Chapter 8 - Lily

The mess I’d created was mine to clean up.

Not my circumstances, but the spilled oats on the side of the bed. Huffing a frustrated breath, I lift the brown bag and use a towel to wipe the floor.

If anything, I should be grateful that I’m not being held in some dreary dungeon without the privileges of this bedroom. Even if I cannot see beyond the window, the comfort of the bed is the only consolation I have.

As I clear up the floor, leaving it pristine again, I recall the man who’d brought breakfast for me. Though he’s my captor, I can’t shake off the feeling that he’s actually not that bad.

Perhaps it’s a trauma bond that has me feeling drawn to him. A simple gesture of bringing me food has me believing that there must be some good to the man. Even if I remain suspicious of him.

Though I can’t pinpoint why he’s so closely linked to the dragon I’d conjured up in my imagination. I know I’d been dreaming, but I can’t dismiss what felt very real.

An overactive imagination tends to distort any sense of reality. It’s something I’d been dealing with my whole life. The million-and-one books I’d read to feed that imagination is my detriment now. It leaves me feeling dizzy, head spinning as my sense of reality remains hazy and unfathomable.

“Oh, God…” I murmur as I get up on quivering knees. Now that I remember what my life was like before I arrived here, I cant help but feel a sense of deep longing.

Bracing one hand on the bedpost to steady myself, I’m startled when someone clears their throat behind me.

Snapping my head back, I’m surprised to find a woman in the room. She’s young and radiant, her green eyes sparkling with glee that doesn’t fit my situation.

Her short blonde curls bounce with that cheer as she carries a tray of plated food. The heavenly aroma wafts over me, filling my lungs and gripping my empty belly. The stranger smiles at me, pausing on the opposite side of the bed.

“Hi, Lily,” she greets warmly.

Instead of replying, I frown at the young woman. There’s a sense of warmth that radiates from her presence. A warmth that I shouldn’t be feeling as a prisoner here.

“How do you know my name?” I question suspiciously, remaining where I am as if the bedpost will provide me some protection. But I’m disarmed when her heart-shaped lips form a smile that reminds me of my sisters smile.

Violet…

When the image of her face becomes painted in my mind, my eyes become teary. The longing for my life squeezes my heart, dark talons gripping it painfully.

“Oh, honey…” the woman cajoles, and shes at my side instantly. A gentle hand is on my shoulder, offering me comfort from the most unexpected place.

The floodgates open up again as Im wrapped by arms of comfort. The brave face Id put on for Drake was just that—a mask. Now, the walls of protection come crumbling down as I allow myself to weep.

“Its okay… Its okay…” the woman encourages as she holds me in her embrace. Ive only just met her, but her warmth feels an awful lot like Violets. Throwing caution to the wind, I bask in that comfort until my tears finally stop.

“Wh-who are you?” I sniff as I step back. Staring into the womans eyes, I find only sympathy in the benign depths.

The woman takes a step back, a wide grin on her face. “My name is Kairo,” she announces before quickly bowing. When she straightens up, theres a flicker of mischief in her eyes. Its something I cant make sense of.

But then again, nothing about this makes any sense.

“Kairo…” I mull over her name, my chest filling with a sense of familiarity. Having just met her, I cant determine why I feel this way.

Perhaps its because shes a female. And I feel safer in her presence.

“I brought dinner for you,” she announces as she picks up the tray. “You havent eaten since you arrived.”

“Why am I here, Kairo?” I ask tentatively, though my eagerness to take the tray stems from the hole in my stomach. I take a seat on the foot of the bed, and Kairo joins me.

She sighs as she picks up a roasted sweet potato and bites into it. The act is intimate like shes comfortable enough around me. While she chews, I stare at the side of her face, my eyes tracing her flawless skin. While she stares blankly ahead of her, I catch her eye flashing with gold.

Doing a double-take, I blink fervently. But as quickly as it was there, its gone now. She turns to me, and her eyes are still green.

“Thats something my brother will have to explain,” she says with a hesitant half-smile.

