4

Once the wound was wrapped once more, I thought back to what William had said. Would Markus do this, and if so why? What was in it for him, and who wanted me dead? I had so many unanswered questions and I knew only one person would be able to answer all of them. As I gazed at the roof of the white tent, I wondered what he'd be doing and if he was healthy.

Frowning at my thoughts, I closed my eyes. "Why am I worrying about someone who tried to kill me?" I whispered.

I knew the answer to it though. I still cared about him. Even my own heart would beat faster at the mere thought of him, but yet now I didn't get excited when I thought of him. I used to spend all my time with him, but now the thought of being near him sent fear through my veins.

Turning my head to the side, I gazed at William's sleeping form. He looked so tired. His once-styled hair was no more, and his skin now tanned as if he had spent too long in the sun. Under his eyes were dark circles and to anybody else they would frown at it, but to me I thought they looked good. It was somewhat nice to see him with this type of imperfection. When I met him the first time during the Rogue attack, he still looked well-groomed. I liked this side of William more. It showed me he was human too.

As I bit my lip I sat up on the bed. The stinging pain I had felt a few hours ago had subsided leaving a dull ache. Marry had rubbed some herbs into the wound, and from the smell of it, I could only assume she used mud to pack the wound. Some of the healing herbs that she used were still on a small tin tray beside the bed, but none of the bottles were labelled. How was she able to tell the difference between each one? They all looked the same to me.

A small chuckle had me looking up in shock like a little kid caught snatching something from the fruit stall. Looking at me with an amused smile, William lounged back in the chair, his arms crossed over his chest. "What are you doing?"

Clearing my throat, I pushed myself up into a sitting position. "I need to speak with Markus," I said, ignoring his question.

At my words, a frown instantly settled on his face. "Why would I let you do that? He tried to kill you, Abagail. Not once, but twice."

"What?" That had to be a lie right? There was no way he would try for a second time.

Leaning forward, William rested his elbows on his knees. "After we found a way to save your life, we caught Markus sneaking into your tent with a needle." Standing, he moved towards me. Stopping in front of me with an angry far off look, he continued. "That needle would have ended you, Abagail. It held a mixture from a dark healer that no one would be able to fix, not even the healing water."

Sighing, I clenched my fists. He had to be lying, he just had to. Closing my eyes I gritted my teeth. "I need to speak with him."

"Why? What could he possibly tell you that I can't?"

"Information on who is behind all this!" Staring up at him, I felt power flow through me. It almost felt like Aurora. Shocked, I licked my bottom lip. "I swear I just... I thought I felt Aurora."

Bending down to my height, William's eyes seemed to shine with something. "Try and contact her, you may be able to see where she is."

Closing my eyes, I tried to get into contact with her. The feeling was growing weaker, and as I tried a ringing almost seemed to start in the back of my mind. My vision seemed to blur out to show a small concrete room. On the walls were large chains, made to hold the largest of beasts down. As my gaze moved to the dirty damp floor, I noticed a lot of blood.

Abagail.

Opening my eyes, my vision was back to normal. Back inside the tent, with William still bent down in front of me, I couldn't help but sigh. She was being held captive. That much I knew, but by who? Staggering to my feet, I made a move towards the door but was stopped by a hand on my arm.

Gazing down at me with a frown, I watched his jaw flex as he took a deep breath. "If you're going to see him, I will be coming with you."

Nodding, I gently gripped the hand on my arm. "Then let's go."

As we stood outside a large white tent, my heart started to pulse loudly in my ears. My hands felt clammy as I flexed them by my side. I was nervous to face him and afraid of the truth he would tell me. Standing beside me was William. He was giving orders to four guards who would be coming inside the tent with us. William had said it was for my protection but I honestly doubt I needed it.

Without a word, I made my way into the tent. A few people shouted in protest but I ignored them. I need to see him. I needed to get answers and find out where Aurora was and why she was being tortured. Sitting on the dirt floor with his arms locked behind him on the pole, Markus sat there eerily still.

"Come to torture me some more, King?" The words that left his mouth seemed to be filled with so much hatred and anger, and as I moved closer without a sound I watched his head move, eyes making contact with mine. A shocked gasp fell from his lips as he tried to stand, but his efforts were useless. As soon as he tried to get to his feet, two guards ran towards him with clubs smacking the back of his knees. He groaned in pain as he fell to his knees, and as the guards went to hit him again I moved closer.

"Enough!" I couldn't have them hurting him... not yet.

Stopping the clubs mid-swing they looked towards William. Nodding his head, I took a closer step towards Markus. "Lower your weapons... For now."

Ignoring his words, I gazed down at Markus. His own eyes were on mine, tears slightly brimming in them. "Abagail..." he sighed. "I'm so sorry."

"Lies!" Shouted William. "If you were sorry you wouldn't have betrayed her and your land. All for what? A title you were never going to get?"

Lowering his head, I watched a small smirk play on his lips. "You think you know everything."

"Well is that true?" stepping forward till I was only a few feet away, I gazed down at him with no emotion. "Is that why you tried to kill me not once, but twice? Is that why you betrayed our friendship!"

Gazing up at me through his lashes, Markus smirked. "I did it to protect the people I loved and cared about. I'm sorry I had to hurt you, trust me when I say this but it was never my intention."

"Well I'm sorry but that's a little hard to swallow." I spat. Once again I was angry. Angry at the fact I cared so much about him. Angry at the fact I had trusted him with my life only to have him stab me in the back. "Tell me where Aurora is."

With a shake of his head, Markus leaned back against the pole, a small smirk on his lips. Long ago that smirk would have my knees shaking, now it has me wanting to knock it off his face.

"Do you think you'd be able to get your Dragon back?"

Moving close, I resisted the erg to hit him. "Where is she?"

"Where King Toban rules." Tilting his head, I watched his eyes dance over my face. "I must say you look a lot like him."

Snorting, William stood beside me. "Then you must need your eyes checked."

Throwing my hands in the air, I turned around. "Will you both just shut up for one second!" Turning to gaze at them, I frowned. "All I want to know is the truth, is that so hard to ask?" Turning to Markus, I noticed his smirk had fallen. No longer did he seem confident, instead he almost looked scared.

"I can't tell you, if I do I'm as good as dead." He whispered.

Gripping the sword strapped to his hip, William took a step closer. "You're as good as dead anyway."

"Markus?" I whispered. I felt like I'd gotten nowhere. It was almost like we had been running around in circles, like a cat chasing a mouse. "You need to tell me where she is."

"Why does it matter? She is a breading vessel now, and you'll be dead within a few days."

Shocked by his words I took a step back. He did wish me dead. Everything we had been through was for nothing. Blinking away the tears that threatened to fall, I took a step back towards the door. My stomach was starting to hurt, and all I wanted to do was sleep.

Gazing down at Markus, everything I felt for him vanished. The love, respect and trust were now all gone. Taking a deep breath, I took one final look at him. "And to think I was in love with you." Turning around, I made my way out of the tent.