Ink

My fingers dig into the soft fabrics of my white dress, pressing the bunched up textile against my chest. Heat radiated from my cheeks and ears, I could hear the rapid heart beat in my ears and feeling it trying to burst from my chest. I felt so vulnerable, so exposed to him and I knew that it wasn't even much. I wanted to call him a liar, but I held my tongue. He did not have the ability to lie because he just with held additional, important information, something ingrained into his very nature.

I didn't need to see his amused expression, it bore into my bare back. He was mildly entertained with my nervous embarrassment but he didn't speak a word of it. I focused my gaze forward staring at the maroon fabrics, various moss green and yellow pushed pillows that laid onto of furniture while trying to ignore the touch of the bristled brush and smooth liquid.

I jumped, startled if anything more flushed at the feel of his lips brushed against my bare shoulder. This time he has a low rumble of a chuckle. "Just relax love." I couldn't help but think it was easy for him to say as I swallowed thickly. Curling in my dress a little tighter, I shuddered at the touch of the cool, copper red liquid. I could only imagine what markings he was laying on my skin; markings that would only be visible for a few days, before fading away like a henna tattoo. But the markings would still be permanently etched into my skin, there was no way to get rid of them and there was always the possibility of them reappearing.

He moves loose pieces of my hair that managed to escape my braid away from from the nape of my neck and continued his work.

Protection and bondage. These are what the markings provided. Protection from any malicious harm that could be send my way and being bonded to the very person who worked on my back. I could only associated this with some type of marriage ritual but magic worked within the liquid concoction. I almost could feel strands of my soul being weaved together with his. I all ready felt like I wouldn't be able to stomach another man's intimate touch.This was dangerous, what we were doing. Being bonded to in such a way when we all ready lived two words apart? Did he really have so much faith in the future that may or may not come?

My heart rate increased when his toned, muscled arms wrapped around my waist pulling me a little closer. Kisses littered my back, I couldn't resist a shutter of pleasure at the feel of warm lips. I stuttered his name to catch his attention. "Can I cover my back now?" I requested meekly, desperately wishing to cover myself.

I felt his warm breath behind my ear. "No."

"Aren't you done?"

"No." There was a smug tone in it that did not signal anything fortunate for me. Somehow he managed to turn me around to face him. I felt so small compared to his tall, muscled form that just engulfed me every time. "There's also your front to deal with."

If even physically possible, I blushed even harder staring up into dark his gold eyes searching for an signs of a twinkle of a joke.  But I was only distracted with my head being pulled close and his mouth covering mine. He only exchanged slow kisses; gentle, and reassuring. They were enough to sweep me into a haze of not thinking but only feeling.

Eventually I can't resist his charms any longer and allow him to do what he needs to finish. Marking where ever he needed on my body to complete the contract amongst the comforting caresses and kisses. I am his and only his; I belong to no one else.

Finally I was able to fix my dress properly around my body again, feeling more comfortable with the familiar fabrics against my skin. I made a small sound when I felt pressure on my left shoulder, and tried my best to tilt my head without bumping into his face and see past my now loose locks. "Remember no sunlight for at least a day."

"Even physically?" I couldn't hep inquire. I thought about all the places that he marked and considered what the next day was. I would be in my work clothes 'till sunrise to sunset and they would indeed cover every spot.

"Yes." He paused for a moment. "And there will be slight side affects but they will only last about a week."

I glance wearily at him at the notion of side affects. before lightly leaning my head against his. "And you? Do I something similar to you?"

He made a sound of agreement his finding their way around my waist again. "The sooner, the better but take your time love. I don't want to rush you through all this," he murmured, surprisingly me slightly with his last comment. I start to lean back to rest against him, letting him readjust to my new position.

I could only dwell on what was just completed and consider, was what we did a mistake?

Is it a future? Or merely a dream?

There is a girl, such a beautiful child she is.

A smile, bright as the sun, dawns her lips and light cerulean eyes twinkle like the stars. Straight locks fall over her shoulders stopping at her hips and each strand black as the night sky. Her clear skin a light caramel contrasting against the darkness of her hair and the light hues in her eyes. A flowing, alabaster colored dress covered her form held together with the thin straps hanging from her bare shoulders and another pair of straps wrapping behind her neck. Gold jewelry adorned her wrists in numerous thin bracelets, with a match pair of small hoop earring clinging to the lobe of her ear.

