I was lugged away as soon as I reached the city gates. They had spotted me a mile out, though the watchtowers had eyes of their own. There wasn't a single moment where I wasn't watched, every move monitored by The Iron Arms of Soldara.

I chose to rest as little as possible. The idea of what might happen if I stopped for more than an hour worried me. But more than that, I savored being awake. I longed for those brief moments when I was just far enough from a tower that my blood could warm.

Fresh air could rush into my lungs, my legs becoming stronger, my strides longer. In those moments I could feel the earth around me. Every ant in the dirt, every spider in the grass and bird in the trees. Life started to flow back into me. And just when my fingers started to tingle, it faded away. All of it. One by one the senses disappeared and the air became thicker. Another watchtower would loom in the distance.

Walking through the Capital streets wasn't as challenging. Something in the blockades of buildings or perhaps the vast amount of people that kept the Sun Temple from finding me. Though I still panted as The Iron Arms grabbed me and hauled me onto a horse.

We rode down Center Street. The city's population was too busy closing their shops or begging for food to notice us. I doubted anyone even cared that yet another person was being hauled to the palace. It had become commonplace.

Anything could be considered a use of magic. Two weeks ago a woman was put behind bars for selling herbs that appeared too green. The day before, a man had been overheard saying that rain was coming. There was a pretty penny for anyone willing to sell out their neighbors to The Iron Arms. Even if it was utter bullshit.

The journey through the streets wasn't long and soon we reached the palace entrance. At that gate, I was traded to new guards. Iron Arms as well, but with notably better armor. All polished, shining irritatingly in my eyes against the setting sun. Their closed helmets held more flare than the others, intricate detailing wrapping the sides. These men dawned capes in the deep red and gold of the Kingdom. They wore its flag with pride.

Two men grabbed me by the arms, moving as one in perfect synchronization. The show of it all was unnecessary and wholly irritating. I came of my own volition yet was being treated as a prisoner once more. It's a power play, I reminded myself. It will be over soon.

Stepping inside the palace was like stepping into a different world. We were greeted by sleek marble flooring and high vaulted ceilings that put most temples to shame. A long hallway lay before us, lined with open arches that showed off the greenest grass and perfectly full apple trees. The bushes were so vibrant they appeared painted. A breeze carried the scent of roses and every inch of land was cloaked in the golden rays of the setting sun.

An oasis in this deprived city. It would be bliss itself if it weren't for the poison that lay at the end of the hall.

Two doormen flanked the grand entrance before us. I took a breath. The Iron Arms gripped tighter. Then, the doors opened.

There she was. A blood red carpet lined the floor leading all the way to her dias which presented itself more as a pedestal when she sat there. A throne so large no man could ever fill it. Yet there she sat, draped in gold silks down to her gloved fingers. The picture of luxury coating a decaying body.

So thin, so frail. I wished that flowered breeze would hit her and she'd turn to ash before us all. Though I knew she had plenty of years left. Some thought she might never die. A mortal Queen that defied time. Ironic. But it would take her. As it does all. Even Queen Elaine of Soldara.

I smiled as best I could despite two guards gripping my arms with bone breaking strength and laced-iron gauntlets.

"Hello Elaine," I said casually. One of the guards crushed down harder, pulling me to the floor, forcing me to kneel. The other shoved my head down making me stare at my polished reflection instead of the Queen.

A horrible scene looked back at me. A ratty, tired girl in desperate need of a meal. My dark hair had matted itself into tough tangles and my eyes appeared sunken with purple bruises.

Perhaps it was the warped age of the floor, but I looked older than I had the week before. The rapid curse of time still felt cruel even after all these years. Seven days felt like seven years. Perhaps it was.

One of the guards kicked my back, a rush of pain ran up my spine reminding me of what they wanted me to say. "Your Royal Majesty," I sneered through gritted teeth.

"Rise, girl." The Queen's voice boomed to the high ceilings and down the halls for every servant and rat to hear. They really should have added more fabric to the room. "It has only been seven days," she declared.

The guards yanked me up onto my feet. "Would you look at that, indeed it has! And just in time for Sunday supper. What luck!"

The Queen's expression remained frozen in a way that might suggest digestive issues. If I suggested an elixir, my head might be removed. And despite my current appearance, I was quite fond of it.

She looked me up and down. "Toranell is a five day's journey from here."

"Well..." I shifted my head side to side, "five days for some."

She huffed out a breath. The Queen wouldn't ask how I did it, she never would. Not as long as it benefited her.

"Did you retrieve it?"

The Iron Arm to my right let go of me and walked towards his Queen. I rolled my shoulder at the sudden freedom. It just made the other guard grip tighter.

When the man reached the side of the queen, he kneeled and pulled out a small bag that had hung by his waist. His gauntleted fingers were almost too large to pull out the tiny wooden box that lay inside. But he managed and with a final dip of his head, he handed it to the Queen.

She examined it carefully, cautiously, moving it in her fingers and feeling its edges. Then, to her shock, it opened. When she peered inside, I knew my mission had been successful.

Her eyes went wide, lips curling upward. A rare sighting for the Queen of Soldara to smile. Perhaps if I were someone else it would be an honor. But I knew that smile held the terror of many. Hopefully today it wouldn't be to my own detriment.

She pulled out a small blue stone with her tiny gloved fingers. An aqua color so vibrant, it didn't quite seem real. Despite its size, it still caught the sun from the windows, sending shimmering beams of light across the throne room. It coated the walls and even stretched across the floor all the way to my boots.

It was magnificent.

A beauty so impossible that in a mere moment I knew nothing would ever compare.

It was entirely captivating as if the rest of life didn't exist. A stone that was everything, a beating heart, the depths of the ocean, the wind under wings. Every moment of joy and light that had ever existed was before me, calling to me.

I hadn't opened the box when I found it inside Toranell manner. Every part of my body ached to touch it, to find what lay inside. It whispered to me, needed me to open it, and begged me to set it free.

Which was exactly why I didn't. That feeling was rare, but I had felt it before and knew not to follow it. But seeing it now... I didn't think I'd ever wanted anything more. I wanted to hold it, to know what it felt like in my palm. If I were only closer... if I could just try.

The Queen held her free hand out to the guard. It took him a moment to look away from the aqua beauty she held, and another to realize what the Queen wanted. He reached for her hand and pulled off her glove revealing her frail fingers. Her fingertip like a magnet to the stone. The room went quiet. The moment the two met, everything changed.

Its power ran through the room like a shock wave sending everyone stumbling backward. I felt it in bones, the sudden wrongness of it. The room had chilled, the light of the setting sun was suddenly covered by clouds. All of the dazzling rays disappeared into deep shadows as all the fire went out from every chandelier and torch.

We were being sucked into the darkness.

The Queen gasped and dropped the stone back into the box. In an instant, the clouds cleared, the room warmed, and the deep seeded unease released us. Even The Iron Arm's grip on me loosened slightly. It felt more like he was keeping me up right as opposed to holding me in place.

I panted, not even realizing the absence of air. I felt sick and worried I'd lose what little I'd eaten in the past day.

The Queen stretched out her hand and the guard beside her slid her glove back on.

For a moment it was quiet, the only sound was everyone trying their best to get air into their lungs. Short breaths slowly got longer.

What was that?

Magical objects were rare enough as is, but no magic even worked inside the Mortal Kingdoms. The outposts and watchtowers ensured no town could hold it. The temples secured the cities. Those measures suppressed everything, even the air breathed if death didn't take magic wielders first.

Nothing got through... so how did this?

Despite my protests, my legs started to shake.

A cool surface landed gently on my back and it took a few seconds to realize it was a metal gauntlet. The guard had switched hands, one now firmly placed behind me and the other bracing my arm.

There was no purpose in staying here and I had no desire to see if the Queen would touch it again. The bargain had been completed. I'd done what was asked of me. I had found her the box, it was in her possession, and I hadn't attempted to flee. The deal was done.

I was free of the cells. I could walk the streets on my own. I could start to live again. The thought nearly brought me to tears in my weakened state. I just needed to leave.

"Can I go?" I didn't sound like myself, pleading with the Queen. But I didn't want to risk anything while she held that box.

Slowly, she nodded. Her head tilted, eyes still locked on the box in her hand and the beast that lay inside. "You may leave." It was barely more than a whisper.

I didn't move. I couldn't with the brace the guard had me in. "You heard the woman," I snarled at him.

With that, he pulled and we began moving towards the gigantic doors that would lead me to freedom. Every step felt like hope, farther away from that stone and the bitch of a woman who held it. Two more Iron Arms flanked the exit instead of doormen, dressed in the same polished armor as all the others. Indistinguishable puppets.

With a nod from the one who held me, they opened the doors.

"Rydalera." The Queen demanded, voice booming once more.

We stopped abruptly and I stumbled. So close. The long hall in front of me promised warmth and fresh air. But the guard turned, taking me with him.

The Queen looked down at me, her usual demeanor returned. "You will be of great use to this Kingdom. Prove to me that your life is worth more than the filth that runs through your tainted veins."

My brow twitched. "I have proved plenty."

"By not running away? That shows me you're not as dumb as the other cellar rats. But proof is serving your Kingdom."

"I've done what you've asked of me. I brought you the box, I've earned my freedom."

"I told you you would be free from the cells, and so you are. But do not think for one minute that you will be forgiven for the sins you have committed. You are the property of the Kingdom of Soldara. And whether or not I choose to spare your life is a decision I get to make every time I see your wretched little face. And as my property, I will use you as I see fit. I will find you when I need you again. And I will always find you, Rydalera."