His Majesty’s Captive

Fiona's pov

                      I struggled against the hold of warriors as they pulled me away from my royal chambers. Their fingers gripping my arms as huge metal clasps were jammed around my wrists. They dragged me down the stairs before the castle onlookers and their silent pleas. My ears picked up the cries of my little baby, my eyes widening in horror as she was flung into one of the carriages like she wasn't of royal blood. My lady-in-waiting spared no expense at screaming out for me despite undergoing the same fate as I was.

I was hurled, my kicking legs and flailing arms only increasing their jeers. The carriage bars were flung open, my back hitting metal from the force of being thrown in.

"Mummy!" I heard the shrill cry of my child. I turned to answer her call as she clung onto the bars, her tiny fingers wrapping around the metal, teary blue eyes gazing at me, "Mummy!"

Another warrior stepped forward, eyebrows drawn together as he drew out his sword with force, banging it against the bars of my daughter's cell.

"Silence your pup before I slice off her head!"

His growl forced my little Liora into silence. I saw as she slid down in defeat, fingers still holding onto metal, staring at me like she wished I could do something.

Regret ate at my insides, from being my daughter's Hero to being a powerless woman before her.

"Your highness." It was Celia who called this time. She was clinging to the bars as well. "Your highness."Her voice broke as tears streamed down her face, gazing at me with undiluted pity.

I couldn't say a word to my daughter or lady-in-waiting. I rested my head against the bar, exhaustion wracking my nerves, my mind clouded with confusion and eyes blurring with tears.

'Where is Uncle?' My wolf whispered in my head, her voice quaking in fear.

'I do not know' I replied honestly. I hadn't seen him. Not since I was barged upon in my room and dragged out. He had suddenly vanished like he wasn't my only living guardian.

And just then, I could see him race out through the castle doors, his mate running behind him. Their expressions were plagued with worry, wrinkles formed on their foreheads as they screamed out my name.

They got closer, covering the expanse of space with thudding feet, and as they reached our cages, a man stepped out. Metal flashed as he shielded them from us.

"Stop! In the name of the king," The man pronounced, holding out his weapon, tone as dark as the armor he had on as well as the hair on his head. "Do not step forward towards the traitor."

"Her highness is no traitor, you imbecile." Celia's voice tore as she screamed. "She's Princess Fi—"

"Celia." I finally spoke. I shook my head, my gaze pleading with her to stop her words. "It's enough."

"Where are you taking my niece?" Uncle Rammon asked the man. "You have no r-"

The man raised his hand, halting my uncle. He sheathed his sword and faced him squarely. By now, I could already see the pack members trooping out, peeking at us from their places.

"Hear the royal decree," The man began to speak.

By the command of King Octavius, the rightful ruler of Velmora, let it be known to all from Velmora, across Moondale and beyond; the blood of traitors taint the land and shall not be left to dwell in peace.

The daughter of late Alpha king Dammon of Moondale, the oathbreaker, is hereby claimed by the crown not as a noble guest but as penance. She will be brought and tried before the Dragon's Court, stripped of title and privilege, and held in judgment for condemnation.

Wind whipped past my ears as my sentence was read out, a tear dropping from my eye and rolling down my cheek as the king's guard issued the decree. I saw my uncle-my dad's beloved twin-go weak before me, his eyes meeting mine. In that moment, I knew that the decree was beyond his power, for this was the price that had to be paid for a three-year-old mistake.

"Please,"  My Uncle's mate gazed at the guard, "let us talk to her."

The dark, brooding man was silent for a while and then he tipped his head, giving them access to me.

They both rushed forward, grabbing onto the bars as they gave me their apologetic gazes.

"Fiona, dear," My uncle called, taking my outstretched hands and wrapping his fingers around them. "I am sorry."

I inhaled, heaving as I fought to keep my tears back. "It's okay, Uncle. I will go with my head held high, knowing I did nothing wrong, and I will prove Father's innocence."

"I can't believe this is happening." My aunt's dark eyes were misty as she carefully stroked my arm. "We are losing you and we can't do anything."

"Time's up!" The king's guard called as he mounted his horse. "We have to ride out."

"Fiona," My Uncle hastened his words as well as his steps, "Be careful. Protect yourself and your child."

I nodded at his advice as the carriage began to pull away, and so did the one carrying my child and lady-in-waiting.

