Destiny (Volume I: Shur'tugalar)

Chapter Three Part XXIII (ED)

Belinda's voice had grown weaker, and Leafë offered her some more water, which she took with gratitude. Lifting the flask from her lips, she began again. "Before he could respond, Galbatorix said to him, 'Like I suspected, she is your weakness. One that I'll exploit to get what I want.'

“'And what is that?' Beloth asked, struggling to raise his head and met the king's dark gaze as I stepped closed to him in fear.

“'Belts,' is what he said, adding, 'After all, it's your most famous trade. I want one for myself, and two for the ones who will become Riders under my command. I will bring you the gems and tools, and you shall craft them.'

“Beloth was silent, and I reached my hand back out to touch his cheek. Glancing at me, he asked, 'And what if I refuse?'

“Galbatorix said nothing, but I thought I saw underneath his cowl a glimmer of a smile, and all of the sudden I was on fire." The blonde shuddered at the memory. "It was the worst pain imaginable, not just hurting my body but also my mind. I screamed, falling to the floor in agony as the mad king laughed. Through my pain, I faintly heard Beloth yelling for Galbatorix to stop. I called out to him, weakly, feeling myself fading as the pain finally ended.

"When I awoke, Liress was hovering over me, eyes frightened. I frowned at her, and she placed back the mask of coldness and indifference, but I now knew it was just that - a mask. I looked around, realizing I was back in my room.

"'What happened?' I asked her.

"'Your Rider made a deal with His Majesty. In exchange for your safety and free release, Beloth will make the king his belts. You are allowed to visit him for an hour a day, and are also allowed outside under my supervision.'

"'So I'm a prisoner in my own home,' I retorted.

"'You brought this on yourself!' Liress said angrily. 'Why did you always have to be the stubborn one, the one who always got into trouble, the one who was always a rebel? I tried to protect you, tried to - '

"She stopped, and I realized what she was saying. 'Liress, you are my sister,' I said, reaching out and grabbing her hand. 'My twin. Please, help me now.'"

Belinda stopped speaking for a moment, closing her eyes as she took another breath. "I feel it starting," she said, looking at the elf. "The babies are moving."

Leafë nodded. "You're about to give birth. Please, let me - "

"No! No time, no time," the woman muttered frantically. "I have to tell you all of it, no more pauses. You need to know because they - " she caressed her womb, " - will need to know when they're older."

Swallowing, Belinda continued without halting, "Liress looked at me, and I could see the pain and distress she was feeling through our unique twin bond as she pulled her hand away, whispering, 'I can't.'

"'Why?' I demanded.

"She said stiffly, 'I've sworn my allegiance to King Galbatorix, not only in this language, but the ancient one as well. I cannot - nay, will not - break my vows.' She looked at me, tears in her eyes. 'I love him, Bell. You know about love; please, tell me that you understand.'

"I shook my head, horrified. 'How can you love someone who did this to your own sister? To me, Liss - he did this to me.'

"Anger lit in her eyes. 'I knew you wouldn't understand - you're blinded by that idiot Rider. He's poisoned you against our king, against me!'

"'No, sister,' I said sadly. 'He's only made me see the truth about the king, and about - '

"'Me?' Liress finished. I tried to say no, wanted to say no, but my lips wouldn't let me form the words. Eyes filled with pain, she whispered, 'I knew it,' before running out the door. I jumped up, reaching out to her, but Liress slammed it shut on my face.

"The next day, it was a new guard who came to my door, not my sister. He led me down the same steps as yesterday, and opened the door to Beloth's cell. 'One hour,' was all he said before slamming the door shut.

"Running into the room, I saw Beloth sitting at a large desk, an array of tools and leather spread out before him. He looked up at my entrance, and I smiled when I saw that he had been healed. I ran to him, throwing myself into his arms as I finally broke down.

“He held me for a while, whispering soothing words as my sobs finally eased. Pushing me back, he stared at me with his beautiful gray eyes, utterly serious as he told me, 'Belinda, my love, you must listen to me, and listen carefully.

"'I have hidden some of my crafts, some belts that I made during the Year of Darkness and saved ever since. You must get them from the docks, somehow - they can't be allowed to fall into Galbatorix's grasp. I've secured your safety with our bargain, and this work will hopefully take long enough for you to give birth safely within this castle.'

"'And then?' I asked fearfully. 'Will he let you go?'

"Beloth looked away, tightening his grip on my shoulders, and answered, 'No. And I ask, if he makes you come, do not watch my death.'

"'No!' I yelled, gripping his hands desperately. 'I won't let you die. You can't leave me; what reason do I have to live without you?'

"'Our children,' he said, resting his hand gently on my stomach. 'They will need you, my love.'

"'And what about me needing you?' I whispered through my tears.

"Beloth hugged me tight and murmured, 'We have this time, these months, even if it's only an hour. Let's not squander it dreading what the future shall bring.'

"I knew he was merely trying to distract me from his fate. But before I could say anything more, he pulled back, reaching into his pocket as he said, 'I have a gift for you.'

"He pulled out the most exquisite pair of earrings I'd ever seen, silver chains from which dark pink roses hung from. I gasped with awe at the beautifully carved gems. 'Did you make these?'

"He nodded, smiling slightly as I eagerly reached forward to finger them. 'Allow me, my lady,' he said as he fastened them into my ears. Smiling hugely, I kissed him with all the enthusiasm and love I had.

"While we were kissing, the guard came back in. 'Time's up,' he said gruffly. Reluctantly, Beloth pushed me out of his arms, giving my hand one last squeeze as the guard tugged me towards the door."

Reached towards her ears to touch the earrings she spoken of, Belinda said, "And that's how the days passed by. I woke, ate some breakfast, waited restlessly to see Beloth again, went down to him and spent each second in his arms before going back to my room in the tower. Days turned to weeks, and those to months. My body slowly rounded, the babies stared to kick, and Beloth's belts were meticulously being created. We both knew that once they were done, so too was our tenuous situation."