Chapter 14: Captured
Winona's POV
After my flying spree in the air, I get back on the ground, and I can't stop myself from laughing because Tac is kneeling beside Lizardo, and they look so serious with what they are doing. I shift back to my human form quickly, and I faced them while I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Lizardo, Tac, please stand up. Why are you bending your knees on the ground? And Tac mimicked your actions. You look so funny, guys. You all need to stand up now." I said.
"Princess Winona, you are indeed the daughter of the golden dragon and the mighty Witch. What we are doing is one way of showing you our undying devotion and support to you." He said.
"Lizardo, come on, I am no princess!" I exclaimed, and he raised his head and looked at me in the eyes with a serious look on his face.
"Winona, don't ever say that you are not a princess because the blood that runs in your veins is royal." Lizardo declared, and I felt guilty that I didn't take him seriously.
"I am sorry, Lizardo, and I want to say thank you for believing in me," I replied.
"I know you don't want to be a princess, but I will never stop reminding you that you are the Princess of Dracousia, and you will always be the rightful heir of the throne of the dragon kingdom whether you like it or not." Lizardo declared.
"Now, that you showed us that you could use your power to hide your natural color, it doesn't mean you can stop training. It only means you have to train more. I will bring you books that you will need because my informant told me King Alexandrix wants a witty Crown Princess, and I know you are brilliant, but there are still a lot of things you need to learn about the dragon world because you weren't raised in the dragon realm. I know one month is not enough, but we don't have a choice but to utilize the little time that we have." He added.
"I will allow you to rest now, Winona, and we will train early morning tomorrow. I need to go to the border and gather some vital information about the tournament." He said, and I nodded, and by the time Lizardo left the cave, I changed my training wardrobe into a simple dress, and I put on my golden cloak and covered my head with the hood.
"Are you excited to meet him, Winona?" Tac asked as she walked beside me, going to the central passageway of the cave, and I can see the giant boulders that covered the entrance of our secret base are still keeping us hidden from the prying eyes of our enemies. I know my mom used her power and create a powerful spell to keep this place safe, so my father will be free from any opponents, and right now, I am enjoying the privileged since this became my haven seven years ago. Even if my parents are not around, I can feel their love for me because they already planned everything, and I know my mom knew about all this in advance because of her ability to foresee the future. And I can't stop myself from feeling sad because I miss them so much.
"Yes! Tac and I hope he is still out there waiting for me, and I couldn't blame him if he does not wait for me because it is almost dark." I said as we made our way to the east side of the forest, and before we can reach our destination, giant lions blocked our way, and they looked fierce and ready to kill. Tac hides immediately under my dress. My first instinct was to run, but I never back down from any challenge, even during my younger years. I have always been brave. I felt intimidated, but if they go near me, I don't choose but to use my dragon power, but as possible, I am trying to control myself because I don't want anyone to know I am the Dragon Witch.
"Who are you? Why are you here in Dasos Forest?" Someone asked me, and I am searching around who was talking, and then when I looked up again, I saw a child riding at the back of the enormous beast among the Lions. I wonder who he could be.
"I am sorry, I don't" Before I can finish my sentence, he used his power over me that I lost my ability to speak. I suddenly felt so alarmed, but I don't want to counter his magic because I am not sure who this child is, and I can tell he is powerful even he is just a child.
"Don't you know this is a sacred place, no one dares to get inside this wilderness unless I recognize you. I am the Frourazo, meaning I am the protector of this land." He said.
"Winona, don't ever dare to use your power. We do not know which side he belongs to, and it could endanger your life." I heard Tac spoke with me on my mind.
"Of course, I know what I have to do, Tac," I said, and before I can try to use my witch magic, he threw a net in a swift moment, and I want to get away from him, but because I am so afraid that he will discover my true identity. I didn't dare to move inside the net because he had already caught me, and I could do nothing but pretend I am powerless. I can't speak to him because he disables my capacity to speak. And I realized I should have listened to Lizardo, but how can I stop my innocent heart? I want to have a glimpse of Kai's handsome face, and this is what I've got.
"Lerio, you have to carry her." The child commanded to the other Lion, and he raises his hand, and in an instant, my body hovered in the air, and one of the lions walked over to my floating body, and when he near me, the child use his power to lay my body on the lion's back. And I was amazed that his back feels so soft and comfy that I suddenly feel so sleepy. I try to fight my drowsiness but to no avail. I dozed off to sleep, and when I wake up, I realized I am inside a cage made of metal.
I try to look around, and I realized I am inside a throne room, and I suddenly feel so scared, thinking I am in the Dracousia Kingdom.
"Tac?" I call myself familiar.
"Yes?" She replied, and I feel so happy that I can still hear her because I can't feel her on my feet, and when I turn to my right, I found her at my right side, examining our surroundings.
"Thank goodness, and you are still with me. I thought I lose you." I said, and I felt so relieved that I see her.
"I can never leave you, Winona; I made a promise to your mom that Whatever happens, I will never leave your side, especially when you are in danger unless you want me to do some errands that can save your life." She replied.
"Did you fall asleep?" I asked her.
"No, I was alert the entire time peeking under your dress." She responded.
"So, am I doomed? Did he bring me to the Dragon Kingdom? Is he among the Dragon King's servants?" I asked, and I can't stop myself from trembling, and I realized I am inside the Dracousia Kingdom. But even though the Dragon King captured me, I will fight until I die; I will never allow King Alexandrix to eat my heart; I will use my witch magic to turn my heart into ashes if ever I die on his hands.
"Relax, Winona, you are still safe from the Dragon King, but I am not sure if we are safe here either, and I am not even certain which kingdom we are in right now. It happened so fast, and he brought us here using air magic. It was a strong wind like a tornado that got us into this kingdom, and I wonder if we are no longer in Dasos, but we both know Dasos covered a vast area. I have seen no one except the child after he brought us here, but one thing is I am positive about, we are inside a kingdom, but I also certain we are not yet in the dragon realm." Tac said.
"And I want to tell you what I saw, " Tac added.
"What did you see, Tac?" I asked curiously, and my white cat companion looked at me in the eyes, and I am mesmerized by her blue eyes.
"He is not a child, Winona, and he is a man, and he was only hiding his true form in the body of a child." She declared.
" That sounds interesting." I said as I am trying to process who could be my abductor is, and my interest heightened. And before we can continue to talk, we heard approaching footsteps. Then a tall and handsome man appears in front of my cage, and he is looking at my face.
"Well, I am glad you are already awake." He said.
"What is your name?" He asked, and I stared at him, and I was trying to tell him I can't speak because he took away my speaking skill.
"Answer me, now." He commanded.
"Winona." I replied, and I am amazed that I can now speak again, but I am no longer afraid if he will recognize my name because I need to fight him if I want to escape.
"Winona, the Dragon Witch?" He asked, and I felt my entire body shook when he recognized my name. And the doubtful look I saw on his face made me feel so terrified, but I never let him know how I feel because I tried my best to look fearless and brave as I nodded my head.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone