Chapter 2

Water dripped into my parted lips, a gentle stream flowing down through my throat as it began reviving my weary body. Relieved from the dryness, my lungs can finally inhale the fresh breeze with effortless ease. For the first time in ages, I can feel my heart pulsing in a steady rhythm, fueled by the warmth I feel on my skin. Like a blossom unfolding at dawn, my eyelids slowly flutter open just as hope filled my chest, wondering if this is what heaven feels like. 

"Iris?" that voice called out again, warm and real this time, laced with concern. 

I open my eyes to find him looking down at me, my savior. His head covers my view of the sun, a perfect shade that make him look like he is wearing a crown made of sun rays as I gazed up at him in awe. Is this it? Are we dead?

"Where..." I tried to say but end up breaking into a fit of coughs. It turns out my throat still feels awfully parched, despite the water. My body, still helplessly weak as I can't even bring myself to sit. So I just lie there on some hard, yet familiar cushion. This certainly isn't the grass that I'm laying on, or I would know, having been falling asleep on a pile of hay for days. 

"Easy, easy..." he gently laid me back down on his lap, I noticed. "We have to make sure that you're well enough to fly home."

"Fly?" I croaked, coughing a little. What, am I going to sprout wings on my back now?

His lips thinned at my question, as if he couldn't believe what he's hearing. "Don't tell me you don't remember..."

"Remember what?" I asked, my throat feeling like it was dragged through the desert. 

He looks at me with those dark, worried eyes of his and for the life of me, I can't seem to remember his name. His eyebrows scrunched in the middle with concern, making me itch to touch it, have my finger trace its crease all the way to his sculpted nose. He looks like a conqueror with his dark hair and dark eyes, promising power and his skin, tan from the sun. As if he had spent more time in battlefields than within the walls of his castle. 

He sighs, gently cradling the back of my neck to tip the edge of the bottle to my lips. I relish in the feeling of the water flowing down my throat, not letting a single drop go to waste. I wasn't looking when he tears his away from me to ask someone, "Would she be well enough to fly?"

'What's this about flying?' I wanted to ask but was too focused on gulping the entire thing. I can already feel my stomach cease its groaning, now that it's filled with water. 

"For now, though I highly suggest a ride back would be better." a female voice answered, a stern one I noticed. 

"No, flying is faster. The faster I can bring her back home, the quicker she'd be able to receive the care she needs." he argued, earning an eye roll from the woman. I didn't have to look to know, I can feel it. Something tells me I must've been the receiving end quite a few times if I can detect something as small as this. 

"Then I suggest you wrap her up nicely," she said, shooting a pointed look at me just as I finish the entire bottle. "We wouldn't want her to arrive back naked."

Curious, I look down and was about to freak out at the state of my undress until he pulled me closer, rubbing a soothing circle on my back to keep me from scrambling away from him. He must've shot her a glare, because I can feel that too. I close my eyes and inhale his familiar scent of fresh pines, surprised that it relaxes me a little. 

"Iris," he murmurs, his voice low and maddeningly calm, "it's nothing I haven't seen before." His lips curve, not in a smile though, but something darker, like he's recalling some fond memory. 

My eyes snap wide at the audacity. Heat prickles across my skin at his challenge, so I press my hand to his chest to push him away but he catches my wrist. His fingers wrapped around it with a touch too firm, too familiar. 

"For fuck's sake," he breathes, leaning in until his mouth brushes the shell of my ear, "I'm your husband."

A shiver slides down my spine before I can stop it. "You wish," I rasped, trying to keep my voice steady but it just sounds rough and uneven, like it's been dragged over gravel. "I'd remember if I was married."

"Defiant as always, my bride," he murmurs, eyes dark with promise. "Don't worry, my love. Once we're home and you've gotten your strength back, I promise that I'll remind you."

I didn't even notice that he was wrapping his dark blue cave tighter around me, securing it with a tight knot in the front until I look down. "I'm sorry I hadn't thought to bring an extra dress," he confessed, his voice turning softer this time, "these things tend to slip my mind when I was in a hurry. I came as soon as I figured out your location."

"Was I kidnapped?" I asked softly. All this time, I had thought I had committed some terrible crime that had me wrecked with guilt. 