She danced amongst the field of sunflowers, pure laughter filling the air that could sooth any wound. I could only watch admiringly at her child innocence, and my chest swelling with happiness. She approaches, eyes wide and hopeful, reaching out her thin arms. I sweep her into my arms, clinging to her, afraid she was going to disappear from my very eyes.

Please tell me that this is not just a dream.

Captive

I don't know how long I've been here but it feels like an eternity. Normally I would be grateful to have the open room empty as it is now, but I found that I no longer care. I no longer have the strength to fight off those vicious little thistle-like fae nor fight off my captor who enjoyed every beating, and torturous session he had with me. He was cruel, we all knew he was. Cruel, spiteful, clever and thrived in his insanity. I don't know how many times I screamed, cried when I was alone, and just begged that someone would find me and save me from this prison. Sometimes I found myself wishing I would just die but that wouldn't do. I was precious, I was needed for what crazed blood ritual he was planning. He needed me alive, but that didn't mean in perfect health.

I was positive that my skin was discolored in every place of my body. The lacerations throbbed constantly reminding me that they were present along with my wrists that were raw from the metal bindings. Any movement cause excruciating pain, probably from broken bones, indicating just how shattered my body had become. Not only just broken but filthy as well. My long hair greased with to much natural oils, and blood, tangled into numerous knots. The once snow white gown that adorned my form was now shredded, faded into a dirty grey with large spots of dried blood that ran to the floor and stained the stone as well.

I exhaled. I could see my breath become a mist before fading away. It was always cold in this huge open room. Probably once a glorious ball room now darken, destroyed for his purposes. Few rays of moonlight shone down through the glass ceiling but they no longer provided comfort.

Oh, how I wish someone would just take the pain away.

Finally there was sound, movement. The doors clattered open loudly echoing with shuffling, yelling and the sound of the metals chains. With what little strength left, I slowly rolled my head to the side to watch the scene. Two guards dragged a young woman over to part of the etched circle, binding her wrists to the chains from the floor. She was yelling, demanding that they let her go, struggling in what ever way possible but the guards were to strong. I could practically see myself in her place when I first arrived, doing everything in my power to get free.

Once firmly secure the guards left, hard sparing a glance my way. The doors clattered again indicating that they had left. The young woman, the more I observed her, looked strikingly familiar. But I couldn't recall who through the haze that gripped my mind. But I could see her blue-green eyes staring at me with absolute horror, and her lips moving. What was she saying? It was to hard to focus anymore.

Slowly I blinked. Did she say sister? A moment of clarity came and I finally knew why she was familiar. 'Sister....' I confirmed before closing my eyes, falling into the darkness.

*

I woke to the sound of noise, the sounds of the doors opening, but I didn't bother to open my eyes. I knew what was coming when the doors opened with such force. If I could just slip back unconscious maybe...

I cried out when I felt my upper body suddenly lifted in a pair of arms, pain sweeping over every inch of my being. Muscles contracted, automatically embracing what was to happen next. Except what normally happened next, didn't happen but something unexpected. A hand slipping gently against my cheek, cupping it, and slowly moving my head to face forward. All I could hear was soft, disbelieving whispers of my name being repeated. "Open your eyes."

Following the command, I struggled to open my eyes enough to see through them. At the sight I saw, I just wanted to cry with happiness. "Taran," I whispered meekly staring up into his golden hues. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine, feeling him cradle my battered body against his.

I felt my chains lifted from the ground, the sound of metal clashing against each other before my wrists felt incredibly lighter. "We need to get out of here before he knows what's happening," another voice floating in the background. 

I could feel a tightening of his grip. "I'm sorry, please bare the pain a little longer," he whispered across my face before I felt my entire body lifted up. I didn't last long against the pain, falling back once again into the darkness.

Dream: Blades

Somehow we came across each other, somehow we met again.

She passed by muttering an insult in my direction for reasons I do not know, but her words made me freeze. I could see a memory flashing before my eyes from a past life I'm assuming, in black and white, and the same exact words were said to me by someone who wanted to hurt me, an enemy. And enemy of what, I couldn't remember.

Noticing that I had reacted to her comment, she paused herself. Her eyes lingered on my form, observing me with more intensity than before. Suddenly her lips curled into a unsettling smile as if she had finally realized who I was.

