Connected to the King

Grand Meeting

My body bounced on the back of what seemed to be a horse in a full sprint in the middle of the forest. My hands were bound, my mouth was gagged. As I came to, I slowly opened my eyes to see myself on top of a horse. Arms on either side of me as they gripped the reins.

"So, you're awake princess." His voice sent chills down my spine.

I let out a muffled scream and tried to wiggle free from his grasp only for his hand to wrap around my throat. "Be a good girl and sit still or this is going to get uncomfortable for you."

"f**k you." I muffled and hit him in his rib cage with my elbow causing him to stop the horse altogether. He hopped off and threw me to the ground.

I landed on my side as I slid a few feet in the snow. Yelping in pain I reached up and pulled my gag down and screamed, "You f*****g traitor! You're going to let that piece of rubbish kill me?"

"What he does to you is none of my concern!" Theil shouted back. "You had one job. Marry King Luthor for the sake of the coven and you ignored your own destiny. He's going to kill all of us with that warlock by his side."

"Who is going to let that beast out to begin with? My father locked him away in the void. His bindings don’t need me when my mother’s magic is strong enough to hold him. She’s being selfish! So, who is going to let him out?" I pushed myself up and sat on my knees. "Theil, you don't understand, no one was supposed to be able to release him. So, who the hell did it?"

Theil's gaze shifted to the snow as he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. "You will be." He chuckled. " Or should I say you f*****g did."

My eyes widened at the news, "How could I have let him out if I was with Marcus? Away from the coven? Where is my father?"

His gaze shot to me; eyes narrowed. "Did you not know why you were supposed to die? You're a sacrifice to keep his chains intact like your sister was. On your thirtieth birthday you were not supposed to survive the night. Yet here you f*****g are. And by the looks of it, you've already taken in the power of our ancestors." He shifted his stance and huffed. "You have no idea of the war you have started. You're going to Luthor, and there's nothing you can say about it." He twirled his finger while chanting something under his breath.

My head began to spin as some sort of portal opened, revealing a man sitting on a throne. A smirk played upon his lips as he rubbed his chin.

"Theil, stop this please. I beg of you please do not send me over there!" Tears spilled from my eyes as I pushed myself away from the opening.

"My, my, Aurora. How beautiful you are. I haven't seen you in such a long time." The man smirked as he rose from his seat and approached the portal only to reach through and grab my leg, pulling me to him.

"Theil! Please don't do this!" I screamed, turning to reach for him before the portal closed. The look on his face was of guilt. With a wave of his hand, he closed the entrance.

Fear pumped like venom through my veins. Luthor held me by my waist as I huffed, cried, screamed and kicked at him. "Let me go!"

"Oh, he was right. She is a feisty little one." He chuckled, setting me down on the stone floor.

The moment my feet touched the ground my legs willed themselves to run as fast as they could go. I scanned the area and quickly took in my surroundings. A total of six white pillars on either side of the room with a green and white floor rug that ran the length of the room to a door on the opposite side of the throne. I spun around and saw the castle flag and insignia hanging above the golden throne, a cobra sat in the center of the green fabric.

I regained my focus and steered myself toward the doors opposite of the throne. As I reached the doors to the room, I pushed with all of my strength, but the door refused to budge. I stepped back and held my hands out. "Traveil!" I cried. The doors flew off their hinges and I wasted no time in continuing my search for the front gates.

"You can run princess, but you cannot hide from me!" He shouted.

Those words triggered a flashback in my mind. "Dominic. You sly bastard. I'm glad you're dead." I huffed and ventured down the twists and turns of the corridors only to find myself lost.

Aurora, where are you? Marcus' voice sounded in the back of my mind.

Theil brought me somewhere I don't know where I am! I cried frantically through our telepathy. With our increased connection I was surprised I was able to reach him this far away. Please help me. I don't know what Luthor is going to do with me!

I have no idea where his castle lies. Be strong Aurora you've gotta stay alive if you can. I am sending my men out to search for you.

I know we are somewhere south. I can send you images of the area if I can just find—

Find what? Aurora?... Aurora!

I turned down a hallway and immediately stopped as a line of the king's guard blocked my only path to freedom.

"You there. Go back to the throne room immediately or we will move you by force." A man covered in chain mail ordered.