"Yes," he said, shifting his grip, sliding his hand from the back of my neck to my back, practically forcing me to wrap my arms around his neck, holding him tight as his other hand lifts me by the back of my knees. "you were heading away to visit your family, but you were ambushed on your way there. I knew this too late."

He slowly stands, and I wince at the movement, bracing myself for the pain, but I'm surprised to feel nothing more than a soreness I can handle. He carries me like I weigh nothing, bridal style. I can't help but lean my head on the crook of his neck as if it's the most natural thing to do. 

His lips twist when he sees me like this, suddenly seeking for his comfort, "We'll be home soon, and you can rest as much as you need."

I nod silently, his voice drifting in and out of my ears as he lets out a series of commands to the leader of his troops, telling him to guide the men back to the castle. My ears only perked up when his general reported that there were no casualties during my rescue, at least on their end. Though they've caught a few guards guarding the prison tower I was caged in, for questioning. I didn't even know there were anyone outside all this time, what with all the complete silence. I must've been really high up. 

I didn't bother listening to the rest until a middle-aged woman appeared from the general's side, dressed in a man's tunic, trousers and boots, a pouch dangling on the side of her brown, leather belt. "Sir," she approached. She must be the healer, the voice is the same. 

The two men turned to face her, causing her to immediately fumble through her pouch and bring out a vial of brown liquid. It looks disgusting but she holds it up to us. "This is for the air sickness she'd experience, since you insist her to fly in her condition."

I can feel him frowning without even looking, as if I've memorized his reactions. "Not that she needs it, but alright." he replied, taking the vial out of her hand and placing it in the small pocket of his sleeve, all with one hand. I'm starting to hate them discussing my 'condition' as if I'm not here. 

I open my mouth to retort only to be interrupted by a growl so loud, it vibrated through the field and into my skull. My eardrums were still ringing when my arms fly around his neck, my face hiding in the crook of his neck. I can feel his grip tightening on me. What could possibly produce such a noise? Is it a monster?

"Don't be afraid, you knew her." he whispered into my ear, his voice soothingly soft as he just stands like that, relaxed. 

He turns to face the forest, as I quivered in fear. My eyes peeked up to look behind us to find everyone on their knees, heads bowed, as if their real leader is about to walk in. What the hell?

Gathering my courage I turn along with him towards the forest, hidden by the mists. Only then did I feel my eyes widening both with shock and fear. A silhouette of a dragon cuts through the mists, stomping through the ground spreading its wings and flapping it a few times, sending gusts of wind blowing the mists away to reveal her dark red, majestic scales. 

She opens her mouth and lets out another growl, softer this time, less aggressive. If I didn't know better, the dragon looks like she's smiling. "Vala..." he called out, as she moves closer, "I trust you've had a good meal?" 

She lets out a soft, melodic hum of approval. Vala...why does that sound familiar? "Then let's go home, shall we?"

She bows her head low, body dipping in one fluid, majestic motion as she crouches. The movement is lithe and powerful, like watching the tide pull back before a wave. He steps to her side, where a saddle is already fastened between the ridges of her spine, as if this was perfectly normal. There is no way...

I gape at him like he's sprouted a second head. So this is what all the fuss was about, 'flying' me back. This is what they meant, literally.

"Before you freak out," he murmured, his voice calm and annoyingly steady, "we've done this more than a dozen times."

I shake my head in disbelief and smack his shoulder, louder than I intended. Everyone's eyes drifted to me questioningly, I can feel it, but I pay no attention to them. "You're insane!" I rasped, my voice crackling like dried leaves before being reduced into coughing fits from the strain. 

"Easy, Iris..." he held me tighter, "I'll tie you up if I have to. This is the fastest way to head home, and you need proper rest."

The dragon, Vala, looks up at us questioningly, wondering what's taking us so long. Sensing her stare, he turns to her, "Give us a moment."

He turns back to me as I tap his shoulders, "Let me down, let me down, I'll ride instead."

"No, you're not even strong enough to stand, let alone ride." he argued, "Don't be stubborn about this, Iris."

I glare at him despite realizing that he's right. He walks towards the saddle, gently placing me on top of the saddle before he climbs up behind me with ease. The saddle's made for a single person, forcing me to sit on his lap with my legs draped on one side, my arms wrapped tightly around his waist. The fact that we're already moving along with her breathing is already scary enough, I couldn't imagine us being flown up to the sky. 

