WonderWall (Completed)

Chapter 2: Freedom in Chains

Ebony's chest constricted as she felt a thousand arms pulling her at once. Her breath came in quick, short gasps. Clutching her chest, Ebony squeezed her eyes shut and willed the pain to stop. And suddenly...it did.

She tensed at the feeling of a warm hand on her shoulder, soft, the kind that hadn't done a day of hard labor in its life. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up to find the kindest eyes she'd seen in years. I wonder how many hearts those eyes have captured, Ebony thought. She shook her head to clear the nonsense from it and stood up, dusting her black trousers off. The young man offered her his outstretched hand, a piece of his black hair resting on his forehead, just brushing the tips of his enviously long eyelashes, the only piece not combed back. She took in his long red velvet coat, shiny black boots, and handsome face. Her eyes narrowed.

"Who are you?"

The young man let his outstretched hand drop to his side, his warm smile faltering slightly. "I'm Xavier."

Ebony eyed Xavier cautiously.

"Ebony", she said.

The realization struck Ebony like lightning in a Kansas thunderstorm.

"I was supposed to be executed. I was supposed to die...the noose was around my neck. What...," Ebony stuttered.

Xavier rested his hand cautiously on Ebony's shoulder. Her eyes traveled from his hand to his face, narrowing all the while. She placed her hand atop his and pushed it off. Folding her arms and jutting her hip, she stared him down.

"I am not some dim-witted damsel. I will not follow a stranger to Lord knows where."

"Don't you want answers, Miss Blackfoot? I can give them to you, but only if you come with me," Xavier stated.

Ebony's arms crossed even tighter, but she gave a curt nod, nonetheless. "Fine."

Ebony fell into step next to Xavier, trying to keep up with his long strides.

"Where are we going?" She questioned.

Xavier's gaze slid to her for a moment before focusing on the path of cobblestones ahead. Dodging two men carrying a plank of wood, he moved to walk on the other side of Ebony.

"Wrong question," he stated.

Ebony sighed, forming a cloud of frosty air in front of her before it vanished.

"Where are we?"

Xavier's lips pulled into a half smile. "Silver Lining, my father rules this city. It is my job to find and bring in the lost souls from Haven, using the mirrors."

Ebony raised a curious eyebrow. "I don't understand, why?"

Xavier offered Ebony his hand and helped her gingerly step over a pile of melting snow.

"To offer them better lives," he answered.

That was terribly vague, Ebony thought.

"That still does not explain the reason as to why you brought me here," Ebony said aloud.

"My father has been watching you, Miss Blackfoot. He is convinced you are perfect."

Ebony footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

"Perfect for what exactly?"

Xavier stops walking as well.

"I cannot explain everything now, my father will answer all of your questions if you would just come inside."

Ebony folds her arms as her eyebrow raises itself. "Come inside wh-"

Her mouth drops open at the sight of the castle looming behind Xavier's broad shoulders. It casts a shadow over his light face. The castle rests in between two perfectly spaced rows of birch trees; it's four corner pillars reach up towards the sky while the middle one rests slightly shorter than them. A clear jewel rests atop its silvery orb in the center of the castle.

"Oh..." she breathed.

Ebony swallowed and squared her shoulders. Xavier beckoned for her to follow him as he walked towards the magnificent, gleaming castle.

Ebony's breath caught at the greeting they received. Four shiny, silver swords pointed and at the ready from what she assumed were the castle guards. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Ebony slid her gaze to Xavier whose face was the picture of calmness.

Throwing her hands up, Ebony's violet eyes flitted from one guard to the other before settling on Xavier.

"Um...I was under the impression I was not getting executed today?"