Mirelah;
"Mirelah, please stop! "I hear Darven yell behind me, but I don't stop. How can I? Why would I!?
Bearly keeping my balance as I run over twigs, rocks, and wet, squishy ground, I keep pushing. I can't mess this up. It's my one chance to get away! If I fail now, there'll be no redemption for me. No other choice. They'll start watching me like hawks and I'd never be able to get out of this.
Pushing through bushes and branches, I feel sharp leaves and stems tear my skin, but it's going to take a lot more than that to get me to stop. I look up, and there... Just in the distance is the hill. My first step to freedom.
I yelp as I'm forced to an abrupt stop that sends me crashing to the ground. I look down and find the heel of my shoes stuck in an exposed tree root.
"Mirelah, are you okay!? "I hear Darven yell again. His voice is closer this time, and my face scrunches in annoyance and panic. I'm such a klutz. I worried about my dress and forgot about the heels I had on. These aren't fit for running, and I might regret this, but there's no other option.
With desperation pulsing through me, I take off the flimsy shoes, and push myself up. I shudder in disgust as I feel the dark, muddy sand seep through the openings between my toes.
I snap back to reality when I hear Darven's footsteps getting closer.
"Hell no... "I mutter before grasping the strap of the bag Meadow gave me and turning around to run. I've ran about ten desperate steps when I'm forced to stop with a yelp escaping me. I fall backwards as I stare at the solid, red wall that's almost twice my height.
"I'm sorry. But I can't continue this chase. "I hear Darven say, and I turn around in alarm. He's standing just a few feet away, and has his hands in the air. This is his doing! That wall is blood magic.
"In my defence, I asked you several times to stop running. "He adds, and I swallow.
This can't be it. This can't be the end. I'm so close... I won't let these people take me!
"You don't have to be scared, Mirelah. The rumours are wrong. We're not monsters. "He says as he begins to walk towards me, and my heart starts ramming against my rib cage in panic as I rush to my feet and back away from him. My back pressing against the wall he's put up behind me.
"That is exactly what a monster would say! "I retort, and he shuts his eyes and sighs in exasperation. Just then, Rhael and Sorin soon appear at the scene, and I almost wince in frustration.
"What's going on? "Rhael, the eldest of the twins questions, and I watch as Darven replies.
"She made a run for it. "He says, and I begin to search frantically for an exit. An escape route. Anything... This is three against one. Three hemocrafters, and one girl without magic. If push comes to shove, I'm done for!
"Really!? That's impressive! "Sorin replies, and I look up at him in confusion. Why does he sound impressed that I tried to run? Isn't he supposed to be mad or something?
"Mirelah. Please come back. We have a long journey ahead and no time for this. "Rhael then says, and I scoff. Like hell, I'll come back.
"Yeah. The rumours about us being monstrous vampires aren't true. We're pretty neat gentlemen when you get to know us. "Sorin adds, and I roll my eyes. I need to get out of here before Queen Velnara or King Damarion gets here. And to do that, I need to act before they realize what I'm up to.
Taking a short breath, I try to run to my left but stagger to a stop when another red wall suddenly blocks my path. I stare at the towering wall in fear, and I hear Rhael speak.
"Mirelah, this is not the first interaction I hoped to have with my sister-in-law. "He says, and when I turn to him, he's also holding up his hands. This wall is his doing.
I won't be stopped!
I huff before turning to the only free direction, and before I can even attempt to take off, ANOTHER wall of SOLID BLOOD stops me.
I fall to the ground in growing panic as I look up at the three brothers, and Sorin smiles at me with a shrug.
"Sorry... I had to join the fun. "He says, and I grit my teeth in annoyance.
"You say you're not monsters, yet you cage me like a bird! Who gets married to a person they've never met!? "I yell at them, and Darven tilts his head.
"Didn't you guys want me to marry Azra? "He questions, and I look away.
"That's different… Azra likes you. "I mumble under my breath, and Rhael kisses his teeth.
"Why are you saying you've never met Kealith before!? You both planned this! "He says, and I look up at him with wide eyes in confusion.
"Rhael! "Darven then scolds him like he wasn't supposed to say that, and he looks away.
"What do you mean we planned this? I didn't plan anything with anyone! "I scream, my voice raw with disbelief, and Sorin pinches the bridge of his nose. I have never met Kealith before... I know I haven't! But the way Rhael said that... like it's a simple truth, makes ice settle in my gut. What does he mean?
