Forced into Fantasy

Ivy;

My eyelids are incredibly heavy and it takes a lot of effort to force them open. I blink in a daze as I glance around at my newest surroundings which appear to be nothing but blurred shadows of soft lighting and bitter darkness.

’What the hell did he do to me?′

‘This is like the worst hang-over of my life!’

I can feel that my hands have been bound tightly with rope or something and lifting them up to check I confirm this is true. The knot looks intricate and firmly in place so pulling my hands out from it isn’t going to be an option.

‘The fucker tied me up.’

My eyes quickly flick across to where I can see a figure standing in front of what appears to be a glowing green window of some sort with movement on the other side of it.

The figure is Ronaar, that much is obvious.

He’s speaking with someone else on the other side of this mystical window, though I can’t see who it is from this angle. However, I quickly notice that the other voice is female.

Focusing on their voices alone, I try to listen in on their conversation at the other side of this secluded, darkened room.

“Why haven’t you returned to us yet? I’ve had to keep the rest of the councillors distracted from the fact that you’ve gone off on your little hunt.” she snaps at him.

“Relax sister, it appears that my little hunt seems to have paid off after all.” Ronaar announces with a satisfied grin.

“You have her?”

“Yes, and I will be returning shortly…”

I take this opportunity to search around for something to use as a weapon as their conversation continues. My eyes lock onto a strange statue made of stone and I quickly grasp it, carefully sliding it in behind my back and sitting still once more.

“Just keep those old fools busy until I do. Understood?” Ronaar orders whoever the female is in a stern voice.

“Fine… but you owe me one, Ronaar. And don’t think I won’t come to collect.”

With a wave of his hand the window suddenly disappears as their conversation ends, sending the room back into darkness. I mean, it’s not pitch black and there are a few flame torches hanging up on the stone walls around us, but either it’s the middle of the night or we are currently somewhere underground.

I also notice that it feels strangely chilly down here too.

Before he has the chance to turn around, I lower my head to the side and pretend to be fast asleep. Maybe he will leave me alone for a moment and allow me the chance to escape?

Even with my eyes closed, I can hear as his boots crunch against the ground with each of his steps.

He is coming closer towards me. I focus on ensuring that my breathing is steady as I fake slumber before my kidnapper.

I hear as he stops just in front of me and then suddenly I can feel his warm breath across the surface of my face. He must be extremely close to me to be breathing on me!

It’s almost as if I can feel his emerald eyes watching me, though I keep my eyes closed and try not to move or react.

“I know you’re awake, Ivy.” he announces smugly.

Realising there is no point pretending anymore, I open my eyes and turn my head, glaring with hatred back at him.

‘The bastard is smiling at me.’

‘I want to punch him right in that dazzling face of his!’

“I guess nothing gets past you, does it?” I snap sarcastically.

He chuckles, his voice deep and husky and his eyes alive with excitement.

“Always so feisty.” he taunts me.

“Though, I’ll admit I do enjoy your spirited nature, princess.”

My eyes narrow at him now.

“Don’t call me that. I’m not your Moon Princess, or whatever the fuck you want to call me. And I’ll never agree to being your Queen… I’d rather die!”

His left brow lifts with intrigue.

“Adomis will come for me… and when he does he’ll wipe the floor with you, you smug bastard!”

I feel confident about this as I work hard to hide any fear I am feeling. But his confidence seems to outshine my own.

Suddenly like lightning, Ronaar’s hand grasps my throat, his fingers wrapping around it and pressing into my delicate skin as I let out a pained grunt.

My hands lift to grasp at his, but he’s incredibly strong and my brows furrow with concern.

“I warn you, Ivy, my patience wears thin. Do not test me.”

My vision is beginning to blur now as the lack of oxygen is clearly affecting me. I can feel my head ringing as I gasp desperately for air and claw with my nails at his hand wrapped around my neck.

“Besides, you’re acting as if you have a choice in this…” he continues.

