Head In The Clouds

Chapter 3 - Head in the clouds

Alora

My life has always been lonely. A princess locked away in a tower, unknown to the people and world around me.

A girl who just wanted to be loved so badly that she stayed in that tower night and day so that she might one day know what love felt like.

It was for my safety, my mother would tell me, to protect me against our enemies. The world was full of monsters, and until I could protect myself, I was to remain indoors. Hidden.

But the Empress of Dreams had secrets like many others in the world. The daughter she wanted so badly that she used her own blood and magic to create me.

Made. Thats what I was, not born but made.

It was that magic that they would seek out and try to steal; to harness a whisp of my mother's power was enough to destroy a kingdom.

To be made by it was unfathomable.

So I did what she said like a good girl. I accepted her punishment for stepping out of line without a fight. I never asked for forgiveness because I knew I deserved to be trapped in a nightmare for being too curious. I endured her relentless trials whenever I asked too many questions.

It was all to keep me safe.

I promised to do better, to be the good girl she always said I needed to be. I accepted the lashings, took the ice baths, and the sleepless nights, too afraid of the nightmares to sleep because I put myself at risk and needed to be reprimanded for those mistakes. Because one slip up could be the difference between life and death.

I did it all willingly because the reward for pleasing her, giving her exactly what she wanted, was too good to pass up.

To please her meant I got the chance to go outside and stare up at the night sky with her. I got to sit with her at dinner instead of in my room alone in that forsaken tower.

I got the love I so desperately craved. 

And as I got older, she helped me practice my magic. She helped me learn how to manipulate the dreams and memories inside one's mind. Make them see what I wanted, help keep her secret safe.

As long as I kept her happy and did what she asked, I was allowed to help her gain everything she ever wanted. I got the freedom of the kisses from the ocean against my freckled cheeks—the warm salted air running through my hair.

I never wanted to lose that feeling, the momentary escape from my shackles. Even if it was just for a short time every month, I lived for it and would do anything to ensure I never lost it.

~~~

Footsteps sounded behind me. The guard's black boots tapped against the wooden deck of my ship as I made my way to my office.

I knew he was only making noise on purpose—a courtesy to allow me to know where he was. I pushed the thoughts of why I was here to the back of my mind.

I opened the door heading down the steep steps below deck. We passed several rooms before reaching mine at the end.

I opened the door, and my desk covered in maps and trinkets greeted me. The worn rug is becoming more weathered with age—a small cot in the corner, books on a small shelf and a wardrobe in the corner.

It may not have looked like much to many, but to me, it was a dream. It was freedom.

I walked over to my desk and sunk into my chair. I put my feet up on my desk, my boots making a light thud on the oak top. I watched the guard closely as he took in the space around him.

Something about him was familiar and powerful, but I couldn't put a finger on it. When I tried to reach into his memories, I was blocked out—something shielded him from my magic.

"Are you going to ask your question or stare at my knickers all day?" I mused, the corner of my mouth ticking upwards.

Even though I couldn't see his face beneath the shadows of his hood, I could feel his eyes on me as he gave me his full attention.

Without a word, he stepped forward, his movements calculated. His boots no longer made a noise against the floor as if he was walking in the air.

He was showing off now.

I forced myself to bite my tongue as he took his seat. Everything about him screamed alpha, the exact kind of male I always tried to avoid. They risked my chances of ever being able to come out again.

I folded my arms across my chest, leaning back in my chair with a bored expression waiting for him to speak.

"It would seem that pirates have wreaked havoc in the village," His voice deep, cold as he spoke. I huffed out a laugh.

"If I were a pirate, do you really think I would stick around where I had just robbed?"

"I just need to know what you are here for, and then I can be in my way," I bit my lower lip, lifting my feet from the desk and sitting up straight. I riffled through some papers pulling out a blank piece of paper. I used my magic to spell it, so it looked like a merchant's order.

"I'm just here to collect a few items for a couple of my buyers," I lied. He grabbed the paper from my hand—a strange power coming from his gloved hand, drawing my attention to it.

"You're from Asterisk? Couldn't you get these items closer to the dragon realm?" He asked; I could sense his suspicion. I leaned back in my chair again, shrugging my shoulders.

"I don't question the people who pay me to travel. They want to spend the money so I can get the same product they have in their realm elsewhere," He nodded, handing the paper back to me. He stood up, clearing his throat.

His presence seemed to take up even more space in my small room than when he entered.

"When will you be heading back to Asterisk?"

"As soon as you leave my ship. I run a tight schedule,"

"Very well, I won't keep you any longer. Thank you for your corporation." With that, he left.

"He is a peculiar one," Helga mused as she teleported into my room. I nodded, unsure of what to make of the male who had just boarded my boat.

I studied the piece of paper I had handed him. My brow furrowing as I inspect it. My magic seemed to be fading in the places his one hand touched it.

"Very peculiar indeed, Helga," I stood up from my desk, a smile tugging at my lips.

"Ready the sails. I believe we just found my mother a new thing to collect,"