Hunted

Chapter 4

A/N
This is a flashback. This is one of the attacks explained by Mason in the previous chapter. This is the attach mentioned in chapter four.

Catherine.
1524. April 14th.

The cold, bracing air blew across my face as I walked out into the courtyard, my long brown hair blowing in the wind. Even in April, our Northern kingdom was still frosty. The only time it ever warmed up, was in summer, and then it was still moderately cold. I loved the cold for some reason, the refreshing air never ceased to make me feel alive. I couldn't explain it; it was as if my whole existence could be explained by a single gust of cold wind. That doesn't explain what happened next, suddenly, I noticed that I was not standing on the ground. I was wishing so badly to fly, to be a practical part of the air. And suddenly it happened, one moment, I was on the ground, the next I was literally walking on air, I was about four feet off the ground. My heart basically stopped, as I was panicking, my body decided it didn't want to be in the air anymore, and I dropped to the ground. Fast.

I also hit the ground. Hard. It hurt. "Catherine!' My mothers voice called, full of worry and fear. "Catherine! Where are you?" she repeated.

"Mother, I'm over here, in the courtyard.2 I replied quickly, I didn't want her to worry about me, it stresses her, and stress is not good for her health.

"What are you doing out here Catherine?" she said, her eyes full of fear and anxiety. The two ladies-in-waiting stood by her side... waiting. She hates that I love the outdoors so much because she knows that when I get married to some prince from some kingdom, he will probably not allow me to leave the castle often. After all, I'm "supposed" to take care of the affairs of the castle. If I allow some stupid prince to control me.

"I was just enjoying the fresh air, clearing my head." I replied nonchalantly.

"Okay" she replied with clear suspicion in her eyes, and with good reason, it was late morning, around eleven o'clock and I usually went out before either of my parents had woken up." I just wanted to check on you quickly and make sure that you were alright, remember we have a luncheon with the Prince of the kingdom of Avaria. Followed by continued planning of your birthday ball." She said matter-of-factly.

"Yes mother, I will go and prepare. "I replied sullenly. She knew that I hated all the princess responsibilities and duties. Walking in a stately fashion, her ladies-in-waiting by her side, she practically glided out of the courtyard swiftly and silently. I exhaled sharply, gladly rejoicing that my mother never saw me flying. She would definitely have taken me to see a witch, and I HATE witches.

I breathed in deeply, and breathed out, as my breath formed a misty cloud of air right in front of my face. I waited for a few seconds, and then walked out of the courtyard. Shaking the snow from my hair and looking forward to a bath, to cleanse my thoughts from the events of right now.

My foot slipped into the warm water of the bathtub. I sighed contentedly and entered the tub fully, the water at my neck. My hair floating around in the water. I slowly submerged myself fully in the water. Holding my nose. I didn't want to come up, I felt so warm and comfortable. So I stayed under. For such a long time. At a point, I removed my hand from my nose, only to find that the water was not rushing into my nose, and I could somehow breathe. I was extremely confused, but I decided not to move, just in case whatever magic this was, would become disrupted. Now that I was thinking about it, I found I actually could not breathe anymore. I held my breath. Yet there was a nagging feeling at the back of my neck telling me that this was no external magic. I kept holding it, suddenly, I found that I couldn't hold it anymore. I wanted the water off, and I wanted it off right then. Suddenly, it just wasn't there anymore. I sat up quickly, looking around. Scared out of my mind that the water would appear from nowhere. I eventually looked up, slowly craning my neck to see it floating above my head.