Falling For His Charms

CHAPTER 52

Ready?

What in the Troll's mushy left eyeball did she mean by ready?

Nearly squealing with glee, Gisela smiled wickedly. "Brant! Go inform Vespera of the recent events!"

"What recent events?" He asked stupidly, slowly raising himself off the floor, still getting over the shock of have been inflicted on. Gisela, clearly to gleeful to be annoyed (her usual emotion), laughed happily.

"That the plan's underway, of course! After many, many hours of work, we are nearly there!" Sophie wasn't used to seeing the woman like this; she decided that happiness didn't really suit Keefe's mother.

Brant, hissing in pain as he finally got to his feet, gave a glare to Gisela, which she thankfully didn't see. He limped out of the room, grumbling under his breath, going to fetch the so-called "Vespera,". Gisela turned to Gethen, her normal sour look returned, and barked instructions at him.

"What are you doing, standing around? Put the ability restrictor back on her head, before she decides to do something!"

Gethen shook his head slowly, and did as he was told. Gisela watched as he placed the ability restrictor back onto the blonde's head; Sophie hissed at the pain it caused. At the action, he kicked her slightly, making her bite her lip to not whimper in pain. Gisela nodded in satisfaction, and grabbed the collars of Bex and Rex. They cried and reached out for Sophie, who could do nothing, her heart breaking at the sight of them.

"It's okay," She said, her voice gentle, attempting to soothe them in the stressful moment. It was so difficult to keep her voice steady. "It's going to be okay. Stay strong, I'll see you soon. It's okay. It's okay..." Despite her efforts, they continued to cry as Gisela dragged them out of the room. Sophie had tears return to her eyes, though she would not let them fall; she had to stay strong for her young siblings.

Gethen then continued removing the straps that bound her to the seat, kicking her every time she would atrempt to free herself. He pulled her to her feet, held her hands behind her back, and ordered her to walk. Legs trembling, she hesitantly did as she was told.

"Of you struggle, you'll regret it," Sophie heard him growl behind her, and she felt something poking her spine... A knife. Knowing that Gethen always stayed true to a threat, she didn't struggle once more.

He lead her even farther down the hallway, farther than Sophie had ever gone. They walked down a slippery and slimy staircase, filled with a stench so terrible Sophie had to hold her breath to not hurl. They entered a new hallway, and entered the first door on their right.

Sophie froze and they entered the room.

This was a room like no other: while all the rooms an halls in the Neverseen headquarters were dark and made of slimy stone, this room was lit up brightly, and had shiny metal walls. In the middle of the room huge room stood a metal table-looking thing that reminded Sophie horribly of a human book she had read, Frankenstein. The metal table had straps for her arms and legs, and upon further notice... Her neck. What was this going to be?

Gethen pushed her towards it, and strapped her in; Sophie was shaking terribly. Looking around while she could, she noticed several carts in the corner of the large room, filled with something she couldn't see. All Sophie knew was, the Neverseen were planning something bad.

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Sophie closed her eyes as Gethen left the room. It was strange to have so much light, after the constant darkness of the rest of the place; she could even see the light through her closed eyelids. Sighing deeply, she tried to calm her rapidly beating heart, since she was sure that being constantly stressed like this couldn't be could for her health.

As usual, when there was silence, Sophie's brain was swirling with thoughts and memories. Her heart throbbed as she saw a memory of Rex and Bex crying and reaching out to her... All Sophie could do was hope that Gisela wasn't too rough with them; she definitely wasn't the gentle type. Another memory, this time more cheerful, entered her line of sight. Her, Rex, Bex, and Lex had had a pillow fight, feathers flying everywhere, hearty laughter filling the air. Sophie missed these moments so. much. She closed her eyes even more, hoping that her tears wouldn't get passed her eyelids.

Sophie's eyes snapped open at the sound of the door opening. Since her head couldn't move, she stared up at the plain silver ceiling, her blood pressure rising. She heard footsteps nearing her, sharp and determined, while she tensed at the thought of what could happen. Much too soon, she saw a cloaked figure standing above her, staring at her (well, that's what it looked like, but she couldn't see their face).

The cloaked figure, breathing heavily, looked around the room, as if looking for something. Sophie stared at them in confusion, an eyebrow raising.

The person turned their attention back to her. "Sophie, " They whispered, their voice gentle and full of emotion. "It's me. "

It couldn't be...

Fitz pulled off his hood, and he stood there, eyes teary, but looking as handsome as ever. Seeing her strapped in this strange contraption, burns covering her limbs, a strange crown-thing on her head, clothes ripped, hair a mess, looking so sad... He couldn't believe anyone could actually do this to someone.

He took out a key, and unlocked all the straps that bound Sophie to the metal table. Upon being freed, Sophie leaped into the prince's arms, both of them hugging each other as tight as they could.

"I missed you," Sophie whispered, gripping to him like he was oxygen. "So much."

"Me too, Gnome, I thought that I'd never see you again."

"I'm here." Sophie's voice sounded choked, and she began to cry into his shoulder. They held on to each other a little while longer, soaking in each other's presence.

"I love you, but we need to get going if we're going to get you out of this place," Fitz whispered, even though he never wanted to let go. Sophie nodded, and stood back, taking in his appearance. Gnome, she hoped to never leave his side again.

Fitz pulled the black hood back over his head, and gently nudged Sophie in front of him, putting her hands behind her back. "We're going to have to pretend that I'm bringing you back to your cell, alright? I'll bring us to the exit as soon as I can."

"But what about Bex and Rex? They're here too," Sophie said. They couldn't stay here any longer.

"Don't worry," Fitz said. "Keefe and a few castle guards are getting them right now. They'll be home soon."

Sighing a breath of relief, Sophie smiled slightly. She looked over her shoulder at Fitz. "Thank you."

He smiled back at her, those beautiful teal eyes shining. "Anything for you, Soph."