The Awakening of Gardenia

Chapter Eight

I hesitated for a split second. What if he was lying and wouldn't give me what I wanted? What I wanted wasn't even about me, maybe that's what made it even scarier. I finally collected the courage I needed and took a deep breath. "Henley. I want him released."

The King's eyebrows furrowed. "Who's Henley?"

"He's a young boy that you have locked in a cellar!" My voice raises.

"And? It's probably for good reason."

"It's not. I want him released. That's the only way I'll help you." My tone was firm and I wasn't willing to substitute my request with anything else.

I didn't really speak to Henley when I was trapped. He didn't want to get attached and I was stuck in my own head. I didn't know much about him at all.

All I knew was that I couldn't live with myself if I had a chance to save him and didn't take it. He was only a young boy. One who probably had hopes and dreams. I wanted him safe.

I was ready to put up a fight when the King opened his mouth. "Okay."

"He's only a young boy. He doesn't deserve to be trapped and then killed. He has dreams and hopes and you can't just leav-

"I said okay."

"But he- wait what did you say?" His words only registering now.

"I said okay."

"That easily?" I asked sceptically.

"That easily." He nodded.

I was still suspicious of him. And I didn't trust him, I knew better than that. But for now I had to put my faith in him, even if he was the devil in disguise.

"You'll take me to the enchanted bay in two days' time at dawn." He didn't leave any room for arguing.

"Where do you want to meet?" I ask, already tired of this whole day.

It honestly felt like a fever dream. Like I was imagining the King of Nightshade asking me for help. He was the enemy after all.

"You'll know," is all he said, and then he left as quickly as the rain and as silently as the wind.

I looked around as if he might creep out of the darkness, but he didn't. He left. But I knew he'd return, and in only two days time.

The clock was ticking and I had no way to stop it. I didn't have any power, and the King of Nightshade was promising to have more than just one type of power over me.