Chapter 11

Ana Sofia's eyes adjusted to the sudden change in surroundings the light although low, blinded her. She felt the sensations of the dizzying ride earlier start to calm as her muscles began to ache from the tension. Her breathing was still hard, as she tried to focus on the figure. She could make out the curves of a woman and long silver hair reaching to her toes. The figure, seemingly aware of Ana Sofia's presence, turns to face her. She is a tall and imposing woman, her silver hair shimmering in the dim light. Her eyes, a piercing blue, seem to look straight through Ana Sofia as if reading her very soul. The woman approached her, movements fluid like a ghost, Ana Sofia curled back into the net sensing the danger rolling from the mysterious woman like waves hitting the shore. The woman seemed to smirk slightly at her like she was amused by her prey. The mysterious woman continues to approach, her every step filled with an eerie grace that sends shivers down Ana Sofia's spine. She stops just a few inches away from the net, her piercing blue eyes never leaving Ana Sofia's face. The air around them grows heavy as if charged with an unseen force.

"Oh, do relax... Ana" The woman spoke as it lulled her closer.

The woman's voice is soft, yet there is an underlying tone of authority that makes Ana Sofia feel powerless to resist. She continues to circle Ana Sofia, her eyes scrutinizing every inch of her. Ana Sofia can feel herself shrinking under the woman's gaze, feeling vulnerable and exposed as the net vanishes, she wishes she could go back in time a few seconds ago.

 Swallowing her fear as best as possible, she matched her volume, "What do you want? I know it was you who called me into this forest. I won't put up with any scheming tricks." She replied. She straightened her back in an attempt to show she wasn't going to be pushed around. 

The woman paused her circling. The air changed as if Ana Sofia had stepped on a trip wire. She reached her long fingers towards her. The woman's nails were sharp and curved her hand began to caress and gently cup Ana Sofia's cheek. Ana Sofia stilled her eyes searching the woman's. She met her gaze as best as she could but, the second her gaze fell she felt pressure on the fleshy part of her cheekbone.

"I want your blood. " The woman's fingers continued to trace a line along Ana Sofia's cheek, leaving a trail of heat and pressure in their wake.

Ana Sofia's heart pounded in her chest as she felt a sense of dread wash over her. She tried to pull away, but the woman's grip was strong, and she was unable to break free.

The woman smiled as she continued to speak, "So beautiful. You look just like the woman who took him from me. I bet you're a slut just like she was". 

"What are you talking about?" Ana Sofia questioned taken aback by such a vile accusation.

The woman's grip tightens on Ana Sofia's cheek, her fingers digging into her skin, any further and her flesh would tear open.

"You don't know?" she sneers. "I'm talking about your precious grandfather, of course. The one who chose her over me. The one who died because of her treachery."

Ana Sofia's eyes widened. What the hell was she talking about? Who was this woman? She didn't know much about her lineage. In the only instances, her grandparents were mentioned they were revered as lovers who would never hurt each other. Her grandfather died from an incurable disease at least that's what she was told. 

"I don't know what you're talking about. My grandfather.... I-I?..Is THAT why you dragged me here I-I-". She stammered as her mind reeled to deescalate the feral woman in front of her. 

"Liar!" The woman hisses, her eyes flashing with anger. "I saw it with my own eyes. Your whore of a grandmother stole him from me, and he chose her over me. And then she dared to kill him, leaving me with nothing!"

Ana Sofia felt a surge of anger and disbelief. Why on earth was this woman pinning about a man that was long dead? and why on earth was she targeting her? She didn't have a second to think of a response when she felt the sensation of the woman's magic begin to wrap around her throat, Ana Sofia began to panic as a familiar feeling of dread washed over her.

The woman began to furiously shout, "How can you lie to my face! you know very well he loved me! I was going to make him rich and powerful! but she came along. She tempted him with a title, and he never looked back! and you have her blood. I warned her. I told her I would ruin everything or anyone she ever loved!"

Tears began to stream down the woman's face as she spoke, as if memories began to resurface her voice filled with bitterness and resentment. The magic around Ana Sofia's throat tightens, making it difficult for her to breathe. She clawed at the magic, trying to break free, but it was no use.

"And then, she got pregnant with that Bastard of a child, Your father. My beloved was so distraught. He threatened to kill the child as soon as it was born but ..." The woman faltered as she released Ana Sofia from her magical grip, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "But he never did, because...I" she finished softly.

Ana Sofia gasped for air, rubbing at her throat as she tried to steady her breathing. She looked at the woman with a mix of pity and disgust.

"You are truly delusional." She spat.

The woman laughed, "You don't believe me? I'll show you take a look and see who the real witch is."

