Poisonous Love

A rough, cold, massive hand on my body woke me. My first instinct was to lash out, but I forced myself to stay still with half-lidded eyes and a steady breath. Commendable restraint, if I must say so myself, considering how badly I wanted to slap this pervert across the face.

‘It’s real. She bears both the mark of the dragon and the phoenix,’ a voice said as a hand traced down my back, then along my left arm.

You jerk! How many times must you check my body? In fact, do you even have to touch me? I never pawed at my patients this way when I checked for wounds and skin integrity. I swear I’d cut your hand off.

‘The mark on her back is huge. Why’s it bigger than the dragon mark on her arm? Does that mean she loves the phoenix more than the dragon?’

Excuse me… What? Fine. Dragon mark. I can barely accept that. But phoenix mark? Since when?

My head threatened to explode with complaints. Too much information after who-knew-how-long asleep. When he did, I could almost thank that pervert for removing his grubby hand.

Thank you I hate it.

‘We’d better make it fast. We’ve already exceeded the queen’s time limit,’ another voice said nervously.

‘How far till the next outpost?’

’Not too far. Just two more mountains over. Should be there before the day ends.’

End of the day, end of my life? Smashing.

‘We move after the bulls have migrated.’

‘So the queen will just kill her and make it look like the king’s doing?’

‘Don’t meddle.’ Another stranger with an annoyingly high-pitched voice said. I almost blew my cover, but I managed to stop my hand from automatically covering my ears. I couldn’t stop my body hairs from rising, however. This person was scary, and I felt it from within me.

Is this supposed to be Raiona’s parents men?

The debate over whether to take me to the final location right then or later went on for a good while. I was lying on my right side, still, fetal position, facing away to those speaking. With squinted eyes, I studied the area I was in.

The walls were smoother than I expected. Reinforced with thick wooden beams that looked almost too clean for a random room. No cracks, no rot. Spotless glass lanterns hung in the corners with steady flames. The light was warm, soft, and it showed everything clearly.

It’s a bit chilly but this chamber looks carefully tended.

Shelves lined the walls. Sturdy ones. On the corner was a stack of crates, tools wrapped in cloth, and ropes coiled neatly. Everything was tidy. Not something I expected from a group of kidnapping madmen. At the far end of the room, a heavy steel door was marked with symbols I can’t read.

If I can evade seconds before being swallowed by the ground and survive a dragon and phoenix death match, then I can escape this, too!

‘There’s no way we survive this. We do it, her people kill us. Maybe our own king too. Don’t do it, the queen kills us,’ one gruff voice muttered.

’But if we do this, our family won't be killed by the queen, and we get life changing rewards. Escape hunger.’

As the footsteps and voices echoed through the room, a chill ran down my spine. The voice of another person cut in.

’Or her lovers will have us,’ he said with mocking superiority.

Without warning, a violent whirlwind of chaos engulfed the room. The sound of the commotion was unlike anything I had ever heard.

Are they using scissors? Grinders?

The sound wasn’t metal on flesh. It was worse. Like chalk dragged down a board, sharp enough to rattle bone. I flinched, finally breaking my stillness, hands clamping over my ears.

‘Please! Prince Marik!’

’We were just following orders!’

’You won't get away with this! The queen will find out.’

’I am just a new recruit!’

Their pleas mixed with groans. I covered my mouth with one hand while holding the other over my ear, desperately trying to block out the disturbing noises. As the chaos unfolded, a man with a hood burst into view. He bolted for the door I was eyeing. I felt a surge of adrenaline and considered following, but was frozen with terror after seeing his massive scorpion tail.

What the hell is that?

‘Just wait until your mother hears this.’ He cursed under his breath as he fled.

Raiona’s mother?

He peeked from behind the door to look back and saw that I was wide awake. He threw a vial at me but it bursts before it reaches me.

Is it a potion to help me escape?

Once the noises stopped, I staggered to my feet and ran for the steel door, not daring to look at the carnage behind.

Sharp noises kissed the side of my face, and warmth spread on my right cheek. My right hand was pinned to the door by a spray of thin, piercing needles. I let out a cry as I wrenched my right hand away.

Without looking back, I continued to leave the room and into what looked like an underground mine lit up by sparse torches. I was able to run a few meters before my sight gradually became limited.

‘No. No. NO!’

This can’t be happening to me. Where did the other guy go?

Of all my near misses, that one felt like the real end for me. A dead end. Figuratively and literally. I couldn’t see what was in front of me. I couldn’t see or hear anyone. It’s like he vanished into the walls, and I was stuck in the massive walk-in closet.

I felt severely thirsty and sick at the same time. While shaking and apprehensive, I used the uneven wall as my guide, continuing deeper into nowhere.

‘How long are you going to struggle?’ a man’s voice asked.

I leaned into the wall and slid down to the cold, hard ground.

‘I’m scared. Please help me.’ Words I’d never imagined leaving my mouth. I felt very vulnerable and pathetic.

‘I never expected Raiona to be such a weak girl.’ His smirk was audible.

I crouched and hugged my knees. It was slowly becoming very cold and very dark. My mind was slipping into a haze.

’Were those needles poisoned?’ I mumbled.

’You’ll live.’

I thought I was immune to poisons?

’Didn’t you make love with the dragon and the phoenix? Where are they now when you need them?’

‘HAH?’ I couldn’t have asked in a more exasperated manner. Looked up but only saw silhouettes of far torches.

A low chuckle vibrated close to my ear. I felt the chills down to my soul.

This man hates me.

’Women like you only sleep with strong entities so you can abuse their power,’ he whispered in a sure manner that’s almost like a threat to my life.

I swung into the air, and my palms connected with something.

I hope that was his face.

‘Who do you think you are?’ I tried to show confidence as I barely held on to my consciousness.

’I am Marik. And it has been a while, Your Highness Raiona. Or shall I call you Ina?’ His tone dripped with sarcasm.

How does he know my name?

Marik knelt beside me, held me and then lifted me so softly. The glaring difference between his rude, harsh tone and his careful, calculated touch made me question my sanity.

Is it the poison, or is he actually handling me kindly and gently?