I focused my eyes on the castle insignia on the shield of a man standing beside him. I did not register the castle insignia when I had first saw it. I brought my hands to my mouth. “I really am here… This is Luthor’s castle."

"Aurora, come now. We've yet to be introduced, formally at least." A voice came from behind me. I ignored it the best I could and kept my focus on the men in front of me.

"I am not staying in this hell hole. I am going back to Lyceiar. Now get out of my way!" I screamed, sending a blast of energy toward the group.

The echoes of slow footsteps appeared from behind me. "Princess, that's no way to treat your new family, or your new husband. Come."

A hand appeared on my shoulder causing my breath to hitch. I was forcefully turned around, my heart pounded in my ears as I screamed internally. We both stood staring at one another frozen in place.

"W-why?" I whispered. "Why me? You have all of the power in the world, and you chose to kill me, Luthor?"

"You have a duty to your coven, as did I." Luthor smirked, bringing himself down to my level.

His emerald, green eyes bore holes into my soul. "You, you're the warlock my father casted away to the underworld. How?" Tears brimmed my eyes as my lip quivered.

Leaning into my ear he whispered, "I only needed to inhabit his body for a little while.”

“So why me? What do you want from me?” I shuttered.

“Because, without sacrifice there is no power and without power there is nothing. And you need something in order to be anything. Isn't that right? Princess."

Princess? Why does he keep calling me that? I growled. "I don't care about power, you without power are nothing and just as you said, you need something, so what is it you want from me?"

"The question is, what don't I need from you. I know about your blood borne abilities and your healing abilities. All of it." Nedget hissed in my ear.

I scrunched my face in disgust. "You know, there's only so many things I can fight against at once… but you. I'll fight against you until my dying breath."

"That would be too easy." His tone deepened, becoming more threatening.

I pulled away from him and shifted my gaze to his eyes. I hated every fiber of this man's being and I wanted him dead. "You don't scare me." Clenching my fist I pulled my arms apart, breaking the chains that bound my hands.

Nedget’s eyes widened as his lips curled into a malicious smile. "That's it, princess. Be angry, since it's the only thing you can do."

I brought my hand up to his face and flicked his nose with enough force to cause him to stumble backward.

My dear, you have the ancestors behind you. Kill him. Cecilia’s voice echoed in my mind.

You are the reason I'm in this mess. I screeched back.

It was not us who put you here. But your mother's. You can kill her to sever the trade. Cecilia replied.

Well, how can I kill my mother if I’m stuck here.

Either your mother or this host. He who has the soul of Nedget, holds the power. If you can get rid of Luthor’s body Nedget will have nothing to hold on to.

I rolled my eyes and groaned internally. I really hate you right now.

But we are here with you always.

I severed my communication with the ancestors and shifted my gaze to Nedget who stood with a crazed wide-eyed look. "Now, now princess. You shouldn't go around picking fights you can't win." He pulled his hand away from his leaking nose, smearing blood across his lips and cheek. "Seize her, lock her away until I need her." He pointed at me before turning around to leave.

The king's men approached me and grabbed my arm, I pulled away from him and scowled. "Don't touch me." I pressed my hand to his chest and muttered a quick incantation and watched as his chainmail began to glow red around my hand.

The man screamed as the metal began burning him. "You'll learn quickly to do what I say."

"Witch, you aren't the only one with tricks up their sleeve." A man beside me grabbed my arm and yanked me away from the soldier in front of him and onto the ground.

I landed with a heavy thud as my shoulder gave way with a searing pop. I cried out and grabbed my injured arm and focused on healing it. "You must not know who I am." I scoffed.

"Aurora, daughter of the High Witch, Minerva and Roluth from the coven in the west." The man sneered. "We know exactly who you are." His blue eyes narrowed at me. "Now, are you going to come willingly or are we going to have to drag you? The choice is yours, Aurora."

I was running out of options; I can't outrun them, and I had no energy left to fight. Anger coursed through me knowing this emotion wasn't my own.

Please stay alive long enough for me to find you. Trust me Aurora, I will find you. Marcus' voice rang in my ears.

I closed my eyes and adjusted my shoulder as it finished healing and pushed myself up from the floor. "Fine, you win… for now." I dusted myself off nonchalantly and folded my arms over my chest.

