Aurora - You are my light (Ateez x reader)

ONE

As the sun bathed the kingdom in warm gold, I set out on Dreamcatcher for my evening ride. His sleek black coat shimmered in the soft light of the setting sun. Along the roadside, flowers swayed gently in the breeze as I wandered through the royal woods. It was the only beauty this kingdom had to offer me. 

With a sigh, I closed my eyes briefly, seeking respite from the day's shame. Was this all life had in store for me? Violence, pain, sorrow? I felt desperate, ashamed, and utterly distraught. A piercing ache shot through my violated core as the day's dreadful memories threatened to invade my mind once more. 

Would I ever grow accustomed to it? To the pain, the feeling of being used and treated like dirt? Perhaps, someday, it wouldn't hurt anymore, both emotionally and physically, I thought as I opened my eyes and urged Dreamcatcher into a fluid gallop with a gentle nudge of my heels, hoping that the oncoming wind would fade my thoughts and memories away.

I galloped through the forest on my loyal companion, who seemed to be my only friend in this life. Our speed was breathtaking, bringing tears to my eyes—or so I convinced myself they were just from the wind. The dense shrubs and trees whizzed by us in a blur along the roadside. My white, airy dress billowed in the opposing wind, and I felt as though I were flying. 

In the distance, I heard seagulls cry and could perceive the faint sound of the sea. For a brief moment, I felt so light and free, grateful to my horse that I could at least briefly experience this feeling. And for the first time in my life, I felt a clear longing and desire for freedom. No longer to be the shadow of myself and to be held captive like a slave for the king's services, my oh-so-great husband. I wanted so much more. To experience so much more, to be so much more, to unfold myself so much more and finally to feel no more fear. I had to do something. 

In that moment, Dreamcatcher startled, took a few last galloping leaps, and then shied away at the edge of a clearing, still reflecting the last rays of the setting sun. Dreamcatcher stared with an uneasy gaze into the opposite direction of the clearing, into the dark thicket. 

He hardly ever shied, which made me start to look around anxiously, hoping to discern the reason for his sudden fear. I heard a faint rustling from the almost pitch-black, densely overgrown patch of woods. Probably just a wild boar, I thought. But Dreamcatcher grew increasingly panicked; something was definitely not right here. 

And suddenly, I, too, froze in the saddle, my eyes widening in horror. Before me appeared like ghosts from the shadows eight masked figures, dressed in black hats and equally black coats. Their gazes, hidden behind dark masks, fixed on me as they slowly, yet menacingly, approached. Before I could comprehend what was happening, all eight of them had surrounded me at a uniform distance. My heart raced as I tried to understand what was going on and not lose my composure. 

Frantically, I turned around, looking between the masked men. My first instinct was to flee. After all, I was on a horse and they were on foot. What could they possibly do from down there? But my attempts to urge Dreamcatcher on were in vain, and he even began to relax and graze calmly, as if all the panic from earlier had been imagined. I didn't understand anything anymore. "What on earth..." I stammered, confused and terrified, still desperately trying to urge my horse forward, who was now calmly grazing, seemingly unaffected by the recent panic.

"Princess Aurora," one of the masked figures whispered in a voice that reminded me of rough waves, pulling me out of my thoughts. I lifted my head and focused my attention on the man standing right in front of me, holding me captive with his gaze. From my initial impression, he seemed to be the leader of this peculiar group. 

"You are of special importance to us. What follows will surely not please you, but we will have to take you captive, willingly or not. Unless..." he paused dramatically, "you come voluntarily!" 

I could tell by the narrowing of his eyes behind his mask that he was smirking. Very amusing. 

"I would never voluntarily submit, besides, who are you..." I didn't get any further, as my interlocutor made a barely noticeable gesture and two others immediately moved and approached me from two sides. Both were much taller and broader than the leader, presumably his henchmen. 

Panic surged within me again, and I jumped out of my saddle, landing firmly on the ground with both feet. Quickly, I assessed which direction to run, as all escape routes were blocked. But I wouldn't give up without a fight, not again. Without further thought, I ran. Before I could take another step, strong arms wrapped around me and held me tight. "Where's the hurry, princess?" murmured the deep voice of the masked man, who held me in place with his arms. 

I screamed and struggled, but I felt like a puppet in the hands of my kidnapper, who effortlessly tossed me over his shoulder. Powerless, trapped, and robbed of my freedom, once again... Apparently, seeing the world upside down wasn't enough for me, as shortly after, a dense, musty-smelling fabric was pulled over my head. The last thing I saw was my black horse, my only loyal companion and friend, calmly watching me. Tears streamed from my eyes, and the world before them faded into darkness as I lost consciousness shortly thereafter.

- Phew, my first proper chapter is here. I'm really curious to see what you think of it. If you'd like, please feel free to leave me a nice or constructive comment, or give the story a like. Thanks for reading! :)

See you soon, hopefully. -