Forsaken & Claimed

Chapter 32

Pandora

Was this death? My body was as heavy as the ship those assholes flew in on. The man that brought me into this world was alive and still nowhere to be found. I'm not surprised at all. I wonder where the woman was. The taste of iron filled my mouth. My eyes managed to flip open; Casimir was a few feet away. His clothes were soaked in blood as men began to circle him.

"Make sure he's dead and save me the trouble later," the General said, out of my view.

"No," I coughed.

The blades of grass in front of me turned red. A nice pair of leather boots with laces stringed to the top crushed everything in its path and stopped right in front of me. The wind blew through, caressing my face as I tried to move my limbs.

"You're awake? Magnificent. I guess the Eastern clan didn't make you soft after all," he said, "I told you both the consequences, and now it's time to take accountability."

The boots left my sight. Casimir's eyes opened, and he smiled; that same look of acceptance Vicky had. My heart became heavier than my body, and my mind more clouded than a mountain top. Why should I even care? They helped destroy my revolution and imprisoned me. But they also saved me from death, comforted me, and took care of me. A chilling cold came over me. I at least owe them a life debt.

"Do it and be quick. I'm ready to go home."

My body ached from the chill. I needed to get to him. Blink. Blink. One of the men made a blade with his tendril. No, not like this. As it came down to his throat, my eyes closed, and when I opened them, I was on top of him. His expression was priceless, one for the books, but I didn't have time. Closing my eyes again, I thought of the place Celia and I were before the enforcers came. The place of sunflowers. The scent of honey--freedom; a winter breeze wrapped us. When I opened my eyes, either tears or blood got caught in my throat, but the words came.

"Not today."

My vision went dark and came back. I smelled the honey, and memories came flooding back. Tears rained down, and Casimir's face was worth a thousand words.

I smiled, "We're even. Live. Forget me."

He said something that didn't come through. The flowers were ready to pick. If I had time. I closed my eyes again, and pain shot through my body. When I opened them again, I was on the steps of the ship. What came out of my throat, I couldn't say; the sound could peel the paint off the walls. A coughing fit erupted, and blood painted the white stairs; stopping wasn't an option.

"Fucking Nastri through and through. Get her in, and let's go. Don't let her die. Casimir will die as he came into the world. As nothing, no one will find the bones."

"I gave him something better than life. He got--"

So much blood gushed out. Am I dying?

"He got it, but at what cost? You're a fucking fool. You don't know the power you hold or the toil it'll take on your body," the General said.

The General grabbed me by the front of my shirt and his eyes burned. His grip was so tight that the fabric bit into my skin; I kept my gaze and met him head-on. He wasn't going to scare me. Not in this lifetime or the next. I've met worse, and he didn't even tip my meter. I've never thought I would meet someone that tried so hard to be scary. Sebastian didn't have to try; he oozed terror. At times, he wanted to be nice--normal, but he couldn't. It was sad to witness as he worked day and night to be the perfect man for the Priestess. He would come into the enclosures and pull us out one by one and try out the new techniques he learned.

One by one, if you didn't give him the answer he wanted. You were dead. It was my turn one day, and he pulled me out. Sebastian guided me to a chair in front of a table. A beautiful spread of food and drinks. I hadn't eaten in days, but I left the food and watched him. The last girl went straight for the food and had her throat cut. All he said, no. A lady like the Priestess wouldn't do that. What's wrong with you?

I met her a few times before, so I knew. I asked him; this is what you're serving me? His face was bewildered, but it had a hint of happiness. I picked at the food like it disgusted me. In reality, I wanted nothing more than to tear into it, but I took the plate of the succulent meat and threw it at the wall. All I said, I wanted fish. Sebastian smiled and said right away.

"The next one you give the glory to will be my son," the General whispered.

"Not if I have anything to do with it," I laughed as the darkness crept in from the corner of my eyes.

**********

The sweet pine air awakened me; its warmness engulfed my body. A crystal chandelier hung above, glittering from fire and candlelight. I tried to push myself up, but I couldn't. My heart raced as I clung to smooth fabric.

Is he ok?

"You're awake," a voice called out from the corner.

"Why can't I move? Where-"

"It's for your safety," he said.

His footsteps were heavy and firm as he made his way to the side of the bed. The General pulled up a chair and took a seat. His fingers interlocked lightly, "Your father is eager to meet you. He will be arriving soon, and he wants you to start getting to know your future mates as soon as possible. One-"

"I won't do what you want," I said.

"One of them will be by later to get you once the herbs wear off," he said, standing to leave.

"You'll have to kill me."

"Rest, you will need it," he said.