Before Ana Sofia could try to get away a plume of dark smoke enveloped her, she didn't have time to think before her vision blurred and her head began to spin. The dark smoke swirls around her stinging her eyes and making Ana Sofia cough. She feels a sensation of weightlessness as if she is being lifted off the ground. The world around her fades to black, and she is disorientated as her surroundings quickly change. She's not sure what's happening. She must be dead right now. When the smoke clears, she finds herself in a dimly lit chamber, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and decay. A single torch flickers on the wall, casting eerie shadows that dance and twist upon the cold stone walls. The floor beneath her is rough and uneven, and she can feel the chill seeping into her very bones. She feels like all the strength from her body has been sapped. She manages to sit up against the wall as a wave of nausea plummets to her gut. Her mind is only focused on preventing herself from vomiting when she fails to notice the voices outside the door. The door to the chamber creaks open, and two figures step inside. The first is a man, tall and imposing with a thick beard and piercing blue eyes. He is dressed in fine clothing, but there is a hardness to his expression that suggests a life of battle and bloodshed. The second figure is a woman, elegant and regal with golden hair that cascades down her shoulders in loose waves. She is dressed in a gown of deep red, the fabric embroidered with intricate patterns of gold. Her eyes are a cold, calculating gray, and she carries herself with an air of authority.

Ana Sofia is startled by their appearance but, she begins to speak, "Pleas--."

Wait a second. Why does she sound different? 

Indeed, Ana Sofia's voice is no longer her own. It is deeper, gravellier, and unfamiliar to her ears. She tries to clear her throat, but it only seems to make the situation worse. The man and woman approach her, their expressions unreadable.

"Please I don't know where I am I-I was transported here My name is--" she was interrupted by the woman's voice, "Don't play dumb Natalia" The woman's words hung heavy in the air, and Ana Sofia's mind races to make sense of them.

Natalia?

That's not her name. She tries to protest, to explain that there must be some mistake, but her voice is hoarse and weak.

The man's face seems to drop into a frown, as he turns to the woman, "Rosalia please, would you just give us a few moments of privacy?" The woman, Rosalia, narrows her eyes at Natalia before nodding and exiting the chamber, leaving the man and Natalia alone.

The man turns to Ana Sofia, his expression softening. "Natalia, it's been a long time. I'm so glad to see that you are alright."

Ana Sofia turns to the man, she is visibly startled by the situation unfolding, she can only stare frigidly at him.

His frown seemed to deepen, "I am so sorry that you are in this situation, Natalia, they said you would pose a threat to the crown, and I couldn't disobey."

 Ana Sofia widened her eyes at the man, her brow furrowed trying to make sense of the situation when she saw a glimpse of silver hair falling over her shoulder. Her heart stopped when she realized she was seeing memories of the witch that captured her and the man in front of her was none other than her grandfather. The man, whom Ana Sofia now recognizes as her grandfather, approaches her with a cautious step. His eyes are filled with concern, but also a deep sadness.

"Natalia, I never wanted it to come to this," he says, reaching out a hand to touch her shoulder.

"Is it true?" Ana Sofia questioned. "Is it true that you want to kill Rosalia's child?"

Her grandfather hesitates, his hand hovering in the air for a moment before dropping back to his side. He looks down at the ground, unable to meet her gaze.

"Yes," he admits, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's true."

"Why?" Ana Sofia's voice is barely above a whisper, but it carries the weight of a thousand storms.

She can hardly believe the words that have just come out of her grandfather's mouth. To think that he, the man who had always been a source of comfort and support, would condone such a heinous act.

He frowned as tears began to form in his eyes before he took her in a crushing embrace, "I'm sorry Natalia, I have always loved you. I made a horrible mistake. I abandoned you."

As Ana Sofia feels her grandfather's arms around her, she can't help but feel a mix of emotions. She's angry at him for his betrayal, but she's also relieved to be reunited with him after all these years. She pulls away from his embrace, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Why should I believe you?"

It was almost as if the Witch's words were coming out of Ana Sofia's mouth on their own.

She had no control over this body she could only watch it unfold, "You chose Rosalia. Now she's having another man's child! You don't get to ask me for forgiveness live with your choices!". she cried through sobbing tears as she continued, "I-I would have never hurt you! You wouldn't have to resort to this if you just...stayed with me."

Her grandfather's face fell at her words, and he took a step back as if struck.

"I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, Natalia," he says, his voice heavy with regret. "But I am truly sorry for what I have done. I never should have abandoned you, and I should have never supported such a terrible plan."

 "Just leave me. " She whispered.

"I'm to be hung early morning. Your love only brought me my death." Ana Sofia's words hang heavy in the air, a palpable tension filling the room.

Her grandfather, still reeling from her rejection, nods solemnly and turns to leave. As he reaches the door, he hesitates for a moment, as if weighing the consequences of his next words.

"I will leave you be, my dear," he says finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "But know that I will always love you, and I will always regret the choices I made." With that, he slips out of the room, leaving Ana Sofia alone with her thoughts.

The room feels heavy with unspoken words and unresolved pain as Ana Sofia is left alone with her thoughts. She can't shake the feeling that there is more to the story than what she has been told.

 Soon she couldn't keep her eyes open she quickly fell asleep on the cold damp floor. She is awoken by a loud ruckus outside her small prison, she can make out a frenzy and shouts, "The Queen has gone into labor!"