Events whirled by and the both of us ended up in the same room with a large table placed in between us. She seemed delighted that we were finally alone together without any other witnesses around. Her hand reached out, grasping a blade resting on the table. I cautiously stepped away from her and the table fearing for my life. She leaped over the table, the long blade firmly grasped in her hand and her body language screamed that she had years of experience of combat with blades. 

Our exchanges happened so fast; majority of the time I was trying to grab her arm or block by redirecting her thrusts. She did managed to slice me in a few places; one on my arm, another on my face cutting from the end of my eyebrow and close to the corner of my eye, and another on my leg. She struck again, trying to stab while I barely managed to grab her wrist she pressed the blade down with her other hand. Slowly the blade went down digging into the web of skin between my thumb and index finger. I cried out trying my best to push her away and keep the blade from sinking further into my skin.

All of a sudden she pulled away and sliced horizontally towards my stomach. I screamed again.

I woke up feeling my heart beating fast, and instantly calling out for Taran frantically. It was second nature to reach out and call for him when I become scared or need comfort. He instantly responded, feeling him trying to comfort and smooth away my fears. It's been awhile since I've had a dream that neared a nightmare.

The Fall of Fallon

I made sure I stayed far enough behind in order to keep distance between father, Gwilyn, and Gaerwn and myself to make sure they did not notice that they were being followed. I gripped tightly on the reins of my young horse, one perfect for my small ten year old size, and made sure to not take my eyes off the sight of the three horses in the distance. Hours passed by, the sun lowering down allowing the moon to rise into the starry sky, and I had lost sight of my family once they entered the protection of the forest.

I slipped off my horse with ease but landed wobbly legs. I had never ridden for such a long time before; my body ached and I felt physically exhausted. I just wanted to find a nice spot of soft grass under a nice large tree to curl up under. If there was an oak grove nearby would be even better. Gripping on to the reins in on hand, I reached up patting my horse's neck with my free hand," Let me look around a bit and then we can set up to rest."

Before I did anything else, I froze at the sound of my name and slowly peered over my shoulder to see Gwilyn standing there with arms crossed firmly over his chest. His expression obviously looked less than pleased and instantly I feared the reaction of father now that I've been exposed. "What are doing here!?" he snapped and I flinched away at his tone. "Do you even know what you are doing? What if something happened to you and no one would know that you were in trouble?"  Gwilyn trailed off with an angry sound, it was obvious he wanted to say more but his frustration prevented him from forming anymore words.

I stood there, waiting for what to do next. It was useless to try and resist or even fight, I was caught red-handed.

With a heavy exhale, Gwilyn walked over and took the reins from my hands. "Father is going to be furious." He motioned with his head to follow, and I did without a word. The walk was quick, and a warm glowing light filtered through the trees indicating a small fire that had been built. With each step, I could feel fear grip at my heart. I was more willing to face father's wrath with mother around, or even if Carwyn was around, not by myself.

"I'm back," Gwilyn announced as we step closer, and I stepped behind him, afraid of what was to happen next once we stepped into the clearing.

"All ready? That was a quick scout." I heard Gaerwn comment as we stepped into the small clearing. A small fire was burning in the center with their horses off to the side grazing on the thick grass. Both Gaerwn and father were sitting around the fire, relaxing, until they saw the horse Gwilyn had with him.

"Yeah, and I found a follower." I saw the confusion flicker across their faces but father's eyes found me instantly hiding slightly behind Gwilyn and I felt my heart stop. He said my name evenly as I rose to his feet. His expression looked neutral but I could see the flames of fury burning in the cold blue hues of his eyes. Gwilyn stepped aside allowing a full view of my form and father stepped right in front of me. I swallowed thickly, gripping the fabric of my white dress in both my hands tightly and stared up at his tall form.

"What are you doing here?" He tone was still even which I knew that he was beyond angry. He was never this calm when I was caught doing something wrong. 

I fidgeted under his intense gaze, trying to find words to respond with. I could bare to look at him in his eyes, and bowed my head to stare at his boots.

"Well?" He pressed, his tone slightly rising and voice a little louder.

"I... I just wanted to see mother," I muttered out meekly, feeling tears stinging my eyes."I want to see mother." Was all I could repeat resisting the urge to cry.

There was a moment of stillness. I was to afraid to look up to see father's reaction, and just continued staring at his boots, waiting for what felt like eternity. With a surprise sound, I was lifted up into his arms and I stared at my father's completed defeated expression. "Is that all she brought Gwilyn?" he inquired turning towards Gwilyn who had moved my horse with the others.

