I sat up and blinked misty eyed and confused as I glanced about. Everything was somehow different, it had all changed. What I noticed first was the light, or rather near complete lack there of. This did little to bother me as I stood, if anything was a welcomed change, where before my cell had been painfully bright, it was this. Nocturnal by nature I could see everything with a crystal's clarity as I surveyed the simple almost completely empty area, save for a large indiscernible shape just before me. Squinting as I tried to make it out my ears buzzed and head became dizzyingly airy as I was struck with the startling familiarity of the room in which I found myself.
The floor was age ringed as had been the one in my cell, but these rings were more than slight dimples in the living wood, they were the large, deep ruts and divits of a long dead tree. Their was a slight musk to the cool night air that seemed to seep into me and steal away in my hair with a damp mossy tang. Most frightening however, was when I'd dared approach the object in the center of the room, and finally saw it for what it was, a bed. Not the simple, safe, cozy bed of the cell in Pixie Hollow, or even my thin lichen mattress at home, this was the over-large and extravagantly made bed of my king, Dusk of the Nyxies.
I felt sick. Had everything that had happened before been a dream or flight of fancy? Was my arrest and the cell which I believed to have fallen asleep in nothing more than a construct of my own mind in an attempt to protect itself from the hellish reality faced here in this place, or something more, a premonition perhaps?
These thoughts occupied my consciousness only briefly, for they were of little true concern in that moment. My heart battling hard against the ribs which caged it I turned to flee the wicked place, but he was there. I screamed, a dying sound that fell away into oblivion the second it left my body, useless, and heard by no one. Grabbing onto me Dusk pulled me close his lips tasting my own ravenously. I lurched away my stomach in sharp knots, but he held me fast by my upper arms. Even as I fought it and thrashed about, it didn't make much sense to a near dormant part of my mind, wasn't this considered an honor?
Regardless, I struggled, seized by a primal and animalistic fear I hadn't realize I was capable of possessing, I didn't want this, and didn't want him, not any of it, and thrashed about wildly. He backed me into a wall releasing one of my arms when he had. His free hand roamed as it would, sending shivers of displeasure and nausea throughout me in wretched waves.
Pressing tight against me he tore off my blouse nibbling and biting the flesh he'd found beneath. Screaming I slapped my king, who laughed mockingly at my futile attempts, tears streaming down my face. I cried out when he threw me to the ground, intense pain jolting through my left forearm when I tried to break my fall. I was on my hand and knees crawling, with the injured limb pressed tight to my chest. His weight came down on me, breath hot and rank in my ear as his whispered lascivious threats to my body as one arm wrapped about my waist.
There was a sharp pinch inside me, my body throwing itself forward as Dusk laughed flexing the digits he used in painful, agonizing ways. Kicking like a wild beast I managed to connect with something soft scurrying away as quickly as possible when I'd been let go of. Coming to stand over me his expression almost bored the devil reeled back his foot before crashing it with a mighty blow into my stomach, sending brightly colored orbs to dance and waver before my eyes. Again, and again he did this until I collapsed onto one side gasping desperately for air.
He was brutal in the way he handled me then, fueled by a rage I had never seen in any living thing, not even in he himself when he struck me at mention of what I had done to Lord Milori, though a bright flicker of amusement could be seen also as I begged for mercy and forgiveness amid the beating I received.
It seemed almost an act of divine sadism when Dusk tossed me onto the bed, bending my wing, that the matress and blankets should be so soft when his grip was so tight, and nails so sharp between my legs. I kicked and wailed, hit and screamed as he held me down kissing, caressing, tasting tying my hands high above my head that I might not flood him with poison. My efforts only seemed to amuse him more as he laughed at my tears taking a dark self-indulgent pleasure in my pain. He was of course much larger and much stronger than I could ever hope be, overpowering me with ease his weight crushing and breath hot and putrid upon my breast.
"Please, don't." I managed to wheeze then, fear for my life emerging when his hands closed firmly about my throat, a dim haze coming to play at the edge of my vision. Just as I was ready to surrender myself to the dark, blissfully accepting death and the escape it offered so willingly, he let go, shallow breath hissing into my form which had never before seemed for frail or broken. He pulled my legs and lower body nearer to him, the rope pulling taught as it dug into my wrists. With a wicked glint to his eyes, he loomed over me victoriously savoring my whimpering cries for help and compassion, then my body was divided, torn by a savage and fiery pain I felt would end me.
