Exiled

Secrets

(Yoo-rae)

    I was in my room brushing my hair and looking out my window to the forest. I hope that Nunsong-i is safe. Father doesn't know about him and would kill him and me if he found out. I'm starting to cut it close with visiting my dragon. My sisters keep following me into the woods and it's getting harder to lose them.

    I sigh as a maid comes in and takes over brushing my hair and another comes to get my outfit ready. I don't know why though. Everything in my closet is the same. I wish I had different clothing but my father likes consistency and I have to keep my other outfits hidden. I hate when people do stuff for me though and I've developed a habit in sneaking into town as much as possible.

  I fear one day that I'll be running for my life next time I go visit my dragon but then again I have an extremely bad feeling about today. I sigh as I go to breakfast my sisters are already in there trying to get me in trouble. However, father doesn't care about my trips into the woods as long as I keep my studies up. In fact he encourages my trips saying that it makes me tougher and more prepared to rule. 

  "Yoo-rae. The kings will be coming over later today. They wish to inspect the area. They believe we have some of the exiled hidden in our forest so I wish You to show them around since you have my of it memorized." My father commands.

  I freeze momentarily panicked and worried. "Of course father. I'll head into the woods after breakfast to find possible areas where they could be hiding."

  "That's a great idea. Why can't your sisters be more like you and make me proud?"

  I flinch under my sister's glares and pale. He definitely wouldn't be proud if he found out that I was a bonded. Mother knew and made sure to keep it hidden when I was younger. She even made sure my maid couldn't speak or write before she passed away to keep the secret. I sighed sadly as I thought about mom. I wish she could have stayed longer. Yes I can technically talk to my maid but I couldn't hold a conversation or ask her what to do.

  After breakfast I changed into my training outfit being careful to make sure my mark was hidden and wouldn't be noticed. I bit my lip in anticipation as I entered the woods desperate to find the bonded hidden here and warn them. I just hoped that I'd at least locate one. I quickly and quietly made my way to parts of the woods that I haven't been to in a long time not having to worry about my sisters this time.

  I smiled catching glimpses of Nunsong-i as he followed  me. He was making sure that I was safe and wouldn't get caught. He's such a sweetheart and I'd never wish to not be a bonded. While I was distracted I got tackled by a strong force immediately knocking the wind out of me and causing my vision to blur slightly.

  Before I could regain my bearings a hand was wrapped around my throat and Pinning me. I struggled and tried to spot Nunsong-i so he could help but this person was having none of it and applied more pressure causing me to start suffocating.

  "Who are you and what are you doing here?" A deep voice growled threatening me.

  I squirmed more as the now identified as a male applied more pressure in irritation of my lack of an answer. I whimpered slightly trying to convey that he was making it hard to speak and I couldn't answer but my sound just made him more irritated. Black spots began to decorate the sides of my vision as I grew lightheaded from the lack of oxygen. My face felt like it was throbbing from my blood pressure. I knew my face was turning red and that a bruise would be on my neck.

  "V. She can't answer if she can't breathe or is unconscious." A tired raspy voice said.

  The so called V released my throat causing me to gasp and cough. Tears pricked my vision as my breath returned to me and made my head pound. I relaxed slightly as I felt Nunsong-i's presence closer but tensed up again as these could be the bonded and so far there was two of them as far as I knew. I finally looked up still breathing heavily and nearly stopped again as the two men came into view. They were definitely good looking and strong and judging by the distance the silver haired boy is the one called V. I shook under their harsh gazes and swallowed to regain my bearings.