Hey guys! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I am so, so, so, SO sorry for the long hiatus between this chapter and the previous one. As I mentioned on my profile and in other A/N, I haven't really felt like myself lately and then I had finals. But, I'll spare you all the details because I'm FINALLY starting to feel like my old self again AND I'm finally on winter break. Thank you all for being so patient with me and my lack of updates, I really appreciate it. Anyhoo, read and enjoy! I hope the chapter was worth the wait!
Alissa froze, the threatening voice from the shadows causing a chill to tingle down her spine. Ben screamed in fright and buried his face into Alister's awaiting chest. Alissa spun around to press her back against the prison door. Her eyes locked on the heavily shadowed figure hiding in the shadows of the tower. Only the eyes of the figure were visible. Two orbs of brilliant sapphire with slit pupils stared back at Alissa, evaluating her.
"Who's there?" she asked, struggling to fight the tremor in her voice. "Answer me! Who are you?"
"Tch, you're in no position to be making demands," the figure growled in response. "But if you're really that curious, I'm the master of this castle, and everything within its walls."
"Then you're the one responsible for kidnapping Alister and my brother-!"
"Kidnap? Tch, I did no such thing," the figure growled. "Your brother and his little friend trespassed on my castle grounds and entered my castle without my permission. As punishment, they get to stay here until I decide to release them or until they freeze, whichever comes first."
"They trespassed, they didn't commit a murder. Trespassing doesn't warrant this kind of punishment."
The Master of the castle couldn't help but smirk at Alissa, intrigued by her unyielding boldness.
"Regardless, they broke the law and they aren't getting off simply because they were ignorant. Now listen to your little friend and get out before I change my mind and imprison you as well."
"I'm not leaving them here!"
"I'm not giving you a choice."
Alissa was about to retort when Ben started coughing violently in Alister's arms. Choking coughs and thick pants shook Ben's small frame. Alissa's fury quickly turned to fear as she turned back towards the prison and reached through the bars in a desperate attempt to reach her ailing brother.
"Alissa, you have to get him out of here. If he stays he'll just get sicker," Alister explained, lightly massaging the boy's back in an attempt to calm Ben's violent coughs.
"What's wrong with him?" the Master asked, a look of concern briefly passing over his eyes.
"Ben is severely asthmatic. He developed it when he was young. The doctor said that severe temperatures, excessive physical activity, dust, or even pollen could trigger an attack. He could die if it isn't controlled!"
"So give him his medicine."
"I don't have it with me, I would've given it to him if I did!" Alissa snapped before turning her attention to Alister. "Alister where's his medicine? I know you packed some. I even had you pack extra."
"We used the emergency dose already. The rest of it is in the caravan." Damn it! The caravan, Alissa mentally swore. The medicine was in the caravan that she had untied from Kisara before they ventured into the woods. She swallowed around the large lump in her throat and turned back to the Master of the castle.
"Ben can't stay here. If he stays here, he'll die."
"Hn, since I'm feeling generous and because I refuse to be responsible for the death of a child, I will allow you to take your brother back to your town with you. But, your little friend stays here."
"No way, I'm not leaving Alister here!"
"Then what do you suggest, hm?" he asked. "One of you is staying here as punishment for trespassing in my home."
Alissa dropped her gaze to the floor and clenched her fists. She had to think of some way to get both Alister and Ben home.
The Master quietly assessed Alissa, whose face was hidden behind a curtain of dark curls. She intrigued him. She challenged him; meeting him blow for blow without fear. Even with her brother's life and her friend's freedom at stake, she refused to show any sign of fear. He watched her, fascinated, as she calculated a plan in her head. Oh yes, she is intriguing.
"How about we make a deal?" Alissa finally offered, lifting her gaze to meet the Master's. Emerald green eyes that burned with a fierce determination bore into his icy blue ones.
"I'm listening," he replied with a raised eyebrow.
"You said that one of us had to stay, but you never gave specifics on who had to stay."
"Yes, I recall not giving specifics."
"Alissa, what are you doing?" Alister asked, fearing where Alissa was going with her offer.
"I'll give you something else in return for their freedom."
"Tch, what could you possibly have to bargain with?"
"I don't have much, but I do have one thing. Let Ben and Alister return to our town and never bother them again. If you promise to let them go, no double crosses or tricks or anything, you can have me instead."
"Alissa, no!" Alister and Ben shouted from their prison.
"You?" the Master snorted in disbelief but stopped when he saw the determination on her face. "You would take their places?"
"If I did, would you let them go?"
"Hn, what you're offering is pretty steep," the Master said with a smirk. "You'd be giving up everything. You'd be trapped here unless I decided to let you leave. You'd never see your brother or your friend or your home again."
"I know," Alissa replied, a determined fire burning in her eyes. "But it would be worth it if it meant they got to go free."
