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(Yessss. Love that.) . The first few hours of the ride were peaceful. The afternoon air was warm, but not hot. Calvin trotted at a nice pace, stretching his neck to look at the forest. But a few hours in, Calvin started getting anxious. He pricked his ears at every little sound and flared his nostrils. He seemed worried about something behind them, but every time Adele glanced back, there was nothing out of the ordinary. She tried soothing him with soft words and caresses, but he simply shook of the pats and ignored her words. Something was wrong. Calvin had bad days and could get very grouchy if not fed on time, but this was different. Almost immediately after they entered the Night Kingdom, something burst out of the trees on her right, spooking the already high-strung Calvin. The figure grabbed Adele and pulled her off of Calvin roughly. The gelding, terrified, ran off into the woods without a second glace. Adele struggled at first, but soon gave in to the man's grip. She did as he said, hiding her fury from him, but ready to lash out when he gave the opportunity. But he kept his grip firmly on her arm, never loosening an inch, all the way to the night kingdom's castle. When he threw her in a cell in the dungeon under the castle, she fell onto the ground roughly, landing on her hands and knees. It took her a moment to register what he had said before he left. Their majesties would like to see you. Why had he said that? Only Caelan and his mother were 'majesties' here. Had she done something wrong? Why did Caelan want her captured? Thinking about it was too painful, so she simply sat on the floor and cried, suddenly too tired to do anything else. The door to the prison opened and in came Caelan's mother, an evil look on her face. Her words rattled Adele and terrified her, so she simply looked at the ground, tears still falling. 'Is that really what Caelan did? Was he lying to me, trying to get into my head? No, he couldn't have... He must have... Why else would I be here? What went wrong?' She stayed that way, on the ground, crying, for a very long time. Eventually, she ran out of tears and simply sat there, thinking over everything that had happened in the last few hours. Then, the screech of the dungeon door opened, and footsteps echoed off the cold walls. Two figures came into view, but she didn't have the strength to look up and get a better view. Caelan's voice came then, loud and furious. Adele's head shot up, and she saw the scene unfold from the cell. 'Why is he so angry? Isn't this what he wanted? Didn't he order my capture?' All these thoughts and more rushed through her head, overwhelming her. Not wanting to listen to the conversation between the king and his mother, Adele scooted to the back of her cell so she couldn't hear what they were saying. All she wanted to do was sleep. She was so... tired... Adele slumped to the floor of the cold cell, eyes closed and mind finally safe from all the questions that had been swarming in her head. She slept peacfully, though her dreams were troubled. |
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(Sorry that post got SUPER long lol) |
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All good lol) Caelan screamed in fury at his mother for nearly and hour before she laughed and said "She's nothing but an advantage. Get that through your thick skull, boy." Caelan launched at her with his fist raised, punching her square in the jaw. "How could you! I love her!" He bellowed, punching her twice more. He was pulled off his mother by the guard. 'Sir, please, calm down." The guard begged as Caelan's mother ran off. Caelan's boiling rage simmered below the surface now as he opened the cell and walked in. He sat beside Adele protectively. "Leave" He snapped the guard, the man running off. Caelan sighed and pulled Adele closer. "I swear I love you" He whispered |
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Adele woke when the door of her cell opened and someone stepped inside. She snapped awake, worried it was Caelan's mother. When she saw it was just Caelan, she relaxed. Then, remembering what his mother had said, her eyes widened and she scooted away from him, still too tired to try to stand up. She wriggled out of his arms and turned away, hair falling in front of her face. How could he come in here like everything was fine? First of all, he was the one who'd sent her here. Second of all, everything wasn't fine. She was a mess, doubting everything he'd told her and wondering why he was even here. How had such a great day turned awful in half a second? Still sitting, she pulled her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Being small felt like the right thing to do right now. She faced away from the prince (EDIT: King, lol. Keep forgetting that XD), while still being able to barely see him, in case he tried to do anything. |
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"Adele, I swear everything I said was real. I love you and I'd never turn on you--especially like this. I wanted to see you, not hurt you. I never sent anyone after you. You have my word, darling." He said softly, not meaning to use the nickname but the word slipping out anyways |
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Adele tried to ignore Caelan, but the words sunk in. Somehow, it felt like he was lying. Maybe it was just that she was so tired, or that so many thoughts were swirling around her head that she was nearly dizzy, but just then, Caelan's words seemed so sinister that Adele began to cry again. Quiet tears, this time, but still tears. Tears of confusion, anger, frustration, disbelief, and exhaustion. Her hair stuck to her wet face, and she knew she must look terrible. Eyes red, hair going everywhere, and tears sliding down her nose and dripping to the floor. Of course Caelan didn't love her. With her looking like this, who would? Prince August would. Adele nearly scoffed when she thought of his name. Prince August was not her type. But right now, anyone seemed better than King Caelan. |
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"I promise, I mean you no harm at all. I swear it was my mother. I didn't hurt you. I never would. I love you." He rushed out, tears of his own brimming his eyes. "Babe, I love you. You're kind ad selfless and beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. You're the best thing to ever happen to me, so why would I hurt you?" |
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Adele kept crying, though she did listen to him. She interrupted him on the last sentence, speaking through her tears. "Please... Just go." She said it so quietly, barely a whisper, but the silence in the cell made it so every little sound was heard. She stayed there, sitting on the floor, sobbing, for another few minutes, hoping Caelan had left. Right now she needed to be alone. To think. She didn't care if she had to stay in the cell, she just wanted to sort out her thoughts. Too much had happened too quickly, and she was still so tired. |
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"I'm sorry" He said, voice cracking as he left. He left the cell door unlocked but closed it so she had a sense of space to herself. He strode away to find his mother. "How did you enjoy your surprise? Admit it, you only want her power and body" His mother sneered, Caelan's rage hitting an all-time high. "Say another word and you will be thrown in the cell next to her" Caelan warned with an icy glare before hurrying to his room. His rage turned to shame at the person his mother was accusing him to be. Am I really this bad? Did I say something mean? Does Adele hate me now? Of course she does, why wouldn't she? My mother ordered her capture and placed all blame on me. If she doesn't come around, I can't live. I won't. He thought, collapsing on his bed crying |
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Hours later, Adele woke, finding herself lying on the hard ground of the cell, hair pooled around her in a mess. She stayed lying there, not ready to get up and face her thoughts. 'Why do I believe Caelan's mother? Because I don't know what else to do. If I trust Caelan, I could end up being hurt, or worse. I listened to her and not him because it's the safer option.' She told herself that, but did she really believe it? Maybe not. 'But if I just leave Caelan and forget we ever happened, he'll be crushed. He probably couldn't live without me. But if things like this keep happening... I just can't live like that. The best thing is to go home and keep Caelan away from me... But what if...' Her thoughts kept spriraling down and down, until, exhausted from contradicting herself over and over again, she fell asleep once more. |
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Overcast and Calm