I sat up screaming, prying at the hand that was on my forearm though it was small and gentle, unlike that of my king. Heart racing and tears overwhelming my eyes as I scrambled backwards until my wings felt crushed against the wall. I looked with fear and distrust at the Fairies in my cell. One was a Sparrow Man with olive skin and dark eyes, he stood at the ready beside the barred door, holding it cautiously open, while the female, undoubtedly the Healing Fairy Queen Clarion had promised to send, looked at me with wide sorrowful brown eyes from beside my bed, where she had been attempting to wake me.
I choked, sputtering for air as I timidly waited for them to do whatever they would to me, but neither one made moved an inch, just as petrified and uncertain as I was. Focusing on my breathing, and trying to slow it I took note of the setting sun just outside the window. Thought of tending my plants flickered with a brief absurdity before reality came flooding back.
Feeling a bit more myself after a time I wondered, as I looked at the pair how much I had cried out or given away in the grips of the harrowing nightmare, the memory. The fragile look the Healer gave me, and the way the Sparrow Man could not meet my gaze, his wings fluttering with discomfort confirmed it. I had exposed my pain and shame before them in full.
I felt dirty, and sick, pulling my knees to my chest, I cried. The Healing Talent Fairy moved to sit on the edge of my bed, scooting close to me she took the time needed to wrap an arm about my quaking shoulders without causing too much alarm.
"Everything's going to be alright." she cooed softly rubbing a hand slowly between my wings. "Oliver," she called turning away from me after a moment. "I think I'll be fine here on my own, why don't you wait outside?" she asked, her voice was naturally light but her tone firm, commanding almost.
The Sparrow Man looked at her curiously for a minute before glancing back at me, expression grim. He nodded sharply, making his way first out of my cell locking it behind him, and then out of the adjacent room.
"I'll be right outside if you need me Elixa." he said through the final inch of the large red door before easing it fully closed.
Silence ate up the room as neither one of us spoke, quiet tears sliding down my cheeks, the Fairy allowing me time to grieve my suffering.
After what felt like years Elixa cleared her throat. "I'm sorry," she started, "But I'm going to need you to undress."
"No." came my unexpected and broken sob as I hugged myself.
"Please," she added when I hesitated. "I'm only here to help you."
Elixa looked me over, her gaze scrutinizing as if it could pierce through my clothing and access the injuries beneath. After some gentle prodding she had helped me at last undress, her gasps, and the disapproving way she clucked her tongue only added to my embarrassment and discomfort, but she seemed keen on removing everything. Rifling through the basket of items she had brought with her I could hear the occasional mutter she gave about my king and his cruelty. Pausing to pull out some spider silk dressings Elixa gave me a weak smile her ramblings dying off as she shook her head solemnly, replaced instead with apologies.
"Your wing just needs a bit of bracing for a few days," she said indicating that I should turn around. I obeyed allowing her to wind the delicate appendage in the sticky cloth. From there she washed my gently, applying ointment to by cuts and scratches, tending carefully to the swollen, taught skin of my face that had turned purple and leak a putrid substance, the skin beginning to die away from the venom. She sighed looking at it. "This'll take some weeks to be set right," she mused. "And even then it will scar badly." she informed me.
I nodded, muttering "If I live long enough." dryly to myself.
Elixa turned my face gently so that I had to look at her. "Queen Clarion is a kind and just ruler," she paused pressing her lips together. "When the time for your trial arrives you will be allowed to present your case, and I promise you, she and the court will judge with their heads, not their hearts." I tried to smile for her, so that she knew her words were working, part of me wanting to reward Elixa for her empathy, though I was still flooded with trepidation.
After that the Healing Fairy braced my arm which was fractured, and tenderly brushed the long lock which had come undone from it's braid, out of my eyes. "I'm sorry," she said in a soft tone, easing me to lie back on the bed. Tears sprung into my eyes as I realized what was happening and fought to sit up. "You may need sutures." Elixa explained deceptively strong as eased my head to the pillow.
I gripping the sheet that was spread beneath me, rigid with dark anticipation. Moving towards the end of the bed, Elixa laid out a warm wash rag, ointments, balms, a needle and thread. I turned my face tearily to the wall as she approached the foot of the bed. I flinched at her touch muscles contracting madly throughout by body as I curled defensively. "Shh," she murmured, repositioning me. "It's going to be alright."