Gwilyn held up a small bag for father to see. "She had this. It has some food for herself and the horse, and water. Not much other than that."

Father sighed heavily, murmuring under his breath, "You didn't even bring a cloak." I wrapped my arms around his neck as he stared at the fire, watching the flames in thought. Gwilyn and Gaerwn remained silent as well, watching father, waiting for what he had to say next. 

After a few minutes he spoke, still staring at the fire. "There is not much we can do now. We can't send her back alone and I want both of you with me when we arrive in Falias," he sighed again. "Gwilyn I want her to ride with you tomorrow, and Gaerwn, you'll hold onto her horse with you. And you," he shifted his gaze down at me, "Will stay with Gwilyn at all times unless instructed to do something else. You have to promise me this."

I nodded my head, not understanding the serious nature of what lied in Falias. "Yes father."

*

The morning came and we set out the moment the sun's light began to pick-en the sky. For hours I was saddled in front of Gwilyn, his arms creating a shield around me with his hands holding onto the reins. Falias came in sight and the horses slowed into a trot as we entered the city. No soldiers stood guard by the gate, and the cobbled streets were empty of all life. There was an unsettling stillness that laid upon Falias.

"Gwilyn," I murmured feeling uncomfortable in this stillness, but he hushed me quickly. I could feel his body lowering slightly closer to me, his head hovering inches above my own and I watched as his eyes scanned the area. We continued forward further into the city, still no signs of life, just the sound of the horse's hooves clicking against the hard stones.

Suddenly, as if a veil was lifted, there was sound all around. Voices yelling, metal hitting against metal, wood splintering and so much more noise. Before I really could grasp what was happening, father was yelling out instructions and Gwilyn turned his horse in the direction we had came from, urging the horse to run. I gripped onto the horse's mane, praying that I would stay on. There were people everyone, warriors clashing with any weapon they could get their hands on, arrows slicing through the air to attempt to hit their marks. Suddenly the horse reared back, letting out a terrified sound, knocking both Gwilyn and I off it's back. I couldn't help but scream as I fell. Gwilyn managed to grab me and pull my into a close embrace as he fell onto his back and I landed on him, cushioned by the fall.

I felt dazed but I was all ready being pulled to my feet by Gwilyn. "You need to run, go find somewhere to hide. I'll follow behind you and find you," he ordered before pushing forward towards an ally clear of any warriors. Running on fear and adrenaline, I ran in the direction he pushed me hearing Gwilyn unsheathe his sword from behind. I didn't dare look back, I just ran through the ally ways avoiding areas that had violent conflicts occurring.

Eventually my chest burned for oxygen, and I slowed my run into a brisk walk. I whirled around a corner to freeze in place at the scene a few feet in front of me. There were only two in front of me, swords drawn for combat. The man dressed in black looked familiar, someone I had seen before. His back was towards me with long, curly black locks tied into a low pony tail hanging down from his head. But the other, the one with dark, honey-blond locks cascading behind him I knew. "Fallon," I said his name without thinking.

That was enough to catch his attention, his eyes shifted away from his opponent in my direction. I could see them widen saying my name in no more than a murmur. The man in black peered over his shoulder, golden eyes glistening in the light with a look that struck fear in my heart. I am unsure what had happened next, everything moved so fast that it was over before I knew it. Fallon laid in front of me on his back, blood seeping from lacerations that were not there before and an arm out stretched towards me.

With a gasp of shock, I stumbled back falling down in the process. The man in black stepped closer to Fallon's body and pulled out a small black vial. Uncorking the vial, he pour a translucent black liquid over Fallon earning a reaction from the struck down king. Fallon yelled in agony as the liquid sizzled against his skin, burning through his clothes in attempts to touch skin. I could feel myself shaking as I could only watch Fallon writhe in pain. Fallon stopped yelling, but his chest heaved as his breathing became labored.

The man in black made a unimpressed sound tossing the vial over his shoulder, letting the glass shatter against the stone. He briefly lowered himself, searching for something on Fallon before standing up properly again. His eyes moved to focus on me and began to step forward in my direction. Fallon's head rolled to the side , his eyes filled with a pleading look as he managed to rasp out, "Run."

