Novissimis

4 - The King

"Darcy...? Are you there?"

It was so dark. I clutched my knees to my chest, digging my nails into my scalp and tugging at my hair. It's so dark here.

"I'm here, Cleo. Are you okay?" I searched frantically through the black sea surrounding me, trying to pin his face to his voice. A shuffling came from my right, the clinking of chains following shortly. Darcy's hands appeared in front of me, gently pulling my fingers from my hair and tucking me against his chest.

"It's so dark, Darcy. And cold." My teeth chattered together, knuckles turning white as I held on to him. He nodded, rubbing my back in comfort.

"I know, Hun. I know it is, but you're going to be fine. We're both going to be okay." He pulled away, his shirt straining as I grasped it. Darcy held my chin delicately, tilting my eyes up to where I could only imagine his to be. It's so dark. "Xavier will find us. He promised he would..."

It wasn't convincing. Sounds like he was telling himself, rather than me.

A loud bang resounded around the prison, a light suddenly appearing. It revealed a long hallway, rows, and rows of empty cells surrounded us, their metal builds gleaming in the new light and blinding me.

I covered my eyes, whimpering into Darcy's arms. He shushed me, stroking my hair.

"Darcy and Cleo Faber. You are coming with us." I blinked rapidly, covering the light with my hands and revealing two large silhouettes.

The King's guards.

They unlocked the cell, moving with certainty and confidence, not allowing us time to protest or speak. The men ripped us apart and I could only cry as they dragged us out into the light, our frail bodies skidding against the concrete floor.

"It's okay, don't cry Cleo. We're okay." Darcy tried to comfort me from ahead, twisting his neck to look at me as the guards continued pushing us forward. I nodded through tears, trying to convince myself to be strong. Strong like Xavier.

"Stop talking." So, we did. Fat tears continued to roll down my cheeks, but I kept my sobs contained. Strong like Xavier. I can do that.

They dragged us through hallway after hallway, the walls around us became increasingly more expensive in appearance. Metal and stone turn into a lush red carpet and smooth cream walls. My meltdown calmed as the world became more interesting, eyes catching on portraits and décor that lined the halls, my head turning to follow as we passed.

We came to a stop in front of a set of large wooden doors, two more guards stood here, weapons crossed in front of the entrance. They exchanged some words, the language unfamiliar to me and soon we were let through.

My mouth fell open in awe.

A beautiful throne room unfolded in front of us. Reds, golds, and granite came together to form the largest and most stunning room I've ever seen in my life.

The guards continued pushing us forward, unfazed by Darcy and I's shocked expressions and limp bodies.

"Your Majesty." Slowly, I turned my head to the front of the room, eyes wide.

Two thrones sat elegantly on a small rise, both made of red velvet and gold filigree, but only one was occupied.

The King.

"Bow before your King." We were left no choice, the guards holding our cuffed hands above our heads and pushing our bodies down. We sat on our knees next to each other, eyes wide and fat tears rolling down my face again. I kept my eyes away from the King, respectfully leaving them on the ground, desperate to keep my head on my shoulders.

"Darcy and Cleo Faber, welcome back to Castle Bestia." My body trembled at his voice, my head falling further into submission. The sound of heavy boots hitting granite was heard in front of me, steps approaching at a slow and casual pace. My breathing grew ragged as he approached, muscles tensing in anticipation. The King crouched in front of me and I clenched my eyes closed, sobbing.

His hand reached out and gripped my chin, a shriek escaping my lips as he pulled my head up to his, eyes still closed tightly. Darcy snarled next to me, the thrashing sounds of him fighting the guards could also be heard but one second later, it was silent. Another sob fell from my mouth, mind reeling with what they had done to Darcy but too afraid to open my eyes.

"Hello, little Cleo." I shivered, shaking my head back and forth to try and escape his grasp. He dug a single nail into my cheek, and I stopped, my tears still running over his hand. "Do you know why you're here little Cleo?"

I shook my head back and forth rapidly, sobbing.

"Open your eyes."

It was a command to my soul. Not a question and not a request, but an authority I could do nothing against.

So, I opened my eyes.

The King was crouched in front of me, elbows on his knees and head tilted to the side in curiosity as he stared at me. Any other time, I would have become mush in his hands. I'd had a crush on the King as a child, this was a dream of mine for him to even touch me but now was not the time.

He was just as handsome as he'd been when I was little, the pull of time lost to him.

He was fair, skin delicately frosted with freckles and eyes so blue I thought I could drown in them. Thick brown hair sat under his black crown, the curls twisting with the metal. He was stunning, just like every royal had been.

"I'll ask one more time. Do you know why you're here?" I shook my head again, eyes not leaving his. He grinned, dropping my chin and sending my body back towards the ground, the guards let me fall limp.

My breathing was heavy, laboring harder as the King stood and stepped away from me.

"There were three of you. The three problem children of noble blood. Where is your brother?"

Darcy shuffled next to me, the noise reassuring me that he was okay.

"We don't know." The King chuckled at my brother's words, steps echoing away from us.

"I wasn't asking you." Darcy snarled again, chains rattling. I stayed limp, head by my knees and back bent uncomfortably. "Little Cleo, where is your eldest brother?"

I shook my head, clenching my eyes closed again.

"I don't know. I swear, I don't know." The King hummed in disapproval.

"That's unfortunate... I had no other reason for keeping you here. If you don't have the information I need, you will be disposed- "He stopped talking abruptly, and the sound of rushing feet echoed around the room. There was silence for a few minutes, hushed whispers and scuffling feet were the only things I could hear as I kept my head down. "Well, it is your lucky day. Seems your brother has found us... and he brought a friend."

Darcy let out a growl while I sobbed, my forehead resting against the cool granite floor.

"Take them outside. We're going to catch ourselves a hunter."