Glided Cages

Kaidiara’s point of view.

Months passed, and with each day, a touch-and-go balancing act for survival-thwarting stone walls whose faces, from the wear of centuries of whispers, had been ground smooth as velvet. My cell, once a damp, dingy affair, slowly emerged from this metamorphosis into a small but elegant retreat. Plush cushions in rich burgundy invited me to take a seat, while tapestries in their warm colors showed forests of olden times with their mythical creatures. Slowly, it would weave tales of a long-forgotten lore.

The air was alive with scent: sweet-scented candles in the form of lavender and vanilla wafted their soothing aroma, masking the stench of oppression. Fresh flowers-roses, lilies, carnations-overflowed from delicate china vases, their petals unfolding like tender kisses.

It was then that the king's mercy came with strings attached. He coddled me with comforts because I bred his child, but my freedom still remained only an illusion, an elusive dream forever beyond grasp.

I was still afraid, and that fear had been my steady companion-gnawing and cold, whispering dread into my ear. Its cold breath sent shivers to run along my veins.

I sat at the window and watched the sun's golden rays dance across gardens below, sprinkling dappled shadows on manicured lawns. The scent of roses now in bloom and newly cut grass wafted into the room, a brief respite from my confinement. Birds, in sweet trills, sang their melodies across the stillness.

My hand instinctively cradled my swollen belly now, visibly rounding with the king's child. The fabric of my emerald green gown was stretched taut, delicate silver embroidery shimmering in the moonlight.

"Kaidaira." The king's voice was silk-smooth, breaking the tranquility, his tone dripping with possessiveness.

I rose, smoothing the folds of my gown, the soft fabric rustling against my skin. The delicate silver embroidery seemed to shimmer in the dying light, telling tales of dreams forgotten.

"Your Majesty." I curtsied, my knees folding in obedience, the wooden floor creaking beneath my feet.

The king's eyes, as blue as piercing ice, roamed to me, onto my belly, really, his gaze a mixture of ownership and fascination. His mere presence filled the room, commanding attention.

"Tonight, my brother, Prince Ryker, arrives. I would like you to meet him." Tonnes of expectation were packed into his voice, heavy in every word.

A heavy feeling weighed my heart down, as if anchored by anxiety. My heart was beating steadily, its rhythm loud in my chest.

"What am I to expect, Your Majesty?" I asked, barely above a whisper, my words trembling on my lips.

His smile was a well-calculated curve of his lips that sent a shiver down my spine, an unspoken warning glinting in his eyes.

"Be charming, Kaidaira. My brother's.particular." His gaze narrowed, the piercing intensity slicing through my defenses.

I nodded as in a dark labyrinth of fear, my mind was tangled. Particular-what does he mean by that? What could Prince Ryker want?

Tonight loomed before me, a specter of darkness that threatened to engulf me, whipping the shadows across the walls.

As the king left, I fell back onto the plush couch, its soft cushions wrapping around me like a fleeting haven.

What did the night have in store for me?

Would Prince Ryker be another monster, another link in the chains binding me?

I have to get away.

How?

The unseen vice of the king's hold tightened, squeezing all the air out of my lungs.

Tonight would bring its own dangers and challenges with it.

And I was trapped, an inmate in this gilded cage.

I fled to my chambers where my mind galloped at every imaginable detail of the meeting that would take place in a few hours' time. The maids came; their light, soothing hands led me through the labyrinthine process of dressing. Soft candlelight frolicked around the room, painting the walls with curtains of golden shadow.

"Tonight, you shall sparkle, milady," whispered one of them-the shine in her eyes just as sparkling as polished gemstones.

I nodded, my tongue numb from nervousness, my gut constricted into one big knot. My stomach was churning with anxiety, that sour taste burning my throat.

The maids worked wordlessly, their fingers deftly working to weave a tapestry of elegance. The gown was a midnight blue velvet, embracing my curves, its delicate lace as bright as the moonlight of a summer evening. The material whispered softly, rustling, as they ironed out the folds.

As they finished, loud music wafted down the corridors, announcing the arrival of Prince Ryker. The blare of trumpets, the clash of brass against stone, resounded. Drums pounded out a rhythmic cadence, their vibrations going right through the soles of my feet.

A plan started to coalesce in my mind.

With the king and guards occupied greeting him, the gate would be unmanned.

I had my chance.

I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath, and launched my campaign. The cool night air enveloped me as I slipped out of my chambers, the crisp scent therein teasing my senses.

The corridors were deserted, their torches dancing upon the walls with flickering shadows. The darkness guided me while my heart boomed within my chest like a blacksmith's hammer.

The gate loomed before me, the iron bars stretching upwards like skeletal fingers.

Freedom.

I took a step into the forest and was swallowed up by darkness. Leaves ground beneath my feet, the smell of earth and leaves filling my nostrils. Branches snagged at my gown, the fabric tearing softly.

But my reprieve was short-lived.

Shouts echoed through trees, closing in guards. Their armor glinted in the moonlight, the earth thundering with their boots.

Panic set in.

I ran.

My feet pounded the earth, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The forest blurred around me, a green and brown haze.

The guards gained ground.

A split-second decision.

My inner wolf burst forth, its power coursing through me like liquid fire. Excruciating pain wracked my body, my bones shifting, my muscles tearing.

But the transformation didn't harm the baby.

My wolf took control.

It turned left, deceiving the guards. Its paws thundered on the ground, its fur a merge with the darkness.

I lay hidden, my body shuddering with exhaustion.

Breathless.

Wondering.

What just happened?

How was life going to be without my wolf?

My counterpart.

My protector.

My guide through the most helpless of days.

The yelling of the guards started to disappear; their torches were finally out of sight.

My wolf returned, its energy spent.

I lay there.

Drained.

But free.

For the time being.

But I could not sleep. I crawled my body on the floor. destination: unknown.

Suddenly, I hear footsteps.