As any hope for the truth fades, so does my appetite. I place the roasted sweet potato I’d picked up earlier back on the plate, heaving a heavy sigh of discontentment.

“Your brother, huh?” I sneer sardonically. “Drake? The miserable man who kidnapped me?”

Kairo stares out into the void again, gulping hard. Something about the way her shoulders slump is remorseful. Even then, it’s not good enough.

“I’m sorry, Lily,” she apologizes as she turns to me with that remorse flashing in her eyes like golden bolts amidst the greenery. “He’s the only one who can explain. I’m just here to ensure your well-being.”

“Then let me out, Kairo. Please,” I add as I plead with the young woman.

Kairo hesitates a moment before she slowly shakes her head. She proceeds to rise to her feet as if horror had stricken her. She steps backward, still shaking her head, blonde curls bouncing about.

“I’m sorry, Lily,” she says before spinning on her heel. Like a featherlight fairy, she floats out of the bedroom and shuts the door behind her.

In an instant, I rush to the bedroom door and grab the handle. But my hope is lost when I pull the metal bar, and it doesn’t budge. It’s locked.

Sinking to the floor in a heap of hopelessness, a new bout of tears flow from eyes that haven’t seen the outside of this place.

***

My eyes automatically open at the sound of the door being opened again. It’s the third time today. And my third night here.

I’ve lost any desire to spring up at the familiar sound. Laying on the bed, I continue staring at the ceiling through the cascading organza hanging from the bedposts.

“Lily…?” comes Kairo’s voice—the only thing I’ve become remotely familiar with. Even though I’m upset with her, she still insists on coming here at mealtimes.

To bring me food. It’s how she takes care of my well-being. Though I cannot outwardly show my gratitude, I am grateful for her. She reminds me so much of my sister.

And somehow, she reminds me of Samantha with her bubbling curls and round face.

“Yes?” I say without moving.

She comes over and slides the tray of food beside me. “Dinner,” is all she says as she hangs beside the bed.

Her lingering presence fills me with enough guilt to finally sit upright. She’s trying, very hard, to ensure my comfort in this unknown place.

“Thanks, Kai,” I acknowledge as I pull the tray over. Melted cheese on the surface of a generous helping of lasagne melts my heart.

And somehow, Kairo’s heart has melted as she smiles at me.

“You called me ‘Kai,’” she observes eagerly before pursing her lips with a sneaky smile.

I can’t stifle my humor, giggling as I pat an empty spot on the bed. Somehow, she has a way of making me forget that I should be angry.

When Kairo cheerfully plunges on the bed, I pass her the extra fork she’d purposely brought with her. We both dig into the lasagne, quietly chewing on the hearty goodness of cheese and meat.

“Has Draco been to see you today?” she asks on a mouthful.

I stop chewing. “Draco?”

Kairo gasps, her fork in midair. Realization seems to dawn on her. Covering her like an invisible aura of regret. She drops her head in what can only be discerned as shame. “Draco,” she confirms with a heavy-hearted sigh. “That’s his real name.”

“Why does he have an alias?” I ask with a frown. I can’t understand why she keeps her head hanging. As if his real name was something of a secret.

“Because…” Kairo shrugs nonchalantly before lifting her head and smiling. “... He’s secretive like that.”

It’s not much of an explanation. And every time I’ve asked for one, I’m told that Drake can answer my questions.

Or Draco.

“Whatever,” I brush it off as I continue eating. “I guess he’ll explain it all, right?”

Kairo nods hesitantly as she shoves the fork between her lips. As I ponder the new discovery, the rest of our meal is shared in silence. Still, it doesn’t give me much in terms of a reason for being here. But I’ve learned that Kairo cannot give me more information.

“Good night, Lily,” she bids as she gathers the plates when we’re done with dessert.

“Good night, Kai,” I reply as I make my way to the bathroom. Kairo leaves, and I go through the motions of preparing for the night.