"Think carefully about what you're offering. I noticed your wild spirit the moment I laid eyes on you. You're not one that is easily confined; a spirit that longs for freedom and adventure. If you agree, you'd be giving all that away. You'd be confined to these grounds and this castle, and if I ordered it, to this very room."
Alissa clenched her fists at her sides and set her jaw. The Master was testing her. She knew it. He was finding her weakness and exploiting it. He was waiting for her to break. But she refused to. At the moment, Ben's health was her main priority. He needed his medicine, and Alissa needed Alister to take care of Ben. Even more importantly, Alister and Ben would be safe and far away from their prison and the monster who trapped them there. To Alissa, the choice couldn't be clearer.
"Let me see you."
"Excuse me?"
"I'd like to see who I'm giving up my freedom to. You're a fool if you think that you can continue to keep me in the dark."
The Master snorted and crossed his arms over his chest before responding. "Very well. Don't scream."
Alissa nodded and braced herself as the Master stepped out of the shadows and into the light given off by the moon. Immediately, Alissa brought her gaze up to meet the Master and her heart stopped. For someone who acted horribly monstrous, he was truly breathtaking.
He was neither human or dragon. He was both. Dragon King was a very fitting title for the Master of the castle. He stood six foot one, about a full head taller than Alissa. A mop of neatly combed chestnut hair adorned his head with some pieces falling into his eyes. Pointed, fin like ears protruded from under his hair and frizzled out at the ends. His face was angular and smooth as if it had been chiseled out of expensive marble. Sharp, pristine white fangs protruded from his upper lip, visible only when he smirked or spoke. Silvery blue scales were sprinkled around his eyes and strong cheekbones.
His body was lean, muscled, and perfectly proportioned. Flawless, cream colored skin stretched over tight muscles and abs. Silvery blue scales covered his forearms all the way up to the spike protruding from both of his elbows. A sprinkling of scales sparkled on his shoulder blades. The scales on his forearms were clustered so closely together that from far away it would appear that he was wearing silvery blue gauntlets. His hands were muscled and covered in the same silvery blue scales. Sharp claws that could rip an enemy to shreds in seconds replaced his fingers. Fin like appendages with a tapered point sprouted out from both of his shoulders. Two massive wings protruded from his shoulders just below his back. The wings were muscled, membraned, and topped with a pointed, white spike.
Behind him, a thick, muscled tail covered in the same silvery blue scales and with a curved tip moved of its own accord, warning any enemies of its strength. His legs were lean and muscular and looked intensely powerful. Harder, silvery blue scales covered the bottom of his legs from his knees all the way down to his dragon like feet that resembled his claws, except with shorter nails.
The Dragon King wore a high neck, sleeveless, black shirt. Over the shirt, he wore a long, white, sleeveless watchcoat with gold trim that was closed at the front, allowing it to fan out and sway around his legs. Intricate, silver dragons with sapphire colored eyes adorned the coat. His muscled legs were covered in black breeches that reached just below his knees. Yes, he was truly a breathtaking creature.
"Well?" the Master demanded harshly. "Don't just stare!"
His voice brought Alissa's gaze back to his eyes. Two, brilliant sapphires with silver flecks and slit pupils. Oh my God, she thought. He's real.
"You're Seto Kaiba, the Dragon King."
"Hn, perhaps I underestimated your intelligence," he replied with an amused smirk.
"You're real."
"Of course I'm real, you fool! What kind of idiotic question is that?"
"No, I mean…there's this legend from our town about you but…everyone always assumed that you were just a legend."
"Hn, clearly that's not that case. Now, what do you say? Do we have an agreement?"
"Alissa, don't!" Ben begged.
"You have my word," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then it's done!" he roared, turning his attention to the two figures that had appeared in the doorway and beckoning them in.
As soon as Ben and Alister were released from their prison, Ben threw himself into Alissa's arms, crying and pleading for her to go back with them.
"Damn it, Alissa. What are you thinking?" Alissa swore, putting an arm around the siblings. Their reunion was short lived. Not long after, Seto grabbed Alister by the back of his cloak and shoved him into the arms of one of the guardsmen.
"No! Wait!" Alissa begged, reaching an arm out towards Alister.
"Odion, Marik, take them both back to the village. And make sure the young one gets his medicine," Kaiba replied to the two guardsmen. He kneeled down in front of Ben and said in a much more pleasant voice. "Come along. It's time to go."
"No! Not without, Alissa! Not without my sister!"
"It's okay, Ben. I'll be okay. Just go with Alister," she replied, trying to plaster on a smile to comfort him. The younger saw right through it and continued to cry.
The Dragon King sighed in irritation and gently snatched Ben away and handed him off to Marik.
"Get them there quickly."
The two guardsmen obeyed and dragged the two struggling boys out of the tower.
"No! Wait! Wait!" Alissa rushed towards the door after them but Kaiba had already shut and locked the door. She rushed to the window and watched as the two guardsmen took to the skies while Alister and Ben struggled in vain to get away. Her heart shattered when she heard Ben screaming her name. He had just lost the last of his real family. He was so scared.