The next second he releases me and I fall back down onto my hands, coughing and inhaling deep breaths of air. My neck is still sore and I know there will be bruises there tomorrow.

“What the hell do you mean by that?” I gasp out, my voice slightly hoarse.

Ronaar grins and reaches in underneath his shirt, pulling out the golden amulet he used earlier, back at the castle. I swallow nervously.

“Do you know what this is?” he taunts, looming over me.

Worried that he would learn about the one with the red gemstone that I had, I decide to lie to him and feign ignorance. It’s better if I play along and pretend not to know anything.

“An amulet?” I shrug.

“Not just any amulet… this particular one is called the ‘Emerald Amulet’ and is but one of a set of four scattered throughout the lands. Its power is extraordinary.”

“Wow, congratulations.” I joke sarcastically.

His expression suddenly darkens and once again he crouches down to my level. I sit back in an effort to keep some distance between the two of us as he stares at me.

“Each amulet has its own totally unique power.” he explains.

“Do you know what this amulet’s power is, Ivy?”

“Honestly, I don’t care what it does.” I snap defiantly.

But it is a mistake.

“Mind control.”

My blood runs cold after hearing this.

‘Shit!’

I’m aware that my expression now reveals just how frightened I actually am, but I can’t seem to hide it any longer. If what he is saying is true, and he could in fact control the minds of others, I was in some serious trouble!

“I see that managed to get your attention.” he smirks.

“Soon enough you and I will be joined together in matrimony and together we will travel across to your Guild where I will claim your impeccable army, adding them to my own. Together, will be a force unlike any other.”

He reaches forward and I swat his hand away. But then he tries again and this time manages to grab at the bottom of my chin, pulling my head in closer towards his so that our faces are mere inches apart as he continues.

“You will be my loyal and obedient wife one way or another. I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether we need to use the amulet or not…”

I frown angrily at his audacity.

‘Such an asshole.’

Suddenly he surprises me as he leans in and crashes his lips into mine, forcing a kiss upon me as I struggle to pull myself away from him. As my mouth opens and I attempt to scream, his tongue slides its way inside, claiming mine forcefully.

I am relieved when he finally allows me to pull my head away and immediately react with boiling anger.

“You son-of-a-bitch. How fucking dare you!”

My bound hands are now attempting to punch him in his chest, hitting him violently. But he does not appear to feel it as he grabs at the rope binding both of my wrists together, no doubt to prevent my assault on him from continuing.

“Now, now… try not to exert yourself, my dear.”

“Fuck you!” I snap back at him.

He chuckles before adding one last comment.

“In time, perhaps. But for now…” he pauses and suddenly the amulet glows a bright green hue activating it’s power as he speaks his next word as a command, “Sleep.”

‘No, wait…’

My eyes close and I can feel my body falling down towards the floor as the amulet’s powerful magic forces me to lose consciousness.

Varrus;

I stand at the edge of a large balcony, one of many located throughout the castle. My crystal blue eyes peer out at the coastline beneath me, with the mighty waves crashing violently into the reef before finally reaching the smooth surface of the shore.

The waves… they always seem to calm me.

As King of the Marine Guild, I have worked hard over the years to ensure that my people remain safe, hidden away from the dangers of the outside world. And we as a people have flourished into peace and prosperity.

But everything is about to change.

Now I fear that we may have no choice but to emerge from hiding, even after so long, in order to prevent what I now know is coming for us all.

How do I know?

The Sapphire Amulet that I wear surprised me this morning with a random vision. It was a vision of the future involving a woman… a rather beautiful woman, actually. She had long golden hair and crystal blue eyes similar to the sea.

In my vision I witnessed many things occurring, but one thing stood out and had me trembling with fear. A man like me, a King!

And I couldn’t allow it to happen. I would do whatever it took to prevent the terrifying creature from rising up from its prison once again and destroying everything and everyone in existence.

As ruler, I had no choice…

I had to help save our world.