Elysium rested her chin on her palm while she looked out over the rail of her balcony. Her mind raced a million different ways. She remembered the look on Blaine's face when he realized she was standing right there. But, she also remembered Alastor was a murderer. She'd known he'd killed many, not any royals.
Elysium's baby pink lace-trim gown trailed behind her while she walked to the door after a knock sounded. She pushed her chestnut curls behind her shoulder and slowly opened the door. When she saw Alastor standing on the other side, she furrowed her brows. She looked at him coldly as he walked inside the bedroom, still raw from his fight with Blaine.
As soon as Alastor walked in, he began to try to explain.
"Elysium, please-"
"No!" She cut him off.
They began to yell over each other; Alastor was desperate to explain, and Elysium wouldn't listen to his excuses.
"Do you enjoy it?" Elysium said, cold and controlled. "Or do you only justify it in your head so you can sleep at night?"
"You think I wanted that?" Alastor's voice was low and strained. "You think it doesn't drive me crazy?"
Elysium stamped her foot on the ground.
"Then why won't you tell me the truth?" She yelled.
Alastor felt himself begin to snap.
"Because the truth isn't something you walk away from, Elysium." His voice was cutting.
Elysium slowly walked backwards towards her bedroom door, shaking her head in denial. Elysium's eyes began to well with tears while her lips quivered.
"Maybe Blaine was right," She mumbled just loud enough for him to hear it.
Alastor's eyes widened at her dig. He could feel the weight on his chest press down further and further, until Elysium slammed her bedroom door shut and headed down the staircase. Elysium wiped underneath her eyes while she hurriedly walked past the courtyard towards the grassy valleys where the stables sat.
The sheer lace hem on her dress dragged through the grass while she started towards the stables. Her white boots poked small holes in the grass as she pushed the stable doors open. She heard Zion's hoof tap the wooden stall door when he heard her open the door. Elysium smiled at him while she headed over to a line of hooks across the wall. Pulling her silk hooded cloak off the hook, the light-pink color shone in the candlelight. She tied the ribbons around her neck while she headed to grab Zion's reins. Elysium placed Zion's reins on and carefully led him out of his stall. The moonlight shone down on his white coat while his tail flicked behind him. Elysium put one boot in the holster and swung the other around before pulling her hood over her head. She heard Amarok's low growl from outside the stables, but she noticed Zion's unburdened behavior when he saw the godly wolf. Zion slowly trotted out of the valleys and down towards the forests. Elysium snapped the reins and went flying down the hills. Zion's hooves kicked up the dirt below him as they galloped past the trees deeper into the forest. The stars were scattered across the sky, and fireflies danced across the tall grass in the clearings. Amarok padded behind them, scanning the territory carefully for any sign of danger.
The deeper they traveled into the forest, the more unfamiliar the terrain became. Elysium noticed there were no animals or flourishing plants around them. The air felt still, and Elysium began to steady Zion's pace to assess her surroundings. That was when Amarok's ear shot forward, his tail straightening. With his muzzle to the ground, Amarok brushed through the bushes and branches before letting out a low growl in the trees. Zion became skittish, slowly backing up. Elysium gripped the reins tighter, trying to gain control of her horse.
Suddenly, a branch snapped, making Zion whinney in distress and press up on his back legs. Elysium squeezed her legs around Zion, trying to cling to his body. The bushes began to rustle across from her.
"Amarok…?" she called out quietly.
Blaine stepped out into the moonlit pathway, smiling at Elysium.
"You really shouldn't wander alone, princess," Blaine started, calm and controlled. "It makes things so much…" he paused, his eyes lighting up. "Easier."
Elysium's heart sank while she reached back for her quiver. She froze; she'd left it back at the palace. Amarok's hackles rose as he crouched, his eyes staring at Blaine. Amarok's lips peeled back into a snarl, baring his fangs. He leaned back and lunged towards Blaine, before his throat and chest were wrapped in chains that had been tossed around him. Pulling his weight back, Amarok collapsed onto the ground, whimpering in pain. A small needled dart shot from the bushes and hit Amarok in his neck. He yelped in pain, crouching towards the ground, before falling unconscious on his side. Elysium screamed and hopped off Zion, rushing towards Amarok; she was able to get a close enough glimpse to see that Amarok was still breathing.
Zion reared when a circle of dark-magic-wielding guards emerged from the trees, circling her. She backed away slowly and turned to run, before Blaine's hand snatched her by the wrist, jerking her backwards. Zion bucked at the guards, keeping them back just enough so he could flee. Elysium struggled and fought as hard as she possibly could, but Blaine's grip only tightened the harder she tried to wriggle free. The guards brought around a charcoal-painted carriage with two black horses attached in front. Some stood behind Elysium and chained her wrists together, leaving her powerless.
"If you think this will break him-" Elysium spat through her gritted teeth.
"-Oh, I don't think," Blaine inched his mouth to Elysium's ear, his breath brushing against her neck. "I know."
Elysium kept fighting while two guards grabbed each of her arms and dragged her to the carriage, before the squadron mounted their horses and galloped off. Elysium shoved herself against the corner of the carriage while Blaine sat himself on the other side, across from her. Elysium refused to meet his eyes; she stared out the window.
"You were the only soft thing he had left," Blaine said in a playful voice.
His words clung to Elysium while they traveled deeper into the unknown.