Her Fae Prince

Luna Clary

Torin had to fight the urge to flee the entire walk down through the castle, the groups had grown in both size and number and each went silent as he walked past just for the whispers to explode behind him. What was he going to do? He had been in some awkward situations before but he had never gotten himself into this kind of trouble, and this time he actually was innocent. By the time they made it to the cells, he knew the entire castle would believe he was behind Ember's disappearance. They marched him right to the first cell and one threw open the door while the other shoved him inside with a low growl.

“You will pay for whatever happens to the future Luna. You have no idea what you have wrought upon yourself.” The one who growled spat out in disgust. The other guard simply nodded in agreement and slammed the door shut.

Torin blinked a little to adjust his eyes and looked around his surroundings, there were no lights or windows in his cell except for the small window in the door. I guess it could be worse, he thought to himself. The cells were fairly modern and thankfully clean. He sat on the single bench that hung on the side wall and he assumed it would double as his bed, he had a small sink and there was a toilet in the corner. Between the bench and the sink, he noticed two rings attached to the wall, he counted himself lucky that they didn't have him chained to those.

Torin closed his eyes and put his head back resting it against the wall and rubbed his temples. He could feel the magic embedded in the walls and the door to prevent any supernaturals from trying to use magic to escape, he would bet his finest horse back home they were also laced with silver for any rival wolves or rogues caught on their territory. It was strong and fresh and was already giving him a bit of a headache. The Fae were very sensitive to different types of magic.

His mind wandered back to the realization he had back when he was talking to David. Was someone using magic to spell Ember so she wouldn’t feel the mate bond? He would have felt it if it was an enchantment on her but if it was a potion that she was being fed, or being put in her drinks, that kind of magic was always harder to detect. Could Caleb go that far for his feelings for her? If he was a patient person and he drugged her so she never found her mate then he could work his way so deep into her heart that she would eventually take him as her chosen mate. Especially with the pressure of becoming Luna and taking over for her Grandfather, he wouldn’t want to wait forever for her to find her true mate. But what angle would he have by blaming Torin for her kidnapping? Was he hoping to convince the guards to get rid of Torin while everyone searched for Ember? They hadn’t even fully accepted their bond yet so Ember would feel the pain of his death but she would easily survive it.

Torin shook his head. His thoughts were starting to go to dark places and he was seeing plots everywhere. The only thing he couldn’t figure out is why someone would take Ember. He thought of his beautiful mate. Closing his eyes he could perfectly picture her deep auburn hair and her hazel eyes with gold flecks in them could drag you in, Torin loved the way they flashed when she was getting angry. She was the perfect height for him and her body felt like it was made for his. He couldn’t wait to be able to explore her every curve and her perfectly smooth skin, setting off sparks across her body and listening to the noises she would make. If he ever got out of here that is.

Torin realized this was not the best place for his mind to go either when he heard the door to the cells open and the scraping sound of two chairs moving. Whoever came in must be higher in rank to make them stand.

“Luna,” they both said in unison. Torin raised an eyebrow, why has Luna come to see me?

“I am here to talk with Torin for a moment, alone.” Clary spoke with authority and grace, she may be human but she made an excellent Luna.

“Alone Luna? I don’t think that is a good idea, we don’t know what his agenda is.” The more talkative one said carefully.

“I don’t remember asking you what you thought.” She snapped then he heard her take a breath and sigh. “If it will make you feel better you may stand directly outside the door to the cells, I will link you if I feel like I need help. This is my granddaughter I need to ask him some questions and I think he will answer them better if we are alone.”

“Yes, Luna.” They chorused again, and Torin heard their chairs scrape again and their heavy steps as they made their way slowly out the door. “We will be right here if you need us.” The talkative one said before Torin heard the door close. The sound of beeps outside his door came a few seconds before the lock clicked and Clary pulled it open and stood in the doorway.

“Luna.” Torin nodded respectfully.

“Is it true? Are you fated to Ember?” Clary asked, her eyes focused intently on Torin as if needing to hear what he had to say. Torin cleared his throat.

“Yes, I know with all my heart down to my very soul that she is my Goddess-given Fated.” Torin tried to put as much truth and passion into his words as he could. He needed Clary to believe him. Her eyes searched his carefully and he kept contact with her the entire time.

“And you believe someone has magicked her, so she couldn’t feel the bond, and that's why she hadn’t told anyone? Including me.” Clary asked, at first she sounded skeptical but her facial expression was one of cool contemplation as she thought over his words.

“Yes, it’s the only thing that makes sense.” Torin stood up and ran his hands through his hair going over some of his thoughts out loud for Clary. “If someone wanted to be Alpha, they wouldn’t want her to find her True Mate at the ball. Then, either thought they were safe, or she didn't drink anything in their presence and it started to ware off so when she bumped into me she finally felt the sparks.” Torin stopped his pacing and stood helpless in front of Clary who was watching him thoughtfully.

“Do you have any proof?” Torin’s heart sank, of course he didn’t have any proof. Who would believe his theory, one fae against a pack? He couldn’t even be sure who it could have been who did it. Suddenly he remembered Albwin. Albwin was there when Ember felt it for the first time, and when they told Caleb. He could prove his words. So far it seemed as though no one even remembered Albwin was with him, but Torin wasn’t sure if he was ready to remind them. He opened his mouth and closed it again. Clary’s eyes narrowed and he saw a flash of disappointment, that decided him. If he was going to clear his name he needed to be completely truthful.

“Only a witness to Ember’s realization, and when Caleb found out. My scout Albwin.” Torin let out a shaky breath, he hoped he hadn’t just doomed his friend to join him in the cells.

“We can’t seem to find him anywhere. Caleb is telling everyone who will listen that it must mean you had Albwin take Ember somewhere. That perhaps — you are working with the Vampire’s and it has all been a ruse to start a war with us wolves.” Torin couldn’t read the expression on her face it was completely blank as she looked for a reaction from him. He openly showed the shock he felt at these accusations.

“Why?” Was all he could get out.

“You know I have been asking the very same things. His story doesn’t make any sense. Now yours, yours is starting too, but no one will want to believe it. We are a pack of wolves, and we have been at peace for a long time and there is not a lot for them to hunt. I think some are looking for a reason to fight.” Clary sighed and Torin could see the tiredness in her eyes. “I believe you Torin, and I want my granddaughter back. Let me see what I can do.”

Clary turned around and close the door gently behind her and he listened as she walked out of the cells. Torin sat back down on his bench and let out a sigh. He was very thankful that someone believed him. Hopefully, that would be enough to buy his freedom.