My nightly routine consists of things I couldn’t pay attention to back in the city. Like a face mask, scrub, essential oils to brighten my skin. Fine details of self-care I never had the luxury of fulfilling while busy with work or studies.

I’m about to climb into bed when I glance at the door. To my surprise, it doesn’t appear closed the way it always is. Frowning, I head over there to have a look.

To my utmost surprise, I find the door unlocked.

I lift a trembling hand to the handle, hesitating to pull it all the way open. Fear for what lies beyond that door runs through me as a shiver. But curiosity wins over as I pull it open.

I peep my head into the unknown, discovering a well-lit hallway of cream walls and gold trimmings. Golden chandeliers illuminate the long stretch into the astute hallway full of closed doors.

Gulping hard, I turn my head from left to right. The eerie quiet indicates I’m alone, telling me it’s safe enough to go out. Stepping over the threshold of the bedroom I’d been imprisoned in, I’m cautious not to make a sound.

Something about being outside of the four walls of my prison feels strange. Still, I’m adamant about getting the answers I can’t get from Kairo. Or Draco.

Padding onto the plush burgundy carpet with abstract patterns reminiscent of the many kaftans in the wardrobe, I take a deep breath. I walk down to the first door beside my bedroom and try the handle.

The door is unlocked, so I head inside. The bedroom is awfully similar to mine, except for the turquoise walls, silver trimmings, and decor. The scent that fills the space is familiar, too, and I realize why I recognize it.

Sandalwood and musk…

It’s the scent I’d been able to discern on Draco whenever he came into my bedroom.

This room belongs to him.

My interest is piqued when I look around and find the large wall-to-ceiling window across the room. A flowing gray curtain hangs from a railing on the ceiling, loosely covering the unbarred glass. Carefully closing the door behind me, I make my way to the window.

I pause for a moment to catch my breath, my heart pounding in my chest. I move the curtain enough to discover that the window is actually a sliding door. With tentative fingers, I pull the door to one side.

A cool breeze kisses my cheeks for the first time since I arrived. Relishing in the feeling of freedom it provides, I step out onto the balcony.

The navy sky is littered with luminous stars that seem to speak to me as I reach the railings. Placing both hands on the cold metal, I look ahead and realize that I’m at least fifteen floors up. The ground is far below—too far to escape to.

But what captures my attention is the screeching sounds from the left. I move all the way to the end of the rails, but cannot see further than the stone wall on the side.

I scan my surroundings as the screeching intensifies. It’s followed by a hissing sound that fills me with fear. Whatever it is, my curiosity overpowers that fear when I notice that the balcony floor extends as a ledge around the rounded wall.

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” I whisper to myself as a form of encouragement as I climb over the metal bars. As soon as my feet hit the ground, I take a deep breath for composure. The billowing wind chills my bones as it blows through my hair. I hold on firmly to the rail behind me, gauging the narrow floor in front of me.

A thunderous roar rips through the air, knocking the wind out of me. My foot slips over the edge, but I catch myself just in time not to fall over. As afraid as I should be, I’m also fascinated by the noises I don’t recognize.

As the screeching continues to slice through the air, I carefully tread the narrow floor that winds around the pillar. Keeping my back pressed to the wall, my hands braced on the stones, I shuffle cautiously to the other side.

The meadow at the bottom is lavish, with all its dark greenery basking in the navy moonlight. Straining my gaze, I notice the dark head of the only man I’ve met so far.

Draco.

His muscular arms lift on either side of him, his honey-golden skin radiant under the moonlight. The tattoos inked on both arms seem to take on a life of their own, moving like serpents over his skin.

I lose the ability to breathe as I watch him lift his head to the skies, eyes closed. He fills his lungs with a deep breath, and out of nowhere, a pair of wings burst through his back.

Wings that I recognize as the webbed veil from my dreams. The webbed wing in glorious gold, ribbed with ruby crystals at every sharp point.

The transformation from human to the shape of a dragon from my dreams startles me.

Recognition, realization…

Panic, as everything fades to black in my vision.