Trouble with the bad beast!!

**Natasha’s POV**

When I next opened my eyes, I saw thin, black bars. “Where am I now?” I whispered to myself. The drugs made me extremely drowsy, and I struggled to stay awake. As I attempted to sit up, feeling like my brain might spill from my nose, I discovered my hands were bound together by a pair of fancy silver cuffs. They were fastened to a metal bench that swung, similar to those found hanging in gardens.

“What the…?” I said, looking above and around and finding myself in a cage that looked like... “It can’t be...a birdcage?” It was a giant birdcage attached to the roof with a thick metal chain. A sheer red cloth entirely covered the cage.

After checking out my strange surroundings, I noticed my outfit...and holy shit...I was dressed as a bird. It was a massive dress, all made entirely from feathers. Its corset was swan white and covered in feathers. A wide white satin sash tied in a floppy bow at my back encircled my waist. However, the skirt was unbelievably amazing, and also enormously large! A top layer of long, black feathers gracefully cascaded down the skirt. Then came the underskirt, which was a mass of layer upon layer of large white ostrich feathers that fluffed out all around me and went way beyond my feet when I finally stood up. It was as stunning as it was crazy being dressed as a giant bird. My hair was styled with a side parting, swept back. A headband of a single white ostrich feather, adorned with what seemed like jewels on one side, was in place. White ballet slippers, simple yet elegant, completed the costume; their ribbons secured them snugly around my ankles.

Following that, the sound of numerous footsteps came from downstairs. Peering through the thin red fabric, I saw a large double-arched door swing open, and a crowd surged into the hall. The noise of people was getting louder by the second.

“Good evening to you all on this fine night. Welcome to the moment you’ve all waited centuries for!” boomed King Louris’ heavily accented voice. A big round of applause followed the announcement.

Glancing down, I noticed my restraints’ chain loosening. In a matter of seconds, the birdcage reached the floor. I looked like a fish on a hook, twisting and moving because the pain lashed through my wrists as the metal from the cuffs started to cut into my skin. I struggled to maintain my balance. With my arms pulled above my head and with the swing moving under me, it felt like I was partaking in a circus act…and not doing a very good job at that!

“Right, ladies and gentlemen, now it’s time for the mystery to be revealed. Rhaegar, if you please.” King Louris said, and then suddenly, in a great whoosh, the red cloth was pulled back from my cage, and great gasps filled the enormous space. I was moved to tears by the sheer number of people staring at me in disbelief. Their gazes held a morbid fascination.

“I bestow upon you...The Morrighan!” The King raised his arm to me. A collective gasp of shock filled the room, immediately followed by thunderous applause. People nodded, conferring amongst themselves, occasionally glancing up at me. I finally knew what it felt like for all those poor zoo animals being gawked at all day! I wanted to cry, scream, run and shout the F word, but I had to keep my patience till I got back all of my powers. Frustrated, I gripped the sides of my perch; looking around, I saw a shamefaced Rhaegar on the sidelines.

“Calm yourselves, everyone.” King Louris waited for the crowd to settle down.

Two guards at the opposite end of the door caught my attention at that moment. Despite their altered appearance and absence of scent, I recognized Damon and Lukas.

“Release her!” King shouted, looking at Rhaegar. With a nod, he brought his hammer into view.  In his all-black outfit, King Louris appeared terrifying. He took note of my reaction, and one side of his mouth curled in a sign of amusement. He came close, lowering himself to meet my gaze. His breath brushed against my skin. I averted my gaze in disgust.

“Don’t you dare!” He warned and pushed my head towards him with his thumb under my chin. My sweaty palms felt sticky, and my nails dug into my skin from clenched fists. Then, with immense force, he shoved me to the floor. Rhaegar came running towards me. Damon also took a step in rage, but thankfully, Lukas put a hand on his chest and held him back.

Louris threatened, “If you touch her, I’ll split your face open.” Rhaegar took two steps back. King hissed at him, “I gave you a chance to prove your worth, but you failed me! You betrayed me,” he seethed, his face a mask of fury.

“I...I don’t understand!” Rhaegar responded in a flat, deadpan tone.

“Your blood!” the King roared.

“What about it?” Rhaegar asked, trying too hard not to give away the truth.

“How did that spoiled Artena prince and his illegitimate brother obtain the Warp Crux?”

“I have no idea. I fail to understand this connection to my loyalty,” Rhaegar stated.

The great Ursula of the North, Mycelle, came to his aid. “Stop blaming my boy for everything. The third Warp Crux’s location is common knowledge among witches. The queen of Artena must have revealed the location,” she said, cupping Rhaegar’s chin and giving a small peck on his left cheek.

“What about his damn blood!?” King roared, making the whole place dead silent. His eyes darkened, seeming to show the black blood coursing through them. Panic seized me as I looked down. I knew that something bad was about to happen, and I didn’t want to witness it.

Louris cautioned, gripping Rhaegar’s chin, “I’m warning you if they possess his blood—” His second hand revealed the dagger- my mother’s dagger. He moved Rhaegar’s palm upward and then plunged the blade in with one clean thrust. A direct hit to the palm caused blood to spurt around the ornate handle, quickly turning it red. Unfazed, Rhaegar’s sharp look challenged his uncle to proceed.

“Louris, stop it. Damn you!” Mycelle interrupted. A warning look from King Louris made her freeze. A sense of impending doom hung heavy in the air; I foolishly believed that would be the extent of his punishment, but King Louris’ next order plunged me into a fresh wave of terror.

“I am giving you a last chance. After that, I will show no mercy. If those bastards have any access to your blood, then you will take the knife, slit your throat, and die quickly.” He hissed, taking out the blade from Rhaegar’s palm and throwing it in his face.

“Keep the eyes on every damn inch of the kingdom. Should any portal open, eliminate those fools before they set foot on our land,” King Louris commanded Damon and Lukas. Both nodded and quickly left.

“You,” King Louris looked at me and said, closing the distance, “...will warm my bed!” He said, his one hand gripping my chin and the other my waist. I squeezed my eyes shut to stop the tears from falling. I was petrified by him; his hold made me shake uncontrollably. His gaze fell to my lips as he snarled, his tongue licking his dark lips. Letting go of my chin and waist, he used both hands to touch my face. My head was held roughly on either side by two hands that were as long as my head. He slid one down my delicate throat, pressing hard enough to bruise me.

“Watch us make sex, just as you watched Anna and me,” King instructed Rhaegar. His eyes blazed with fury. His grip on the blade tightened as if poised to strike. Damn! This was a self-inflicted death. There was no hope for his survival.

I instantly mind-linked him, “Hold on, Rhaegar! Don’t be foolish. Just bring the dagger and watch the show!”

Nodding, he concealed the dagger beneath his clothing.

“Drag her to my chambers!” King Louris commanded Rhaegar and again pushed me on the damn floor.