"Good, now move it." He shoved me along the corridor and back through the maze of hallways. I took the opportunity to inspect my surroundings. The white and green marble pillars that supported the ceiling made me nauseated.

"Hmm, the color of vomit, how fitting." I muttered. I pushed my line of sight to Marcus and opened our line of connection.

Marcus, take in this view. Listen to this conversation…

We still have no idea what the surrounding area is like. I need a view of the outside.

Maybe I can get them to tell me where we are or at least the direction… wait! Sebastian should know!

I forgot about that. He doesn't even know you're missing.

Hurry, please. But I'm keeping our connection open for a bit so hopefully they spill some information about our whereabouts.

"The princess is staying in the main building. Her chamber is to be next to Nedget's. Get a move on." A harsh voice sounded from behind.

My feet came to a halt as I scowled at the name princess, "Why is everyone calling me princess? I have a name." I snapped.

"You ask us who you think you are, and you don't even know who you are." The man beside me shook his head.

"You seriously don't know?" The man ahead of me burst into hysterical laughter, "Princess. Your mother is the queen, she's not only a High Witch but she's the queen of Plancier, the kingdom to the west."

My lips parted as I thought back. "I… what? Then why did we have a village in the forest? Why didn't I know that?"

"Your story has been written for you. It was told that only one of the daughters of the High Witch would disobey her orders and release Nedget. Whom now is in Luthor's body." The man beside me spoke.

“If Nedget is so powerful why does he need to use Luthor’s body?” I asked.

“Because his physical body was destroyed when your father sent him to the void.” The guard sneered.

The soft clinking of their chainmail and armor echoed through the foyer. I took a moment to examine the guard beside me. The hood of his chainmail was lowered giving me a good side view of his face. His neatly twisted dreads were tied back with a green ribbon as his darkened brown eyes matched the tone of his skin. My eyes traveled down to his hands, and I furrowed my brow as I did not see a single callous nor scar on them. Was this man a witch too?

I rolled my eyes and huffed. "You know what, I don't even care at this point. Just take me to my chamber. I need to sit."

"Of course, you'd need to sit." Thiel's voice shouted behind me.

"And you're back to torment me some more are you, Theil?" I slumped my shoulders. "Just… take me away." I told the king's men.

"As you wish, princess." He bowed his head and began walking. I willed my feet to move after him as I kept my hands folded over one another in front of me.

"You'll see that it isn't so bad here. I think the warlock has...plans for you." He muttered.

I frowned at the thought and lowered my head, "Well, since I'm going to be here longer than I'd like, could you all tell me your names?" I asked

"In due time." He replied.

The south. There's a castle there, supposedly. How far away do you think you are?

I don't know, Theil opened a portal, so I have no idea how far we traveled before that.

A portal? I guess it's a good thing your brother showed up when he did. He came back shortly after we talked last.

I think I might have a clue as to why Sebastian showed up when he did. I know it sounds silly, but I think he’s involved in all of this.

Okay, now do me a favor. Keep your chin up please. The view of the floor does not suit you.

Of course.

Smiling, I shifted my gaze up and squared my shoulders as we continued toward a corridor that had cathedral-like ceilings. This must be the main foyer. My eyes scanned the area. A crystal-like chandelier hung from the center of the ceiling and the floor was riddled in some sort of paintings of what seemed to be clouds.

Glancing to the right, I watched as the calm imagery dissipated into chaos and war. A single man stood with a staff pointing toward the calmer side of the clouds.

"What is this? Is this the warlock?" I whispered to myself.

The man in front of me grunted and quickly stopped, turning around as I caught up to him, he placed his hand on my lower back and ushered me forward. "Keep it moving, princess."

I slapped the man’s hand away and pointed at him, “Don't touch me. Next time it'll go missing.” I snapped at him before turning back to follow the taller one of the two.

The man let out a chuckle and wiped a stream of saliva from his lip as he caught up to the group. “Is that a challenge?” he asked.

“No, it'll be the death of you. I can guarantee it.” I growled back at him and continued.

The group of us rounded a corner and stopped in front of a set of grey and white colored double doors. The man who had been much kinder to me, had pulled a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door, swiftly pushing it open.