Shutting my eyes I willed myself with desperation to believe her, but I couldn't. Turning my face to the wall as she opened my legs to inspect the damage I tried to cry as quietly as possible. "Just," she started, and I could tell she was trying hard to help. "Think of something happy."
"Ok." I whispered squeezing closed my eyes. I tried thinking about my yew tree, tall and magnificent, strong with well grounded roots, ...and a large weeping gash. Suddenly I found myself thinking of Lord Milori, filling me with an immense guilt and responsibility for everything that had transpired since, my mind lingering on Clarion's emotional turmoil, and my vile and traumatic punishment. "It's not working." I said, fighting the urge to roll away while Elixa cleaned the bloody and inflamed area. Every thought I had kept, somehow, leading me back here, and to what she was doing.
"Keep trying." she advised gently giving my knee a pat. I thought about my friends, but that only made things harder, they were more than my friends, or even family, they were where I had made my home, in them, their hearts. Their love and kindness was where I lived more than the little nook in the Hollow where I kept my belongings and they had been forced to listen and witness so much before I'd been ripped away from them.
"Hold still!" Elixa snapped as I wretched away, the ointment stung where she applied it, to the torn and ruined flesh. Soon enough though, the area was numb. Noticing her hand reaching for something I glanced down worriedly, regretting it when I saw her pick up the needle.
With nothing was working, to remove me from the present not any thoughts or memories, I devised a new tactic. "Can I ask you something?" I questioned, meekly.
"Anything." Elixa intoned soft determination to her voice.
"Lord Milori," I began, staring blindly at the wall. "How, how is he today?"
Elixa paused momentarily to look up at my face. "As well as can be expected." she said giving me a non-committal reply.
"But will he be alright, will he live?" I asked.
The Pixie sighed. "I was asked not to discuss these things with you." she said with an almost regretful tone. I turned to look down at her, she spared me only a glance, intent on finishing her work quickly crestfallen and distraught I turned back to my wall.
"All done." Elixa smiled patting the side of my leg after a while, as she stood and began tidying her supplies. I closed my legs gingerly and sat up, watching as she laid out a fresh pair of clothing, similar in style as the first though in brown and green, before she gathered my dirty pair.
"Thank you." I said after dressing.
Elixa shook her head. "Don't thank me." she said giving a sad smile. "It's my duty, I will send a wash basin." she added while I helped her gather the rest of her things. I smiled, very grateful for the chance to cleanse myself of all that had happened to me. Elixa called out for the Sparrow Man who entered cautiously as though afraid he would catch me in a compromising position. "I'll be back to check on you regularly." she assured while leaving.
I sat heavily on the edge of my bed, my soul weighing me down. I was filled with guilt and shame, and sorrow, but also anger, not just at my own king, but the Fairy Queen. Why hadn't I been able to receive information on Lord Milori's health? It was cruel not to allow me a Healing Talent's assurance while I awaited trial.
My brooding was interrupted when someone cleared their throat. Lifting my gaze I saw the Sparrow Man holding something towards me from the other side of the bars. I approached cautiously and saw the it was a small length of vine. I narrowed my eyes at him warily. "For your hair." he said shortly.
"Oh, thank you." I muttered taking it.
"Nyxie." he said, giving me a curt nod before turning back around, sharp, tall, and rigid with duty.
"Sparrow Man." I replied in the same brief fashion as I began to gather the untidy lock into a braid.
He stood erect for several seconds before shoulders drooped slightly as some of the formality ebbed away from him. "Oliver." he said gently.
"Nightshade." I replied settling back down on my bed. After a minute or so, I dared speak again. "I um, like that name, Oliver, it sounds exotic." I said. Nyxie names usually reflected what their Gift was in some way, but not always, so I had never actually heard the like before. I waited but he said nothing. "Thank you again," I tried, wringing my hands together anxiety beginning to flutter anew in my chest as I began to feel trapped in the cramped but comfortable cell. Tense and restless I felt at a loss for hope as it appeared I didn't even have the luxury of conversation. "For the vine..." My words were met with silence.
Cursing myself as thought tears were about to make a reappearance in my life I opened my mouth to speak again when he cut in. "We aren't allowed to talk to you." he informed me without so much as turning his head in my direction. I nodded pulling my pillow to me and hugging it. I didn't want to cry even as the need overcame me, but my eyes were too swollen and sore to manage the task.
"Nightshade," Oliver said after a while, startling me a bit. "You're welcome."