Caught by Love

Chapter 1

Birds chirping. Water running. Voices coming closer. I open my eyes and raise my hand to my face to block out the sun.

"Mommy! Look there's a lady over there!" A young boy's voice calls out. I hear footsteps running towards me. I instinctively shy away from the hand that reaches out to touch me.

"Hey. It's alright Miss." The man's hands slip under my back and he helps me sit up. "Can you tell me what your name is?"

I look at him then glance beyond at the woman and small boy standing behind him. I think then tell him the last name I can remember. "Diva. My name is Diva."

The woman gasps and the boy hides behind her. The man smiles and brushes the hair from my face gently. "Diva. That's a lovely name dear. Are you by chance related to the Queen of Demons?"

I stare at him in wonder. "How do you know about me? Humans are supposed to be ignorant and simple. What's going on? What happened? I feel as though I've been sleeping for a long time." I put my hand to my head then try to stand, but my legs won't support my weight yet. The man laughs lightly and catches me sweeping my body into his arms as if I were as light feather.

"You've got a lot of catching up to do your majesty. In the meantime, I'm Tristan, this is Emily and our son Krelldan." He carries me through what seems to be a giant garden to a huge mansion and Emily follows carrying Krelldan with her. Tristan walks inside still holding me in his arms, through a huge open foyer and into an ornately decorated parlor. Emily sets Krelldan down and he runs instantly to me as Tristan lays me gently on a gold and red couch and props me up with two of the pillows. Krelldan climbs onto my lap and looks up at me with his big blue eyes. I smile and reach out to touch his face.

"How old are you Krell? Can I call you that?" I rub his head gently and look back at Tristan and Emily.

"I'm seven, you are a demon, but you are nice, you are pretty and I like you." His smile playful and innocent

"And you are very funny." I laugh lightly and look closely at Emily who has her hand on her stomach and is watching me carefully. He jumps off my lap and runs to her jumping up and down.

"Can she stay mom? Please?" he pulls on her sleeve as she studies me and I meet her eyes to show I have nothing to hide. Emily looks at Tristan then at Krelldan who is giving her the puppy-dog eyes.

"Well... I guess she can stay dear, but no one can know." She sighs then smiles. I stand and walk to her.

"Don't worry. I don't understand how you can be so kind after what my people have done, but I will try to help you the best I can." I extend my hand to her and smile gently. Emily shrinks back and looks at me in confusion.

"I thought you said that you had no memory. How do you know what you demons have done since King Charkell put you to sleep?" Her eyes are full of mistrust and fear. She steps back pushing Krelldan behind her and reaches for a small knife she has hidden under her skirt.

"I read your minds. Only the parts about the history though. I didn't look at anything personal I swear." I stand up and back away from them, mentally slapping myself for not asking permission. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It was wrong of me to do that without your permission."

Tears form in my eyes and I run out of the house and back into the woods where they had first found me. I run until I can't go anymore and then collapse at the foot of a giant tree in the middle of the garden. My vision starts to swim and I realize I have no magic. I hear footsteps and a voice calling my name in the distance. I reach for the voice. Then my vision goes back and I lose consciousness.