My jaw dropped as my eyes scanned the room before me. The stone floors that reflected the sunlight held flakes of gold and the ceilings were high like the ones in the hall I had traveled through. The canopy bed held a deep purple comforter and a mountain of pillows to follow. It wasn't until I shifted my gaze to the right of the room that I found the fireplace. Its flames danced, drawing me into its trance, oh how I longed to be home.

"Get comfy, you're probably going to die here anyway." The rude one snickered as he pushed me in and pulled the door shut.

I stumbled over my own two feet and was pulled back by Theil. "Bastard! Let me go!" I pulled away from Theil and raised my arm to strike him.

"Clavosta," he whispered and waved his hand. "You need to rest. It's been a long day."

The room spun and my eyes blurred. "f**k you, Thiel. You'll burn with the rest of…them." I began to slur as my knees wobbled, eventually collapsing to the floor.

"Don't worry, it's not going to last long. You'll be fine." He sighed as the darkness consumed me.

~~

Time passed and I finally awoke, my body curled beneath the plush comforter. I felt around and noticed my long sleeve gown had been changed into one of gold with shorter sleeves.

I pressed my hand to my head and groaned as I sat up in the bed. "I swear he's a dead man." I huffed, throwing the comforter off.

"I'm glad you're awake now, princess." Nedget's voice sounded from across the room.

I craned my neck at him and narrowed my eyes, scanning him up and down. His blonde hair was short and wavy as it framed his face. His green eyes reflected the flames of the fireplace, it made me want to reach up and gouge his eyes out. "What do you want? And where is my other gown?" I snapped.

His gaze was focused on the flames of the fireplace as he leaned against the mantle. "That rubbish? I burned it. You needed something more than what Marcus had offered you."

"Well, that's not for you to decide. I liked my handmade gowns. I don't want to wear anything you have because—"

Nedget snapped his head in my direction and stalked up to the bed. His aura had shifted into one of pure rage. I pushed the comforter away from me and quickly rose to my feet as he stopped mere inches from me.

His hand appeared behind my head as he grabbed me by the roots and pulled my head back, causing me to yelp at the unexpected touch. "You will do as I say and wear what is expected of you when I say so."

“What exactly do you want from me? I demand to know.” I stomped my foot against his. When he didn’t reflect any sort of pain I held my ground, staring back at him with angered eyes.

“You. Your power. You’ve received the magic from your ancestors, and I want it. Your mother is going to be powerless against me. Why do you think I came after you when you were a child?” He released his grip on my hair and moved back toward the fireplace.

I huffed. I was puzzled by this information. “I thought you came to kill us all of our power, not just me.”

“I came for you, but your family was in the way. Your mother made a deal, yes indeed she did, but it wasn’t for the right reasons. She wanted your power just as much as I did and when she sent your sister Meredith, thinking I would be fooled I had Luthor kill her and send her body back. Your power would come to surpass even the highest of witches around the world, and its your power I wanted.”

Shaking my head I scoffed and waved my finger at him, “So what now? Are you going to kill me and take my magic? The world is afraid of you. You’ve killed thousands of innocent people searching for something you will never have.”

“Nonsense, I have you here now. Now the real question is… do I force you to give me a child that I can use later? Or do I just kill you like I intended?”

I gripped the sides of my gown and stepped away from the bed. “I would rather die than bear a child for you.”

Nedget chuckled. “I could do what I wanted when I wanted.” He turned around and extended his hand toward me. “Come, lets just get to know one another before you make that decision.”

"Not a chance, you can go back to that hell hole you crawled out of." Sneering, I raised my hand to him and chanted under my breath. "Navica, travet." Smiling, I watched as an ember from the fireplace jumped out from the bundle of fire and onto Nedget's leg. Quickly, the flame enveloped his leg, and he began to panic.

He raised his arms in the air frantically dancing around, Nedget was patting down the fire that had engulfed his brais. I chuckled at the dancing man who was in flames as the doors swung open. Two of the king's men from before stood on its threshold.

"What the hell happened here?" One of them shouted, rushing to Nedget's aid while the other searched the room for a flower vase hoping for some sort of fluid.

The two were distracted long enough for me to sneak off and dart out of the room. In search of the nearest window.

"Seize her! Don't let her get away!" Nedget's voice echoed down the hall.

