Prisoner of promises
*Natasha’s POV*
An overwhelming urge to kill and destroy consumed me. Rhaegar left, leaving me a trembling, shattered wreck begging for death. And I know it will come soon because I had lost too much blood, and if that didn’t stop, my body wouldn’t heal.
The lock clicking open was the next sound I heard. I simply ignored it because neither did I have enough energy nor did I care.
“Princesa!” The concerned voice of the Grim Reaper floated through the space.
“Leave me alone!” was all I could mutter. I knew he hadn’t come alone when a shadow moved behind him. An elderly woman settled down next to me. Her hand brushed my cheek, pushing the hair from my face.
Leaning down, she softly reassured me, “It’s going to be fine, sweetheart.”
With barely moving lips, I breathed, “Please kill me.”
“Be quiet now, and breathe deeply,” she murmured.
“What’s your name?” She asked after a few moments of silence. My first impulse was to ignore her; however, something about her voice and touch compelled my reply.
My voice was still croaky as I uttered, “Nat... Natasha.”
“Natasha, I’m aware you’re the Morrighan, and they intend to exploit you, but you mustn’t allow it.”
Looking down, I saw a large amount of blood flowing from my body and cried out, “I am dying! Perhaps you could wait until the next Morrighan.”
“Sweetheart, I need your trust right now... will you give it to me?” she asked, caressing my forehead.
“I... I don’t know... I am so lost... dying.” I said, trying to catch my breath on a sob.
“Princesa, you must trust her. She’s here to help,” said the Grim Reaper.
The Grim Reaper assisted me in leaning against the wall. The old woman produced the very necklace I had discarded just minutes earlier — a cursed one belonging to that traitor. I yanked my hand away as she tried to put the necklace back on me, sending it sliding across the floor.
“Stop this! That’s enough!” I cried out.
“Princesa!?” Grim Reaper said, picking up the necklace again.
“No! Don’t do this! It belongs to that traitor. He murdered...he murdered my child”.
The old lady’s face was covered with complete shock on hearing my words.
“Rhaegar can’t do this! My son can’t do this!” the lady cried. I swallowed hard, shaking my head slightly at that moment. This wasn’t true it was impossible. Rhaegar’s mother was believed to be deceased. That can’t possibly be right.
“Mother!?” A surprised voice boomed through the prison walls. Rhaegar was immobilized and helpless as he watched his mother.
“Rhaegar, is that you!?” The old lady muttered as the rivers of tears escaped her tired eyes. Bursting into the cell, Rhaegar fell to his knees, his sobs echoing like those of a small child.
“Mom!?” Is that you, for real? Please tell me I’m not dreaming”. The old woman hugged him after pulling him near. Although I loathed him, I couldn’t help crying at his reunion with his mother. They shared a blissful embrace, a few minutes that made up for all the time they’d missed.
“How did you know about me?” Rhaegar asked his mother. She showed him the diamond eye. Rhaegar closed his eyes, finding brief relief before regaining emotional control.
Turning to me, he produced the necklace, stating, “If Damon and Lukas are still alive, this is how we’ll reach them.”
The second I heard this, I couldn’t help but stagger back, as if I had been shot in the heart. It couldn’t be true...it just couldn’t be!
“You lie!” I shouted, unable to hide my anger. This man is responsible for my child’s death, and I refuse to let him manipulate me further.
“Go ahead and try it on if you don’t believe me. Their lives are in danger, and we’re running out of time,” Rhaegar said, closing the distance.
“It’s nothing but a game, a trick! You’re playing a game to find Damon and Lukas so you can kill them. It won’t work. I do not believe you.” I stated more firmly this time as I backed further away from him.
“Unless I warn them about Uncle Louris’s assassins, they’re dead, so trust me one last time,” he insisted.
“No! You are a murderer. I don’t trust you,” I cried, feeling lost and uncertain about the next step.
“You must have faith in me. This is a type of communication portal which works between mates. I gave Aaron my piece during our fight to ensure Damon and Lukas received it for communication.”
“Do you think I’m stupid? You’re the one who killed my daughter; what makes you think you can become a god now?”
“I am the culprit, and I will be condemned to the gates of hell. I was forced to betray you, though I never wanted to,” Rhaeger gasped, his eyes on his mother. Stunned, she was speechless at the revelation of her son’s guilt.
“Had I known you were pregnant, I would have taken my life rather than betray you,” Rhaegar confessed.
“So do it now. Go ahead, kill yourself.” I dared him.
“Soon Natasha. Believe me, I’ll fight for you until my death, ensuring you’re reunited with Damon and Lukas before I die. To do that, you must wear this,” Rhaegar gestured toward Grim Reaper. His hands restrained me, holding me firmly so that I couldn’t move. Despite my persistent thrashing and squirming, he held firm, refusing to release me. Rhaegar placed the ‘Diamond eye’ on my neck and fastened it. A buzzing sensation went through my skin the very next second. This necklace seemed to resonate with my body and mind, creating a connection. With my eyes closed, I compelled the Diamond Eye to carry out my wishes. I held it tighter and thought of Damon and Lukas. I cried tears of love and loss, letting them fall onto it. I finally felt its power at this point. Then, unexpectedly, I found myself in a shadowy, doorless room and a dark corner where someone’s shadow loomed.
It was at that moment that I saw Lukas. The shock was so intense, it jolted me backward. That was impossible. Was it? Could this be a dream? Am I imagining things? It felt as if I was reborn, breathing for the very first time after death.
“Natasha!?” Lukas spoke, sucking in a deep breath. For a brief time, I was shocked and couldn’t respond. My tears flowed uncontrollably down my cheeks. Seeing them alive gave me a renewed sense of energy, as if a vital part of me had been replaced, rejuvenating my soul.
“Damon!?” I added, and the next moment I could see him as well. “I am so incredibly sorry,” I muttered, unable to stop my tears for I couldn’t protect his daughter. I failed to keep my promise.
“Please, Natasha. I don’t want to lose you.” His face was battered like a person who suffered the pain of a lifetime in the last two weeks.
“Natasha, where are you?” Lukas questioned.
“I am somewhere in the Northern realm.” The moment I said this, their faces turned red with rage.
“That fucking bastard. I’ll strangle him with his own hands!” Damon raged at Rhaegar, his voice venomous.
“Control your anger; your lives are at stake right now. A team of assassins, dispatched by King Louris, is heading to the Burning Witch’s lair.”
“Come again? Are you really helping us, or is this warning a distraction?” Lukas interrupted.
“I don’t have time to get into details,” Rhaegar spoke, looking around as if he sensed something. “Once you get your hand on Warp Crux, use my blood. I have a plan.”
“Natasha!?” Lukas asked me if he should trust Rhaegar.
“We don’t have any other option as of now... but now I am back being Morrighan- the baddest of all the supernaturals. This is my fate... this is who I was born to be... and I promise to destroy my enemies!”