Heart Of Embers (Slow Updates)

Chapter 1

Amethyst woke up with a jolt, breathing heavily. She took in her surroundings quickly, not recognizing the place. She tried to move but her hands were tied together, hence the soreness of her body. Having slept in a really awkward and uncomfortable position didn't help either. She studied the place with more focus: she was lying on a bed, in a small wood cabin. In one corner of the small room was an old wooden closet, decorated with small delicate carvings on its surface. Beside that was a window, with its thick curtains draped over it, hiding what ever was on the other side from her vision. On the other side of the room, was a long plain table, accompanying it were four identically plain chairs. As she kept looking around for any kind of clue of her whereabouts, the door opened briskly, making her snap her eyes to the person standing behind it.

She squinted her eyes, trying to figure out the facial features of the stranger, probably her kidnapper.

She only had a vague memory of the events of yesterday night. She remembered being awoken by a dark figure above her head, pulling her harshly out of the comfort of her bed covers, and tying her hands behind her back. As she opened her mouth to scream, the stranger put a glove covered hand over her mouth, keeping it shut.

"You utter a single word, I will slit your throat right away. I'm doing you a favor here. So I suggest you stay silent." He whispered harshly, pressing something cold and sharp against her lower back, the tip piercing through her thin nightgown and making contact with her skin. The tip of a blade. Beads of cold sweat began forming on the nape of her neck, her heart pounding rapidly. She nodded quickly, ignoring the lump beginning to form in her throat. The stranger opened the door leading to the castle's hallway, looked for any guards, and pushed the blade farther into her back, urging her to step forward.

He led her through the castle's hallways smoothly, as if he had them memorized. He probably had, since he could easily get to her chambers without getting caught. He must be very good at his job. They finally arrived in front of a door well hidden in the maze of walls. He opened it and cold breeze hit her instantly. She shivered, only being dressed in her silk nightgown. Her black hair was a mess of curls, blowing softly with the wind as she and her kidnapper made their way through the garden. How could she never know about a secret door that lead to the castle's garden?

Soft grass caressed her bare feet, the tip of her nose starting to get numb from the cold. Suddenly they stopped, and she was pushed down to her knees, behind some bushes.

"Stay silent, a guard is coming this way. Don't even think about crying for help, remember my warning earlier. I'm not breaking my word." He said against her ear, his stubble brushing harshly on her delicate fair skin. She gritted her teeth, feeling totally useless and weak. She frowned, not liking the situation she was in right now. She made sure to give this stranger a piece of her mind when they were away from curious eyes.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when she was being gripped harshly by her forearm and being pulled up back to her feet. She tripped slightly, the stranger making her walk faster as they approached the end of the gardens, where it met the dark forest. Soft grass was replaced by hard stones and branches that made sure to leave small cuts on her tiny feet. When they were deep enough in the woods, they suddenly stopped, the man tugging at her arm to make her stop in her tracks.

He fished a black cloth out of his pockets, and blindfolded her. She had so many questions she wanted to ask. She had a deep urge to scream and run far away from here, back to the safety of her room. Yet she remained silent as told, following this man's every order. She scoffed. It should be the entire way around. She was the princess after all.

Without a warning, her feet stopped touching the ground and she felt her head turn. She was being carried upside down on this stranger's shoulders.

After that her mind was blank, as if the memories were erased from her brain.

She was brought back to reality when the person standing at the door cleared their throat. She looked at him, looking him over with curiosity. He was handsome to say the least. Black shoulder length hair framed his face, his strong jaw was clenched, his full lips were set in a frown. His straight nose was scrunched in annoyance, and his eyes, the most beautiful blue orbs she has ever seen were full of anger and rage. At least his emotions were mirroring hers.

"I see you are already awake." He said, closing the door behind him and sitting on one of the wooden chairs.

"Who are you?" she asked, getting straight to the point.

"My name is Aelix Arsenio. I am sorry that we have met like we did yesterday but I had no other choice."

"Yeah because kidnapping the princess is a choice." she stated furiously.

"I had specific orders to follow. At least you're alive. You should have been dead, just like your parents." He replied, annoyed.

"W-what do you mean 'like your parents'?" she asked, frozen.

The stranger, Aelix, sighed. "Your parents were murdered last night. The assassin was planning to kill you but I got to you before he did and managed to save you."

Amethyst was lost for words. Her parents, the reason she was alive, were dead. She stood frozen, a small lump starting to from in her throat.

No.

She would not cry. Not in front of Aelix anyway. She cleared her throat, blinked a couple of times to clear the tears that started to form.

"Take me back to the castle." She demanded, already starting to stand up, not caring about her aching muscles.

"No." He replied just as sternly.

"Take. Me. Back. To. The. Castle." She snapped back angrily.

His cold eyes glared right back at her. He then shrugged.

"Okay. Stand up."

She was taken aback. She did not think he would give in so easily. She stood up, back straight, just as a princess' posture should be.

She looked at Aelix, walked passed him and waited for him to open the door. That being done, she walked out of the cabin, dreading the moment she would be back home.

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Hey guys! Well that was the first chapter. Hope you liked it! Tell me what you thought in the comments and don't forget to vote!

-Tania xx