Despite his instruction, despite my mind screaming for my body to run, I was frozen in my spot watching him come closer with every step. I heard a yell from my side and suddenly Gwilyn was in front of me, disheveled but sword drawn tightly in the grip of both of his hands. The man in black did not falter a step and without any effort slammed Gwilyn away with such force Gwilyn was send a few feet with a cry. I stared where Gwilyn had landed, curled up in pain but struggled to get back up.

I was forced to look away from Gwilyn when a hard grip grasped my chin and stare straight up into those gold orbs. "I have you to thank for helping me take down the King." His lips were twisted into a cruel smile before he let go of my face and turned the corner leaving death in his wake.

I found myself looking back at Fallon and slowly inched forward towards him. Tears filled my eyes, and I had to blink them away to try and clear my vision. "F-Fallon..." Even though minutes ago he looked like he was in unimaginable pain, he looked relieved and calm now. But by now, I knew better. I knew he was dying right before my eyes.

Raising a hand, I reached out to touch his hand that laid outstretch but I flinched away when he told me no. "Don't touch me... I don't want you to touch the poison," he breathed. He had such a kind look in his reflecting in his eyes, my chest tightened in grief. How could he smile at me?

I flinched when I felt myself being pulled back into an embrace. I clung to Gwilyn's arms that wrapped around me and Fallon's eyes flickered staring up at Gwilyn. "I"m glad that you are both all right..." With that, Fallon's eyes lowered closed and this time remained closed.

The moment his eyes shut, I couldn't hold in the raw emotions anymore. I turned inward to find comfort from Gwilyn as I sobbed at the death of the King of Falias.

Dream: The Feud

Two families were at war with each other, but they weren't always in war with each other. I knew this, my family knew this and this useless feud needed to stop. I am not sure when this fighting started but I do know it was a long time ago because with each new generation they learned how to fight, developing their own specialized skills of combat.

Within the most recent attack with each other two had died; one very important to me. The youngest, a child of about 10, was stabbed clean through with a sword from the head hold of the other family. However, the child was a genius with poisons and substances and did not die in vain. The head's lower body and arms were covered with a black substance; some kind of burning poison that I did not know. Someone from his family, a young girl of around 13 with white ribbons in her hair, cradling his head as she wept, "Why won't you let me heal you? Why won't you allow it?"

I stepped forward closer to the scene. He was dying, there was no way he would be able to survive this. His dark, honey-golden hair sprawled out behind him like a sun's rays behind his head with a gentle smile when he saw my approach. He waved the child away, telling her something, but I didn't catch it. She stood up sending a tear-filled gaze towards me before disappearing. I was to stunned to see him lying there, slowly slipping away with each second that passed by. Tears stung my eyes as I lowered myself to my knees, my chest tight with grief. "I'm sorry, you know," he spoke smoothly and lightly as if there was nothing paining him, sounding as if nothing was wrong when obviously there was. "For taking your mother away."

I gritted my teeth at the reminder; the memory flashing in my mind the day mother left on a horse leaving me behind with my father, and my siblings. Crying hysterically, father forced to hold on to me in his arms to keep me from running after. Though he did all that, he was still my step father and now he was dying amongst the chaos of this feud that had no goal, no purpose.

He shifted his eyes away from me and stared at the sky. "I do not blame you for changing the loyalty of some of my children. Now that I lay here, all this fighting seems silly now."

I said nothing, but the tears wouldn't stop coming. There was a new found determination to stop all this. No more; no more violence, no more fighting amongst each other's families, no more death.

He was gone now, a small smile of peace still etched into his face as they lifted his corpse to the fire.

With the death of the youngest child of one family and the father of another, extremely important and most loved to each family; there was going to be instant retaliation.

Hours later, we found the families facing each other mirroring a battle field, before anyone could make a move. My family moved in between the two forces. This time I had proof of that these families, and even ours, were connected and this feud was useless. Gaerwn stood close to me, eyeing everyone cautiously as I began to speak before any anger spilled over.

I held up a small book with the words "La Vida" written in elegant cursive with gold leaf that Mi provided for me. The book itself was a bit worn with age, but very well taken care of. Gold leaf covered the book and within the pages revealing beautiful artwork and words speaking the stories of all these families and their connections to one another. I began reading a story the instantly each family knew, and somehow lost the information that the characters that interacted with each other were their own and those of they stood against.

Which path do I take? Where do I begin? What can I do?