Captured Witch

XV. Fractured Soul

I woke up on the couch feeling like I had been run over by a truck. I groaned in pain as I sat up. It felt worse than after an intense training session with headfather. I reached over and turned on the lamp, that’s when I saw the bandages on my wrists. The events of last night came rushing back to me. I was almost r***d. He had beaten me terribly. I wrapped the blanket around me and made my way to the door. The guards outside looked at me, ready to push me back in the room if need be. “Um, I was wondering who I need to ask about getting breakfast.” I whispered. I knew Daniel was still asleep, but I was starving.

            “We will send someone up with a tray.” The guard said and walked away. I went back in the room and headed for the bathroom. I locked the door behind me and sat on the cold tile. I sat for a while before walking over to the sink and splashing my face with cold water. I looked at my hair and was determined to at least tame it. I grabbed a hairbrush and brushed it through until I was satisfied with it. When I walked out, there was a maid bringing in a breakfast tray. She curtsied and set the tray on the table near the couch. I sat down and looked at the food. I picked up the toast and spread some jam on it and ate it quietly. I knew it was early, I just didn’t know what time it was.

            I finished breakfast and left the tray on the table. I leaned back and stared off into space. I decided I needed to face him, and he’d probably be locked away. I walked to the closet and grabbed a loose, yellow blouse and a lavender purple skirt. I walked into the hall and stared at the guard. “I want you to take me to see the man who attacked me.”

            “Ma’am I’m not sure if that would be best.”

            “Why? I’ll have you next to me the whole time. I’ll be fine, just take me.” We started walking and I felt uneasy. I knew I needed to do this, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. When we finally reached the prison, the guard opened up the door. I walked in, trying to keep my head up high to show that I wasn’t afraid. I finally got to his cell and saw him and Edwin sitting in there. Edwin looked fine, but the other man was beaten badly.

            “Couldn’t stay, away could you?” The man asked. I took a deep, shuddering breath in as his voice sent chills through my bones. They both laughed. “What, did you want to finish what we started last night before we were so rudely interrupted?”

            I stared at him, unable to will myself to speak. “What? Cat’s got your tongue. Come on, the oh so feisty girl has nothing to say? And I didn’t even f**k you. Maybe I’ll get a second chance.” Both he and Ewin laughed. He got up and walked to the bars reaching out far enough to lightly brush my arm. I jumped back.

“I- I just--” Why was I stuttering? This man had no hold over me. Suddenly the door busted open and Daniel ran in.

            “Adalaide! What the hell are you doing?” He grabbed me and wrapped me in a hug, burying my face in his chest. I didn’t fight him and silently sobbed into his chest. “Let’s go.” He muttered into my hair, pulling me along, never letting his hands leave me. He pulled me back to the room and shut the door behind us. “What were you thinking? Why would you go there without me?”

            “I—I needed to get answers but when I saw him, I couldn’t find the words. I just need to know why he did this to me.” I said through a sob. I quickly wiped the tears from my face and went to sit back on the couch. “He almost ruined me. If I hadn’t gotten free of those ropes, this would be a completely different circumstance. But now I don’t know who to be angry at. I could have gotten away the first time, but I got lost. If I would have kept running instead of stopping and waiting, I could have gotten away. Then none of this would’ve happened. Maybe if I wouldn’t have stopped in the inn that day, I would still be safe in the human world. Don’t you see? My life is full of what if questions. So, I really don’t think that anyone is in a position to ask me what the hell I was thinking because I don’t even know what I was thinking.” I took a deep breath after my monologue and looked at Daniel. I laughed. “I don’t even know his name.” I kept laughing hysterically until Daniel sat in front of me.

            “Why is that so funny?” He asked.

            “It isn’t but if I cry again, I might actually lose my sanity.” I took a breath and stopped laughing. “Is there anything I can do today that doesn’t involve sitting around silently?”

            “Actually, I need you to confirm that he was the man who attacked you in public. Then we can work on convicting him and possibly Edwin.” I nodded.

            “I don’t know if I can face him again. You saw what happened just now!”

            “You just have to confirm it. Then you can leave and not hear anything else. I’ll be next to you the entire time.” I needed to hear everything else though. I needed to know why he tried to do this to me. I decided I would stay but I might change my mind, so I kept it to myself. We walked back out to the throne room where Daniel sat and motioned for me to do the same in the seat next to him. It was a smaller throne, one for a queen, and I felt uncomfortable sitting in it but didn’t argue. A few guards struggled to bring the man that attacked me into the room, finally getting him to kneel in front of the thrones.

            “Declan, you have been imprisoned and charged with attacking the future queen. She has been brought here to confirm it.” Daniel looked at me and motioned to him. I froze up as I stared at him with his stupid smile on his face. He looked right into my eyes, like he could she my fractured soul, knowing he held the power of fear over me. I felt a hand on top of mine. “You can do this; all you have to say is whether it was him or not.” I nodded and took a deep breath in.

            “This is the man who attacked me last night.” I said loudly enough for everyone to hear me. Daniel nodded and removed his hand from mine. I was unable to look away from Declan, like his gaze was trapping me there.

            “Then let us continue.” He said in a declarative statement. He looked to me and whispered, “You should leave now,” I shook my head, still looking at Declan. I was determined to stay. “Once we begin you may not be able to leave.” I hesitated before nodding and standing up.

            “What, the brave little witch isn’t brave enough to stay?” Declan said in a mocking tone. I fell back in my seat, frozen at his voice. He continued to stare right at me, unrelenting. Daniel motioned for a guard to take me away. I finally was able to break away from his gaze and leaned against the guard to walk out. Once the door shut behind me, I started hyperventilating. I leaned away from the guard and against the wall, holding my chest to calm down. I looked up at the guard and caught my breath.

            “Do you know where the witch Tam is?” He looked at me weirdly. Oh. “Um, Tamsyn.” He nodded. “We know each other, and I want to see her now. Can you take me to my room and have her brought there?” He nodded and we walked to my room. These guards didn’t talk much. We got to my room and I waited inside for Tam to arrive. I paced back and forth until the door opened. Tam stepped inside looking wary. She looked around the room she calmed down a bit when she saw me, but then concern splashed across her face when she saw me. I had basically covered up all of my other injuries, but the ones on my face and wrists were hard to cover.

            “What happened? Did the king do this to you?” She reached for my hands as we sat down on the couch. “I know there was a search for you last night. Did you try to run away again?”

            “No, I was attacked last night. Declan, the one who was with us in the hotel, he umm, he tried to r**e me. But I gave as good as I got.” I said. I rolled up my sleeves to reveal some of my bruises and burns on my wrists. “I have a few on my legs and a nice boot-sized one on my stomach as well. The room is also pretty smashed up, but he wasn’t successful in his attempt. Just successful in scaring me. I’ve been trying to shake it, but I can’t.”

            “Did they detain him?” I nodded.

            “Yeah, I had to identify him today. Daniel wouldn’t let me stay for the rest, and I’m kind of glad about that. Every time he looks at me or says something to me, I’m right back in that room. Even with Daniel, I know it’s not the same but when he touches me, I can’t forget Declan’s hands on me. I don’t know how to move on.”

            “Ad, it hasn’t even been a day. You need time to heal.”

            “No, not if I’m going to survive this place. I need to get over it now.” I pulled my hands back and walked over to the bar cart. I poured myself some whiskey and looked at Tam. “Want some?”

            “Adalaide it’s 10 am.” I shrugged and gulped down my drink. She shook her head and smiled. “I’m glad this place hasn’t changed you much.”  Just then we heard a loud noise outside the room followed by some screaming. We both jumped and stared at the door.

            “We should hide. Like now.” I whispered. Tam followed me to the closet as I barricade the door with the dresser.

            “Who do you think it is?”

            “I don’t know.” I fumbled with the cuff on my wrist, wincing as it hit my burn.

            “What are you doing?” I held up my finger for her to be quiet. I closed my eyes and thought about last night, willing all the energy into breaking the cuff. I heard something hit the floor and I opened my eyes to look at the broken cuff on the floor. Tam looked at me shocked. I heard a knock at the door.

            “Are you in here? It’s safe to come out now, the situation is cleared.” A man said at the door. I took a hesitant step forward before moving the dresser out of the way. The door opened and a guard was there holding out his hand. I stepped out, not taking his hand and Tam followed behind me. “We’ve been instructed to take Tamsyn back to her room.” I nodded and went to sit on the couch. Something didn’t feel right. Tam walked out but the guard stayed with me.

            “What happened?”

            “Oh, just a small scuffle with your personal guards.” Someone said, stepping out of the corner behind me. I recognized the voice as he placed his hands on my shoulders. “Personal guards, Daniel must care for you. Now, you’ve caused a lot of trouble the last few days. What are we going to do about that?” He said as a whisper in my ear. Tears fell down my face as I recognized the voice. Edwin. His hands ventured down my arms and onto my stomach. He wrapped his arms around me and lifted me up. I tried to scream, but he pressed his fists tightly into my stomach, knocking my breath out. I coughed violently as he carried me off the couch and to the bed. He threw me down and my face hit the soft blanket. I gripped at the blankets, trying to crawl away. He laughed behind me and grabbed my legs, pulling me back. I cried out as I tried to gain control of the situation. I flipped over and kicked him in the stomach. I got up and tried to run when Declan walked in.

            “No.” I whispered. I took a deep breath, remembering I didn’t have my bracelet on. I stuck my hands out in both directions and used my magic to knock both of them down. They screamed and fell down but quickly got back up. I hadn’t done actual magic in a while so it took a toll on me and I struggled to catch my breath. I felt Edwin grab my wrist and cuff something on it. I screamed in anger then I felt Declan do the same to my other wrist. They now both held my hands in theirs. “Please, don’t do this.” I cried out. 

            “Oh, little girl. You don’t get much say in this anyway.” They tied my hands up to the bed post tightly and stepped back, probably admiring their work. I felt the tears streaming down my face as I struggled against the ropes. Edwin came up to me and grabbed my arm, sticking me with that damn needle. The last thing I saw was Declan and Edwin stripping off their clothes.