ANGELINA'S POV:
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw what that strange man did. He didn't even use his hands to kill that bear! How can anyone hold such power? It's unheard of. After the strange man had disappeared into the forest I shifted back and ran home with a fresh revival of energy. I couldn't forget his words however, they were swimming around in my brain clawing at the back of my mind desperate for answers. " I didn't save you, I simply delayed the inevitable." He meant when I die naturally? Didn't he? It wasn't so much the words as the look he gave me that made my stomach twist uncomfortably and sent my mind into an uncontrollable frenzy of questions.
A part of me hopes to see him again tonight, the other part is terrified. There's a strange aura about him that screams dark and menacing but that smile seems to say otherwise. There's something about him that peaks my curiosity which excites me with the thrill of adrenaline at his mere presence. I feel unimaginably grateful to him for saving my life and I hope I can thank him in some way for it to show my deep gratitude.
I was so lost in my thoughts I had not realised I had already approached the castles outta walls. I crept back in through the secret door making sure to close it before anyone noticed. I only hoped no one was aware of my disappearance, that would certainly cause an uproar and a scolding I was not looking forward to receiving. Especially after this mornings events.
I lept back onto my balcony floor and crept into my room. I shifted quickly and slipped back into my silk nightgown. The sound of someone clearing their throat startled me, turning quickly I discovered my mother perched on the edge of my bed with a disapproving look plastering her face. I smiled awkwardly, "Good morning mama, you came to see me?" I blinked innocently at her, hoping she wouldn't be too severe with her scolding.
"What were you doing this morning? Where were you?"
"I shifted and went for a quick run."
"Where did you run to?"
"Just around."
"Did you go into the forest again?"
I looked down, I couldn't lie to my mother but I was too afraid to say yes, though I know my silence is enough to give her my answer.
"How many times do I have to tell you NOT TO GO IN THERE!?" Her sudden anger made me flinch slightly.
"But it's nice there, I don't understand why I'm not allowed to go when everyone else can. The people go there whenever they please."
"No they don't. It is forbidden to enter there because it is dangerous! People that wander in out of morbid curiosity are foolish! The creatures that dwell within there have no human soul. They are mere shells of their past selves. They have been banished from our lands and stripped of their powers, made to remain in their animalistic forms. They will eat you alive with no remorse! How are you so foolish!?"
By the time my mother finished with her rant I was in tears, I was nearly devoured by a beast this morning and all that dreaded fear returned at my mother's revelation. She had never elaborated as to why it was forbidden but me and my unending curiosity for the unknown caused me to disobey her. What if that mysterious man had not saved me? I would be a torn up corpse, hardly recognizable to those who know me. I would be dead, my life over and I have not even lived properly yet. My life is just beginning.
My mother seeing my tears, wrapped her arms around me, gently hugging me and stroking my hair. I soaked her gown with my tears as she gently rocked me, speaking soothing words to calm my aching heart. I was so scared. When my tears had stopped shedding and all that was left were sore eyes and a sniffly nose, my mother gently released me. Cupping my face with her hands she said gently with tears in her eyes, " promise me you will never and I mean NEVER do that to me again?"
"I promise mama" I sniffled slightly.
"You will not enter that forest again?"
"No mama I won't, I promise"
"Good girl, now your ladies-in-waiting are outside, I'll beckon them inside and you can get ready, we have a busy day ahead of us and I need you to focus. Understand my dear? Tonight is very important, okay?"
"I understand mama" I reply meekly.
"Good, now dry your eyes and give me a smile"
I wiped my eyes free of tears and smiled cheerfully for my mother to see, she returned it with one of her own before turning to open the door and slipping through gracefully, allowing my ladies-in-waiting to enter.
The servants entered and began busying themselves preparing me for the day. Assisting me with bathing, dressing and styling my hair. I enjoy the daily pampering it makes me feel pretty. Once they have accomplished their tasks I dismissed them and turned to admire their work. I was dressed In a pearly pink A-line gown with a sweetheart neckline, the sleeves ending at my small wrists. The length of my hair was left to flow naturally with a few twists and braids to keep it out of my face. Satisfied with my appearance I turned to exit my chamber and make my way down for breakfast.
