FIVE CHAPTERS LEFT how crazy. I'm going to try updating daily. Last night's chapter was for today so this chapter is for tomorrow. I'm posting early because I have work and I'll be driving home after so no time to write. I'm going to be going back to old chapters and dedicating them to readers!

Chapter Thirty Two

I could understand why Prince Gordon had chosen Spirit. The two were alike in many ways.

I was sitting in the pasture with Spirit, who laid beside me, munching on the grass. My fingers were running through his mane, which he seemed to enjoy, or at least not mind, as he did not push me away or act unusually.

I had not seen Prince Gordon since we arrived at the palace. He'd attempted many times to try talking to me and comforting me on the ride back but I had ignored him, running off the moment we made it to his palace. He'd ran after me, knocking on my door. But I'd snapped at him to leave me be and he had listened, disappearing. I'd regretted everything about that night, wishing I had not snapped or ignored him when he was simply worried for me.

So, I'd decided to visit Spirit before I found Prince Gordon and apologized for my behavior and explained that I had simply been upset. It was not right of me to take it out on him nor was it right if I did not provide him with an explanation of sorts. He was only kind to me while I was the opposite.

I was talking to Spirit, telling him of my visits to each palace and how they differed from one another while still holding similarities. He looked at me with his ever-patient eyes, not once interrupting or losing attention in my stories. Spirit had the same patience as his owner, as vast as the ocean had been and as unrelenting as its waves.

They were both kind as well. Spirit was kind in the way that he did not interrupt me when I spoke and allowed me close enough to lean comfortably on him, despite the fact that I was not human. He was kind in the way that he now walked up to me when I came by, desiring affection from me which I happily gave.

Prince Gordon was kind in the way that he was always there for me, whether I asked for it or did not. He was always present, a silent support that I did not realize how much I had needed. He was kind in the way that he cared for me unconditionally and as unwaveringly as the stars and the moon.

"Perhaps once I have apologized to Prince Gordon we can all go on a picnic. Wouldn't that be nice, hobune?" I asked, running my hand along his coat. He nickered softly in response before his ears perked and he looked up, glancing towards the distance. I did the same, stiffening.

"Get up!"

"Stand up!"

"Don't fucking shift!"

Enforcers were swarming towards me, dozens all yelling at me. Spirit whined, standing along me, feeling my fear. I whispered soft words to him, hoping to comfort the both of us at the same time.

A few escorted Spirit away before others roughly grabbed at me, still snapping at me and one another. I could feel someone throwing a chain around my neck, threatening me while another tightly clasped my hands behind my back, securing them there.

I fell quiet, my voice disappearing just as it had the day my village was attacked. That was the last time I had felt so afraid that fear ripped my vocal chords from my throat, throwing them into the ashes. Today, he'd done the same, leaving them behind in the pasture with Spirit.

I wanted to cry, to ask what was happening and where we were going but I knew I would receive no answer for each question even if I gathered the courage to ask. So I stayed quiet, allowing me to drag with them, stumbling occasionally. They did not care or hesitate, still rushing forward.

I was taken towards the side of the palace, where one opened a door and led me down a series of stairs. I attempted to walk down them, stumbling and was never given the chance to regain my footing. They allowed my legs to slam against the stairs, ignoring the small protests I was unable to hold back.

In a matter of seconds, I was thrown into a cell. They were quick in locking it before disappearing, no one unbinding my wrists or bothering to take the chain off from around my neck. It simply dangled, dragging along the floor as I numbly walked towards the back of the cell, sliding to the ground. I was going to die and face my leap, wasn't I?

It was only fair that I disappoint them in the afterlife just as I had when they lived. I would tell that Kai had rejected me and kicked me from the leap. Not only that, but I had failed in my mission to bring light towards the name of our kind. They would shame me before agreeing with Kai's decision, turning their backs on me. I would be alone then as I was now.

I could feel time passing by around me, rushing by as if attempting to run out. Silence was my enemy, watching with a sadistic smile while my thoughts screaming and pulled at me. However, she eventually became my companion when I could no longer think but only stare.

I was judging if I should shift when the I could hear the door's lock being played with before the door yawned open, awakening from its slumber. I turned towards it but did no more, afraid of who might be walking in.

I heard their footsteps walking closer until they stood by my cell door, another accompanying them a few feet away. I looked up, spotting the green eyes of my päästja, Martin nearby with an expressionless face.

