Grounded

Chapter 2

Katia Astarot 

Tied up, again.

Beaten, again.

Day after day, I'm being looked at like an exotic animal. I'm on display and have been for years no. I'm worth much more to him if I'm alive and kept in this iron box. I can access my fae magic from inside but can't use it against anyone. It's warded that way.

It's been 15 years since I've seen a genuine person's face, someone who wasn't trying to hurt me, buy me, use me, or... much worse.

I might not be able to use my powers in this cage, but my pink hues are in full display, something I can't hide while I'm upset or anything else.

When the "suitors" enter the room, my captor comes near me. My skin shudders at the thought of him touching me, someone I once thought I was so close with, but I see now that nothing will make us close ever again.

On the edge of a stick, as he does most days, he sticks an extremely cold washcloth into the cage for me to use to wipe the blood from my stained face. If I don't, the beatings worsen, and I've had enough for this week.

"Tonight, the money is going just to roll in. We could end this torture if you were just to give in."

"I'd likely die and kill you and myself first, thanks," I curtly reply. I would kill myself if I weren't so strong-willed. I have the power to end this whole thing. He wants me to tell him how I can access my dragon side so that he can use my power against the kingdom. He'll be in total control if I do that.

But, I've said night after night that I never learned how to harness the dragon within me. The only power I have is that of my fae magic, and he's part fae. He has no use for my fae magic.

No, it's the dragon magic he wants since it's stronger, more powerful, more deadly.

So, because I can't give him the power he seeks, he uses me, along with others whose magic he cannot wield, and put us on display for currency.

I begin wiping at my face, and he chuckles. He knows he cannot break me, yet he continues trying.

"You'd likely attempt to kill me before killing yourself, princess. You've got a fighter's spirit like your mother."

I grimace when he mentions her and toss the washcloth to the side. I grab ahold of his shirt between the iron bars, ready to crush him, when a magical tug creases my body and drops me to my knees.

It feels like electricity is bursting through my body, over and over again, and there's a slight reprieve between electric jolts, enough for me to catch my breath.

"I bet you won't try that again, princess. Now get up and put this on," my uncle says as he throws a sparkly red dress at me. My nose and mouth mirror the disgust I feel from looking at the garment. I'm not some prized pony he can dress and undress when he feels like it.

"Rather than be a piece of cattle, let's make a wager. Let me out of this cage, and if I beat you, you have to let me go. If you win, I'll stay willingly."

My eyes squint in his direction. My pink irises flare with readiness.

"Please, princess, I'd be a fool to take you up on such an offer. I know you've gone quite feral, so I don't understand why your dragon form refuses to present itself. I think with a little more pushing—"

"Push me more... you'll never break me. I am Princess Katia, true heir to the Eden throne. And one day..."

My words become halted when I make eyes with a familiar face, a familiar, friendly face—my betrothed. Rather than alert my uncle to my mate being just steps behind him, I direct my attention back to him.