KALINA
The Prologue
"Okay this isn't funny LET ME OUT NOW" she screamed as she pulled against the chains unsuccessfully. She had no idea where she was, only that she awoke laying on what she assumed was a bed, blindfolded, with her hands chained above her head, and that she wasn't wearing any clothes. She could tell that there was a robe covering her however underneath it she wasn't wearing anything.
"You have no idea who you're messing with" she tried false bravado to keep from panicking. Her powers were rendered useless as she tried to use them to break the chains. She prayed that her guardians were looking for her. Tied out and without her magic, she couldn't defend herself from whatever was to come. Suddenly she heard a door open followed by heavy footsteps "Who's there…...who are you" she stuttered out her voice trembling with dread. "I demand you answer me" she yelled fed up with the suspense. She could feel the person's body heat standing next to her. She jumped as the person ran a finger across her face….
Bella awoke with a scream, gasping for air, sweat pouring down her face and her heart pounding. The nightmares were a common thing ever since that day. She placed her head in her hands and tried to steady her breathing. 'In and out, In and out' she thought to herself.
Bella knew from experience that she wouldn't be getting any more sleep tonight, so she got up to her balcony. It was a warm summer night, and the view of the Tha'lassa Sea brought a small measure of comfort. "It's all in the past now such a thing shouldn't rattle me" Chastising herself.
It has been a while since she has that dream of that dreadful time in her life. While she never let herself forget about it, she never dwelled on it too much. "If I look back, I am lost" was her motto she lived by. Let the past stay in the past. However, the memories had been crossing her mind more frequently. It is a funny thing that these things would resurface around this time.
Kalina Belle Kenna, 'Bella' to those closest to her, had been Queen of Keegan for over a decade. And this week was the annual gathering of the four clans. KNOCK KNOCK
"Your Majesty are you all right," a voice said. Bella smiled expecting her faithful Queen's Guard to appear sooner or later. Alicent, 'Alice', had been her closest friend and confidant since the beginning. "I could sense your distress everything alright," Alice asked. But once she saw her mistress's face she knew.
"It was the dream again, wasn't it," she asked gently coming to stand next to her Queen. Bella nodded slightly while continuing to stare into the sea. "Would you like me to prepare a tonic for you to sleep mistress" "No I'll be fine".
Alice placed her hand on the Queen's shoulder "He cannot touch you your Majesty none of us would ever let that happen". Her words seemed to break her out of her trance, and she straightened herself.
"There are still a few hours before dawn and when my children arrive, I'll be going over dispatches in my study let me know the moment they arrive," she said putting on her regal mask. Alice knew when to push and when to leave the Queen be, so she just replied with a quiet "Yes Mistress" as she was left alone.
Alice wished there was a way to help Bella. Fifteen years ago, everyone in Keegan knew and loved the warm, vibrant and beautiful Princess that would one day become their Queen. However, time and circumstance have changed her, hardened her. She wanted to help her friend and mistress heal from her traumas, but she knew from her own sorrows that living with pain is sometimes easier than healing.
