Scars

Oh shit.

"I- I dont know what to say." I tell him.

"You can start by telling me who did that!" He shouts.

I really wish he would stop yelling at me. He has no right to yell at me.

"First of all, stop yelling at me. You have no right. Second, it is my story to tell and if I wanted to share I would have answered your question already. Now, if you don't mind I'm going to go get dressed. Whatever you wished to speak to me about can wait until I'm clothed. Sit on the couch and wait." I tell him with leaving him no place to deny.

And with that I turned around again and headed towards my bathroom.

I grabbed my clothes and slipped them on but instead of the grey sleeping shorts I had chosen I picked out some loose black pants.

No need for him to see the scars on my thighs.

I ran a comb through my long hair and put it into a loose braid.

I headed back towards the living room and this time it was my turn to sit across from him.

"Now, what did you wish to speak to me about." I said.

I did not mention before because I'm hoping he would drop it.

He looks at me like a young toddler who got out in time out.

I almost laugh at the sigh of him being told what to do by me. A simple village girl telling a dragon lord what to do? Hilarious.

Yet, I did not laugh.

"I know that you wish to have answers and I'm here to give them to you. Please, let me explain everything before interrupting." He says.

I nod my head eager to hear everything.

He takes a deep breath and starts.

"My father, the lord of Malvolion and of all dragons, the one before me, ruled only the dragons. During his time, he refused to make any interactions with the fae. We have been enemies for as long as anyone can remember. There are no stories or legends of us ever being allies. My dad hated the fae because the fae killed my mother. Two fae men kidnapped her, sexually assaulted her then murdered her. My father did not take this lightly. He declared war against the fae. For the 200 years that my father was lord, he spent it fighting the fae. Until he died. When he passed away I had to take the position as leader. The king had started assassinating all of the magical creatures not long after I became lord. Knowing that we are stronger together than apart, I set off to ask for an alliance with the fae. The fae king and queen accepted my request and had started making plans to move to Malvolion. Before they could come, they were found by the king and they're kingdom was attacked. The king and queen did not survive but it was rumoured that they hid their daughter in one of the neighbouring villages. Their kingdom fell apart and thats when I offered them our services. I gave them their own village in the forest, trying to make them as comfortable as possible. I knew the fae did not like living in a mountain like dragons do. For years I've been searching for the lost princess because the fae need their leader. The fae have higher rankings than the dragons to. While I am a lord, the fae have kings and queens. We are under their command but ever since they past away, they have been under mine. They are lost without a ruler. A fae ruler. It took me several years until I finally found their ruler. You. Raven, you are the lost fae princess." He said.

The air had been passing in and out of my lungs stopped. I knew I was a fae princess but I did not know that they have been looking for me. For years. That my parents were dead.

"Wow... I don't know what to say." I told him.

He gives me a pitiful look.

"I know it's a lot to take in. They need their queen Raven. You are their queen but we can not reveal that yet. You appear to be human and we do not know why." He adds.

He was right. I look human. I did not have the pointy ears, or the teeth that the fae have. Why do I look human?

"Did my parents leave any hints as to why I'm human? Did you know them?" I ask.

"No. I did not know them. As for the clues, the only people that would know are the fae. They buried them somewhere sacred that the dragons do not know about. I respect that and have not bother them about it. I will hold a meeting with their chief tomorrow and see what they know. You're coming." Kaine says.

Im to go to a meeting? I start worrying. What if I embarrass myself. Im out of place here.

"I will come tomorrow at dawn and tell you everything you need to know." He says.

I nod my head grateful for the help. He gives me a tight lipped smile and stands up. He starts heading for the door and is about to leave for his chambers but before he does, he tells me,

"I will find out what monster did that do you Raven. You cannot hide anything from me. I can smell your fear, you worry. Mystical creatures can smell emotion. Better try and keep those under control."

And with that he left.

He can smell my fear? Anyone here could smell my emotions?

I head to my bedroom and wrap myself in my blankets.

I spent hours laying in bed yet I still can not sleep.

I get up and change out of my hoodie and put on a black tank top. It was tight so you could see the full size of my breasts. It was no concern to me, it's late at night and no one will be awake.

I leave my chambers and decide to start walking left. Kaine said his chambers were the last one to my right so it must mean there's an end to the hallway.

I walk for a long time before finding another hallways to walk down.

This is a bad idea, I'm going to get lost. Yet, I keep walking.

To my my right I see an arch. The entrance is to a library.

The library is massive. It has thousands of books, a lounge area to sit, it was beautiful.

I know I will be spending lots time here.

I yawn. I guess that means I'm going back to my chambers to sleep.

I head back down the hall from where I came and then the corner. I fall back when I bump into a wall.

I look back up and realize it was indeed not a wall.

It was Derek.

