Chapter 2•3 The Choosing
752 Words
The yard was filled with soldiers.
Not village guards. Not border patrol. Fae soldiers—armored in black and silver, their faces cold, their hands on their swords. They stood in perfect formation, surrounding the cottage. The golden glow of torches illuminated their stern faces.
And at the center of them stood three figures.
Lord Varek Belak. His silver-blue eyes glowed in the firelight.
Lord Orion of House Dain beside him, his face hard as stone, his posture rigid.
And Caelum, the younger brother, standing quietly, his kind face troubled.
Sheraya's blood turned to ice.
"Father," Nola whispered.
General Aldric stood in the doorway of the cottage, his sword drawn, his face hard. Behind him, the warm glow of the fireplace spilled out into the night. Sheraya could see the familiar comfort of their home—the polished wooden table, the soft rugs, the bowls stacked neatly on the shelf. Everything she loved, just beyond reach.
But he was outnumbered. Surrounded. He did not move.
Varek stepped forward.
"Aldric," he said. His voice was soft. "It has been a long time."
"Not long enough," Aldric growled.
Varek's eyes shifted. They found Sheraya.
"I am taking her," Varek said.
"You are not," Aldric said.
"I am."
Sheraya stepped forward. "Why?"
Varek looked at her. His silver-blue eyes were unreadable.
"The council expects me to choose someone," he said. "You will do."
Sheraya stared at him. "I am not a maiden. I am a healer."
"You are a woman. That is enough."
Aldric moved to stand in front of her. "Lord Varek, I am warning you—"
"Orion," Varek said.
Orion stepped forward. He did not draw his sword. He did not need to. His presence alone was enough.
"Do not make this difficult," Orion said.
Aldric's jaw tightened. His hands shook. But he did not move.
Varek walked toward Sheraya.
Nola stepped in front of her sister. "You will not take her."
Varek did not even glance at her. "Seize her."
Two soldiers grabbed Nola's arms. She struggled, kicking, cursing.
"Let me go! Sheraya! Father!"
Sheraya tried to run. Varek caught her wrist.
"Let go of me!"
"No."
He pulled her toward him. She fought—kicking, clawing, anything to break free.
"Stop," he said.
"Never."
His jaw tightened.
His hand came up to her temple. She felt his fingers press against her skin. Darkness flooded her mind.
The last thing she heard was Nola screaming her name.
---
Sheraya woke to warmth.
A fire crackled in a stone fireplace across the room, casting golden light over polished wooden floors. Soft rugs covered the ground. Tapestries of deep crimson and gold hung from the walls. A vase of fresh flowers sat on a table by the window. The bed beneath her was soft, piled with blankets and pillows.
She sat up slowly. Her head throbbed. Her wrists ached. A tray of food sat on the bedside table—bread, cheese, a bowl of warm soup, a cup of water.
The door opened.
Varek stepped inside. His face was cold, unreadable. He did not come close. He stood by the door, watching her.
Sheraya pulled her knees to her chest. "Why am I here?"
"The council expects me to choose someone," he said. His voice was flat. "You will serve that purpose."
"I am not a maiden presented to you."
"You are now."
Sheraya's hands trembled. "I want to go home."
"That is not possible."
He turned to leave.
"Why me?" she asked.
Varek paused. He did not look back.
"I do not know," he said quietly.
Then he was gone.
The door closed behind him.
Sheraya sat in the warm glow of the fireplace, her heart pounding, her mind racing.
She did not understand.
But she had a feeling she would not be leaving anytime soon.
---
Outside the room, hidden in the shadows of the corridor, Nola pressed herself against the wall.
She had seen everything.
When the soldiers seized her, she had stopped fighting. She had let them think she was subdued. Then, in the chaos of Varek taking Sheraya, she had slipped away. She had run through the rift before it closed.
Now she was here. Alone. Unarmed. In the heart of the Belak Castle.
The castle was warm and elegant, with torches on the walls, tapestries, and soft rugs beneath her feet.
She looked at the door where they had taken her sister.
"I will get you out," she whispered. "I swear it."
She disappeared into the shadows.
- Writer
