The Shackled Sorceress' Mate

The Visitor

I blink my eyes, struggling to focus through the darkness. It’s hard to make out the details of his face in the dim firelight of the torches, but I know deep in my gut that it’s him. It’s Ladon. I’d know that beautiful stubbled jaw anywhere. 

For a second I think about yelling out to him for help, but I realize quickly how stupid that idea would be. It wouldn’t do any good with the numbers of guards crawling about. It seems like all of them are on duty, preparing for the lockdown.

I let out a shuddering sigh as I look down on that beautiful stranger and the memories of our passionate evening come flooding back to me.

No. He was just a diversion. Nothing more. 

What is he doing here anyway?

I shake my head and groan, turning back toward my bed. It doesn’t matter. All I can do is lay here in my bed and let the bone-crushing grief and exhaustion consume me.

So I lay back down on the bed, staring at the ceiling for endless hours, unable to even escape to the freedom of a dream.

_______________

After a torturous, sleepless night, the rays of morning sun begin to stream through the barred window leaving stripes of golden light across my floor.

I sit up with an exhausted sigh. I’m still wearing the torn dress from last night, I’ve been too depressed to summon the energy to change. But I guess it’s time.

My clumsy fingers untie the bodice, allowing it to fall to the ground in a filthy heap. I kick it across the room in frustration, then peel off the chemise. Heated memories of last night cross my mind as I look down at the thin fabric. I can remember how Ladon’s hands felt against it, how they sent inexplicable shivers all over my skin. 

But I’ll never have that feeling again, will I?

This is my fate. My doom. A cursed prisoner in a tower, waiting for some ugly old Lord from a distant land to sink low enough to purchase me from my father.

Taking off that dress feels so final. Was that really my last night of freedom?

No. I can’t be a wilting little flower. I’m not the kind of girl that can just shrink away and play the victim. There has to be a way out.

I find another dress and pull it on, but don’t even bother wearing a corset today. After all, what’s the point? What more can my father do to punish me? How much more of an embarrassment can I really be?

Just as I finish lacing up the bodice of my purple gown, I hear footsteps climbing the stairs to my room.

It’s one of the palace guards coming to check on me, I’m sure.

I quickly tie my wavy hair into a messy braid that cascades down my shoulder, then I splash my face with some water. 

There’s a light knock on the door, and I can hear the chains clanging as someone unlocks them.

“Come in,” I say, taking a towel to wipe the excess water from my face. When I bring it down, I look into the mirror to see a familiar figure casting a shadow in the doorway.

“Ladon?” I say in shock, whirling around to make sure I’m not just imagining things.

I’m not. He’s really here. “What are you doing here?” I hiss, wondering if he’s snuck up here to save me. If so, he’s not long for this world. “How did you get in?”

He’s holding a tray of food in his hands and wearing a stupefied look on his face.

I bring a hand to my hip. “Hey,” I say, snapping my fingers, “Snap out of it, Ladon! What are you doing here?”

He blinks his eyes quickly and shakes his head. “Sorry,” he mutters, “I wasn’t expecting it to be you.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

He sets the tray of food on my dresser, and it seems like he’s trying not to make eye contact with me.

Of course he’s ashamed of me… of what happened between us. I wouldn’t expect anything else.

“I was hired last night,” he explains, “They’re recruiting any able-bodied man they can find. Securing the castle for lockdown.”

“This dragon has everyone pretty terrified,” I say, walking over to the bowl of porridge and picking it up.

He nods. “Are you… afraid?” He asks.

I take a spoonful of the bland, disgusting gruel and swallow it with a scowl. “No,” I say. “Dragons don’t scare me. There’s only one thing I’m afraid of.”

“What’s that?” He asks.

“My father,” I answer as I chew, “Merlin.”

His eyes grow wide. “Oh, shit.”

“Exactly,” I say, taking another mouthful of food.

“What did you do to get locked up here?” He asks.

I smirk. “You,” I answer.

He flushes red and tries to hide the laugh that wants to burst from his mouth. 

“Don’t worry,” I say, “He doesn’t know it was you.”

“I could try to help you escape,” he suggests.

I hand the bowl back to him with a sigh. “That’s very sweet of you,” I say, “But you have no idea how powerful my father is. It would be a death sentence for you. It’s best if I wait for him to cool off a little before I make a move.”

“You are planning to make a move, then?” He asks, stepping toward me.

His nearness makes my heart start to race. 

Why does he do this to me? Normally I’m able to keep the upper-hand with other boys, but not this one. 

I clear my throat and look away, forcing myself not to get drawn in by those haunting eyes. 

“I might,” I answer. I’m not sure if I can trust him yet. 

“I want to help you,” He says softly, taking another step closer to me. 

Holy crap. This is too much. He’s too close. 

“That’s really kind of you,” I say, trying to keep my wits about me, “But you should get out of here before the other guards get suspicious. If you spend too much time up here they’ll come looking.

“Right,” He says awkwardly, picking up the tray and bowl and turning back toward the door. He pauses as he walks through it, holding the enchanted key in his hand. “I’m sorry,” he says.

“Don’t worry about it,” I answer with a smile, “I’ll be fine.”

He chews his lip a little, looking at me with a frown. “Goodbye,” he says, then he shuts the door. I hear the key turn, and see the magical glow of the cursed lock as the spell takes effect.

Once again, I’m left all alone to wallow in my misery. I have nothing to do but stew in my anger and hatred while a vengeful plan forms in my mind.