Seraphina | Edmund Pevenise

Chapter 3

Ten minutes past since Jadis took Tumnus away. I wasn't stupid, I knew that he met the fate like all the rest of Jadis' enemies... death. A wave of guilt washed over me as I continued to think about the faun that had grown to be my friend in the short span we had together. He was the only person I saw, other than Jadis and her minions, in decades. It was nice to finally see a new face, even though I felt horrendous that they were trapped here with me, but it was nice.

I kept finding myself looking over at Edmund, admiring his stupid good looking face. How can this cute boy that entered my life just about fifteen minutes ago, already capture my attention, even though I found out he's betrayed me and all of Narnia. My mother always told me that the heart wants what it wants. But why did it want a traitor? Why is my life anything but easy? All it seems to be for the past century is difficult, complicated, and a nightmare.

"Seraphina?"

I glanced up from where I leaned against my corner of the cell to see Edmund doing the same on the other side.

"What," I responded coldly. Even though when I looked into his eyes, my heart pounded faster, I tried to think of what he has done.

The sounds of chains filled the room as he turned his body to face me, "I know I don't deserve to know but please, why are you here? What happened to you? How can a beautiful princess at such a young age like you be such a threat to the White Witch?"

I took a breath in as I fondled with my necklace in my hand, "The day started out just like any other in the sea of Narnia. Tranquil, calm, a gorgeous sunny day that showed all the bright colors of the coral, shells, and scales that filled the sea. It was a lovely, delightful day, turned bloody and dark. My father forced my mother and I to leave the sea, only for him to die inside the water as Jadis' army of sharks and killer whales came for us.

Once on land, Jadis' huskies found us, and I tried to run away but I couldn't because that very day was my first day ever on land. It was easy for them to capture me as I didn't know how to run or walk very well. Jadis killed my mom on the spot for believing in the prophecy about you. She took me here right after, and this is where I've been ever since."

Edmund stood quiet as he took in everything I told him. The room fell silent, but for some reason it was a comfortable silence with him. "How did you move on.... from their deaths," he asked softly.

I bit the inside of my cheeks. "I don't think I will ever fully move on from their deaths. Just everyday, I guess the pain will subside a bit more. Into something more bearable. But that day, I was force to grow up at a young age. To be a ruler, one of the last that Narnia's kingdoms have, and to be ready to fight for when my time comes. That's the difference between the two of us Edmund."

He furrowed his brows, confused by my words, "What do you mean?"

"I was forced to grow up and take responsibility. You on the other hand, have a whole lot of maturing before you become a true leader," I turned my head away from him.

"My father died," he took a long pause.

My heart dropped as he told me... maybe I judged him too soon. But at the same time, it's not a reason to turn your back on family. No matter how much you may argue and fight with them, in the end, that's all we have. Family.

"He died when he went to war. Only a couple of months ago," he pulled his knees close to his chest.

I sighed, "I'm sorry for your loss, Edmund. We shouldn't feel the pain of losing a parent at that young of an age. We should be enjoying our time with them, but... this world has a different plan for us I guess."

"Yeah," his eyes met mine, heart fluttering rapidly, "I guess."

The dungeon door swung open, Jadis and her dwarf came storming through. The dwarf had ropes and a cloth in his hand.

"Tie her up," Jadis pointed her staff at me, "We don't need any accidents with her on the way. Don't forget to cover her hands as well."

Edmund was quick to get on his knees, "No. Don't touch her-"

He was cut off by the dwarf smacking him in the face with a piece of wood. The dwarf roughly picked up my figure to met his small stature, while he pulled my arms towards him by my wrists, wrapping them ever so tightly with the rope. I winced at the pain the rope caused as it was cutting in to my flesh, but that didn't stop there.

He then wrapped my hands up in a scarf, so if there was unfrozen water outside, I wouldn't be able to use it as my weapon against them. The dwarf took the other scarf and wrapped it tightly around my mouth.

A wicked chuckle came from Jadis, "What a sight from the future Queen of the merfolk. Well, by the looks of it, you have been Queen of them for a century. Ever since I killed your parents, and the rest of your people. You're the lone Queen."

She smirked at me as I glared at her. Suddenly, she brought her hand to met my cheek as she back handed me, causing me to hit my head on the bars of the cell.

"Don't hurt her!"

The plead from Edmund caused Jadis to quickly snap her head at him, a stone cold face replaced the wicked smirk.

She slowly made her way to him, but this time he didn't cower away from her. Instead, he shuffled towards me, picking me up and bringing my body close to his as he stared at the gash that now decorated my temple.

He took one of the many ripped materials from the ground from my dress as he dabbed it onto the open wound, "I promise, I won't let anything happen to you as long as I'm around," he whispered down at me.

My eyes softened at him as I closed my eyes at the feeling of him touching the temple of my forehead. The sight of seeing Edmund so concerned and worried about me made me feel things for him. Maybe it's the thought that he's finally taking care of people from his future kingdom, but personally, I think it's more of the fact that he cares so much about me, even though all we have done is fight with each other.

"Well, well, would you look at this. Our dear Edmund, cares for the fish," Jadis spoke coldly.

She signaled the dwarf with her eyes to unchain my ankles. The dwarf tried to snatch me from Edmund's firm grasp, but brought his stick upon Edmund once more, tired of the fight Edmund gave him. With a turn of a key, my ankles were free, but I couldn't escape as the dwarf wrapped a rope around my throat, ensuring I can't run. He did the same with Edmund, except he didn't get a rope around his neck.

Jadis firmly grasped my chin, forcing me to look her straight into her emotionless, cold eyes, "Better be careful Seraphina. If he cares about you, he'll just turn you in as he did the same with his family. Now, there's people waiting for you....," she stared right at me, "For the both of you."