When I arrived in the extravagant dining room, my mother and father were already present tucking into the delicious food our cooks had prepared. I took my seat elegantly as the servants began to offer me my food from several different platters. My mother and father began discussing the possibility of different suitors who might be to my liking I on the other hand began to zone out, getting lost into my memories of this morning unraveling in my mind. The nameless man, who seemed so mysterious and handsome. Those seductive green eyes with their dark glint. That handsome, charming smile. "ANGELINA!" I jumped. My father's roar, brought me out of my day dreaming, I blushed slightly at my thoughts. I looked at my father blinking innocently "Yes father?"
"Were you even listening to a single word I've said!?"
"Sorry father I was just so lost in my thoughts I did not realise you had addressed me"
"Well you need to learn to be more attentive in future. I was saying that King Fraco of the southern kingdom is especially keen to meet you. He is a good man, you should give him special attention."
"Yes father" I reply automatically. The rest of the breakfast was eaten in silence, which to my ears sounded peaceful.
After breakfast, I was busy with my mother assisting her in organising the servants in their tasks and confirming the selection of food to be prepared for tonight's celebration. It's always amazed me how much they can accomplish in such a small space of time, I don't know how they manage it.
Before I knew it, the sun was setting and it was time to prepare for the upcoming ball. I walked excitedly to my room fantasizing about meeting that mysterious green eyed man again tonight. I immediately noticed the glass doors leading to the balcony were wide open. "I'm sure I closed those" I muttered quietly to myself. I peeked out onto my balcony, seeing nothing I quickly shut the doors and drew the curtains
Deep down in the pit of my stomach i felt uneasy, as if I were being watched, I shuddered at the thought but pushed the thought away excusing it as nervousness for tonight's ball.
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HADEON'S POV:I walked away from the little princess and continued on my stride until I came across two oak trees leaning together, their branches intertwined, bare of all greenery, creating a twisted archway. I walked through it and appeared back within my secret chamber. Nobody knows of my existence and I prefer it to be that way, for now. Is not the element of surprise one of the greatest forms of attack? To strike when the enemy is looking the other way? Then tear him and everything he loves to smithereens. I was born to rule and rule I shall but first I must take back what belongs to me from those slimey, false, cowardly royals.That little princess thinks I saved her life? How wrong she is. I've simply prolonged it so I can have my fun in torturing her daily, making her every breath a living hell. Until she begs me to end her but I shan't be so kind. Her screams will be music to my ears. He bloodied and bruised body a masterpiece. She will wail and
ANGELINA'S POV:"Avareen. A Kingdom of beauty and wonder. A place where creatures can exist without the human beings even knowing of our existence. The humans live in a seperate world. Only seperated by a gateway that is known only to the royals and the elders. The people of Avareen are able to enter the gateway but once they go through, they cannot return. Their powers are stripped and they must live the rest of their existence as a human being. Usually the only times that the Avarinians end up crossing the gateway is either due to banishment for a misuse of their powers or by simple choice. Wishing to live a life free of magic but those cases are very rare. There is another form of banishment and that is when an Avarinian is forced to remain in his/her animalistic form and are put away into the never-ending forest. They are trapped there, unable to leave due to the spell used to put them in their permanent form. Losing all sense of humanity."I read Avareen'
BARRETT'S POV:I examined my reflection upon the blade of my freshly gleaming sword. My white-misted right eye contrasted greatly to my naturally dark-brown one, on my left side. I had a deep scar running across my face which caused the blindness and left a permanent sneer formed on my lips. I looked hideous. Not due to the scar, it was just how I was born. My cousin however had all the beauty and the women and if that was not enough he caused an additional deformaty for good measure. It wasn't quite like that, if he hadn't slashed my face I would've cut his heart out and forced his wife to be mine and made her produce an abundance of heirs, at least her beauty would've given them a chance. I was jealous and he loved to rub it in my face, him being the sole heir and everything else he was gifted with since birth and me only ever getting second best if anything at all.So I joined Hadeon. I did not stay long enough to be killed by
