Chapter 14

Chapter

Fourteen

Eleanna

C onsciousness claws its way back to me, dragging my senses out of the abyss into the frigid embrace of a cell hewn from stone and malice. My limbs, heavy as lead, shackle me to the cold floor—iron cuffs biting into my wrists. The venom, that cursed poison, slithers through my veins like a serpent, sapping what's left of my strength.

The one good thing about the dungeon is it's reachable by the secret passage and?—

I stop. Hope dying as I take in where I am.

The long term cells. They block sound, and are located in a different part of the castle. My father used them when he held important prisoners. They were built for political enemies, usurpers, traitors where information was to be extracted from. And, they served to hold those too important to kill.

The chains on the floor are new. I glance around. A plain bed, a tray. And a goblet.

A shudder passes through me. I'm not eating or drinking anything from her.

"Damn you," I hiss through clenched teeth as pain hits.

One thing I know about these cell rooms is they were also made to be escape proof. Or as close to that as one could get. The knowledge doesn't stop me trying, though.

The shackles rattle their mockery as I wrench against them, muscles coiling with supernatural power that feels muted beneath my skin. Each pulse of pain is a reminder—I'm still here, still fighting, still a threat.

Eyes straining in the dark, I scour the gloom for anything overlooked, any shred of hope or tool. My gaze lands on a jagged edge of rock protruding from the wall. Plans begin to form, each more vicious than the last.

"Alexandru," I whisper, invoking the name of my anchor in this turmoil. "Your strength flows through me."

With renewed vigor, I yank at the shackles, feeling the metal groan under the force. There has to be a weakness, a flaw, a?—

"Break, damn you!" I scream, the sound echoing off the walls.

A metallic taste floods my mouth, coppery and warm. With each strain against the unyielding iron, I imagine Catarina's face contorted with fear as I reclaim my life, my throne. I'll have my vengeance.

With a final, desperate thrust of power, I push against the chains, waiting for the sweet snap of liberation, but they don't yield against my frail strength.

The cell door creaks open, and she saunters in, her stride as arrogant as the smile gracing her lips.

Catarina stands before me, the essence of mockery. Her ice-blue eyes gleam with a sickening triumph.

Has something happened? Alexandru— But no, a woman like Catarina would have rubbed that in. He's out there. Alive. Plotting. I know it.

"Awake, Eleanna? I trust you find your accommodations...fitting," she says, taunting me, and I can almost hear the venom dripping from each syllable.

"Only the best for royalty." My heart pounds against my chest like a war drum, calling me to battle, even now.

A shudder of lancing hot pain hits me and I almost fall, unable to breathe for a moment.

Catarina's laugh scrapes against my nerves. "Oh dear, that poison in your veins—you're beginning to feel it, aren't you? The exquisite agony? It's a special blend, known only to those at the apex of vampire sorcery."

I try to steady my breathing, refusing to let her see the extent of my pain. "There's always an antidote," I manage to say through gritted teeth.

Her smirk widens, cruel and triumphant. "That's where you're mistaken. Within this realm, no antidote exists. The only possible salvation, the blood of an elder vampire, is a treasure lost to the annals of time." Her laugh, devoid of any true humor, echoes against the stone walls. "And even if such a thing were within reach, who would be bold enough to defy me to obtain it?"

Her words aim to crush what hope I might have harbored, but instead, they stoke a rebellious flame within me. I hold her gaze, my pain momentarily forgotten, replaced by a steely determination. In the silence that follows, my motivation firms like an iron grip—to survive, to find a way back to Alexandru, no matter the odds stacked against me.

"Unless, of course, you have the blood of an elder vampire. But what are the odds of that?" She speaks slowly, as though savoring each word like a decadent treat.

"Better than you think." Defiance pulses through me even as the toxin depletes my strength.

"Empty bravado." She circles me like a hunter toying with a helpless victim. "You know, I almost admire it."

"Admiration? From you?" I scoff. "I'd sooner welcome death's embrace."