"How long until we arrive?" I asked softly. 

He grinned, his arm steady around my back, his other hand brushing a strand of hair away from my neck. "A few hours, less than a day. You'll love it."

There is an undeniable hardness beneath my thighs, but I pretend not to notice even as a pulse of heat curls low in my belly. Instead, I press closer, tucking my face into the warmth, exposed skin of his neck, causing him to let out a groan, as if in pain. "Temptress." he murmured, his voice rough under his breath, barely audible if we weren't so close. I hide my smile, inhaling his natural scent of wind and fresh pines, eyes shut bracing for impact. 

His chest rumbles with a low chuckle, the sound vibrating through me. "Hold tight," he told me. Then he leans forward, tapping Vala's scales with practiced ease. She responds instantly, muscles coiling and then, just like that, she leaps into the sky. The ground vanishes beneath us as my stomach lurches and I swallow my scream. All the tension between us gone, replaced with pure exhilaration as we pass the clouds. 

Vala soars across the sky, her dark red wings spread wide like fire-kissed silk upon the clouds. I can't seem to tear my eyes away from those wings, how her red scales stands out against the cotton-like clouds, looking ablaze against the heavens. Just days ago I was dreaming about being free, to finally seeing the sky and yearning for the feeling of sunlight against my skin and now, I'm flying across the skies. 

"Are you alright?" he asked. 

I nod, my eyes closing, relishing on the feeling of the wind blowing through my exposed skin. I've missed this. I can't help but wonder if we do this often, as he claimed. Perhaps it would explain the sinking, yearning feeling for being in the sky. 

"Are you cold?" he asked, checking down on me. 

"Not really," I replied softly, clearing my throat. "You've wrapped me up pretty nicely, it seems."

He flash a warm smile, "Good. I wouldn't want my men to be enticed."

"But I'm disgusting." God knows how long since I've last taken a bath. 

"Iris, they're men." he said it as if he isn't one. "Your stench is the less of their worries."

"You sound like you don't trust your men."

"I do," he replied, his eyes looking ahead, far away with thoughts. "But I'm not taking chances when it comes to your safety."

He remained silent after that and I let him, savoring the peaceful silence. Vala's wings beat against the wind every now and then, creating a soothing rhythm. Surrounded by nothing but the sky, the endless stretch of cotton-like clouds blurring into one another. The air is light and clean, brushing against us until my eyes began to dry and a wave of drowsiness crept in. I curl closer to him just as my eyelids starts to grow heavy. 

"Rest, Iris," he said, his voice soothing. "I'll hold onto you, don't worry."

I nod in reply, closing my eyes. His scent overpowers all and it had never felt more like home. Or at least, I believe, what home would've felt like. Laying my head on his shoulders, body curling deeper with my arms around his waist, for a moment I feel relieved of my burden. Never more at peace, and it scares me of what this could mean. 

His grip tighten around me, pulling me close. "What have they done to you?" he murmured to himself, wondering out loud, concern evident in his tone. It was the last thing I heard before I succumb to the drowsiness and let the exhaustion take over me. 

I didn't know how long I was gone. All I knew was that I started to wake when my body sensed that the air had shifted. Gone were the peaceful, rhythmic silence of the skies beyond the clouds. The winds started to grow unbearably louder, whipping past us so hard that my eyes flashed open at the force. Fear gripped my throat, keeping me from letting out a scream as I held on tight, hiding my eyes into the crook of his neck. 

"You're awake," he shouted through the rough winds, his tone casual as if he is simply explaining the weather. "I was hoping that you'd stay asleep until we've arrived but it seems not."

"Hang on tight, we're almost there." You didn't have to tell me twice.

There was a sudden lurch just as soon as he finished that sentence. It was like his thighs had dropped out beneath me, though his strong grip around me had kept me anchored. I bit my bottom lip, hard enough to draw blood just to keep me from screaming as my guts threatened to climb up my throat. A memory trickled into my head right then and there, sharp and uninvited, reminding me how much I've always hated this part. It's that dip at the base of my spine, making me feel like my body had forgotten which way was down. It happened every damn time we would make our descent. 

No matter how gentle Vala tried to land, there would always be that unmistakable dip that I've always hated. As she flap her majestic wings a few times, slowing down our landing, it was then that I finally have the courage to open my eyes again. I look down as she stretched her legs. 

