I took in a deep breath, licking my lips afterward. The shortage of water was causing my mouth to dry, and my lips felt like they were about to crack. The small amount of oxygen in the cave caused a tightness in my chest.

I believe it had been about three days since I was in the cave, due to the sleep schedule I tried to place on myself. If I wanted to urinate, I had to sit over a bucket when a clan member would bring water. My uniform smelt like piss and sweat, I felt filthy.

The only tolerable experience I had since being held hostage was their cook. He had snuck into my "cell" and given me a full meal, feeding it to me.

He said he used to be in the kitchen staff for King Demotis, and wanted to pay his respects to me. He believed I should be treated better and promised to return with more food.

I felt as if I was going a little crazy, only having dark walls and shadows to view. I would hear echoes of the clan's men passing by, and I knew something was being planned for my transportation.

Being left with only my thoughts caused me to feel guilty. I wanted to console my mother, whom I knew was in a state of complete panic. I wanted to eat Maria's grits and not stale bread. I wanted to hear Hazalen's laugh, and was wondering what Henry chose to wear today. I wanted to thank Jack for protecting me, and applaud him on our teamwork. But most of all...

I wanted to be in Damien's arms.

Be called, "Sweetheart" or "sweet cheeks".

Watch as a smile on his face forms, and kiss him goodbye.

I understood the situation at hand, that I was probably never going to see my loved ones again. I was about to be transported for unknown reasons, and I was prepared for what was to come. I have to keep a level head at all times, or else I will never be able to return home.

Deltora was my home, Descuvi or not. Henry, Hazalen, mother, Maria, and Damien...

They were my home.

"This meeting we shall finally be able to plan a corse or action." I announced, rolling up my sleeves.

Everyone looked like shit. Though we eventually held smiles on our faces due to the news, our appearances were fragile.

Hazalen's eyes held dark circles, she obviously wasn't getting the appropriate amount of sleep. Henry arrived without a handkerchief today, so he used a napkin on the table as a replacement for the time being. Jack spoke less during our constant meetings, and Landon was constantly stressed with the control of the Knights' search.

Before the meeting, I took a quick glance in the mirror. My dull eyes were apparent- they looked lifeless and tired. The only thoughts I was able to conjure were of Annalise. Not only the of rescuing her, but how I took our memories for granted.

I worried she was already dead or if she was being tortured. I blamed myself, never listening to her small remarks about the safety of her and the kingdom. The thoughts haunt me, every mere second of the day that her life is in my hands. I'm the reason she was taken, and I'm the only force that can bring her back.

"Promise me you won't leave me. No matter what happens, you will keep fighting. Promise me you'll stay by my side. Please, for me."

I made her promise this to me in the hospital room, yet I was the one whom ended up breaking it. If I lost her the same way I lost my mom, I would never be the same. Annalise makes me feel centered, cherished, and balanced. Her smile could turn my whole day around, and her laugh had me hearing wedding bells. Her soul felt infused with mine, and loosing her meant loosing myself.

She's my sweetheart, my yin and yang- she fills the holes in my soul that I could not.

I love her.

Realizing this sentiment after she was gone made the situation more dire. It took her absence to realize my true feelings- how much I needed her, not just as a best friend but my greatest desire in life.

"Our spies spotted the Bendlar Clan in Mount Deltlara. Their base is in a cave, hidden on the other side of the mountain. It is near the top, meaning they will have the upper hand in defense. Their base will be elaborate and difficult to infiltrate, but we have the recourses and people to complete the mission." I stated.

"What if she's not there?" Hazalen asks, her eyes full of uncertainty. We all knew the possibilities of her fate.

"We could take some hostage and get information out of them." Landon remarked.

"No, I mean.... what if she's dead?" Hazalen asks. The room went silent, all of us had thought this but not dared to say it aloud.

"Then we shall take revenge on every soul affiliated with her fate. I am personally searching for Cole, and will eliminate him." I break the silence. My audience nodded, agreeing with my statement. We all resented Cole for his betrayal to our kingdom, he was a main factor in Annalise's kidnapping.

The one question I still had no definitive answer to- why? Annalise held great value to me, but Cole hasn't set a bargain. Her death wouldn't cause an impact on the kingdom besides my health. He would place a price on her head for something in return, yet he wanted nothing to do with me.

"The infiltration shall commence in six hours, at the crack of dawn. Landon and Jack shall join me, plus thirty knights to complete the mission. This is all for today, and hopefully our last meeting. Thank you all for your persistent help and support." Everybody stood up from the table, bowing their heads at me and leaving.

I stayed in the meeting room for longer, too absorbed in my thoughts to move. I couldn't help thinking of all the ways I wanted to hurt Cole, and how upset Annalise might be with me for breaking our promise.

I'm coming, sweetheart...

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"The palace halls used to be filled with paintings that Queen Kathrine gave Lillian. My favorite was of their wedding held on our beaches, Lillian wore the most beautiful gown." The cook explained, feeding me another portion of a potato. I smiled somberly, understanding that my mother had made her bridal dress.

John's stories of Descuvi filled me with wonder about my homeland. His features were similar to mine, besides the fact he's definitely eaten a lot more chocolate than I.

He told me stories of King Demotis slaying a magical bear in supposedly a witches cave, which hung in his chambers. He liked his steak medium well, and Lillian always had an abundance of chocolate from her homeland. The cook swears he saw a siren from the sea, and fell in love on first sight. John would visit the same spot on the beach every day after work, hoping to find the red-haired beauty.

"What is your theory on the lost royal?" I asked with a smile. It was nice being able to talk to another Descuvi besides my mother. His eyes grew wide and quickly stood up, noticing the presence behind him in the shadow's reflection.

"What is your theory, John?" Cole emerged from the darkness, an evil glint in his eye. The hairs on my arm stood up, but I never let my fear show.

"Sir I-" Cole punched him, causing the food to fly out of his hands. I gasped as John held his nose, blood trickling down his chin. Cole proceeded to kick his stomach, causing the air to knock out of his lungs.

"Get the fück out of here." He growled out. I watched in horror as John tried to catch his breath, holding his stomach and bleeding nose. He left, using the cave's wall for support. Cole looked toward me, a snarl on his face of apprehension from his work on John.

"Go to hell." I glared at him, my voice low. I was furious, he hurt my only friend from Descuvi. The old man was the only person whom had shown me kindness in this sick, rotten cave.

Cole suddenly backhanded me, causing me to gasp. I tried to reach up to hold my cheek, but the chains constricted my actions. My face felt on fire, I had never been hit before.

"We are already there." He winked at me.

Disgusting.

"We will be leaving shortly, and you will finally return home." He crouched down time my level.

"What do you mean... home?" I asked. Deltora was my "home", but what was his definition?

"It's time to take your place on the throne, Princess."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

🤭

I hope y'all liked this chapter... I enjoyed writing it. Kind of left you on a cliffhanger there🥴sorry not sorry.

I love you all💗thank you for supporting me and my writing. This is my escape from the world, and I love reading your comments and Theories.

Some of them just might be correct... and some of them might not🤷🏼‍♀️

All I can tell you is that a battle is coming... and as always, more shït is about to go down.

💗💗- AG