaies that surrounded her, effectively blocking her path. As she turned to face them, she felt a cloth being placed over her mouth and nose. A burst of adrenalin rushed through her as she recognized the smell. It was the same potion as before. Dropping her sword, she tried to pry the hand away. Her eyes widened as she spotted the figure before her. It was Strailoch, and he was smiling. She struggled weakly; the potion taking effect.
With each weakening attempt, her captor could sense her energy slipping away. He felt her hands fall to her sides. He witnessed her eyes closing, surrendering to the fumes. As unconsciousness claimed her body, he smiled. He allowed her to leave, witnessing her form crumple before him.
***
Strailoch looked down at the unconscious Kestra as he continued to smile. He couldn't believe how reckless she was. "Did you really think that you could escape?" He asks, without expecting an answer. Growling, he turned to the Morvaie that knocked her out. He noticed the Morvaies eyes brighten as he looked at her.
"Kentight." He started removing Kestra's weapon belt. He was careful not to touch the sword that was sticking out beside her. He handed it to another, who also took her sword. With a nod, the Morvaie disappeared. Turning back around, he continued. "Take her back to her cell and let Yungite out. She will not be much of a problem now. But before you do, I need you to erase her memory."
"How much of it?" Kentight replies, gently picking up Kestra and placing her on his shoulder. She was light as a feather.
"If she found out about her destiny, that must be erased. Also, she must not know that I'm still alive. Not until it's time."
Kentight growls as he smiles. "Understood. Do you want me to do what we did with Drave if she is just as stubborn?"
"No. Do not alter them, just erase them. She doesn't know how to resist. And Kentight." Strailoch continues before Kentight left. "Do not touch her."
Strailoch watched Kentight leave before heading back the way he came. He found Drave awakening. He discovered that some of the Morvaies had drugged him to a wall. Some must have tried to wake him up with unconventional means because of the scratches on him. He dismissed the Morvaies with a wave of his hand.
Once his vision focused, Drave noticed Strailoch was glaring at him. He hid his fear as he matched his glare.
"This isn't part of the plan, Drave." Strailoch snarls at him. "She isn't supposed to be in your care. Do you think I don't know what's going on here? You have been making your own plans, haven't you?"
Drave just stood up and dusted himself off. He replied, his voice steady. "I don't see what the problem is. He wanted Kestra brought here, she is here. He wanted her parents to make their way here. They are on their way."
Strailoch grabbed Drave's shirt and slammed him back into the wall. "Do not mock me." Strailoch growled. "You think you are so clever, don't you? Let me tell you, He knows all about what's been happening. You, Gallix, and Seter had been talking about how you could help the Princess escape without us knowing. If you try anything of the sort, it would be Kestra to reap the consequences. If we find Seter trying what Gallix did, the same fate will follow. Take this as a warning Drave. Next time she tries to escape, we will not be so lenient to the Princess."
Strailoch roughly released Drave and took a few steps back. After a few minutes of silence, Strailoch continued calmly. "He's giving you a choice, Drave. If you want to continue to have her in your care, you will make me her bodyguard. Not only that, but you will follow the rest of the plan the way it is. If you do not accept these terms, then I will take charge of her care. Think carefully, Drave, especially since you killed the very last human with your actions."
"I accept the terms, Strailoch. I will keep her in my care." Drave replies firmly and without hesitation. "You should know that I will do anything to keep her out of Kentight's grasp."
"Fail guarding her again, Drave, and you will regret it. That is a promise." Strailoch let the threat hang in the air before walking away, leaving Drave alone.
***
Kestra looked to her right as she heard a familiar voice. She noticed an image shimmering before her. As her vision cleared, she could make it out. It was Gallix.
"Don't worry about me, Princess." Gallix tells her.
"How could this be? You're dead, aren't you?" Kestra communicated with the figure.
"Yes, I am dead. But I figured you deserve a proper goodbye. This was the only way that it could be done. The Guardians allowed a short time for me to do so." Gallix replies.
"I'm sorry I didn't do more to help you."
"The way you can help, Princess, is by staying alive. I have to leave you now." He began to disappear.
"Gallix, come back." Kestra cries after the image.
"I cannot. My time is up. Take care of yourself. Kestra. Remember one thing. Drave will protect you. You must trust him." Gallix says in a fading voice, smiling.
Kestra knew she wasn't in excellent shape. Her head felt like it was about to explode, her muscles screamed, and her lungs were burning. The aftereffects are even worse this time. Kestra decided with a groan.