ANGELINA'S POV:As I entered the ballroom I was blinded by the glistening chandeliers hung high upon the large ceiling. The ballroom was alight with candles, the small flames flickered and danced to the cheerful music. People dressed in all the pomp and glamour fit for royalty. The ladie's gowns were shimmering in an array of colour, they were alike to swans in their movements and peacocks in their attitude. The men all stood proudly, conversing with said females or fellow male companions.Suddenly silence enveloped the room as all eyes turned towards me, I heard gasps followed by murmuring and silent whispers, too quiet for me to catch on to anything they may have been saying about me. My nerves that initially relaxed upon entering the ballroom suddenly skyrocketed to the point where I felt sick and dizzy. I tryed to remain calm and poised however and followed my mother obediently, ignoring the jealous and awe-stricken glances given my way.Mother
(this chapters a bit longer than the rest)HADEON'S POV:I watched her as she returned to the ballroom. I did not understand what I had done, seeing her so sad made me feel something I have never felt. Her lips looked so inviting I could not resist. I had been so enraged that she tried to trick me into thinking she is unlike the rest of them when I know better that she is. But those lips, her tears. I ran my hand through my hair, frustration gnawing at me. She tastes so sweet, I was surprised how she responded to my kiss, I thought she would fight me after what I had said to her yet she seemed to have forgotten it with the kiss, as I had forgotten her facade when we were so engrossed in our intimate moment. Her skin felt so soft and smooth, like silk. I felt angry at myself for not fighting the urge to taste her. I felt angry that she has an effect on me, I do not know why I even came to see her, I couldn't stop thinking about her
ANGELINA'S POV:I opened my eyes slowly, the lights blinding me slightly as I try to adjust them to my surroundings. I'm back in my bed-chamber. Sitting up I look around in confusion as last night's happenings all come swarming back into my mind. I look down at my body, there's not a single bruise or cut upon me. 'how did I heal so fast?' that awful memory of that man, Barrett fills my head. Tears fill my eyes and sting my cheeks as I sob uncontrollably, my body trembles as I rock back and forth, pulling my knees to my chest. A numbing feeling overcomes my entirety. I feel empty. Hollow. Disgusting. He has tainted me. He took what was most precious to me, something I'd been longing to give to the man I would hopefully love and would call my husband. I cried for what seemed like hours. I cried until there were no tears left to shed and I was emotionally drained. I laid back upon my bed, clutching my pillow and pulling my knees into a fetal position. Then I suddenly r
HADEON'S POV:I stared at her beautiful face, tears were pouring out of her eyes, her plump lips quivered as she struggled to suppress her sobs. We stood there, a moment where nothing but her sobs could be heard. I had taken us to the tower room where royals are usually kept if they commit any crimes. It angered me that she is so concerned about her parents. She should only be thinking about me. I will make her mine, she will marry me and she will be my little pet. My trophy. My wife. No other man can touch her let alone even look at her.I turn and leave the chamber just as I had come, leaving her to ponder over my words. The anger at knowing Barrett had defiled her body still enrages me. Every time I look at her I know he's felt her in ways I wish I could. The difference being we would be wed and she would love me, adore me, be obsessed with me. I would fill her thoughts, her emotions, when we're apart she will miss me. I do not love her, far fro
ANGELINA'S POV:I've been sat on this awful bed for goodness knows how long. I've spent my time either crying or sleeping. I'm not hungry hence why I haven't even touched my food yet. My mind just keeps replaying all of the incidents from these past few minutes or hours or however long I've been stuck up here. I keep thinking back to when I pathetically tried to outkill a bear. A bloody bear?? Why did I think I could win? I suppose my anger got the better of me, I was just too terrified to live in a world without my parents. The world is such a vast place, full of beauty yes but also evil and destruction. Like Hadeon, he is evil, crazy even. I don't hate him as much as I know I should do. He could've killed my family as well as myself but he didn't, maybe it's all some sick game to him or maybe he does have a conscience, he just doesn't like to show it....maybe.Barrett was truly evil though, disgusting pig. I shudder at the thought of him, I remember af