Thorns and Promises

Beautiful Prison

[Trigger Warning! This chapter contains themes of kidnapping, S/A, and drugging. Please read at your own discretion.]

{Lilliana’s POV}

A loud knock came to the door, and I couldn’t help but flinch as the sound disturbed the nice, quiet bubble we’d been in. “Hettie, is she awake yet?” A loud voice came from outside, I knew that voice.. it was the same voice from last night. The man that saved me from Duke Rosewood.. the man that kidnapped me.. who brought me here.

“Yes Adriel, I was just about to get her changed into something more comfortable, and we’ll be right out. I was waiting for you to get back before I undid her binds.” Hettie said, turning back to me and untying my wrists, before moving the blankets and untying my ankles. “Alright child, I’ve got a dress in here that will be much more comfortable, especially here in the forest.” She smiled, walking to the closet and throwing it open. She pulled out a long, thin, white gown. It was so thin it was nearly see through.

“C-Could you turn around so I can get dressed, please.” I whimpered, looking to the ground.

“Of course child!” She smiled, turning away from me. I stripped out of the black dress my father had chosen for me, before sliding the other dress on over my corset. The last thing I needed was for her to see my scars and put two and two together.. if they knew that my father didn’t care about me.. they’d have no reason to keep me around.

I turned to look in the mirror behind me, and I couldn’t stop staring at the gown, it had a swoop neckline, that fell across my breasts showing off my cleavage, the gown went to the floor, a slit going up my left leg all the way to my upper thigh. The dress had a small train that flowed behind me, and a cloak that attached to the off the shoulder sleeves. It was lovely, I had to admit, Hettie turned back to me once I cleared my throat and smiled, then soon got to work redoing my hair. Pulling the light brown waves down from my bun, before twisting and pinning it back up, leaving a couple strands down to frame my face.

“You look absolutely gorgeous child, come on!” She smiled reaching her hand out to me. “I’ll take you to Adriel.”

My hand gently clasped hers as she helped me keep balance. I was still a bit wobbly from whatever Duke Rosewood had slipped into my wine.

As we walked out through a hallway, and into a lovely little cottage, I couldn’t stop myself from taking in my surroundings. It was truly lovely here.. another loud knock came to the door, causing me to jump. Hettie gripped my hand tighter, before smiling over to me. “It’s okay child, I promise, Adriel’s bark is much worse than his bite!” She giggled, before opening the door.

As she did, my eyes met his, these pale blue orbs that seemed to burn into me. He was tall, very tall, probably 6’8, to my 5’2. His hair was black, and laid in neat waves that went just below his ears, he had a well trimmed beard, and a scar across his left eye, that went through his eyebrow, and across his eye, even down onto his cheek, his ears were long and pointed, just like Hettie’s, so he’s an elf too. He was in regal looking black armor, I knew it was the same man from last night, but that aura he had, the venom that dripped from his words was gone.

He stared down at me for a moment before clearing his throat. “I-I have to tie your wrists back.. King Aelarian’s orders..” he said, grabbing ropes from his side and tying my wrists a bit too tight for comfort. I winced as the rope dug across my skin, cutting into me.

“Of course.. I understand..” I whimpered, looking down at my wrists, refusing to make eye contact with this man again. It didn’t matter how handsome he was.. he kidnapped me.. he brought me here, I needed to clear my mind. Take in my surroundings, and try to find a way out of here.

He grabbed the rope and began leading me from the cottage I was in, down a dirt road. We walked for a while, and I noticed more elves stepping out from shops, homes, and even from the forest to watch as this man practically dragged me to their king. I sighed, staring down at the ground in front of me, before deciding to do something possibly crazy. “Thank you.. by the way..” I said to the man dragging me to a possibly painful death.

“What did you just say?” He asked, stopping dead in his tracks. He kept facing forward away from me, but I could see his whole body tense at my words.

“I just.. I wanted to thank you.. for helping with Duke Rosewood last night.. if you hadn’t come along when you did..” I trailed off. “Well, I’d rather not think about what could’ve happened.. and I know that you’ve taken me hostage.. but, even so.. you helped me.. and I just felt like I needed to say that.. I really am grateful for what you did last night.. so thank you.”

“Y-You’re welcome..” he said, his shoulders dropping slightly, before he began walking again. He led me through the town as I kept my eyes focused on the ground in front of me. I couldn’t help the small smile that spread across my lips, everything here was beautiful, blue skies, sun pouring through the tops of the trees, grass, flowers, nature in all of its glory. This place though it was my prison, was exceptionally beautiful, and I only hoped I’d be able to enjoy it, at least for a short little while.