Poisonous Love

A rough, cold, massive hand feeling my body woke me up. The swift initial reaction of hiding my wakeful state was commendable. I have almost done a waking-up slap to these perverts, but I’ve done well to keep my wakefulness and animosity within wraps.

’It’s real. She had both the mark of the dragon and the phoenix, one voice said as a hand glided on my back, and then on my left arm. He sounded like the same man from earlier.

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

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

Ok fine, fine dragon mark, don’t know how my birthmark upgraded into a dragon, but ok I can still accept it, to a degree. But what phoenix mark are you on about?

It was a surprise my head didn’t explode from all the complaints. Too much information and stimulation to deal with after a sleep of who knows how long. When we did, I could almost thank that pervert for removing his grubby hand.

‘We'd better make it fast, then. We already exceeded the time given to us by the queen’, another voice added. A hint of fear in his tone.

‘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, hey?

‘We will move after the bulls have fully migrated.’

’So the queen will just kill her and make it look like the king did this?’

‘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?

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, my back exposed 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 fight, then I can escape this, too!

’There is no way we are getting out of this alive. We do this, and this princess’ people will kill us. Maybe our king’s people, too. We don’t do this, then the queen will kill us’, said someone with a deep manly voice.

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

’Or her lovers will have us’, a new voice said as he entered the room.

What followed was a sudden carnage. Something or someone fast enough to leave that rendered the rest of the men speechless. Until they were harmed.

*scrape*

Are they using scissors? Grinders?

The grinding noise was bearable, but I flinched every time I heard the sharp noise that sounded like chalk being dragged across a chalkboard. It was so painful that I ended up moving and covering my ears.

‘Please! Prince Marik!’

’We were just following orders!’

’You won't get away with this!’

’I am just a recruit!’

The earlier topic of my immediate short future was changed into mixed pleas and groans. I had one hand on my mouth and one on my ear.

One man with the tail of a scorpion sticking out of his priest-looking hood came within sight and booked it to the far door. He had blue liquid all over his back.

What’s the blue substance? 

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

Raiona’ mother? And is it an exit after all?

He peeked from behind the door to look back and saw that I was wide awake. He threw at me what I assume to be a glass container of some liquid. But it wasn't for me, it zipped by my ears and hit someone behind me.

Actually, was he helping me escape?

Once the noises stopped, I stood up and ran to the metal door as well, not even looking at what had just happened behind me. Sharp noises kissed the side of my face, and warmth spread on my right cheek. A few piercing needles were on my hand, pinning it to the door that I was opening. I let out a cry as I forcibly removed my right hand from being pinned to the door.

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 directly into nowhere.

‘How long are you going to struggle for?’ A manly voice asked.

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

’I am scared. Please help me’, words that I never expected to come from my mouth. I felt very vulnerable.

‘I never expected Raiona to be a weak girl like you.’ I can almost feel the cold smirk that came with that remark.

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

I thought I was immune to poisons?

’Were those needles poisoned?’ I mumbled.

’You’ll live.’

’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?’ He wasn't hiding the sarcasm in his tone.

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?