Chapter 2

Kendra slowly returned to consciousness. The first thing she noticed was a throbbing headache. She was lying on the ground, the stone floor was cold against her bare skin. Her memories returned like a wave flooding her mind. Navarog crashing through the window and grabbing her, Seth lying unconscious on the ground and the fight between Navarog and Bracken.

Kendra shivered not wanting to open her eyes. Hoping that it had all been a dream and that when she opened her eyes she would find herself back at Fablehaven. With Bracken. Bracken who had stood against Navarog to protect her. Gotten hurt because of her. Was he even alive? She couldn't let herself think like that. Bracken was alive. He had to be. He just had to.

Her train of thought was suddenly interrupted. Someone was calling her name. The voice seemed to come from far away. Someone crouched in front of her stroking her cheek ever so gently.

"Kendra, it's time to wake up." This time she heard the voice clear as day and knew, even before opening her eyes, exactly who it belonged to. Navarog was crouching over her with a devilish grin on his face. A smile Kendra remembered all too well.

Startled Kendra sat up quickly feeling lightheaded. She tried to back away only to notice that her wrists were bound by a pair of chains attached to the floor. Navarog examined her tilting his head slightly to one side. She stared back at him too shocked to speak. She was still wearing her dress from yesterday which did nothing to protect her from the cold. She started to shiver again.

They were in a small dark room with a wooden door. The only light came from a small panel on the door that enabled soft light to filter into the cell. Kendra heard movement from the other side. Probably a couple of guards on patrol.

Navarog was the first to break the silence: "It really has been a long time, hasn't it, He smirked. Knowing you, you'll have a lot of questions." "You don't know anything about me," Kendra spat recovering from her shock. "Oh? He replied. He chuckled and leaned in closer. I know a lot more than you'd imagine." "Sorry but I already have a stalker, Kendra informed indifferently. But I will be sure to inform you if the position reopens. I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you though. Satyrs are immortal and Verl even made a creepy statue of me. It'll be really hard to top that." Navarog chuckled: "High spirited as always. You know that's the one thing I always liked most about you."

"How are you still alive? Kendra asked. Raxtus ate you. It shouldn't be possible." "Oh but it is, he replied. You see after that pathetic excuse for a dragon devoured me, my body was destroyed. Luckily I managed to separate my spirit from my body moments before allowing me to be brought back. The process of resurrection is slow and it took me a long time to recover my full strength, but long story short, here I am."

"So now you want revenge, Kendra guessed. Is that why you brought me here, because I killed your father." He raised an eyebrow. "Revenge? He wondered. It is tempting but there are more important matters to tend to. You actually did me a favor by disposing of my father," Navarog admitted. "And how is that?" Kendra inquired. "You see I'm the next in line for the throne and thanks to you, my long wait is over."

"So you'll be the next demon king," Kendra realized. But what do you need me for?" "If I am to become king I'm in need of a bride, a queen to rule besides me, he explained. That's where you come in."

Kendras jaw dropped. "You want me to be your wife!? Are you insane? What makes you think I'd ever marry you?" "I can be very persuasive," He answered simply.

"Even though kidnapping me and chaining me up in a dungeon are both very romantic gestures, I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline your offer, Kendra stated. You see I already have a fiancé." Navarogs grin widened. "You mean unicorn boy. The hornless wonder. He seems to be quite attached to you. Well seemed," He smirked devilishly. He won't be a problem. Not anymore at least."

"No it can't be, Kendra whispered in horror covering her mouth with her hand. She felt Ill. Was Bracken dead? Had Navarog really killed him? Kendra felt faint. her eyesight started to blur, and she breathed heavily. Tears threatened to form in the corners of her eyes.

No. She wouldn't cry. Not in front of him. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. She blinked the tears away and bit back a sob. "I don't believe you, Kendra challenged. Bracken is alive. I know he is. And you can keep me here for as long as you want to, but I'll never marry you."

She turned her head away but to her surprise Navarog hooked a finger under her chin turning her head and forcing her to meet his gaze. Kendra gasped in surprise. Kendra found herself looking deep into his eyes unable to look away, almost like she was under a spell. "We'll see about that, he replied. I'll give you some time to consider my offer. I'm sure you'll see things from my point of view sooner or later." He released her and got up. "see you soon, princess."