The Forbidden Child

No Going Back

{Lilliana’s POV}

My fingers danced across the keys as I began to play the melody of, “Ceilings.” I looked to Coal who had laid down on the piano, and soon began singing to him, and for just a moment, it was like home.

The words poured out of me, reminding me of my own life. I can’t remember anything except Coal and I on our farm. It got to the part in the song where it talked about forgetting when they were kissed last, and I trailed off, looking to Coal. As the song ended I reached up, petting across Coal’s back and smiling at him.

“It’s strange here, huh boy? Quiet.. and still.. even the air here feels off.” I whispered, standing from the piano and turning back towards the doorway we came in. Seeing a tall, muscular, god like man standing in the doorway. His eyes were a bright, almost magical blue color, his skin tan, and his hair a brownish black color. His stubble across his face made him look almost, distinguished. He was muscular, and bulky, with wide shoulders, and such strong looking arms. He wore a white loose fitting button up shirt that was halfway unbuttoned, and a pair of tan pants that were laced up the front with a long white cloak draped over his shoulder. Gold ornaments adorned the cloak, and his shirt. My eyes scanned over him as he leaned in the doorframe seeming to try to catch his breath.

I remembered what Peonora said, not to let anyone see me, and as dread sunk in I turned, seeing another doorway that led down a long dark hallway. I picked up Coal, and took off in a sprint, making sure to keep my cloak pulled over my head. “No, no, no.. no one was supposed to be here!” I cried out as I ran as fast as I could down the hallway.

“Hey! Stop!” I heard the man’s deep, gravely voice from behind me as his footsteps now echoed behind me. “Wait a second!” He shouted after me.

I rounded a corner, seeing a dark room to my right and quickly jumped inside. I took off towards the opposite end of the room, attempting to hide but suddenly the sun shone through the windows, lighting up a golden and marble ballroom. Coal leapt from my arms and bound back towards the door. I turned to see the man from before standing in the doorway, once again out of breath, as Coal hissed at him, arching his back and trying to look intimidating.

The man’s eyes scanned from Coal to me, as a small smile spread across his face. “Are you done running now?” He asked, beginning to stroll towards me.

I looked from side to side, trying to find an escape route, but it was no use, the lights in here were blinding. I felt his hand grasp my wrist as he pulled it up towards him. He was huge, at least 6’11.. he made me feel so small, so fragile. As he lifted my hand up, I watched as his eyes scanned over my arm, looking at my tattoos with curiosity. I gripped the hood trying to keep it on. “Please.. let me go! I’m sorry.. I didn’t know anyone was in here!” I whimpered, seeing Coal run from behind the figure and lunge onto him biting and clawing his hand until he released me. When I dropped to the floor I landed on my feet and tried to run again, but this time he grabbed me around my waist and lifted me quickly into the air turning me to face him. My hood flew off as my hair cascaded down around my frame.

His eyes went wide as he stared at me, his arms wrapping around my waist and holding me against his chest. “I-It can’t be..” he whispered, his eyes scanning over me.

“P-Please.. I promise I won’t come back here.. they told me to wait here.. Peonora is supposed to send me back to earth! I really didn’t mean to cause any trouble!” I whimpered, trying to wiggle out of his grasp.

“Lilliana?” His voice was soft, and he stared at me as though he’d known me all his life.

I went still against him, staring down at his massive frame. “H-How do you know my name?” I asked, my hands resting now on his shoulders.

“It really is you.. but.. if you’re alive.. where is my brother?” He asked, searching my face for answers.

“Who?” I asked, confusion taking over. “What are you talking about? Who are you?”

He looked over me, his eyes searching my face, looking for something, perhaps anything. “You really don’t remember.. do you?” He asked.

“Remember?” I asked, looking over him. “I’m sorry.. I don’t know what you’re talking about.. I was told to wait here by the nymphs.. they said they’d send me back to earth.” I said, trying once again to get away from him.

His body stiffened as he turned towards the door behind us. “They know that you’re here.. you have to hide.” He said, setting me down and pulling the cloak back over my head. He pushed me into the corner and opened up a shelf, shoving me inside of a small closet. “I’ll be back to get you out, but you have to stay here, and stay quiet!” He said, shooting me a warning glare. Coal jumped into my arms, and nuzzled me. I nodded, as he closed the door and I suddenly heard a loud commotion coming into the room.

“Brother!” A voice boomed. “Have you heard the news?”

“The forbidden one is back, she’s woken us from our long slumber!” Another voice shouted, as he laughed out deeply.

The first voice sounded again, moving closer to my hiding place. “We can finally pay her back in kind for destroying our brother!” He sneered.

“If she survived, perhaps our brother did too.” The man from before said, his voice soft. “Did you ever think of that possibility?”

The first strange voice erupted in fits of laughter. “Okay then brother.. we’ll ask her if our brother survived, and if she says no, then we’ll put an end to her. You know that her demise is all mother, and The All Mother wants! Then we’ll be free again, allowed to go wherever, and do whatever we please!”

“Help us hunt her down brother! It’s our destiny to end the forbidden child’s miserable existence!” The second voice chimed in.

“Find her on your own, I have other plans with my new found freedom!” He shot back at them.

“As you wish brother.” The first voice said, as the sounds of them leaving echoed in the ballroom, until once again it was filled with the same awful silence.

I heard the door creak open, and his blue eyes beamed down into me. “Come on, we have to get you somewhere safe before my brothers.. or my mother find you.” I said softly, reaching out his hand to me.

I reached out from my place kneeling on the floor and took his hand. He helped me up and pulled me tightly against him, lifting me into his arms. “W-What’s going on?” I asked, looking over at him.

“I’ll explain everything once you’re safe.” He smiled softly, before large white wings sprung from his back, he flew up into the air, packing me away from the palace walls, as I watched the palace of the gods disappear in the distance, I knew deep in my heart and soul that I was never going back home.