The Fall Of Imbria (The Fendara Series. Book One)

Part Two: The Heart Of Fendara

POV: VICTORIA

Even I have to admit it to myself after everything I've been through. Theo, in the beginning was different, had the handsome innocent appearance, after all it's what I fell for, the doe eyed purity. The safety.

You'd never guess of it to be a spurious ploy.

At first, with him, it was cold for the longest moment, like the crisp white snow fall of winter. It was peaceful -right up until I noticed the searing pain that was setting in and that I had been standing in the middle of a forest fire, my body slowly burning and catching a flame. And yet, in all those years. . . I had no idea. Blinded by a good-looking boy, unknowingly being led to my execution the whole time.

That's what it's been with him all these years.

So, the realization that it's been blistering me for so long, just stings even more now that its clearer than the view out my pristine window. . . I've been blinded by it for far too long-Until having the truth beaten into me, that is.

Which is honestly why being thrown into this situation where I have to continue to play the part I never knew I was playing, kills me just a little inside.

Im not quite sure how Im going to make it out of this place alive, but Madelyn seems to think otherwise. The past few hours have been an open flood gate of information on her plans to somehow sneak me out and inform me about the eyes in the walls she has here. Those eyes, being the main reason I will be able to escape.

"Its not going to be easy but-with the eyes I have on the inside and outside-it'll go smoother." At least that is what we are hoping for. Madelyn tells me.

She has somehow managed to get the swelling to go down in my eye the past few hours after getting me cleaned up and having me slip into a silk like robe.

I shift on the edge of the bed, pulling my feet up and crossing my legs. Something I used to be able to do without a single thought, now muddled with aches of pain. Thankfully after my bath they sent someone to remove my cuffs and chains but forced a drug down my throat to keep my powers at bay, rendering me useless.

"And what about tonight?" I ask.

She shrugs. "You wont have much time between being Lancasters love slave, but we can work with that. My Therian contact in Kimona reached out to me once he arrived back and informed me of the plan they discussed. Our best bet will be for me to take you to the entrance of the underground catacombs and hand you off there. That's where they will take you back to Fendara."

"Catacombs?" I relay wearily.

She eyes me, noting my concern. "Yes Miss Wilhelm. Catacombs."

Great, more stone, dirt and claustrophobia, how appealing. "I guess I have to do whatever it takes, just get me out of here and Ill be forever in your debt."

Still, I cant help but wonder, who is she? "May I ask you something?"

She nods. "Is this about what you'll be forced to do tonight?"

I tilt my head. "While I do have a few questions regarding that, I did want to ask, who are you? Like whom are and why are you here?"

Madelyn drops her gaze to the Imbria crested ring wrapped around her and fiddles with it. "Ive contemplated telling you after I heard rumors. . . but after meeting you and seeing that those rumors were embellished and it wasn't. . . consensual, I think its okay."

I scrunch my brows. "Rumors? What rumors?"

She looks back up at me. "The ones about you and commander Lancaster having sex in your cell." Her uncomfortableness is easily noticeable as she figits from her place across from me on the edge of the bed.