Demonic Feathers 3

Grant came later that night to take me to the castle. When we got there, he immediately dragged me to his mother's room.

'Mother! I finally brought my mute friend, Arthur!' He said very fast in sign language to her.

'Nice to meet you, my name is Queen Flora. Thank you for dealing with my hyper son.' She had the same sparkle in her eyes as she used sign language, same as Grant did as he spoke.

'I do not mind.' I had a small question on my mind that Grant never explained to me. 'I am sorry to ask, but are you also mute?'

'No, I was born deaf. Thank the gods above that Grant was not born the same. The boy loves the sound of his voice too much.'

He was bouncing in his seat the whole time we talked. He truly did have a lot of energy in him.

'Good night.' We signed to each other before Grant dragged me out.

"Time to show you your room!" He said as we turned the corner. "It is the room right next to mine!" The room was huge with a large balcony and I saw that Jay already was sitting on the desk. "Wow! How did he know that this was going to be your room?"

Then, Grant gave me a quick peck on the cheek before leaving the room. Jay started to laugh as I turned bright red. I threw something small at him and he flew out of the way. I watched as he flew to the bed's giant canopy.

'At least he has a place to make a nest.' I thought to myself, as I got ready for bed.

In the months that followed, I would work on the shirts, during the days, as he did his royal duties. At night, we would hang out, in one of our rooms, and he would tell me about his childhood. Some days, I would watch from my balcony as he trained in the courtyard with the knights.

One day, he waved at me as I came down to watch him closer up. He barely started and his shirt already started to stick to his chest to show off his abs.

"Guys! This is my buddy, Arthur!" He said before giving me a side hug.

'Hello, nice to meet you all.' I signed and Grant translated to them.

"He can't make any sounds?" One of the knights asked him as if I was not there.

"Yes, Richard." So, the knight's name was Richard. "But, I taught him how to sign."

The way that Richard was looking at me sent chills down my spine. It reminded me of a predator staring at a piece of meat. I had a bad feeling about him.

Every time that Grant would win at the sparring matches, I would clap and watch as his face turns red. As soon as the sparing was done, he tackled me into a hug and I fell. He was laughing and I gave him the biggest smile that I could give. I could feel Richard staring at me as Grant helped me up. Richard started to stay by Grant's side after he met me.

As the deadline was catching up, I was working on the final shirt. Jay stayed by my side as I worked. One night, after Grant left from his nightly visit, someone knocked on my bedroom door. I opened the door and I was shocked that it was Richard. I waved 'hello' at him because I knew that he did not know sign language.

"I finally have you all alone and to myself." He stepped into the room and reached out to touch my face as he continued. "So soft, frail, and all mine tonight. Now, be a good little mute and don't make a sound."

I started to back away from him in fear as he continued to walk towards me. The back of my legs bumped into the bed and he pushed me onto it. I was terrified as he climbed on top of me. I had to fight the urge to scream because I was so close to saving my brothers.

I tried to hit him but then he grabbed my hands and held them down with one hand. Then, I was trying to kick him off but I was not strong enough to push him off of me. He started to rip my clothes off with his free hand, and I could feel the bruises forming as he dug his hands into my skin.

A raven's cry stopped his attack right as Jay dove to attack his face. Jay was using his beak and talons to try and blind him. He loosened his grip and I took the chance to get away from him. I ran towards the door and he grabbed my wrist then threw me to the ground. I had to swallow my screams and I felt the crack from the force. More ravens flew in and he lost his grip on me. He ran out of the room while being chased by most of my brothers.

I could feel that my hand was broken so that I cannot weave or sign anymore. I fell to my knees, holding my broken hand to my chest, and tried silently to cry from the physical and emotional pain. Jay landed next to me and started to rub his head against mine in a way to try and comfort me. I heard running footsteps and Jay stood in front of me just in case if it was Richard again. Grant came in running into the room and stopped at the view.

"What happened?" I winced in pain as I attempted to sign. "Don't try to speak! Let me help you patch up."

He took off the rags of my clothes and then he punched the ground. Jay squawked in fright at Grant's reaction. Even after he helped me put new clothes on, I was still shivering. He pulled me to his lap and tucked my head into the crook of his neck.

"Can you use your other hand?" I nodded my head. "Take your time and fingerspell on my hand." He held out his left hand as he put medicine on all the bruises with the other. My hand was sloppy and shaky as I spelled out his name. "Richard? That would explain all of the odd questions that he had about you. He did a low whistle at the damage to my hand. "He tried to silence you so you could never tell what happened."

As he worked on my hand, he would stop to wipe away my silent tears. He was humming a soft tune as he finished putting my hand in a splint. Jay flew to his nest above us as Grant helped me onto my bed. He wrapped his arms around me before kissing my forehead.

"Sleep and I will stay with you all night."