"Remember that you will always be our princess," My Uncle's mate added as the speed of the horses pulling the carriages increased and they were forced to stand by.

I kept my gaze locked on them, waving softly while I bade goodbye to my kingdom, to the stone walls I had called home, the lush greenery turning into fields that I had played in, the streams and lakes that had memorized my scent from dipping in them, and to the clear skies that had borne the sadness of my eyes when I cried to them.

As the journey pushed forward, I didn't take my attention off my child who had found it peaceful to sleep in this dire situation. She had curled in a ball, her hair draping over her arms as she snored softly.

I couldn't see Celia well. The cart Liora was in shielded hers but I could tell that she probably had her head bent over her lap, sulking.

We rode deeper into the forest. The paths were unfamiliar to me, but the rocky and grassland routes paved ways for hidden lands.

As the journey continued, the party suddenly came to a halt and I sniffed the air, my ears perking up at the sign of hidden danger.

The warriors around us could sense it too, as foreign noises emanated from the bushes. I could hear the sound of horse hooves while the king's guard rode from his position to meet us behind.

I watched as he surveyed the area, a hand on the hilt of his sword. Almost suddenly, lightning flashed throughout the bright skies and I could see darkness descend.

Shadow creatures.

I almost whispered the words while the other warriors looked around cluelessly. I could see them approach from underneath the earth, tainting the grounds with their shadows, displaying horns and spiked tails, their darkness enveloping the area.

I could still notice the king's guard, his gaze wandering, trying to figure out what darkness this was. Then it dawned on me that they couldn't see them as I could. They couldn't see their form, just the evident darkness brought with them.

The creatures were rapidly evolving, coming out in obsidian smoke, with laughter speaking calamity.

I didn't dally. I swung into action, letting out a yell of resistance as I forced the metals of my cage apart, watching them shatter at my mind control. Then I swung out, chanting a spell, stepping before one that was about to strike the king's guard.

At my spell, the others could see them and they swung into action, despite their confusion, fighting off the creatures of darkness.

Despite my cuffs, my light repelled them. My silver hair shone as I snarled and soon they dispersed, leaving the warriors and our party alone.

"Are you alright?" I turned to the guard who was gazing at me, awe masked beneath his confusion. "I saved you," I spoke, letting him know that it was all my doing, and then I walked towards the carriages.

I was put in the carriage with my daughter since mine was destroyed. Even if she had no idea what was happening, my calm demeanour seemed to ease her and she clung to me throughout the entire ride.

We soon left the green lands, threading further into the mountainous regions. I had only heard of Velmora, the dragon kingdom. I had never beheld it with my eyes—only my ears had heard its tales from the creatures who had traveled beyond our lands.

I clung to my child, smoothing her back as huge iron gates were drawn open and we rode through them. Just as we passed the gates, something sudden yet enthralling bloomed within me.

The special spot on my inner thigh itched as the carriage halted and I felt goosebumps on my skin when we alighted.

I was separated from Celia and Liora immediately and was dragged towards the dark stone-walled castle that stood tall between the mountainous boulders.

Luckily for me, there was rarely anybody around and I stood waiting for the command to move.

'Fiona, can you feel it?' My wolf inquired. 'There's something... something similar to years ago.'

I knew she was talking about the sensations enveloping us—the blooming of our thigh spot as well as the goosebumps rising.

"Follow me," the king's guard called, and I did as he instructed.

My hands were shackled before me, but I held my head high, tucking my feet well in my shoes before I began to walk.

Arriving as a prisoner didn't mean I would succumb to a pathetic pose.

I was taken through oak doors, the anxiety as well as excitement blooming in me taking my attention away from the castle interior.

The soles of my shoes clicked gently against the floor, my heartbeat rising with each step I took.

The doors swung open and we were led to a courtroom. There I stood, my royal pose unwavering before the king's guard and an elderly man dressed in simple robes.

I had expected more people.

'His Majesty the King is on his way.'

Someone announced and I heard footsteps drawing closer. A sweet, enthralling scent teased my nostrils, making me weak-kneed.

I fell over, landing on the floor with a thud.

'Iris, what is going on?' I asked my wolf, barely able to hold my breath.

'Fiona,' she whispered. 'Mate. Mate is here.'