It had been three weeks since Sitara had vanished from the palace. The princess Inara and her remaining bonded Davian grew anxious. Inara sent word to Sitaras parents as soon as she woke and Sitara wasn't next to her. Inara led the search for her dear friend. Patrols were sent all over. Many of the high Seelie fae grumbled that it was useless to go to such extremes for an unseelie however anytime the princess caught wind of those comments she had them punished.
"Davian did she really not say anything to you?" Inara asked her eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. Davian had stayed by the princess's side knowing Sitara would kill him if he left her alone for even a second.
"No Inara she didn't. She left without even a note and you know how she was about writing," Inara nodded. Sitara was known for writing notes for any occasion no matter how small it may seem she would write a note or 3 page letter.
"I just can't wrap my head around it. She would have told me if there was something amiss right?" Inaras eyes pleaded with Davian's. He hated seeing her like this even he was hurt by the fact that Sitara didn't confide in him about her leaving. But something in his gut told him she had a real good reason.
"Has her family said anything?"
"Just her brother berating me about how I could loose his dear sister and that if I had anything to do with it he'll kill me," Inara grumbled. She had reached out to Sitaras brother in hopes of him agreeing to help in the search but all she got in reply was a strongly worded letter about how he despised her and blamed his sisters disappearance on her. He wasn't the only one either. Inara blamed herself perhaps she had said or done something that angered Sitara causing her to leave and not tell anyone.
"He won't kill you-" he stopped mid sentence as Inara handed him a letter from Sitaras brother in big letters stating he would kill the princess if she was found responsible for his sister going missing.
"Oh, I'm sure he doesn't actually mean it," Inara shot Davian a look.
"I just don't know what to do I miss her so much," Inara said running her hands over her tired face and greasy hair. She had been so concerned with Sitara she refused to care for herself.
"Perhaps you should have one of your baths tonight it may help relax you," Davian nudged her shoulder with his.
"I can't not till she comes back," Inara looked out her window over the vast landscape of Aranië. Her eyes watered as tears once again threatened to fall as Inara couldn't help but wonder what she could have done to drive her closest friend away.
"If you wish to leave Davian you can I won't hold you here against your will," inaras voice held distance in it as if preparing for Davian to take her up on the offer of freedom from being a bonded pair with the princess. He looked at her in a different light for the first time since he met her. While she was only 7 springs now she had a maturity no one else her age had. When they first met she was strong and self confident but as they grew closer he realized she was like him. She had insecurities about her looks, her voice, and her inability to control her magic. The girl before him now was insecure and afraid to be alone. He did the only thing he could think of and that was to hug her.
Hugging between bonded pairs was not unheard of but Inara had never really had a hug. Not one like this that made her feel like someone cared for her and understood her pain. She hadn't cried since Sitara left but as Davian held her the flood gates opened and she sobbed uncontrollably into his shoulder. Davian just held her as she cried until she eventually fell asleep.
He placed her on her bed and tucked her in. Not wanting to leave he put a chair next her bed and sat down.
The shade traveled through the shadows on the palace carrying a limp body over its shoulder. The shade approached the darkest part of the palace left abandoned long ago when the current queens grandmother massacred an entire race. Since then this area of the palace is known as the Queen of deaths tomb. Faes avoid it due to the strong negative aura however it's the perfect area for some fae to conduct unsavory activities.
"It took you long enough," a voice rasped from the depths of the darkness. A strangled growl left the shades body.
"She nearly made it to the boarder of Ein-Suph? Impressive I knew she was strong but to make it so far I am truly impressed," Deimos had a glint in his eyes as he looked at the girl slung over the shades shoulder. To cross Mako Sica and brave the wraiths was no easy task however a girl so young almost making it the entire way across. Deimos couldn't wait to see the lengths he could push her mind and body.
"Come I have big plans for her," a smile clear in his voice as he walked into the cells below the palace that held his many experiments. He stopped in-front of a cell and had the shade place her inside on the ground. With a wave of his hand his shade returned and was nothing more than his shadow.
He looked at the girl at his feet her skin was covered in tiny cuts she had a clear layer of dirt on it and her clothes were tattered from her normal formal garb. He nudged her with his foot.
"Hmmm," was the only noise she let out. Deimos pulled out his water jug and poured some on the girl at his feet.
"We need to talk young one," Deimos said his voice holding no interest.
"I have nothing to say," a weak reply came. Deimos crouched down as Sitara used her weak arms to lift her body. He grabbed her face painfully and pulled hers close to his.
"You don't have to talk now but later you will," he sneered shoving her away from him and onto the floor. She let out a small grunt from the force she looked at him through her hair that fell in her face.
"You'll pay for this," she spat at him as he left the cell. Her body screamed as she tried to get up again but she couldn't remember the last time she had eaten or even drank anything. She slightly smacked her lips wishing she could. Her vision blurred as a figure crouched in-front of her before blackness enveloped her vision.