Finally, the heartache became too much and she collapsed to the floor with a sob. She buried her face in her hands as tears streaked down her face. She always hated crying and showing weakness but the remorse, fear, and anger was too much for her. She had just signed her whole life away for someone who didn't know a thing about sacrifice. So she cried. She cried for her brother, she cried for Alister, she cried for her lost freedom, and she cried for the life that she would never lead and her dreams that would never be realized.
xxx
Seto followed Odion and Marik out into the courtyard to ensure that they got both boys home safely. Both Alister and Ben continued to beg for Alissa's release, they even offered the same deal, but Seto refused. By now, Ben's coughing had gotten much worse.
"Hurry up and get them both home!" Seto ordered. He watched as his two servants took to the skies with their squirming captives. Based on their speed, Seto estimated that they would reach the town in minutes, allowing plenty of time for the younger boy to get his medicine. The Dragon King turned on his heels and reentered the castle. He tried to block out the cries of his prisoner as he headed up towards the tower.
"Uh, Seto?"
"What is it, Mokuba?" he asked, turning his attention to the levitating ball of fluff that had appeared next to him.
"We were all just wondering what room we should prepare for the girl?"
"Why would you be wondering that?"
"You weren't seriously thinking of making her stay in the tower were you? Seto, she just lost her family and her freedom in less than an hour. Besides, the deadline for the curse is only a few months away and she may be our last hope."
"You think I don't know that!"
"Just consider it, Seto."
"Put her in the Blue room on the second floor of the East Wing."
"Okay, Seto. You're doing the right thing."
Seto scoffed as his brother flew away. He trudged up the rest of the stairs and threw open the tower door. The Dragon King felt guilt wrench at his chest when he saw the strong willed girl crumpled on the floor.
"Alissa?"
The girl's head shot up when her name left the Dragon King's lips. Her emerald colored eyes were glowing with anger and tear streaks were visible down her cheeks. Without warning, she dashed forward and brought her hand across the Dragon King's cheek. The force of the hit caused the Dragon King to stumble back, holding his red cheek.
"You heartless bastard! How could you do that? Couldn't you see how scared and upset Ben was? He needed me! They're all I have and you wouldn't even let me say goodbye! This was the last time I will ever get to see them and you didn't even let me say goodbye!" She prepared to strike the Dragon King again but he caught her wrist in a firm grip mid strike.
"Hit me again and it will be the last thing you ever do," he hissed, tightening his grip enough to leave a bruise on her thin wrist.
"Let go of me!" she demanded, trying to pry her wrist out of his grip. He responded by tightening his grip and pushing her into the wall. Despite the fear bubbling up inside of her, she refused to show it and instead glared into his equally searing gaze.
"Let's get something straight here. You don't make the rules, I do. And if you refuse to follow them then it will make your stay here much less pleasant. Are we clear?"
"You don't own me."
"You just signed your life away to me. I do now." Finally, he let go of her wrist and stepped back. The Dragon King stared at her and noticed her eyes were burning with a defiance even stronger than before.
"Mark my words, you will learn your place," he replied before turning on his heels and heading towards the door. "Now, if you're done acting like a petulant child, I'll show you to your room."
"My room?"
"Tch, did you really think I was going to let you freeze up here? I'm not that heartless. Now pull yourself together and follow me before I change my mind. Unless of course you'd prefer to stay here, then by all means be my guest."
Alissa swallowed around the lump in her throat and followed him out of the tower. She may not have been staying in the tower prison, but she was still a prisoner.
Woo this chapter is FINALLY done. This chapter took quite a while cause I wanted to draw out Seto as a dragon before I described him…if that makes sense. So, just a few things.
Firstly, Marik and Odion both appear in this chapter but did not get described. I decided to do this because I want to describe them in more detail once they are formally introduced. All you need to know for now is that they're both guardsmen.
Second, Seto's attire took a while to figure out because I wanted it to fit both the time period, and the way his body is. He wouldn't wear anything with long sleeves or long legs because all his spikes and claws would rip the clothes to shreds. His shirt isn't really a turtleneck, just a high neck shirt since turtleneck weren't introduced until I think the 1900s. His coat is very similar to a trench coat, but a little different. Trench coats basically originated from watchcoats. The reason I didn't have him wear a trench coat is because they were not introduced until I believe the 1800s.
Third, I know that Seto gets a little violent in this chapter, particularly when he handles Alissa. Usually, I would be against him "manhandling" a woman since I believe that he was raised to have a respect for women. However, in this story, Seto has lost a lot of his humanity. He won't be slapping anyone around or anything, but if he seems a little rough, that's why.
Fourth, this is a shameless self-promo, but I made an Instagram for my account. It's the same as my Pen Name. I'll be uploading concept art and sneak peeks and what not so go ahead and check it out!
Lastly, I'd like to thank AbyssalDreamer18 once again for betaing. She's the bomb.