"Careful, Eleanna, or you might just get your wish." Catarina smirks, but it almost seems lackluster. "My dear former Queen, did you truly believe you could usurp me? That you, of all people, could be the one to end my reign?"

I lift my chin rebelliously, meeting Catarina's gaze. "I plan to unseat you, Catarina. Your ambition will get you nowhere but dead."

A brief flicker of irritation crosses Catarina's face before she sneers, "Ambition has served me well, darling. It's a pity you won't be around long enough to see the fruits of mine."

My retort is swift, my tone steady despite my precarious position. "Perhaps, but remember this—ambition without foresight is like a flame without warmth. It burns bright, yet ultimately, it consumes itself."

Catarina pauses, her expression hardening. "Poetic, but futile. You see, I have something you lack—control. Over this land, its people, and now, over you."

I smile, a glimmer of defiance in my expression. "Control is an illusion, Catarina. One I'm about to shatter. You may have me in chains today, but tomorrow? That's a story yet to be written."

Catarina, sensing my growing discomfort, leans in, her voice a whisper. "It's going to be a story about your death. The poison works slowly, painfully, and, unfortunately for you, irreversibly."

My breath hitches, the pain a constant thrum beneath my skin, but I refuse to let it dominate my spirit. "Pain is temporary, Catarina. And your triumph? Even more so. I will live."

"For what? Your lover?" She smirks. "The great general who whined and sniveled on the battlefield after you? It didn't work out with him first time, and this time…well, you'll be dead."

"Alexandru and I...we're bound by something you could never understand." I take a breath. "Friendship, loyalty?—"

" Ha! " Catarina cuts me off with a scoff. "Spare me your romantic drivel. Alexandru will soon forget you, moving on to his next conquest, while you...you'll fade into nothing but a lost memory."

I square my shoulders. "No, Catarina. You underestimate his resolve—and mine. This isn't the end. Alexandru will come for me, and your reign of terror will crumble under the weight of your arrogance."

"Like yours did?" Catarina steps back, narrowing her eyes. "We shall see, Eleanna. We shall see. But remember, even if by some miracle he does find you, you'll be nothing more than a shadow of yourself. Broken, defeated, and utterly weakened. Or dead."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself against the throbbing pain coursing through my veins. "I'll take my chances, Catarina. For every moment you think you have control, there will be a thousand more where your grip slips."

Catarina's cold laughter fills the chamber. "Oh, how naive you are, Eleanna. You speak of defiance, yet you stand here chained and weakened before me."

I meet her icy gaze with unwavering determination. "Physical chains can't bind the strength of my will, Catarina. And mark my words, they won't hold me forever."

She tilts her head, a calculating glint in her eyes. "Bold words from a fragile creature like yourself. Strength is not measured by bravado alone, Eleanna. It is in actions that speak louder than empty threats."

The desire to bring her to her knees burns within me as I retort, "Then watch closely, Catarina, for my actions will echo far beyond these walls. You may think yourself untouchable, but even the mightiest rulers fall when faced with unwavering resolve."

Catarina's smirk falters for a fleeting moment before she regains her composure. "You're amusingly delusional, Eleanna. But I suppose every ex-queen needs her fantasies to cling to in the face of impending defeat."

I narrow my eyes. "Defeat is not a foregone conclusion, Catarina. True power is not in dominating others but in standing firm against tyranny."

"Ah, the idealistic musings of a doomed soul." She waves a dismissive hand. "You truly believe your words hold weight in the face of inevitable demise?"

"I believe in the resilience of the human spirit, in the enduring strength of love and loyalty. And that belief will carry me through whatever trials lie ahead."

Catarina laughs darkly. "Love and loyalty, such sentimental notions have no place in our world of darkness and deception."

I refuse to be swayed by her cynicism. "They have every place, Catarina. They are the very essence of what makes us real vampires—what sets us apart from creatures like you."

Her expression hardens as she steps closer, her voice laced with venom. "Do not mistake sentimentality for weakness, Eleanna. It will be your downfall."

