To Trap An Angel

My Lost Lady...

A few days later....

The sound of gulls blared through the air, right alongside the sound of people chattering all around her. Sapphire walked among the sandy beaches in Mexico, her newly wed husband right next to her. Flashes kept flying past her vision of an an angel locked in a cage. The angel was crying every time. Her wings were cramped up in the cage and she seemed to look as if in grief, but why? Sapphire reached out to the angel and stroked her hand, the angel disappeared and in place of her lay a skeleton key. The cage and the strange room disappeared as well and Sapphire found herself standing in some sort of jungle-like forest. No gulls or people could be heard, just stillness and an eerie silence. The skeleton key lay on the ground, and the cabin to her right, a map was laid out on the ground, but she couldn't understand it. There was another flash of the angel, then everything disappeared despite the key. The key... to life.....

Sapphire threw herself awake from the weird and shattered dream. Only flashes and fragments made sense to her and she frowned in confusion. Everything was quiet. She looked around to see she was on the plane. Cadence leaned over and kissed her lips softly. "Morning my beautiful Sapphire."

Sapphire just stared at him, a blank expression on her face. "Hey." She finally said, looking away from him quickly. . They stayed like that, neither talking nor comforting the other until she broke the silence a while later.

"Where are we?" Cadence chuckled at her, he was definitely something else, that's for sure. A male flight attendant emerged from the velvet curtains that lead to the pilots seats, his wicked eyes locked on hers as he walked up to her, a silver platter in his hands and on top an envelope. His aura didn't make her feel good and actually scared her. Shivers, and not the good kind, were sent spiraling down her soul as his cold gaze penetrated her soul. Those eyes.... He held the platter out to him, his eyes telling her to take the letter, and she did.

Before she could think of anything to say he turned and briskly walked back behind the velvety curtains and vanished. There was a slight shudder through the plane, her attention was drawn back to Cadence and he looked worried, his eyes were dull and they eyed the letter "What was that?" He asked dazed, his eyes locked on the letter still in her hands.

"I haven't the slightest of ideas." She said as fear lanced through her body, her nimble fingers began to break the seal and soon she held the parchment with trembling hands. Wary, she unfolded the paper and began to read what was enclosed.

I see that you fancy the dress dear Estrella, blue is quite dazzling on you I must say. Brings out those eyes. Your mother had the same ones, you know. I understand if you are frightened of me, whether you even recall who I am but you must understand my reasons for secrecy, those your 'fiance' surely knows about. Estrella, you are special my dear, your powers are beyond that of an ordinary human. You mustn't let Cadence control you or you will die. I strongly suggest you open your mind and try to recall that of which he has stolen from you. I urge you to find your way to Silver-Wings court as soon as your flight arrives. Cadence cannot be trusted. I eagerly await your arrival, dear Estrella.

~Lady Midnight, High Queen of Silver-Wings Court

Cadence glanced at the paper and scoffed. "It's blank!" he seemed highly annoyed when she glanced up at him, his temper flaring. She looked down at the paper, the words still there and it was only then she realized that he must not be able to read it. She tensed and nodded, looking over his angered face. She placed the letter in her bag and shrugged, trying to play her lie off. Cadence looked at her coldly and whispered something rough and menacing, a different language altogether. She worried her lip and glanced at him occasionally until he fell asleep.

She looked around the plane, people all around lie asleep, some snoring occasionally while others' mouths gaped. Still tense she met gazes with the male flight attendant who stood leaning against the wall observing her. He tilted his head as his silvery eyes took her in almost methodically her turned and walked through the velvety curtains. With a glance at Cadence, still asleep, she removed her seat belt and made her way to the curtains. She was about to push them aside when a hand shot out and pulled her through, a small gasp broke from her lips. She looked up to see the man with the silvery eyes staring down at her but they were no longer in an airplane.

Behind him the scene unraveled before her. Large trees grew up all around them, the canopy cutting off some of the light, giving the clearing a radiant shimmer of twilight. Small things flew all around them and she stood in disbelief when she realized they were pixies. Their small wings an array of colors and some had skin so blue it could pass for the sky while others had green or pinkish colored skin. She gawked at the sights and then averted her eyes back to the mysterious stranger, something pulling at her mind, begging her to remember something that was lost long ago. "Focus." He whispered. The lull of his voice washed over her like a calm ray of sun, she closed her eyes, taking it in. A strong cold feeling washed over her skin as a memory was thrown at her in her mind and she gasped as it over took her.

She stood in a clearing, trees grew all around her, pixies floated across the breeze as if they were dancing to a music that only they themselves could hear. She wore a lovely satin blue dress that trailed across the green grass, her hair was done up with small flowers weaved delicately through it. Her small ears were pointed at the ends, just like an elves. Her sapphire eyes shone brightly in the lighting and she was not alone. Beside her stood a young man, his body covered in stunning silver armor, a sword was placed on his hip, his eyes were angular and shone a silvery gray. His lips were thin and delicate looking, and were no longer pursed into a thin line. He gazed at her with eyes full of tenderness as he laced his fingers through hers. "Soon, Estrella, you will be the high Queen of all of Ethereal, and forever I will be by your side."

"Oh, Alec." She breathed, "I can only imagine the way it will feel to wake up to you every morning, to have a family, to rule the court with you at my side, my king." He leaned down and pressed his lips gently to hers. A piercing cry ripped through the air as she was jerked away from him, a robed figure that stunk of rotted flesh had pulled her away from him. "Alec!" She screamed, the effort tearing her throat raw. Alec lay crumpled on the ground, above him stood a man in all black, a hood hiding his face. He lifted his hands and removed it, revealing a angular face with deep set green eyes and pale skin. It was Cadence.

"Where do we take, master Nadir." The Man chuckled and kicked at Alec's body.

" Stop it! "  She screamed, "Leave him the bloody hell alone!" Cadence, or Nadir, looked up, his eyes cold and focused on her. Fear lanced through her limbs and she whimpered as he approached. He took her chin rather gently and forced her to look at him.

"Take her to the keep. Wipe her memory." His lips pursed into a thin wicked smile.

Sapphire lurched forward from the memory and caught herself before she fell. A pair of arms had encircled her before she stumbled forward and she shook herself free, terrified at what she had seen. "Estrella." He said, his voice coming out rather gentle for such a large man.

She looked up at him, her blue eyes shining with tears ready to spill down her cheeks. She remembered him now, she remembered heart aching memories of being embraced in his arms at night, all the love they had made. She remembered wiping tears from these silvery eyes, remembered kissing those lips. She remembered everything about him...

"I'm so confused, Alec. " She said as she stepped back away from him, looking down as the tears began to spill. She looked at the ring on her finger. Had the man she had been about to marry really do such cruel things to her? How had she lived with this man? Made love with this man? The thoughts made sick, they made her gag and she soon found herself emptying her stomach in nearby bush. Alec's hands patted her back.

"You have every right to be confused but we need to get you out of here, before Nadir wakes up. " He said urging her to come with him. She shook her head.

"How can I know it's not all a lie? How can I know you didn't plant false memories in my head." But even as she questioned it, she doubted that was the case.

"I would never lie to you, Stella, you know that." He said as he embraced her carefully, trying not to frighten her. She had a flashback in her head and she instantly knew, he was the only one who called her Stella. She leaned in and breathed in the scent of his chest and she nodded her head, trying to be brave.

"Okay," She breathed. "lets - " the sound of paper tearing interrupted her and she look over to seethe velvety curtains once more, the grove had disappeared and the plane shook violently.

Before he stood Cadence, his eyes wild, and a gun in his hand, and it was aimed at her.