Winged

Chapter Ten

Sabrina

I zoom through the air using both my wings and manipulating the wind to propel me forwards towards the only land in sight. I can only hope it's where the girls are held.

I still can't believe I'd left Annabelle, and the guilt in me kept rising, but I know she can take care of herself, and that the ship would have to dock at land and refill supplies before making the trek back across the ocean to the Emerald Palace and its king.

So, I'd just be getting extra time to find and free the girls before waiting for Annabelle to come right to us and then we'd make our escape together.

Together.

Annabelle

Trapped by calloused hands and surrounded by gaping sailors, I notice the flash of wings heading towards the east and let out a sigh of relief. Smart girl.

She was safe for now, at least I had that comfort. At least the blood on the floor wasn't from some fatal injury from the men like I had first thought walking in.

Now I had my own wellbeing to worry about.

A woman emerges out of the crowd, draped in the most expensive garments I have never seen. Her dress was a deep red, with hints of copper and metallic brown in the incarnate detailing. The bodice had a Bardot neckline showing off olive skin. A lighter tone of the fabric, filled with more metallic pilled from the waistline, widest at the top near her collar and thinnest at her waist, creating the illusion of an impossibly thin waist. The skirt was crafted of the same fabric, the symmetrical lighter fabric also going into the skirt, yet it protruded outwards as it neared the floor.

Her wrists were wrapped in an elegant, deep-red band, thin red material draped from the hem of her dress, attached to it, moving as she moved.

The long train dragged across the floor silently as she stalked over to where I stood, gaping in my head, but trying to keep a responsible composure.

This woman was utterly stunning. Impossibly long, auburn hair spilling from her scalp, forming smooth waves down to her thighs, atop her head a band of elegant metal, a crown of swirls adorned by a single red jewel in the center, my lack of education unable to name what shone there, and bright blue eyes that reminded me of Hali's.

Her hard, cruel smile reminded me of the way my eldest sister looked, sitting on Ethan's lap.

In her hand was a long, thin knife.

My hands start shaking.

Quina. Princess Quina. The whispers surround us as even my captors release their grip on my arms and tilt their heads in honour of the royal Queen.

In a voice as slick as a viper, yet sweet and quiet, she commands the men.

"I'll have her taken to my chamber imminently. Prepare the chains."

The knife- not for decoration, but for slicing open skin. For Torture. They were going to torture me, work out where Sabrina was, once someone with half a brain saw our setup. The two beds, the blood on the floor where I had no cut.

I try to stop it, but I can't help the fear in my eyes as my knees buckle, yet I hold my composure. Keep my chin up.

I had never been tortured before, I was weak in many ways, yet I would try my hardest. For my sisters. For my friend. For the hope that I'd be able to once again embrace my parents, reunite with the family I'd lost.

The thought strikes me, worse than the idea of torture.

I'm alone. I've always had someone I love or trust by my side, whether it be my brother, my parents, my sisters or even Rin, yet not once have I ever been truly alone.