Prince Gordon looked saddened by my appearance, opening the door before he knelt down in front of me. "I am truly sorry, Ivy," he whispered, gently removing the chain from around my neck. "I rushed back the moment I was informed of what was going on. I told them to place you in a room but my message was not relayed correctly." He glanced back at Martin with a hardened look before making a gesture that told me to turn around. I did so and he undid the binding, freeing my wrists.

I had not realized how tightly they had been clasped together, or that I had rubbed them against the binding, but when I pulled them towards me I could see that they had been cut, dried blood encrusting the open wounds. Prince Gordon noticed too, anger flickering through his face.

"It is not your fault, päästja," I whispered, finding my voice as I lifted my hand, running it along his cheek. His eyes closed briefly but Martin was quick to interrupt us, clearing his throat.

"We have much to do, Your Highness," he said calmly, causing Prince Gordon to sigh before standing up. He offered me a hand and I took it, joining him.

"Päästja, I do not understand what is going on. Have I done something?" I asked him as we walked up the stairs and away from the cell. He was quiet, not responding. Had he heard my question or was he lost in his own thoughts as I had been earlier?

He led us to his office, where he paused, looking at Martin. "You will not be needed. Stop by the family's house and make sure all is okay. Offer them whatever service is needed," he explained and Martin paused.

"Your Highness, I mean no disrespect-"

"Then do as I say without question. Now," Prince Gordon said firmly, watching Martin until he reluctantly left. Prince Gordon then opened the door to his office and I stepped in.

"Päästja-" I started, but he shushed me.

"Go sit down, Ivy. I will explain then," he said softly, gesturing towards the chair in front of his desk. I did so hesitantly while he sat in his own, his eyes on mine. They still appeared as sad as they had earlier and I found myself wanting to wipe away the expression.

"Are you okay, päästja?" I asked, and he sighed, running a hand through his hair before placing his hands on his desk. He also appeared tired as if he had been neglecting his sleep again.

"No, I am not," he started before changing the subject. "Did you have dinner with a family within the village nearby? Martin and several villagers claim you did." He watched me, studying my face. All he would find was confusion.

"Yes, I did. They were quite lovely and the food was fantastic," I said, smiling briefly at the thought of the evening.

This didn't seem to satisfy Prince Gordon. "And this morning? Where were you?" he pressed and I frowned.

"I spent the morning with Spirit as I had nothing else to attend to," I answered, sensing something was wrong. There was something very wrong with this.

Prince Gordon now appeared upset, his expression one of anger. "You did not think to take a guard with you? You did not think to at least tell someone where you would be? You could have told me!" he snapped, his voice growing louder and louder with each word.

"I do not understand the problem! Your enforcers want nothing to do with me, Prince Gordon. Why would I ask for them to accompany me?" I yelled back, my heart's pace increasing. The atmosphere was changing quickly, into something darker than I could imagine.

"Because it would have provided an alibi," he said quietly, his voice now holding exhaustion. "You should have told me where you were going this morning." he was repeating himself as if saying it enough would make it come true.

"What's going on, Cayne? I'm scared," I said, my voice as quiet as his own. I did not like this conversation or the turn it was taking.

He did not answer at first, looking down at his desk. When his gaze finally found me, there was a pain in it. "The family you ate with was attacked, Ivy. There were villagers present this morning that have claimed it was you."

It was then that time finally stopped as his words settled in my mind. I was being blamed for the harm of the villagers and I had no solid alibi for where I was this morning. The only soul that knew about my whereabouts was a horse with kind eyes. It did not help me that there were others claiming to have seen me there this morning.

"Ivy?"

I glanced at Prince Gordon whose eyes held worry and concern. "Do you believe me, päästja?" I asked, afraid to hear his answer. The world would soon be against me but there was only one opinion that mattered to me.

He sighed. "My opinion does not matter, my dear. I cannot allow you to go into the public or outdoors until it is decided what is the best thing to do. If I did so, it would cause widespread panic and only harm you more," he answered, adding, "You are to stay in your room until a decision is made."

I was beginning to feel a shift in things, returning to as they were when Kai and I first arrived, prisoners in the palace. All my efforts were not going forwards as I had hoped. They were reverting and I did not see a way to stop them from their intended path. I had lost my opportunity.

Hobune - (horse)

Päästja - (savior)