I meet her gaze unflinchingly. "Perhaps. But it will also be my salvation when all else fades into oblivion. And mark my words, Catarina, that day will come sooner than you think."

As the silence settles between us, the pain from the poison runs through my veins, threatening to pull me under, yet my thoughts cling to Alexandru, to the hope of our reunion.

"If I'm dying, why not let me go?" I ask and cringe at the pleading tone lacing my words.

Catarina's lips curl into a sneer as she regards me with a mix of contempt and amusement. "Oh, how predictable of you, Eleanna. To cling to false hopes in the face of your impending death. But tell me, what makes you believe Alexandru will want you now? You're dying. He will only bring you heartache as he tortures himself watching you die."

I grit my teeth against the pain and summon all the strength I have left. "Because in him, I find my strength, Catarina. The friendship we share's a bond that transcends even the darkest of times."

She shakes her head mockingly. "Such alliances are so very fleeting. It blinds you to the harsh realities of our world."

"Hope gives purpose, Catarina. It incites my will to fight against oppressors like you."

Catarina's laughter echoes through the chamber once again, chilling me to the core. "You speak of hope and defiance as if they hold weight against power and cunning. You are but a pawn in a war much greater than yourself."

I refuse to back down. "I may be just one player in your twisted warfare, Catarina, but mark my words—I will not be a pawn for long."

Her expression darkens as she steps even closer, her voice low and dangerous. "You underestimate the depth of the mighty power that surrounds you, Eleanna. Your foolish bravery will be your undoing."

A surge of defiance courses through me. "I would rather face my end with dignity and hope in my heart than cower before tyrants like you."

Catarina narrows her eyes as she considers me for a moment before speaking with a cold finality. "Your defiance is admirable, Eleanna, but ultimately futile. Accept your fate and spare yourself further suffering."

I draw a ragged breath, each inhale feeling more labored than the last, yet I refuse to let her see me falter. "I will not surrender to you, Catarina. As long as there is breath in my body, I will fight."

With a dismissive wave, Catarina turns away. "Your resistance is noted, Eleanna. But remember this—there are fates far worse than death for those who dare to defy me." Catarina leans close, her breath cold on my skin. "Hmmm, I think it's time we had a little bloody fun. So, shall we?"

"Is torturing helpless prisoners your idea of sport? How droll."

She chuckles, a dark sound from deep in her throat. "Let's test that theory, shall we?"

Before I can even prepare myself, Catarina unleashes on me—a vicious symphony of pain conducted with cruel accuracy. Each strike is sharp and biting, sending waves of agonizing torment through my being. My screams are relentless, tearing from my throat as I thrash against the restraints that hold me captive.

But in the midst of this agony, I refuse to give Catarina the satisfaction of seeing me broken. My mind is strong, fighting to maintain control even as my body is ravaged by her torturous techniques.

"Come now, Eleanna, don't tell me you're giving up so soon." The bitch mocks me, misreading my snarls for surrender.

"Never." I gasp between gritted teeth, every nerve ending on fire.

I cling to the image of Alexandru, letting it ground me in the torment. He would never yield; neither will I.

"Such spirit. It will be delightful to break it."

"Good luck with that."

She pauses, tilting her head as if considering my insolence. The cell's filled with our heavy breaths, the stench of sweat and blood, and the terrifying promise of more torture at her hands. I may be shackled and poisoned, but I am still Eleanna Cordon, Queen of the Sagori, and I will not bow to this bitch.

"Your move," I whisper.

"Move?" Catarina throws her head back and laughs, an unnerving sound that echoes the depravity of her soul. "My dear, this is no mere game. It's your undoing."

She leans in close, her icy breath skittering across my feverish skin. "You see," she hisses, "I've always despised you. You with your pure Sagori bloodline, your throne, and that damned skull and raven crest." She traces the tattoo on my leg, and I flinch, loathing her touch. "You believe you are born to rule, but I will show them all what a true queen looks like."

"Power-hungry harpy," I spit back defiantly. "The throne will never be yours. Not while I live."

