A Court of Watchful Shadows

Time's up

~30 days since Hybern~

Ziláa

I awoke with a start to the loud and now familiar bang that rang through the dungeon, echoing off the walls of my stone cell.

As his footsteps neared I used all the energy I'd managed to conserve for the day to stand and straighten myself. He could never take my spirit I thought to myself again.

Ziven of course came in gleaning as usual, "still standing even on one meal a day? My my you are a fighter Ziláa, you'll make a great wife."

I let my face scrunch up in disgust as I half wretched out my response "the fact you ever think that will happen is almost as insane as the fact you've kidnapped me Ziven."

He tilted his head to the left with a chuckle "I merely brought you home, and I think you'll change your mind by the end of this conversation."

He was dressed primly in his usual white attire, hair not yet dry from having showered. I couldn't remember the last time I washed...

I let my eyes roll to the back of my head and smacked my lips "what conversation."

He began to unlock my cell door, sending my stomach to my feet. This can't be good.

"The one we're to have over dinner, come with me." He reached out a hand.

I hesitated, staring at his ugly hand, his gangly nails making me sick. Though dinner wasn't something I'd pass up considering I was on one meal a day currently, so I stood and followed him out. I didn't take his hand.

He raised his eyebrows at that but continued on, leading me out of the dungeons and up the spiral staircase.

The brightness hit me causing a strain on my upper eyelids, I squinted as I stumbled up the steps.

"Come on Ziláa hurry up." Ziven snipped.

I almost laughed at his audacity. I've been in that dungeon for maybe 28 days, I'm not entirely sure. Regardless it's my first time doing any kind of physical activity on minimal food.

When we reached the top I thought my legs might give out, yet with no break we walked on more, through the manor, past countless guards. I'd never seen my father's old manor so heavily guarded. We went back towards the bedrooms...I really hope this intention is pure.

My fears were slightly soothed as we reached my old room. We stopped in front of it and Ziven spoke.

"It's late afternoon now, I'll allow you to use the shower and your old room for today, find something to wear for dinner out of the clothes left here." He paused and his eyes lit up "hopefully the things will be moved to my room if all goes to plan at dinner." He grinned and walked away, completely missing the look of horror on my face.

So that's what dinner is about. There's no point in me going, I know my answer. But dinner and a shower...I wasn't going to pass it up.

~~

I made my way into the familiar dining hall, the scent of food setting my grumbling stomach ablaze. Ziven was sat at the head of the table, in my father's old place. Interesting.

Lythe was there, his slick black hair sticking to his back like slime. And...Cyrus.

Traitor.

I'd always thought he had my best interests at heart, he wouldn't even look at me now, I hope he's ashamed.

"You look dashing Ziláa" Ziven complimented me, causing bile to rise in my throat. I had done myself up nicely, I wore a gown of pale dark blue, it was the darkest thing I could find of what's left of the clothes in my old wardrobe here.

"Thank you." I threw a smile that didn't reach my eyes. My heart dropped to the floor as I did so, I wanted to hear the compliment coming from Azriel's mouth, not Ziven's.

I took my seat at the spare seat at the opposite end of the table to Ziven, as far away from him as possible. Not even seconds after I sat I began to eat. The food was nice, not night court nice but nice. I was starving after all.

The four of us sat almost silently throughout dinner, I waited for Ziven to bring up the 'conversation' but he dragged the evening on.

Cyrus enjoyed his meal and wouldn't look at me, out of guilt or genuine uncaring I'd never know. That was until Ziven waved a hand dismissing him and Lythe that his eyes flashed to mine, then immediately looked away.

I hope he feels ashamed at the state I was kept in that dungeon.

The click of the doors shutting sounded and a roaring silence echoed around, the atmosphere felt almost solemn. Eating at this table used to be a bit of a nightmare when my father ran the manor, but it was a horror now considering I'm sat opposite the man who killed him.

Ziven casually took a sip of his wine, "so, Ziláa." He drawled "I wanted to speak with you and tell you your time's up."

Is he going to kill me? Cauldron I hope so at this point.

"My time is up for wha-"

"Now," he interrupted "you may be wondering what I'm talking about."

That's what I was about to ask you imbecile.

"What I mean is, I need you to have come to a good decision about our marriage." He chirped "you have had a month to think about it in that cell after all."

So I've been here a month? Oh.

"No." I deadpan.

"What?"

"I said no."

"Surely you jest, Ziláa." He scoffed "you'd be fed, clothed, have a warm bed to sleep in, you'd be on the right side of the war with Hybern."

I roll my eyes at the mention of Hybern.

"No means no Ziven." I sigh

He stood up swiftly, knuckles paling as he dug his fists into the table.

"You didn't let me finish!" He began to grit his teeth.

"I don't need to hear the rest of it, it's been no the last century and it's no today, Ziven" I laughed "the fact you think I'd even consider marrying you after Kidnapping me and keeping me in that dungeon locked up like an animal is madness."

I knew I'd taken it too far when he started shaking because of how enraged he was. I should've remembered his short fuse, he had a shorter fuse than even me.

His jaw clenched up tight before opening out and he cried out "guards!" pointing his index finger out at me.

Here we go.

My head snaps to the doors where six guards come flooding in towards me, I lift my knife to try and defend myself but they surround me, picking the knife out of my hands with little effort. They grabbed my arms and I began to kick and buck, screaming out. They weren't going to take me without a fight, even though I don't have my powers, I'm not going down without one.

They dragged me out, down a hallway that was decorated in blue furnishings. The same shade of blue as Azriel's syphons. The mere thought of him ignited something deep inside of me and regardless of the little meals I'd had over this past 30 days I broke free from their grip and made my way back down the corridor.

I sprinted, my hair whipping behind me where the guards followed, shouting. Ziven made an appearance from the main hall on my left, I banked right as he lunged for me.

I ran and ran, reaching the familiar front door and I yanked on it as hard as I could, not caring if it was locked, it was my only chance.

But I was met with nothing, no click, no bite of cold air.

Ziven began to laugh and clap his hands from behind me as the panting guards now surrounded me in a half circle.

"Oh Ziláa, you've really outdone yourself this time." He seethed. "You've just made things so much worse for yourself."

And for a split second, I couldn't help but fear the statement.