"She is regaining consciousness, my liege." Someone spoke in a caring voice.
"It's about time." Drave whispered.
Kestra opened her eyes and noticed that Drave had a chair brought in for him. He waved his hand, and the two Morvaies in the room exited.
"How are we feeling, Princess?" Drave asks her, sitting down. "Did the failed escape exhaust you?"
Kestra sat up. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she ignored them.
"You will pay for what you did to Gallix, Drave." Kestra whispers in a raspy voice.
"Your parents won't like this." A frown pulled at his lips as he ignoring her threat. "Drink. It will make you feel better."
Kestra didn't notice the cup he was holding until he offered it to her. It was a reasonably small cup made from what looked like stone. She figured they chiseled it out of a rock in the Morvaie fashion. Making things out of crude materials. Typical. Kestra thought, as she looked over the cup. Looking closer, she noticed it contained a dark blue liquid.
"I'm not going to drink anything you give me, Drave. You could have put poison in it." Kestra replies, her voice finding more strength. Looking away, she folded her arms. She saw him bring it a little closer, but still refused the cup.
"I wouldn't poison you, sweetheart." Drave spoke in a caring voice. "I need you too much to do such a thing." He offered the cup again.
Kestra shot daggers with her eyes at Drave. She wasn't about to take anything from him that might kill her. Didn't Gallix just tell her to stay alive? She just shook her head.
"As stubborn as always. I had hoped you put that behind you." Drave was getting agitated, and it showed. "Now, this will be the last time before I force you to drink it."
Kestra raised her right eyebrow, unsure what to make of Drave. He is offering to make her feel better, while simultaneously threatening her parents with her life.
"Why do you care, anyway?" Kestra asks, keeping eye contact.
"I have my reasons." Drave jokes, shrugging his shoulders.
"I don't care what your reasons are; I'm still not going to drink that." Kestra replies disgustedly, pointing at the cup.
Drave snarled as he stood and walked out the door. When Kestra thought Drave left her alone for good, she saw him return with Yungite. Slowly, the pair approached her. Knowing that she couldn't run, Kestra prepared herself for what was to come.
Yungite grabbed her across the chest with one hand, forcing her to stand. With the other, he plugged her nose, giving Kestra no choice but to breathe through her mouth. Kestra tried to turn her head, but Drave had already grabbed her jaw. He poured the liquid into her mouth quickly and held her mouth closed. They forced Kestra to swallow before Yungite released her.
Kestra dropped to the floor, coughing. Once she caught her breath, she noticed Drave was kneeling next to her, looking at her with sorrowful eyes. Gently, he lifted her in his arms and placed her back on the cot. Kestra could nearly see a caring side to Drave. Nearly.
Drave returned to his chair, rubbing his temples. Why does she always have to be so stubborn? He thought. If it were up to the Dark One, he would love her parents to see her in this condition. He would torture her in front of them just for enjoyment. "Now, Kestra, was that so hard?"
"Lord Drave."
Drave turned to see who had addressed him. Kestra could see a Morvaie, with a caring voice, with dirty brown hair, and slightly lighter skin than the others. The same one that told Drave that she was regaining consciousness. His eyes were such a dark green, they were almost black. Never in her life has Kestra seen a Morvaie like him.
"What is it, Seter?" Drave's eyes traveled back to Kestra.
"They're almost here." Seter shifted uncomfortably. He knew any plans they made were out the window.
"Is that so? Thank you." Drave replies. He had a small sense of sadness in his voice as he looked at him. He nodded at Seter, signaling that he was dismissed.
Seter bowed and left up the stairs. Drave turned back to Kestra, smiling.
"You will find out who he was referring to soon enough. By then, you should be feeling better." Drave tells her as he stood.
Kestra saw the chair disappear, as Drave, and Yungite walked out of her cell. They both looked back at her. She first noticed Yungite as he locked the cell. He had a grin on his face, and she knew he enjoyed the fact that he could hold her again. Even for a short amount of time. Her eyes then settled upon Drave. His maroon eyes looked at her with pain. Pain for her being in this situation, which he couldn't help her, grief for her not trusting him, suffering for her pain.
"Why don't you relax? I know that escape attempt took more out of you than you realize." Drave says, caringly.
Once Drave said that Kestra felt exhaustion come over her, but she didn't sleep. Instead, she turned to Sylvaria.
"Why do you think he wants me to heal? I don't understand it." Kestra asks, as she placed an arm over her eyes.
"There is a great deal about him that even I don't know." Sylvaria replies. "Let's just hope what we don't understand will not kill us."