The Truth Behind the Wings- ON HOLD for a while...sorry :(

Chapter 11- Dakota Valentine- Clouded Mind

The soft thud of my hasty steps slapping the floor and the melodious tinkle of the bells on the girl's small feet were the only sounds to be heard in the gloomy hallway of the palace. Her glossy dark hair dazzled in the dim light as she proded away from me with a smirk on her  face.

I, on the other hand, was panting hard as I ran after that little devil. My face was was flushed with exertion and curiousity. My jaw was rigid with exhilarating tension. My lips were tightly pursed in a pout and my hands were balled to my sides.

I just had to find out who she was or where she came from-anything.

My instincts were screaming at me. Demanding me to win this game. Urging me forward...

I was so absorbed in the chase that I didn't even notice where I was heading. All of a sudden, something grabbed my foot and yanked me down to the floor. I fell with a loud shriek which echoed through the foreign room.

With effort, I dragged myself up and hysterically looked for the girl. She was no where to be found.

My heart slammed against my rib cage as fear started to engulf me in its clutches. Taking a deep breath, I surveyed the room before me.

It was, what seemed like, an ancient throne room-bigger than the one used by King Devlyn. The majestic grandess of the place had a frightening aura around it. There were paintings and structures of beautiful people everywhere.

The statues represented beauty and perfection. They also represented the gods and goddess of the myths that I had loved to hear when I was younger. 

A bucket filled with emotions  poured down on me.

Nostalgia. Regret. Anger. Hopelessness. Hatred...and Love. I nurtured them all. I walked to the gold gleaming throne and ran a hand on its surface. A tear slipped down my eyes.

Wipping away the salty water with the back of my hand, I recomposed myself and inspected the room even further.

I hesitantly opened the door hidden behind the thick velvet.

It was a royal chamber. The furniture, the upholstery, the ornaments...everything reminded me of the myths. The olden times when the Gods and the Goddess ruled the world. But somehow this room looked...lived in. Like it has recently been used--

A bronze jewled box caught my attention as soon as I laid my eyes in its direction. I practically ran towards it. My hands were itching to touch it. To open it. To find out whatever was inside. To--

"Dakota.." A deep voice whispered in my ear before I felt my conciousness slipping away. I tried so hard to fight the darkness that was taking over me but I was not strong enough to do so. And soon, I lost complete control of my mind and body.

"Dakota.." 

I heard as my eyes fluttered open and stared up at the ceiling of my bedroom. 

Bedroom? How was that possible? I abruptly sat up as flashes of the mysterious room waltzed in my head. 

"Oh my..." I uttered shaking my head. No, no, no! Why did I black out right before I could see what was inside? Why? I had to find out what it was. I had to go back. I-

"What are you doing Dakota?" 

"Your Grace." I looked up and stared at my brother-in-law.

He was leaning against a window frame in a dark suit and a sky blue tie and studying me with blank eyes. Unemotional eyes that gave nothing away.

"Good morning, dear." he smiled.

"Yeah...morning." I muttered and stood up a bit shaky. His arms came around my waist and steadied me. My heart fluttered uncontrollably as tiny sparks of awareness trembled through my body. "Thank you." I barely managed a whisper and headed for the door. To think that I would be used to his touch by now...