We are approaching one of the towers of a large castle that loomed above the shore of a lake. The amount of towers that surrounds the place looms like an omen, a warning to its enemies that this is unlike any other castles in the land. No, this place is meticulously built to withstand an attack. Its towers, towering above one another as if they are competing to be the most tallest and most powerful of them all and somehow, we happen to approach the highest one. 

Vala lands on the large balcony gently, lowering herself as soon as she touched the ground. He thanked her, his free hand caressing her dark red scales before effortlessly stepping down, carrying me with him. How he had managed to find all the strength to do all this, I would never know. Especially when he still carried me, bridal-style, as if I weigh nothing to greet the three figures standing there. 

"You were right after all," the man drawled, looking like the younger, more mischievous version of him with his dark, tousled hair and tan skin. He is wearing a black jacket over a white shirt, both his hands at his back as he dip his head, bowing a little when we approach. "It was a mistake to doubt your intuition, brother."

"I haven't forgiven you yet, Alistair." he replied sternly, sounding every inch like the leader he is, walking past him and into the door. 

"What about you, sister-in-law?" Alistair followed us, "Will you forgive me? Surely if you do, my brother would be much more inclined to release me from my suffering?"

'What would you know of suffering?' I wanted to retort but decided to keep my mouth shut. The lesser he knows, the better. Something tells me I can't trust him. He might have something to do with my disappearance. 

We both practically ignored him as he places me gently on the large, four-poster bed. He still kept his cape wrapped tight around me, only losing the knot when the other two figures have entered my sight. Two women dressed in identical dark red robes approached. One is holding a large brown leather bag, the other, the more senior one I presume, just stands there waiting to be addressed. 

"Tend to her, make sure she has everything she needs and more." he commanded even though his eyes are still on me, taking in my visible injuries as his hand caressed my cheek lovingly. I find myself leaning into his touch, causing his eyes to soften.

"These women are healers, they're here to help you. I have some things to tend to, I'll be back soon." he said, pressing his lips to my temple before tenderly pulling away. 

Soon as he turns to his brother, I watch as his demeanor changed. As if someone had erected a wall. "The only reason you're here and not rotting in the dungeon, is because you're my little brother. So don't mistake my mercy for kindness."

"Brother, Vesper..." he called out just as his brother approached him, looking truly helpless. I can't help but feel sorry for him. "I'm sorry."

"In my office." he bit out, walking past him. 

Alistair trailed after him as they walked. Vesper, his name was Vesper. I feel my chest expanding with relief. How could I forget? Though I have a feeling that it's short for something, but it doesn't matter for now. It's not hard to find out so long as that's what his brother addressed him by. It's odd, I don't have problems remembering other people's names, so why can't I remember his?

The healers move closer to the bed now that the men are gone. I clutch Vesper's cape both with my hands as they curtsied before me. "Welcome home, Your Grace." the older one greeted. "I'm Tilda, and this is my daughter, Jane," she gestured to the younger one, "we're healers. The best in the land, so would you be so kind to lay on the bed and we'll address your wounds."

I nod, not realizing that my mouth was hanging open all this time until I snap it shut. Recalling what the pain was like back in that cage, I bit my bottom lip, bracing myself for the pain as I pull myself lower into the bed. I only relax once my back was fully lain on the mattress. Odd that there was barely any pain. Not even a dull ache. 

"Anna had given Your Grace something to dull the pain." Jane shared, noticing how confused I feel. "If you don't mind, we'll untie the knot and cut up the dress."

I nod once more, giving them the permission to do what they were trained to do. My eyes locked on the dark blue canopy of the four-poster bed, the color identical to the cape they've unknotted. That's when it hit, truly hit. I've made it out. I'm safe. Someone had found me. The thought itself cracked something open. 

My chest tightened without warning, and I suddenly couldn't seem to breathe right. It's like my body suddenly had forgotten how to function, the way my throat closed around the air that I tried to swallow. A single tear slid down my cheek, then another, and before I know it, a sob broke out of me. Ugly sobs that clawed its way out my throat before I could stop them. My body started to tremble, and that's when I see them exchanging glances from one another. 

The older one, Tilda, steps closer with gentle eyes. "Would you rather we put you to sleep while we tend your wounds, Your Grace?"

"Yes," I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper as the avalanche of emotions threatened to take me over, "please..."