"Oh, I apologize I did not mean to run into you." I say.

He glares at me then continues walking.

He didn't even offer me a hand. There's nothing I can do about it.

He probably is one of the dragons that still hold a grudge against the fae.

I brush myself off and keep heading towards my chambers.

I finally make it there and head back to my bedroom. I'm finally tired enough to rest.

I slip out of my black pants and put on the grey sleeping shorts I wished to wear before.

I'm sure no one will be coming until tomorrow so I won't have to bother explaining my scars.

With that, I fell into the darkness called sleep.

Flashback

I'm only 13.

They ambushed me on my way home and dragged me to their homes.

The man who's home we went to, Jeffrey, tied me up to his bedpost.

I struggle against the ropes but it's no use. He had them wrapped up tight. Something a small malnourished child will never escape from.

Is this it?

Is this when they officially end it all for me?

Jeffrey dipped my leggings at the hips. Everything was covered but it's still so wrong for a grown man to do.

I brought my legs up together in hopes to cover myself but he grabbed my thighs and brought my legs back down.

His friend whom I don't know the name of handed him one of the big chef knives from his kitchen.

He slashed my thigh. Deep and slow.

I screamed. I'm shaking. Trying to break free.

Again and again.

He repeatedly brought the knife down onto my thighs and laugh.

Every time I scream he looks at me with his wicked smile.

If he has a wife, she did not bother to come help me.

My blood, dripping down my thighs is sure to stain his floor. It is also sure he is going to make me clean it.

Torture.

Cut after cut.

His laughter haunts me to this day.

Flashback over

I woke up and shot straight up.

I look over to my left and see Kaine holding me.

He's gently rubbing my back telling me softly that it's going to be okay.

Sweat drips from my forehead, tears from my eyes.

I had a nightmare.

I haven't had a nightmare in the past 2 years. Why would they return now?

I stopped getting them when I turned 15, that's when I found out the best times to go hunting, when to return. That's when I learnt to avoid them at all costs.

I look at Kaine in the eyes.

His bright blue eyes.

"Thank you." I whisper.

He's the one that brought me out of my nightmare.

"Of course. Are you okay?" He asks.

No. I am most certainly not okay. That nightmare is bringing back all the bad memories. The past. The horrors I've lived through. However, he does not need to know that.

"Yes. I'm okay thank you." I reply.

He stares at me in the eyes. He can tell I'm lying but he does not press on the subject.

Thank goodness because I do not feel like talking about it.

"I came to give you advice about the meeting with the council today. I'm also going to advice you on what to wear if you don't mind." He says.

"Oh, of course. It's not an issue." I answer.

I remove the sheets from on me and just as I'm about to stand up I feel two hand on my thighs.

Two big and muscular hand holding me down.

I look up at Kaine to tell him to let me go but his focus is somewhere else. His focus is on my scars.

Just when I thought I wouldn't have to deal with this.

"Please Raven, tell me what happened." Kaine says.

I know I can't escape it this time.

"The civilians back in Devlan, they weren't so kind to me."

My answer is short and simple but it's enough for him to understand.

He looks at them for a couple more minutes. Tracing his thumbs across my scars.

Chills ran throughout my entire body.

How can this one man affect me so much?

Snapping out of his daze, he removes his hands.

"And your back? They did that too?" He asks.

Damn.

He holds my eyes with his. Waiting for an answer.

"Yes." I whisper.

Ashamed. I'm ashamed of my scars. They cover my back and now I could never show them. Never wear a backless dress, or shirt.

"Can I see them?" Kaine says.

I stare at him. Do I trust him?

"Do you swear to never speak of this, use this against me or humiliate me?" I ask.

"I swear it." He replies.

I look into his eyes for a little longer. Looking for a deceiving look, anything that might tell me he is not true to his word.

His eyes held nothing but honesty.

With that, I turned around and pulled my tank top off.

I removed my bra last night before going to sleep so my back is completely bare. Using my tank top to cover my breasts. Even if my back is facing him I cover them in case.

I stand there waiting for him to say something. Anything.

He does not say anything, but I feel his fingers brush my scars. Giving most attention to the middle one.

His touch makes my back straighten. My breath get caught in my throat.

His touch was gentle. Careful. Like he was scared to hurt me.

"I'm so sorry princess" he says.

I slip my tank top back on and turn around to face him.

"You did not put these on me. You did not harm me in any way. You have nothing to be sorry for." I tell him with confidence.

With reassurance.

"You are one of these strongest most brave people I know. Do not be ashamed of these scars. They show that you are a warrior. They are beautiful." He says.

He places a strand of my hair behind my ear and gives me a small smile. A sad smile.

"Come, we must dress you and give you some tips about today." Kaine adds.

I nod my head and follow him to my closet.