I woke up feeling like I had been thrown off a cliff, dragged across rocky terrain, and then abandoned on a concrete slab for good measure. My entire body ached, and the cold, hard floor beneath me wasn't doing me any favors.
"So much for 'make her comfortable,'" I muttered, scoffing at the nonexistent hospitality.
I yawned, mentally bracing myself for whatever fresh hell the day had in store for me. The sound of approaching footsteps made my spine stiffen, and before I could even open my mouth, the door creaked open to reveal yet another unfamiliar face.
Before I could speak, the man held up a hand, silencing me with a look that practically screamed don't test me.
"No questions, you will bathe, and then you will meet the king."
Oh great, daddy's got anger issues.
"Who are you?" I asked, deciding to play it smart, if I ended up dead, at least my ghost would know who to haunt.
"Nobody important," he replied, voice smooth yet laced with danger.
"Where am I?" I tried again, my curiosity growing, the guy from yesterday hadn't bothered to give me that particular detail.
"You ask a lot of questions, I'm surprised you're still alive." He muttered the last part under his breath, and before I could form a sassy retort, a cold hand gripped my wrist, yanking me forward.
"Whoa, easy there, buddy," I yelped, trying to keep up as he dragged me through a maze of endless halls. Seriously, how did these people not get lost in this place?
After what felt like a hundred twists and turns, we stopped before two massive doors. The man turned to face me, his expression unreadable.
"When we step inside, do not speak unless spoken to."
I nodded.
"Good." He stared at me for what felt like an eternity before muttering, "You really do look like her."
I blinked, Her? Who the hell is her?
Before I could ask, he pushed open the giant doors like they weighed nothing, I scrambled after him, unwilling to be left alone with whatever creepy statues or lurking shadows might be in this place.
The so-called throne room was nothing like I expected. No king lazily lounging on a golden chair, instead, the only thing occupying the throne was a crown that seemed to glow with an eerie light. Knights in shining armor lined the walls, standing like statues, while maids bustled around doing… whatever medieval maids did.
What was this, some kind of Camelot knockoff? Any second now, some guy was going to pop up, tell me to kneel before King Arthur, and then Merlin would show up waving a magical staff.
"My king, this is the girl you requested. I have brought her as commanded," my escort announced, dropping to one knee, literally talking to the crown
I frowned
What the hell, did this guy just communicated and bowed to the crown,
A deep, spine-chilling voice echoed through the chamber. "Hmmm, I see." I squeaked, not expecting a person to materialize from the crown, I am definitely going nuts
I recognized that voice, it belonged to the man who ordered me to be thrown into a dungeon. He stepped forward, and I finally got a good look at him.
He was young and old at the same time, white lock with a face that looked no older than mid-forties but his eyes… they were ancient.
"You must be Luna, welcome to Pirar." seeing him up close made me want to bow, but I won't, they kidnapped me to hell with their king. I stood there like a stubborn tree but it seemed that my brain finally registered his words
I blinked. "Pirar? Like Pirar in the stories?"
Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
He frowned, but nodded, his stare piercing through my skin
I wanted to laugh and probably call it a joke but the look he gave me made me realize he wasn't kidding
I forced myself to meet his gaze, refusing to show fear, though my insides were practically vibrating with nerves. I must've looked like a total mess, dirty, unkempt, and smelling like the very dungeon they'd tossed me into.
He studied me for a long moment, his sharp eyes scanning every inch of my face. If I could've shrunk into a speck of dust and rolled away, I would have.
"You look just like your mother," he murmured, his icy demeanor momentarily thawing.
My heart stuttered. He knew my mom?
I examined him more closely. He has white locks and beautiful brown eyes that resembled mine.
He looked familiar, too familiar.
"I wasn't expecting this," he muttered to himself, running a hand throug his locks, his frustration barely concealed.
Then his eyes sharpened, locking onto me with renewed intensity. "Do you have the key?"
My fingers twitched, fighting the instinct to reach for the pendant hidden beneath my clothes. "No, I don't."
He stared at me for an agonizing moment before speaking. "If I find out you're lying, you will regret it."
I swallowed hard and nodded.
"For your sake and mine, I hope you're telling the truth."
Then, in the blink of an eye, he was gone. One second he was standing before me, the next, nothing, like he had never been there at all.
I stood frozen, heart hammering in my chest. What kind of nightmare had I just walked into?