CHAPTER 17

" Who are you? I am not going anywhere with you..." I spoke aloud making my stance clear. I wasn't going anywhere near this man. His voice was rough and gravelly, with a sharp, cutting edge that made every word sound like a criticism. His voice was annoying. He stood up from the high frame seat that he was sitting in. So that's why I didn't see him. 

He was a man in his mid-forties, with a fat belly protruding, that seemed to carry the weight of the world on his slumped shoulders. His face, etched with lines of perpetual irritation, was framed by unkempt, salt-and-pepper hair that hung limply around his ears. His piercing, gray eyes had a sharpness to them, constantly staring at me up and down as if searching for something to complain about. A thin, sour mouth set in a tight line added to his perpetually displeased expression.

He was dressed in worn-out, practical clothes, that mirrored his gloomy demeanor. His posture was stiff, and he moved with a jerky, impatient energy, as if in a hurry to get away from whatever was currently bothering him. He was scary.

" I paid for you, so you're coming with me" He spoke grumpily, his grey eyes angrier than ever as he took a few steps towards me. I looked towards my uncle trying to make sense of what this man has just said.

I was shocked to a point...

"I am no-one's property, How can you pay for me?" I spoke staring at my uncle as I was confused to what this man had said. What the actual hell...

"She is yours, you can deal with her, however you seem fit... I'm out." My uncle said clearly with no intention of helping me. What was he going on about?

" You can't do this to me." I spoke mortified of this revelation. Was I that big of a burden..

" GUARDS" The other man shouted as I dashed out the door trying to make an escape but it was obviously of no use as they stood on guard the moment I stepped out of the study. 

They grabbed me by my arms as they dragged me out of the house. The house was still empty. I tried to wiggle my way out of their grasp but it was of no use. There grip was too strong and I couldn't move no matter how hard I tried. 

I was dragged outside the house, they tied my hands behind my back. 

" Please let me go, What did I do?" I spoke as they taped my mouth and covered my head with a black cloth. I was picked and pushed inside a trunk. Where were they taking me... How dare he do this to me? He sold me, a living human being... What did he sell me for? Was it money? But uncle didn't needed the money. He had enough. Where was everyone? I saw noone today, not my aunt.. Freya looked troubled when she came to get me. 

With a jerk from the start of the engine, I knew that we were moving, where? I didn't know...

I tried too hard to free my hands from the rope that were caging me but the rope was piercing through my skin. There was no way, I was able to do it alone.. El.. I really need you at this time... What should I do... All of my training has failed.. I was sold to an old fat man for a reason, I am not aware of.  I am right here, Elaara

Try twisting your hands around... Maybe you'll be able to break free... I tried it isn't working....Let me try.. I felt a push at my hands, but it was of no use again.. How did she do that... I was confused again... 

Within my tries to break my hand free, I hadn't realized that the car had stopped moving. Upon listening closely, I realized there was a lot of commotion outside. Another jerk came from outside with a loud bang as someone bumped into the car. I heard the trunk of the car opening as I was picked up but then I fell on the ground with a loud thud. My entire weight fell on my right arms and I heard a crack. The pain pierced through me as my loud cries met only silence. Tears fell down my cheek as the weight of the reality came crashing down on me.

" Don't you dare touch her" A heard the familiar voice of the prince as I heard a loud thud. 

" You can't save her..." I heard the cackle of the man who had abducted me" This Faerelore is mine now, Prince. We had a deal and I've done my part."

" You're committing treason, You'll have to bear the consequences. She is not just a Faerelore, She is also your future queen" 

" That's not true. You're just bluffing... The king himself..." He murmured but I couldn't hear what he said next. I only heard a loud thud and the next statement gave me goosebumps..

" She is mine now, Nobody touches what's mine... Even after the King's orders.." With that came a gunfire and everything went silent....

I heard footsteps coming towards me. He picked me up like a porcelain doll and sat me properly on the ground, and freed my wrists from the tight hold. I hissed from the pain as it shot through me. He then removed the piece of cloth that covered my face along with the tape. My face was entirely covered in sweat and tears. He was kneeling in front of me as he stared at my face. 

His eyes were still the same like our last encounter, hooded and cold

" Stop crying..." He said firmly as he held my elbow in his arm as he jerked me awake as I let out a scream and my joint was put back in place. 

"A little heads up would've been nice" I mumbled as I cradled my arm like a baby... It was in a lot of pain. All of the energy had left my body as I tried to focus on my footing. Why did he save me? He didn't remember who I was. 

" Let's go." He spoke again as he looked me in the eye.

" Where are we going?" I asked meekly. I wanted to be sure, I did feel safe with him but he wasn't the same man.... 

" You only need to do what I tell you to do, So get in the fucking car." He growled in my face and I stumbled backwards. He was intimidating but I wasn't scared of him.

" I am going home, I need to get my stuff." I spoke as I turned and started walking backwards. I was on the main road, almost twenty minutes away from the house. I needed to get my journals and my diary. It had everything... EVERYTHING...

"you're coming with me" He stopped me in my track as he came to stand in front of me..

"Where?" I asked looking him in the eye..

"Palace" He spoke loud and clear. 

" I am not going with you. I don't know what..." Wasn't King the reason... How can I be safe there? There was no way. 

"Don't test my patience, Elaara" He grumbled, grabbing my arm and pulling me close. There was barely any distance between us, our noses almost touching as we breathed each other's air. He was so handsome, I'll give him that but he was so difficult to understand.... He wanted to serve me on a silver platter to the King and Queen.

"Besides you can't really run away from me.... You're mine now; no one can take you away from me...." He whispered as his eyes flicking to my lips before darting back to meet my gaze. 

Why was he this handsome? I felt nervous all of a sudden. I could feel the butterflies flapping their wings in my stomach. His lips, brushed over mine, ever so slightly as his eyes kept shifting back and forth as if he was contemplating something... 

"Please...." I spoke again trying my best to give him my innocent look maintaining eye contact with him. I didn't wanted to look away.... 

"It's important to me" I whispered again and his grip on my arms tightened making me wince in pain. His eyes darted towards his hands and he released me with a jerk causing me to stumble again... 

"Then I'll take you there..." He grabbed my arm and pulled me with him towards his car. He was bipolar... There was no doubt about that.. One minute he was sweet, the other cruel demon from within him comes out demanding attention.

He made me sit in the passenger seat and walked backed. Once inside, he strapped himself in and looked at me. He raised his eyebrows and I responded with a confused look. Oh, the seatbelt... Dumb Elaara... I rushed to grab my seatbelt, which seemed to be playing tricks on me. He sighed as he leaned over me, his hands brushing against mine as he took hold of the stubborn seat belt. Maintaining eye contact, he expertly clicked the seatbelt into place. My heartbeat quickened, pounding loudly in my chest. I wondered if he could hear it too, these drums...

He broke the eye contact and sat back. He then took a deep breath as he gripped the steering wheel tightly and drove away.