I woke up feeling like I had had the worst night ever. I was in bed. How had I gotten back here? Then I remembered Galbatorix had put me to sleep with a spell from the ancient language. He must have carried me. I inwardly groaned whatever his intentions were I'd hope I'd never know. It was getting very annoying that I couldn't do anything without getting in trouble here. I hated my life. I rolled over and fell asleep again and woke up to Eva yelling in my mind.

Elonda are you all right? Can you hear me? Are you all right? She was frantic.

Calm down Eva I'm all right. I said as I lay there not wanting to get up yet.

At last you answer me. I was afraid our connection was broken or something.

I'm all right Eva. You don't have to worry.

After what happened last night, don't tell me not to worry. You have no idea what I thought was going to happen.

You know I bet I thought the same thing but nothing did really happen.

Well I'm not staying away any longer.

Eva I told you to stay away for a reason. If they catch you do you know what position I'd be in? I'd be beyond panic.

Suddenly there was knock on my door interrupting my silent conversation with Eva.

"Mistress, are you awake?" It was Maria.

"Come in Maria." I sat up.

She came in and bowed. "Good morning Mistress." She shut the door behind her. "Thank you for helping my sister Mistress. You have no idea what it means to me and my family."

"Maria please, call me Elonda." I reminded her gently.

"I'm sorry I'm not used to treating anyone like an equal." She said with a small shy smile.

"Treat me like you would a friend or a family member. You are my friend here okay. I'm not above you and you're not below me. We are equal." I smiled back.

Suddenly the door opened and Galbatorix entered. "Elonda there you are I was wondering when you would awake. I see your servant has already arrived to help you get dressed. Today I want you to meet the riders."

"You want me to call Eva here. I'm not going to call her anywhere near here."

"I was hoping you would so we could capture her." He said thinking. "I thought you would try to escape on her today. You're a smart girl Elonda. I thought you weren't that smart. Girls seem to be no smarter than animals."

"Then you have a lot to learn still." I stood "Girls are just as smart as boys, if not smarter than boys. We are not useless as you think we are. We aren't like some dumb pig you can take to the slaughter house and kill without having them know. I will not let you get Eva and I'm not going to try and escape because I can't. You told me you'd hurt me if I tried."

"Still I thought you'd try on Eva." He said turning to leave.

Eva he wants you to come. You must stay away. I thought as he was leaving.

But Elonda… She started to say.

He stopped and looked at me but I was talking to Eva silently. No buts Eva. It's too dangerous for you. He wants you Eva. He wants both of us. You must stay away.

I can't Elonda. I have to see you. I have to make sure your safe. I can't bear being away from you.

We are still connected through… I felt Galbotorix enter my mind. …the cloth.

I gasped and ran into him. "How dare you!"

Elonda what's wrong? Eva was ready to panic.

"Stay out of my mind you bastard!" I screamed.

Elonda! Elonda are you all right? Answer me! Elonda please answer me!"

"Stop listening to us!" I screamed at him.

He's listening to us! Eva was now more worried.

Only the last line before I started screaming at him. I said to calm her. Now be quiet while I get him to leave us alone.

"I won't leave you and your dragon alone until I have her." Galbotorix was enjoying hearing Eva panic and my I was furious and he was enjoying watching me though I wanted to kill him.

"You'll never get her!" I shouted.

"What cloth?" He asked.

"It's none of your business." I said.

"It is my business. You are my prisoner here Elonda and you soon will be my wife."

"I will never be your wife. I'd rather die than marry you."

Oh Elonda don't press your luck. Eva warned.

"I don't want to marry him Eva." I said.

Don't press your luck! She said trying to keep me from getting in to trouble.

"Listen to your dragon Elonda." He advanced toward me with venom in his eyes.

I backed away quickly. "Stay back."

Elonda do you need me there?

"No Eva, stay away."

But…

"No buts."

"You stopped talking in your mind Elonda." Galbotoirx said coming closer I kept moving away.

"I know I did." No use using my mind to talk sense he would hear me anyway. I suddenly hit the bed. He was only two feet away. I knew what he was going to do before he did. He lunged for me and I barely made it out of the way in time.

You evil varmint, leave my rider alone or I'll tear you to pieces.

"Shut up Dragon." He said aloud.

Eva and I said in my mind in unison. Don't tell her/me to shut up. I avoided another lunge by inches.

Galobtorix looked at me. "Elonda stop playing hard to get. You can't avoid me forever." He motioned to two men in the door way.

They came forward toward me. I blocked my thoughts that I could from Galbatorix. One's eyes were good. He was a thorn! All I had to do was continue to avoid Galbotirix and use this guy to my advantage. Then I saw the other was too. Two thorns made it even better.

"Please I don't love you." I said pretending to be scared to death at least I was wearing clothes and hadn't bothered with pajamas. That was a blessing.

"Then don't move." Galbatorix came toward me.

I couldn't stand it I bolted for the door right between the thorns. They pretended to be startled by my move and maybe they were. I somehow found my way outside.