"Ah, but that can be easily remedied." Her words drip with venom as she produces a dagger, its blade curved and cruel.

She presses it against my flesh, and with swift, sadistic pleasure, she cuts. The pain is searing, white-hot, and relentless.

"Still feeling regal, princess?" she taunts, twisting the knife.

My blood—a royal crimson—flows freely, soaking the cold floor.

"Fuck you," I snarl through clenched teeth, thrashing against the agony. Each word is a battle cry, evidence of my unyielding spirit.

"Such language for royalty."

"Go to hell." My voice is ragged. "You may take my blood, but you will never take my spirit," I say, the defiance in my words unwavering despite the pain coursing through me.

Catarina's sneer cuts through the air like a knife. "Oh, but I intend to break not just your body but your spirit as well. Your defiance only makes it all the more satisfying."

I grit my teeth against the pain, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me waver. "You will find that breaking me is no easy feat, Catarina. I am stronger than you could ever imagine."

Her eyes gleam with malice as she leans in closer, her face twisted into a cruel smile. "We shall see about that, my dying Queen. We have all the time in the world for you to learn the error of your ways."

"I will never bow to you. No matter what horrors you inflict upon me, I shall never submit."

Catarina's smile widens as she raises the dagger once more, tracing it lightly along my skin. "Oh, I do so love disobedience. Let us see just how long that cheekiness lasts."

She prepares to strike again, but the door opens.

Catarina straightens, her face unreadable, eyes on me.

"What is this intrusion?" Her grip on the dagger tightens.

A guard comes into the cell, nervous and wild-eyed. "Intruders were found in the dungeons, Catarina!"

Alexandru? Has he come for at long last? Thank the gods! A slice of hope blossoms in my chest.

Catarina's eyes flash. "What? Intruders? Kill…oh, wait."

"Please! Catarina, don't?—"

"Hurt him? Are you ready to beg."

Silence stretches as I fight instinct to do just that.

Finally, she waves off the guard. "Go, I have unfinished business here."

"So not even for him will you beg?"

"I beg and you'll do what you want."

The annoyance that flashes answers me.

"How do you feel, you look flustered, and not well, worried about your lover?" She snaps her fingers. "Silly me. That was ages ago."

My head spins, turning light and the pain is nothing compares to the fear lighting up all my pathways. "Alexandru? H-he came?"

I grab the panic. If he did come, which I think he did since she used it against me, he got away. She doesn't have him. A creature like her would open with that, Taunt me.

No, he's alive. Safe. Somewhere. And I raise my chin. "He did, didn't he? And he got away. Don't deny it. I can feel it."

"You feel nothing but pain." But Catarina's amusement wanes; perhaps she grows tired of our game of pain and resistance. She steps back, wiping my blood from her hands with a look of indifference. "This bores me. Your screams lack variety."

"Then leave," I mutter, the taste of iron thick on my tongue.

"Rest well—you'll need your strength if you hope to die with dignity." With one last mocking curtsy, she exits the cell, and the heavy door slams shut behind her.

The silence left in her wake is deafening but welcome. Every breath I take trembles with effort, the copper taste of blood on my tongue a cruel reminder of my mortality. My thoughts turn to Alexandru, the general who fights by my side. His strength becomes my lifeline, his memory a refuge against despair.

We have stood together in this war, side by side, our swords singing songs of brutality to our enemies. Now, I grip that memory, letting the visions of our shared dreams and victories fortify me. He came for me. And got away to fight for me another day. To fight for the realms. With every thundering beat of my heart, I embrace the legacy of our partnership, letting its power become my own.

I clench my fists, nails biting into my palms.

No matter the pain, no matter the poison coursing through my veins, I am Eleanna Cordon. I am the fire that refuses to be doused, the blade that won't dull. My reign has been forged in cruelty and honor, and I will reclaim what is mine.

Let the darkness come. I am ready for it, ready for whatever twisted game Catarina thinks she's playing. This future queen will become resilient once more, and I swear by the blood of my ancestors, Catarina will rue the day she dared to cross me.