Until the Moon Shatters

Chapter 6 – Until the Moon Shatters

                Those duel-colored eyes stared back into mine. The fury in them like a fire raging out of control, but this time it seemed to not be aimed at me. The Prince held the chains in front of him in a tight grasp, and he looked down to examine my bloody and red wrists, his long blond hair falling to the front of his face. I watched as a flash of sympathy flew across his face, so fast I almost didn’t believe it happened, and then his features quickly turned to stone again. I could hear grunting behind the Prince, and my eyes flicked over to the thick form that was struggling to stand on his wobbly legs. The guard had obviously had the wind knocked out of him when he was thrown across the cell, and onto the floor. The guard finally stood tall and started for us.  I flinched back, trying to pull the chains against my wrists that were held tight in the Prince’s hands. My eyes darting from each guard and to the exit, looking for any escape route.

                “Stop Antony.” The Prince was firm, but spoke calmly, his steely gaze never leaving my face. The colors of his eyes shimmering in the low light of the cells. Antony, the guard, froze, a sharp exhale coming from him. The Prince pulled my chains lightly, causing me to step into his shoulder. Pine and Lavender assaulted my senses at the proximity of his body to mine. He stood so tall; I almost couldn’t see around him as he shielded me from the guard. Devin let out a frustrated sigh, and turned to look at the guard. “Your orders were to go into the dungeons, get the prisoners, and bring them to me.” The guard put his hands behind his back, like a child scorned. Fury shot throughout my body at the sight of him, and I could feel my skin becoming hot.

                “Yes, sir. I was on my way to you sir.” Antony replied back to his commander. I could feel the Princes anger radiate off him in waves, as he saw right through his guards lie.

                “Then explain to me Antony, why I walked down here to find one of the prisoners unconscious, and you standing between the legs of the other one.” The Prince bellowed. His deep voice bouncing off of the stone walls in the tiny cell. I flinched at the commanding tone, and I watched as the guard took a step away, as if to put distance between himself and the bristling Prince. Authority rolled off the Prince in waves, dominating every being in the cell. The other guards bowed their heads and looked at the floor, not daring to look in the direction of their commander.

                “They attacked us sir, we were just defending ourselves. You know what she did to Alphonso.” The guard sputtered out the lie. The fury that was already boiling turned into a hot flame and spread throughout my body. I let out a loud snarl at him like a wild animal, and the guard took another two steps back from us.

                “I will make myself absolutely clear this one and only time Antony,” The Prince’s eyes were hard, and his voice eerily calm. “If you disregard my orders again for your own agenda, it will be you sitting in this cell next.” The guard looked dumbly at him, and nodded his head in understanding.

                “Yes Sir.” He all but whispered, “I will take her upstairs for you.” The guard reached out his hand to grab the chains from the Prince. Adrenaline hit my veins, and I pulled hard against the restraints, but they remained tight in the Prince’s grasp. I growled low at the guard, a warning that I would sink my teeth into whatever appendage he brought in my direction. I could feel my heart pounding in my throat as the guard paused and looked at the Prince expectantly, a hand outstretched to take my chains from him. Like a leash latched onto a dog. The Prince shook his head, and continued to hang onto me.

                “You are excused from this assignment Antony, please take over a night round shift for one of the guards at the west side of the palace.” The Prince stated, seemingly bored now with their interaction. I saw anger flicker through Antony’s eyes as he shot a murderous glance over at me. I felt a chill run up my spine, but didn’t let it show as I remained in my defensive position. “Actually, you can take the night round shift for the next two weeks for this unfortunate event.” Devin smirked at his guard.

                “As you wish sir.” Antony face turned red before he turned on his heel and left, footsteps radiating on the stone corridor as he stomped his way out of the dungeon. Prince Devin let out a long sigh, and turned to the other three guards that were standing expectantly waiting for orders with their heads still down and eyes glued to the floor.

                “Take the unconscious prisoner to the infirmary, I do not think he is gravely injured but just unconscious. He is to stand trial for treason against the Kingdom when he has woken.” I felt my heart drop into my stomach, the only punishment for treason is death. I would never let that happen to my father on my account. I started to fight against my bindings against the Prince, but he stood like a brick wall against my thrashings. His face a blank stare as he watched me fight.

                “Stop Faerie.” He commanded. I was breathing heavy, determined to get out of the chains that were scalding my skin and keeping me from my father. I felt sweat beading down my back as I refused to give up the fight.

                “He had nothing to do with it!” I yelled at the Prince; still struggling against him. I slammed my body into the guard that had unlocked to cell door, causing him to lose his footing and fall to the ground with a small thump at the surprise attack. The Prince wrapped the chain around his hand and pushed me to my knees. I was inches from my father’s unconscious form, and had my eyes locked on him.

                “You will stop Faerie, or I will kill you myself.” The Prince spat, and for the second time since I met him, I giggled. The Princes eyes widened as I leaned into him, and pressed my lips firmly to his. He didn’t return the kiss, but did not push me away as my lips molded into his. He stiffened as I nipped his bottom lip, catching him by surprise, and earning a soft moan for my troubles.

My plan coming together.

I had caused just enough distraction he didn’t see me steal the guards key when I slammed into him. My kiss surprised him enough that he didn’t notice me use the key to release myself from the iron shackles before throwing my body over my Fathers. I felt the familiar crack of energy simmer through my body as I pulled my magic from around me. Forming it into long tendrils that I wrapped gently around my father’s body. I heard a yell, but did not look away from my father’s unconscious form to see who was coming after me.

                “I love you until the moon shatters.” I whispered, and let a single tear fall from my eyes and onto my father’s face. I would never again see him smile at me, or speak my name. My Father will never hold me again in his arms, and make all of my nightmare disappear. I looked at his face for the last time, taking in every thin wrinkle from years of laughter and love, showing even now in his unconscious body how much he loved me. I placed my hands on his cheeks, and kissed his forehead. I felt the snap of the magic as it did my bidding, and my Father’s body vanished instantly into the dirty floor. I do not know where I sent him, just that it will be safe, and thousands of miles away from here.

This was my father’s plan, a stupid, dangerous and irrational plan, but the only one we had. Only, in his plan I would have kissed a guard and drew his energy into my own, giving me enough power to take us both to safety. We never accounted for the Prince to be here. One of only two humans that my magic does not work on. I only had enough energy to send one of us, and I will always choose him.

                A hard body slammed into mine, pinning me to the floor with my hands above my head. Something heavy was straddling me, sinking my hips into the hard ground. I would have whimpered in pain, but I was so weak I couldn’t force it out of myself. I had used up the last of my energy, and could feel unconsciousness calling to me. If this was it, I was happy for it to be the end of my life. The edges of my vision turning black as I gave into it. I looked up into to now all too familiar eyes, and fell into a dream of swirling blues and browns.