Princess' Journey

Chapter 9 (Jessabelle's POV)

    Why does my head hurt? I reach toward my hair line and can feel the matted blood entangled in the blonde strands between my fingers. I let out a small groan, and open my eyes to see that I am not in my home, but in a cell. The cold, damp concrete chills any part of me that touches it, my ankle is adorned with a shiny silver shackle that is bolted into the wall behind me. Where am I? My eyes dart around the cell as I take in my situation. As I dart my gaze, I notice a large lump on the ground next to me, its black color is a stark contrast to the grey floor and walls. At any other moment, I would be frightened, but I would know that lump anywhere.

    "Luther?" My whisper echos through the room like a scream.

    Lifting his head and turning it toward me, I am greeted by a pair of red eyes that have so much sadness in them it could melt even the coldest of hearts. Luther too is chained, a silver lock fastened around his neck, and bolted to the floor. I can tell he is weak, his coat is dull and he is skin and bones. We are confined close enough that I can reach out and comfort my companion, but as I do so I notice a mark on my finger. It almost looks as if a ring could have called that finger "home", and at that moment, memories of the last fifty years begin to flood my mind.

    I remembered everything. I had been summoned by the council to discuss the girls' education and training. As only one of them could be the next Queen, it was my duty to decide which of my lovely daughters that would be. I had a hard time choosing, since they both have such amazing qualities; and I remember having a passing thought of "I wish they could both rule, and pick up where the other is short". I remember telling the council that I would need more time to train Alora and Anna in order to see their full potential, and then I would make a decision. And with that the meeting was adjourned.

    As I was leaving, Councilwoman Usara approached me, "my Queen, I have found something that you may have a fondness for," she pulls out a beautiful ring that is faceted with an even more exquisite ruby. 

    "That is a beautiful piece of jewelry, Usara. But I am afraid that I cannot accept it. I do not want it to be seen as a bribe or anything of the sort." I give her a small smile before turning away.

    "But Your Majesty, I am only attempting to return it to you," seeing the puzzled look on my face, Usara continues, "it is but an heirloom of your family. Do you see the writing on the box?"

    Upon closer inspection, I noticed that my maiden name was etched onto the wooden box, "Dracul". I feel a smile form upon my face as I take the ring and slide it onto my finger, "thank you Usara, it is always a pleasure to be reunited with things of my family's."

    With that small exchange, I exit the building and begin to make my way back to the airport so that I can return home to my Lovelies. Luther is waiting for me outside the gate, and immediately notices my new accessory.

    Jess, what is that you have on your finger?

    "Councilwoman Usara presented it to me. It is a family heirloom. They must still be studying my family's crypt and that is where they came upon this ring."

    It is quite beautiful, I'm glad it has found a member of the Dracul family. I know you will treasure it.

    I snap back to reality, my cheeks soaked from the tears that had cascaded down them. Again, I am surrounded by concrete, the chain behind me rattling as I scoot as close to Luther as I am able, just as another memory floods my mind: the sound of breaking bones filled my ears, Anna is across the room from me. Holding her right arm, I realize where the sound was coming from, she had not made my tea hot enough and in return, I had broken her arm.

    Digging through the files of my memories, there are countless incidences like this one. Ever since that ring was placed upon my finger, I have not been in control of myself and neither has Luther. My thoughts are not my own, my words are not ones I have spoken but that are being spoke through me. I am but a puppet, and the Council holds the strings. For fifty years, I have been trapped inside my own mind, watching as the puppet tortures those I hold dear and as she slowly starves my beloved hound.

    "What have I done," the whisper escapes my throat. "My poor babies, how could a mother treat her children as I have?"

    It was not your fault Jess, you were unable to control any part of yourself. Luther turns his eyes toward the floor, and neither was I.

    The tears begin to flow again, warming my cheeks as they tumble to the floor, "I organized an attack on them, I know they escaped but are they safe." After a deep breath, I continue, "I may have failed them these last years, but I will do whatever must be done to keep them safe now."

    It is with that thought that I begin to evolve a plan on how best to assist my daughters and their hounds on the dangerous journey that I have placed them on.