To The Rescue

Suddenly, the ground begins to shake! The Artifact grows quiet before asking, "What did you do?" When I don't answer, it yells, "WHAT DID YOU DO!?" When I lift my head, I see large golden eyes coming straight at me before Abell's mouth opens wide!

She swallows me whole! My back burns like something unholy as everything goes dark.

My eyes fly open as I softly call out, "Abell..."

"Who's Abell?" Someone asks, causing me to turn and look. Weimin looks at me with relief as he says, "You gave all of us a fright. I thought I lost you. Who's Abell?" I blink, trying to understand. Was I back? Or was this another trick of the Artifact?

No, I saw Abell. I felt her!

[Calm yourself, little witch. I told you to call me when you needed me, why did you wait so long?] Abell says in my mind making my eyes water. Was I really out? Was I really free? Abell sighs and says, [What a wicked Artifact. I'm so glad it can no longer use my power but in order to get us out, I had to make a bond with you.]

A bond with me?

She sighs again and says, [Yes, little one. A bond. You and I are now bonded but... I'm stuck. Why can't I come out?] I frown, not really understanding anything at the moment. Weimin touches my cheek, making me flinch. I pull away with a frown as I look around the unfamiliar room and ask, "Where am I?"

Weimin doesn't seem bothered as he smiles and says, "You're still in the palace, in my court." Confusion swirls around me as I ask, "What? Do you live in the palace?" He nods and says, "The King is my uncle. Don't worry, you're safe here and I will make sure you stay safe."

He reaches behind him and grabs a small bowl of liquid and says, "When the King heard of your great sacrifice, he gave you the title of a princess and an engagement with me. I will take care of you and make sure there's nothing you lack."

I pull away from him in horror as I stumble out of the bed. I look down at my white gown with even more horror as I look around for an exit. I try to call up my magic when suddenly I'm hit with pain! I cry out and fall to my knees, nearly passing out.

Abell hisses as she says, [He's put a dark rune on you, little witch! That's why you can't use your magic and why I can't come out!] I focus on breathing as my entire body shakes. Weimin tries to help me up but I push him away and fall back.

I glare at him, seething with rage as I ask, "What did you do?" Weimin looks down at me and says with a calm voice, "I did what I had to. Now you can remain by my side and still be forever known as the goddess who saved our world. I promise to treat you right."

I scoff at him as I stand on shaky legs and say, "Treat me right? By cutting me and placing a dark rune on me to control me? That's your idea of treating me right!? Fuck you, you psycho! Release me now!"

Weimin's eyes grow dark as he says, "Lyra, you will learn how to live here. You will also come to love me as I love you." I start to laugh but I'm sure I sound insane, I feel insane! I glare at him as I say, "I will never love you. You're insane. Release me while I'm still being nice."

He reaches out, grabs my wrist, and pulls me against him! My body was still weak and now I have no magic! I struggle, trying to break from his hold but when his lower hand presses against my lower back, I sag into him with a hiss of pain.

His other hand starts to slowly stroke my upper back as he softly says, "I knew it the moment I saw you... That you were meant to be mine. Be good, Lyra. That way I don't have to punish you. We will marry in a month's time; I hope you will know how to behave by then."

He leans back, smiling down at me like he wasn't threatening me. I look up at him with sweat lining my forehead. The pain was making me lightheaded. He reaches up and lightly touches my cheek as he says, "You will make the most beautiful bride."

Hatred burns through me as I think about biting his neck like a rabid dog, but Abell's voice calms me, [Patience, little witch. You are too weak right now. He is too strong. Let us buy some time and grow stronger. We will both kill him when the time is right.]

My eyes grow dark as I silently stare up at him. His smile grows as he says, "See? It's not so bad. I have servants waiting to help you with your bath. Get cleaned up and we will have dinner together."

I swallow hard as I stare into his black eyes, but I slightly nod my head. He gives me a loving look as he says, "Good, I'll be back after you get cleaned up." I clench my teeth as I silently watch him leave.

He was the reason I was stuck in that hell for so long. Because that bastard sealed my magic! My eyes burn as tears threaten to fall but Abell gives me something that feels like a hug and says, [We will both get our freedom. Let's play our cards carefully. The one who plays the game the best will win.]

I silently agree as female servants quickly come and go. The last servant bows to me and says, "My lady, the bath is ready. Do you wish for us to attend to you?" I glare coldly at the woman before saying, "Leave." In a cold hard tone.

The woman shakes with fear as she bows even lower and quickly leaves. All these people were Weimin's people. They could not be trusted. I walk over to the room with the tub. I step up to the side and stop by the edge, looking into the water with anger swirling inside of me.

I reach up and untie the dress, allowing it to fall and pool at my feet. I reach back with a shaky hand and lightly touch the rune on my lower back. Angry tears build as I grit my teeth. I reach up to my necklace and notice that it's silent.

I close my eyes, causing the tears to fall. Without my magic, my necklace is nothing but a normal necklace. I lift my leg and step into the warm bath, ignoring the pain in my body and in my heart. I slowly start bathing as I start thinking of ways to kill Weimin.

When I'm finally done, I get out and silently dry off. When I think about Bolin, I freeze. How many days has it been? Is he back? Does he know I'm missing? Could he come and save me? I quickly get dressed, only half drying my hair.

When I step out of the bathroom, I see Weimin waiting for me. I come to a stop, trying my hardest not to glare at him but I don't think it's working. He doesn't seem bothered by it though. He lifts his hand with a small smile and says, "Let's have dinner together, shall we?"

I look down at his outstretched hand before looking up at him and asking, "How many days have I been asleep?" His smile turns knowing as he says, "You've been asleep for a week." Surprise flickers through me. So it's been nine or ten days since I left Bolin's?

Was he still not back? Or... was he back and just didn't look for me?

As soon as the thought comes up, I dismiss it. No, if I was missing, he would come looking for me. I know he would. Weimin breaks my train of thought and says, "Well?" I slowly lift my hand and force myself to place it within his, wishing that I could rip his arm off and stab him to death with it.