章節 21: Threat

When Talitha opened her eyes, she squinted her eyes because of the scarce light in the room she was in. She was on a cold floor and as she tried to raise herself from the floor, the aches all over her body reminded her of what had happened moments ago. She was standing with Craig outside her cave and the next moment she was thrown across the ground.

She began to recall everything, how she had successfully transported Craig to the outer world. The thought brought delight to her mind for a mere second before she recalled how Xenia's men ran towards them in an attempt to capture him. She frowned.

Where was she? She questioned herself while sitting up on the floor. Looking ahead of her, she saw the rusted iron bars that blocked the entrance of the small room. She was in a prison cell in the Palace's underground dungeon. Talitha's eyes furrowed and she got up on her feet. Feeling the aches all over her body, she winced as she touched her left arm with her right. Her once white and glorious dress had turned filthy and there was dirt on her cheeks. Her luscious silver hair was messy and her forehead had been scraped slightly. Walking to the iron bars in hurried steps, her hands circled the bars and she looked around where the cells near her were empty with no one in sight. It seemed they had brought her to an isolated cell where the cells had turned filthy and dusty with cobwebs all above her.

She called out, "Hello, anyone here?" She was responded to by an eerie silence which did not take long before she heard light steps approaching from the darkness.

Within seconds, Queen Xenia appeared in front of her wearing a smile that held bitterness. Her face did not seem clear because of the shadow cast on one half of her face since the light on this side of the dungeon was scarce, unlike the other prison cells. Her red hair was tied behind her, exposing her collar bones and bare neck which was adorned by a sparkling pearl necklace.

"I see you are awake." came her sweet honey voice but Talitha knew better. This woman was like a time bomb waiting to explode.

Xenia walked two steps forward where her earlier smile had faltered and the only thing now separating the two of them was the iron bars. Talitha remained tactfully silent.

Hearing no response from the Prophetess, she said,

"Here I was thinking I had all Lucas' men under my control, forgetting his ever-loyal Prophetess was still alive and kicking. I thought I had gotten rid of you since that time, but it seems I'd have to teach you a few lessons to joggle your memory."Xenia threatened lightly with scorn-filled eyes.

Talitha looked pointedly in the eye with Xenia as she spoke which made Xenia feel more annoyed that this woman looked her in the eye. Few dared to look fully into those eyes of hers and here was Talitha looking straight into them.

Talitha who had kept mute the whole time Xenia was speaking now parted her delicate lilac lips,

"You should know by now Xenia, that you don't scare me. King Lucas Leos is the only one I will forever be loyal to as long as I live and the faster you get this in your head, the better for all of us."Talitha's words were bold and fearless.

At those words, Xenia's throat thickened with bitterness, she fumed where a frown clouded her face and her eyes darkened. She sent the prophetess a sharp glare. If looks could kill, Talitha would have been buried a long time ago.

In close proximity to the Prophetess, Xenia raised her hand through the bars and held Talitha's chin in a tight grip. Her nails digging into her soft skin.

"The reason I am not killing you right where you stand is that you are the only one who knows the whereabouts of knight Craig. I see you transported him somewhere and you need to bring him back from wherever he is." Xenia gave out an indignant snort.

Having no idea about the last Leos pendant and knowing Craig was not of royal blood, the thought that Talitha had sent Craig to the outer world never crossed Xenia's mind, instead, she assumed the Prophetess had sent him somewhere to hide him from her.

"Why don't you go ahead, Xenia? Kill me. I don't fear death...I am more than willing to die for the Safety of the Diatoran kingdom even if it means losing my life."Talitha said through gritted teeth while Xenia still held her chin.

Letting go of Talitha's chin where her nails had left marks on her skin, Xenia said,

"You will get what you want very soon. Only that you would have to bring Craig back. I'm pretty sure you have heard of the saying that if persuasion fails, force applies. If you are unwilling to do my bidding yourself, I guess I would have to try other methods."Xenia threatened while stepping away from the iron bars.

"Until then, you will stay here in this dungeon," she said and turned, leaving Talitha to herself once again.