My chest heaved for air as my legs burned with each sprinting step. I had memorized the hallways to the front gates and managed to stay clear of everyone in the castle and once I had made it to the main foyer I quickly spun, looking for a window but to my disappointment there wasn't one there, and I continued. "How does this place stay so bright without any windows? I haven't seen any candle holders." I huffed.

"Aurora, you can't leave this place!" Nedget's harsh voice echoed through the castle.

Marcus, did you find anything in regards to my location?

Besides the one clue from before, I haven’t found anything.

"Where the hell am I?" I swore under my breath as I rounded another corner. Alas! There was an open window. I sprinted up to it and gazed out. Surprisingly the drop down would definitely hurt but I could heal myself and get out of this place.

"Don't even think about it. It's a lot farther down than it looks. It's just an illusion." Theil stood at the other end of the corridor.

"How do you know? And if I die, why does it matter to you?" I sneered and took a moment to catch my breath.

"Aurora, the thing is, I don't care one way or another, but Nedget will kill me if you disappear, which will anger your mother even more, and since Sebastian didn't do as he was told I'm sure he's never coming here to get you.

“And why should I care if you die or not? You are a traitor! Now let me go!” I shouted at him.

What? Sebastian…

Bash where are you?

I already heard and I'm on my way, the problem is mother's magic is blocking my ability to find you.

Nedget is in Luthor's body. Is it true? Were you going to bring me here? Is that why you showed up right before my birthday?

Silence was my reply which confirmed my words to be true.

Why? Why Bash, you knew he would kill me!

I had no choice, Aurora! Our mother would have slain everyone in her path if someone didn’t bring her to you. I couldn’t be responsible for your death, that’s why I left!

It doesn't change the fact that I'm going to die here! Bring Marcus here, show him the way here!

I've already left. But he has a hint as to where your location is in the war room. Tell him that and I'll be there soon.

Bash severed his connection to me. Snapping out of my mind I saw that Theil was standing in front of me, his arms folded over his chest.

My eyes scanned over his toned body, his widened stance told me he meant what he said and that if I really did jump out of the window I would most certainly fall to my death.

I dropped my shoulders in defeat and sighed heavily. "Fine... But let this be a warning to you—"

My words were cut short as Theil reached his hand out and grabbed me by my throat, his fingers applied enough pressure to lessen my air supply. I didn't flinch, I didn't move nor react, but I stayed as calm as I could in this situation and moved my hand to his, squeezing his wrist I chanted an incantation under my breath.

"Icthivus, prentaverti." I closed my eyes as he began shouting.

Slowly I opened my eyes as he released my throat, and I watched his arm contort in ways bones should not be able to. His body crumbled to the ground as his joints cracked and snapped, breaking in various places.

"Don't touch me ever again." I sneered and turned my head only to see the arrival of the king's guard. "I know, I'm going back." I rolled my eyes and turned to leave back down the corridor toward my chamber.

Upon reaching my chamber I pushed the doors open and stepped in to see that Nedget was no longer present. I let out a harsh breath and turned to see the guard from before leaning against the adjacent wall. "When are you going to understand there is no leaving this place?" His tone was soft.

Tears threatened to fall from my eyes as I softened my gaze. "I don't want to be here. I'm never going to come to terms with that." I sniffled, turned away and sauntered over to the one thing that brought me comfort. The fireplace.

"Princess, you must understand. We have no choice but to serve him. Our lives are at stake and…"

I raised my hand to silence him as I knelt on the bear fur rug in front of the fireplace. "I don't need any more excuses or lives I need to worry about other than my own." My voice was low.

A stray tear streamed down my cheek as I thought back to my life before all of this. How things were finally beginning to piece themselves together, even with Marcus.

"Leave me. Please." I lowered my hand and focused my gaze on the playful flames before me.

"Unfortunately, I cannot leave you alone. Nedget ordered me to stay so I will be staying." He replied quickly.

I didn't have the energy to argue let alone put up a fight against this man. I dropped the subject and continued watching the flames.

Burn it to the ground. Cecilia’s voice chimed in the back of my mind.

Burn what?

The castle. Burn it to the ground! She screeched.

I don't have the strength to do that sort of magic.

Silly girl, you do. You're more powerful than you know.

I-I don't know.

I quickly severed the connection and laid down for a moment. My eyes continued their focus on the flames. "This nightmare needs to end." I sniffled as I shut my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

I will kill you, Nedget. Just wait.