"We can discuss that when we get home. But can we please get going? I missed breakfast, and my stomach hurts. "He says, and I scowl at him. I hate how light-hearted he's being when I'm panicking out of my mind here!
"Mirelah, please. We can answer every question when we get home! "Darven begs, and I'm just about to refuse when I hear King Damarion's voice.
"What is going on here!? "
I freeze as King Damarion walks up to the three brothers in front of me, and right behind him is Queen Velnara. A little distance away, the other three Varkaine brothers are just standing and watching.
Like whatever is going on isn't worth their time or energy...
"She tried to run. "Rhael informs, and King Damarion stares at me, causing me to look away.
"Yeah. She's scared we're gonna drink her blood or something. "Sorin says, and my fists tighten. I find his jokes at a time like this, very irritating!
"Take down those walls. "Queen Velnara suddenly demands, and I look up at her.
"Huh? "All three brothers question and Queen Velnara sighs.
"She is not an animal you trap in a corner. Take down the walls. "She replies as she walks up to them, and I gulp. What is she going to do to me?
"Look at what you've done to your dress, child. It was a very pretty dress… "She says, and I don't know why her softness makes my panic grow.
I won't be fooled. The Varkaines are very wise. That's how they've stayed at the top of the realm for centuries. This is an act to trick me. Once we're out of Velmoria, they'll deal with me for stressing them. I won't go with them! Especially not when they're already trying to lie to me that I consented to this marriage. What if they try to brainwash me into believing that!? I've never met Kealith before. I am certain of it. I never even left this kingdom before. So, how can they say I planned this?
"Boys. "Queen Velnara calls, and Just like that, I hear something begin to squelch behind me. I turn around and find the solid blood walls begin to sag. I watch them turn into three floating blurbs in mid-air.
Amused, I watch the blood float toward Darven, Rahel and Sorin, and then it floats into a bottle hidden at their sides. They recap the bottles and drop their capes to cover them. I blink in confusion, wondering where they got that much blood from, and Queen Velnara's chuckle pulls me out of my thoughts.
"It's not real blood, dear. Being a hemocrafter means you sometimes have to make your own blood and always have it with you. "She says, and I inhale deeply.
Make blood? Do they think I'm a fool? They must have killed people or things to get that blood!
"Come, child. "She then coos, and I stare at all the Varkaines watching. Certainly, if they wanted, they could hurt me... But I don't mind risking it if it will give me my freedom. I steal a glance at the hill a distance away, and I shut my eyes. I do not trust these people. I can't let them take me no matter what.
I just can't!
I turn around to make a run for it, but I suddenly hit my leg against a rock, and this sends me plummeting down a slope I never knew was behind me. I land with a thud at the bottom of the slope, and a scream escapes my lips as I hear my ankle snap.
I stare at the now red ankle, and tears instantly rush to my eyes. I can't stop myself from bawling as the pain shoots through me. I wail shamelessly as I clutch my leg. I have barely ever felt or faced pain. Being a princess, I was always kept away from it, and now I see why. This hurts so bad.
"Great! "I hear Sorin exclaim, and I look up at the men staring at me from the top of the slope.
Queen Velnara sighs before moving her hands, and blood begins to swirl towards me. That's it. I pissed her off. I'm dead.
I shut my eyes as I expect pain or death, but none of that happens. I open my eyes when I feel myself begin to move, and I realize that I'm floating with solid blood beneath me.
Embarrassment takes over from pain, causing my face and ears to burn as I get to eye level with King Damarion and his sons.
Queen Velnara suddenly tilts the platform beneath me, and I slide into Darven's arms with a yelp. He holds me firmly, and my heart starts pounding in fear that temporarily distracts me from the pain in my ankle.
What are they going to do to me now?
"You really are something. No wonder Kealith likes you. "He says, and with those words, I suddenly begin to feel sleepy.
"What's… What's going on? "I question as I struggle to maintain consciousness.
"I'm reducing your blood pressure. I'll keep it low enough to knock you out till we get home. It's quite a journey ahead, and we can't afford any more trouble. "King Damarion replies from behind me, and Queen Velnara walks up to me.
"N-No… I don't want to go… "I mumble, but I'm too weak to struggle.
A dull fog spreads through my mind. My limbs suddenly become too heavy, and my thoughts too slow. Queen Velnara's fingers brush over my cheek, and I barely feel it. I want to fight... want to scream... but my body betrays me.
"Poor thing must be so afraid. I'll ride with her the rest of the way. "She says to them, and the last thing I see is her soft and satisfied smile before darkness swallows me whole.