Chapter 176

**LUCINDA POV**

I was too late, i didn't make it in time. The entire village has been burned to the ground, there is nothing left of it. Not even the walls that were supposed to keep the people safe.

How can Dieter just stand by while this happens all over our kingdom? Our people are dying, and he sits there pretending it isn’t happening.

One day it is all going to come back and bite him, and I'll be there to tell him that he should have done something, anything to help the people. None of this would be happening if he had signed the treaty when he had the chance, but Dieter is stubborn, and he was sure he would win if it came to war.

He didn’t expect the shifters to have such a large army, and he never thought that they would go village to city, killing everyone in their path.

But i did, i had warned him several times that we shouldn’t go to war with the shifters because they can be cruel and heartless, but he didn’t listen. He never listens.

I love the man with my entire soul, but sometimes, i just wish he would actually see me for who i am, and not the jewels he convinces me to wear.

He forgets how i was made queen, he forgets all i have suffered to make it this far in life, and i didn’t want that for our children, especially Cay.

I climb down from my horse and walk along the charred streets, searching for a sign that one of the bodies belongs to my daughter. But i find nothing that reminds me of her. Perhaps, she didn’t make it here either, maybe she went home and never saw this battle.

I pray that she did, i pray that she saw sense and returned home where she would be safe.

But despite what Dieter said, i know my daughter, and deep inside of my chest i know that she was here, i know that she tried to save these people.

The question is, did she escape? Or was she killed?

Maybe I'll never know, and that is what hurts the most.

All i can do now is pray to the dragon mother that wherever she is, she’s safe. In this life, or the next.

**CAY POV**

I wake slowly, my head pounding and my stomach churning, i feel dreadful, but i know that wherever i am, it is only going to get worse for me. I feel the movement of the horse, and i open my eyes, the world upside down.

I am draped across the saddle of a horse, my head hanging down near its belly, and without the need to look, i know who holds me in place. It is the general.

The ache in my arm is less than before, and i notice that the wound has been stitched, though not for my benefit. He wants me to live long enough for him to torture me.

I cough, emptying my stomach down the side of the horse and into the mud as we move, retching and choking on it. It isn’t a pretty sight, and neither am i. i have never been so embarrassed in my life.

It has been years since i saw myself as weak, but right now, in this moment, i realise that i am powerless, and that is just as bad as being weak.

“Are you quite finished?” asks the general as he pulls the horse to a stop, much to my glee.

At least I'll have a moment for my stomach to settle.

“You are the one who bashed me across the head.” I snap, trying to pull myself up.

The general shoves me back down, “I didn’t say that you could move, princess.”

I scoff, shaking my head in anger, “Well unless you want me to vomit on you again, i suggest you let me sit up for a moment.”

He laughs coldly, shoving me down harder this time. “I find that your discomfort brings me great joy, princess.” he pulls my arms behind my back and ties them with rope. “So, i do not think i will be letting you up.”

I struggle as hard as i can, but it's no use, the ropes are too tight, and my arm is screaming at me in pain.

I just want to go home; this was a mistake.

“Please let me up.” I whisper, closing my eyes. “I won’t fight you, just please, give me a moment to sit.”

He's silent for a long time, and i think he is going to shoot me down again, but instead, he lifts me, sitting me in front of him on the horse, my back and arms pressed against his muscular chest.

“Thank you.” I whisper, trying to keep my voice soft.

Arguing with this man will not help me, and right now, i am under his control. The best thing for me to do is to try and appear docile until i have a chance to get away.

“Do not take my actions for kindness, you will find none of that with me.” He says, pressing a cloth against my nose and mouth. “Go to sleep, princess, it is not the time for you to be awake yet.”

I struggle, thrashing as hard as i can, but with my arms bound, there isn’t much that i can do.

My eyes grow heavy, and my mind goes blank, the darkness taking me under into its depths like i belong there, and maybe i do. Maybe i belong in the darkness.