Epilogue
Andi
The last thing I remember was that…man, with the purple robe, walking through my flames like they were nothing. He should have been burned to ash or disintegrated into dust. What kind of magic was that?
He sauntered towards me with a growing smile, showing a hideous set of black, sharp teeth. My stomach dropped, and a bead of sweat slid down my back. Over the flickers of the fire, the two young Unbound who followed me into the clearing, were trying vigorously to beat back a formidable enemy.
Wyatt couldn’t get away from the constant line of soldiers, every time one was struck down, two more fell from the sky.
Ronan yelled my name. I caught his eye for a brief moment, before the robed man grabbed hold of my neck, his fingers dug into my throat, stopping even the slightest smidgen of air.
The corners of my eyes darkened, and the only clear image was the robed man.
Figures were warped through my flames, unable to get through them.
My body warmed, and a heat flowed through my veins. A bright light blasted towards my attacker, loosening his grip, he threw me backwards through a ring of light, and my head hit the ground.
My head rattles, throbbing and pulsing sensations, pounding against every inch of my skull.
I struggle to open my eyes, light bounces from the dazzling accents that fill the room, reflecting the sun burning through my retinas.
Using my hands to shield my eyes, I look around the room, trying to figure out where I am.
The walls and floor are coated in a glittery marble that shines an iridescent glare, and brightly coloured, garish rugs are sporadically spread across the floor.
Fire roars in the extravagant fireplace with a tall wooden mantel.
Much taller than me, with fruit carvings down either side.
At the head of the bed, there is a cream patterned wallpaper and gold spirals.
With orb lanterns at either side of the bed, high on the ceiling, floating like clouds, emitting a soft glow.
My legs fall out of the bed, the soft rugs tickle my toes. I hold my head in my hands as I force myself upright. With uneasy steps, I make my way to the door and twist the handle. Locked. I look around me, searching for another way out, a hidden door from my dreams. But there is nothing.
I stretch up on my tiptoes to look out of the window, taken aback by what appears to be a city.
A large, glistening city, every inch is sparkling.
It’s disconcerting. Who would want to live in a city that glows, risking their eyesight each time the sun shines in the sky?
The door opposite the window creaks open, and two young maids enter without saying a word, walking past me.
“Hello? Can you tell me where I am? Who brought me here?”
They continue to ignore me. I grab one of them by her sleeve, spinning her round to face me, drawing on my fire, hoping to scare her into an answer.
But there’s nothing. The young maid gently smiles.
She looks about Elana’s age, seventeen, maybe younger.
She’s shorter than me with cropped, mousey brown hair, despite her worn maid uniform, she wears a pretty gold and sapphire gemstone choker, not something I expect she could afford on her own.
The maid points to the chest of drawers behind me, vases at each side are brimming with coral flowers, ones I’ve never seen before.
A large oval mirror in the centre shows my tired reflection, with dark circles under my eyes, my cheekbones protruding above my sunken cheeks.
Adorned on my neck is a similar choker to the maid's.
Leaning closer to my ear, she whispers, “Poema.”
Poema? The flower Kali mentioned, the magic suppressant. She’s wearing one too. I pull at the chain, trying to remove it, she takes my hands and whispers again, “They’re fused on. They will not come off easily.”
The second maid steps out of the bathing chamber, gesturing for me to go in. Disheartened at my latest predicament, I do as I’m bid. They linger in the doorway while I start stripping. “I can do it myself, thanks.”
Ushering them out the door, I slip out of my dirty clothes and descend into the large, gilded tub, scrubbing my hair with a fruit-scented soap.
I refuse to leave the tub while the water is hot, burning off the dead layers of my skin, but the maids have other ideas.
The other maid, taller than the first, but with a baby face, stands before me with a towel, and the other holds an elegant dress.
Looking in the full-length mirror, I have never worn anything as elaborate as this in my life.
Elana would be jealous, that’s for sure.
But I refuse to admit how gorgeous it is.
Unable to remove my gaze, I memorise it, making sure I can elaborate on all its extravagant details with Elana.
Red crystals cascade down the deep red tulle skirt, with a plunging neckline down to my naval, the straps are bejewelled, showing off my back, my mark visible for all to see.
The baby-faced maid braids my hair to the side opposite my marking, pinning black gems down the braid.
Escorted out of the door by the maids, they lead me down a long hallway, arched windows stretch the length of the corridor, the floor and ceilings are the same glittery marble that covered my ‘bedroom,’ the hallway is lined with Poema flowers.
