Once Upon a Story [ SLOW UPDATES ]

Untold Secret (3)

Word count: 2474
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Screams of rage and vengeance jumped for glee in the winds, carrying across the land, and a voice cursed in the distance, damning the royal line to a cruel fate.

The people were mad.

They were furious.

And they sought blood...royal blood.

Dawn arrived at the castle, panicking. About to burst through Nyx's window, he stopped. Her father was there.

"You've done enough distracting Gareth," he told her. "A different guard will bring you food from now on."

"Father, please! You've already taken everyone from me! Do not take him as well." She pleaded with him, begging him to let him at least stand guard. "I will die of heartbreak without him."

"A punishment for keeping secrets."

"But I have nothing to hide! Father, your guards listen to my every conversation. I have no time even to breathe alone!" Her breath came out ragged as her frustration built up. "You are treating me as a prisoner."

"I've thought myself lenient, but we can always arrange for more enjoyable living quarters." He snapped his fingers, and Nyx found herself in shackles. "Enjoy your stay."

"What–" She struggled in the arms of her guards. "Father, what is the meaning of this? Surely, you don't mean to send me in the dungeons?"

He spared her a glance and left the room without another word. Dawn helplessly watched as they dragged his friend away. He discreetly followed them and waited for Nyx to be alone.

He snuck into her cell, whispering on her shoulder, "Your father isn't exactly a ray of sunshine."

She kept her head down. "What do you want?"

"I came to warm you," he said. "The rebels will storm through the castle gates in three days' time. They're after your father, but I wouldn't be surprised if they took your head too."

Colour drained from Nyx's face. "I'm going to die?"

"If you listen to me, I can keep you alive a bit longer," Dawn told her. "Gareth and I have a plan. Stay out of trouble for now. We'll get you when we're ready."

Nyx nodded as his spirit floated away. She fiddled with the bracelet around her wrist, nervously waiting for time to pass. The daffodil swung back and forth, but her eyes focused on the pearl attached to the flower's neck.

"You are gone, and yet I feel closer to you than ever."

She sat in her cell, sometimes pacing, until the afternoon of the third day. She hadn't seen Gareth or Dawn since. A guard walked to her cell and tossed a piece of stale bread. "Eat up, Princess. That's your meal for the day."

She lazily chewed the dehydrated lump. Even the sewer rats are better fed.

She wondered how things were on the surface. The dungeons were far underground, and it would take a major disaster for her to sense anything happening.

"You're no longer allowed near her, Gareth."

"And I've told you I couldn't care less for your rules. Open the door."

"You know the king will be displeased once he hears this."

"I will deal with my troubles as they come," Gareth said sharply. "Now, move out of my way before I send you all to the infirmary with one less arm."