Guards walk beside us, two in front and two behind, wearing maroon tunics. Zury guards.
Shit. My heart flutters in my chest. After all the running, hiding, and killing, they’ve finally found me.
Two guards in the front open large double doors into an enormous dining room.
A large oak table spans the length of the room, and I’m filled with a sense of fear, yet a taste of what my life should have been.
Maids in fancy dresses, exquisite dining and balls, but here I am, a prisoner surrounded by Zury guards.
My heels click off the floor as I walk towards a man wearing a black suit, a red ascot pokes out of the lapels. This is a man who is not known for being kind. Throughout all of Vendyl, everyone knows of Adrian and his wrath. I stare at my feet as I walk, reluctant to look him in the eye.
“Welcome, Andrina. We are most thrilled to have you here with us.”
A guard pulls out a chair at the right-hand side of the table, gritting my teeth, I slide into the seat, tucking in the large skirt.
“Hello again, Andi,” a deadpan and deflated voice says in front of me, a voice I recognise. My gaze slowly lifts at a man sitting across from me in this gratuitous, bedecked house–castle.
Governor Thran.
His bleak eyes stare through me. It was him. He’s the reason the guards knew where to look, the traitorous arsehole.
Loyalty, my arse.
“You.” I can’t hide my disgust, spitting my words at him, crossing my arms.
“Ah, that’s right, you two know each other, good. So, Andrina, welcome to my home. I’m sure you’ll be very comfortable here.”
“Why am I here?”
“Straight to the point, I like it. I have a proposition for you. One, I’m sure you will be eager to accept.” Refusing to look at either of the men at the table, I scoff. “With my army, I will help you take back your throne.”
“I’ve seen what your army is capable of, I will not work with them. Bloodthirsty tyrants, that’s what they are. Surely, you’re not so ignorant of their actions? Of how they treat the folk they come across, the raids, the beatings. I’ve witnessed it firsthand.”
“Yes, they can have a rather unruly nature, but I’m sure with your guidance, we can set them straight. You do want your kingdom back, don’t you?” My eyes flick to him, and Adrian leans forward at the table, his chin resting on his clasped hands.
“What makes you think I want it?”
“Oh, I know you will. Especially since I know what, or should I say who, killed your family.” I contemplate his words carefully. Looking, praying, for signs of a lie, but nothing; his face is stoic, unwavering.
“And what do you get in return for your generous gift?”
Adrian lifts his goblet to his mouth, his eyes remaining on me. “That’s easy. I get you.”
For the first time since arriving, I laugh. “That was funny, but I am not property.”
“I think you’ll change your mind.” He clicks his fingers. Behind Adrian, a purple-robed man materialises, grinning the same nauseating grin from the glade.
Adrian dabs the corners of his mouth with his napkin, his chair scrapes the floor as he pushes up, whispering to the robed man.
With a wave of his hand, a large mirror appears, showing the image of a dungeon, dark and damp, rats scurrying around, muffled crying comes from one of the cells.
Two cowering women come into view, huddled together in the corner of the cell.
Their faces are covered in dirt, their hair is ruffled and matted, and one woman lifts her face.
Stroking the hair of the other, her eyes meet mine.
Mum?
“What is going on?” I shout, pushing up from the chair. Two guards’ step in behind me, grabbing hold of my arms. I turn my attention to Governor Thran, “You did this.”
He shakes his head, closing his eyes. “I had nothing to do with it. Andi, you have to trust me.”
“Trust you. I’ll never trust you again. You’re a filthy liar. I felt sorry for you, I believed you when you told me you were loyal.” I spit at his face. He wipes it away but doesn’t respond.
Adrian saunters towards me, and I try pulling free from the guard’s grip.
“Such a feisty girl, isn’t she?” He laughs, smirking at his guards, and he brushes a stray hair from my face.
“Your family are safe, as long as you uphold your end of the bargain. Otherwise, my Majos can make their life a living nightmare.”
My mind races. I long for the simple life I left behind, the peacefulness of the cottage, ignorant of the horrors that roam the lands, but now I have to choose. My freedom for my family.
I wish they could see me, know that I’m alive, and know that I will do everything I can to help them. I would suffer this man so that they can go back to their lives. I wouldn’t be surprised if they hate me. After all, I’m the reason they’re here, trapped, tortured, all because they know me.
Breaking my stare from my almost unrecognisable family, my pointed gaze turns to Adrian.
“What do I need to do?”