Chapter 61: True Colors

"Come," Tristan said, holding his hand out. "It seems Indigo wants some exercise."

"But..." I stammered, fixing my gaze on the beautiful creature that was watching me almost expectantly.

"Don't worry," he continued, smirking. "Indigo is a very well-trained girl. She is by far the safest to ride."

Even though I didn't necessarily doubt his words, it didn't make me any less nervous. Sure, I was aware that in my previous life here, I used to ride them. However, it had been many years since then, and I couldn't stop my fear.

"If you don't trust the creature, it won't trust you." Tristan pointed out, noticing my hesitance. "A rider and beast need full trust and to be like one being instead of two."

"Right." I puffed, drawing in a calming breath. "Have to trust the creature."

Reaching out a hand, I rubbed the side of Indigo's feathery face again. As my hand moved, I could feel a low rumble reverberate throughout her body before she closed her eyes in contentment.

"Better to just rip the bandage off, right?" I murmured, earning myself a strange look from Tristan. Giggling, I smiled apologetically. "It means to just get it over with."

"Ah," he said, smiling. "Then let me help you onto her back."

Gulping, I walked over to Indigo's side and waited as he grabbed my waist and heaved, easily lifting me off the ground. Scrambling, I clumsily climbed onto Indigo's back, earning myself a few growls from the creature for pulling on her wings.

"Sorry, girl." I murmured once I was situated on her back. "Please forgive me for being so rough."

Beneath me, I could feel Indigo huff and could only assume it was her way of giving forgiveness.

Satisfied, I ran my hand along her neck as Tristan easily climbed up behind me, positioning himself against me so my back was flush against his chest. Against my will, I could feel a blush beginning to rise up my neck and onto my cheeks from the close proximity. Though I was experienced with men—more than experienced, actually—having an almost complete stranger this close was wreaking havoc on my nerves.

As he reached his arms around me to grab Indigo's reins, I could feel guilt rushing through me. However, I didn't know about whom I felt guilty: Elias or Vladimier. Before I could delve deeper into it, Indigo gave a caw, tilting her head back and shaking it in excitement as her massive wings expanded around us. Gasping, I grabbed onto her feathers a little too tightly as she flapped once and then again before it became a constant motion. Beneath us, her body began to move as she rushed forward, causing me to slam into Tristan due to the momentum.

"Careful." Tristan murmured close to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. "Don't want to fall off."

Opening my mouth, I prepared to respond, only to stop as we began to rise into the air. Snapping it shut, my eyes grew wide as the earth began to grow farther and farther away, giving me a birds-eye view of the land below.

From my vantage point on the ground, I never truly got to see the beauty of Halleluia Tyranaar with new eyes, but as we rose higher and higher, I could take in its beauty.

Large patches of red spread as far as the eye could see where the rose gardens resided, and just within, I could make out the fire flowers exterminating pixies as they attempted to maneuver around them. I found that the long, lush green walkways connecting them formed an intricate design that I realized represented peace.

Just beyond the gardens, I could see overly large plants that resembled Venus fly traps lying in wait at the edge of the dark woods, preparing to take out any creature that ventured past. Though all of this was magnificent and I still couldn't understand how I forgot it, that wasn't the thing that took my breath away. Instead, what truly baffled and amazed me was the bright, cloudless blue sky shifting to the starless night sky that marked the beginning of the kingdom of Allsbrook and the end of Halluleia Tyraniyaar.

"Strange, isn't it?" Tristan spoke, startling me.

"Just a little mind-blowing." I admitted trying not to show my emotions. "The stark difference is quite amazing."

"The curse worked in a strange way," he continued. "No one expected it to do something like this."

The curse...

Even though I was well aware of the curse and why it was placed, it was weird hearing someone else speak of it.

"Is there a way to lift it?" I asked, feeling my heart clench painfully with sorrow for Elias and his people. "Maybe after so many years, a peace agreement can be formed."

"The people of Allsbrook would never agree to that." Tristan admitted, dashing my hopes of peace. "Especially after all these years of living there."

To make sure I understood what he was referring to, he motioned towards the darkness ahead. Feeling an odd guilt beginning to build within me, I remained quiet as we continued to circle the air. I couldn't place why it hit me like that, but it was slowly beginning to gnaw away at my conscience.

After a few more rounds, Tristan expertly maneuvered Indigo towards the ground, where I could see a figure waiting by the stables, and when Tristan's hands clenched Indigo's reins so tightly that they turned white, I knew something was up.

Confused, I squinted, trying to figure out who the person was that was causing such a reaction.

"Vladimier..." I murmured once we were close enough for me to make him out.

Looking from Vladimier to Tristan, I couldn't help but wonder why he would have such an odd reaction to the man. From what I remembered, Vladimier was a kind and caring leader who treated all his people fairly. So why would one of his own seem afraid of him?

As I continued trying to make heads or tails of Tristan's actions, we landed. Immediately, Vladimier surged forward, grabbing me by the arm and tugging.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" He roared, pulling me closer so that we were mere inches apart.

"What?" My eyes grew wide as I tried to recognize the man in front of me. Never had I seen him so angry; he was like a completely different person. "What's wrong?"

"Don't blame her." Tristan said, quickly climbing off Indigo, who was beginning to grow tense due to Vladimier's rage. "If you want to punish anyone, punish me."

"Don't worry," Vladimier growled at Tristan, his eyes flashing. "I will deal with you later. Go to my office and wait for me there."

"Yes, sir." Tristan responded stiffly.

Finished with Tristan, Vladimier whirled on me again, rage still etched on his handsome features.

"Are you going to tell me why you were being so intimate with another man?" He demanded, tightening his hold on my arm.

"Ouch." I hissed as pain started to radiate throughout my arm. "That hurts!"

Stepping away, I tried to free my arm from his grip, but he held fast.

"ANSWER ME!" He yelled, his voice echoing along the grounds around us.

"Calm down first." I tried, deciding it was best to not lose my temper and make matters worse. "So we can talk like adults."

"I will not!" Vladimier snapped. "You're mine, and no other man can touch you!"

Instantly, I felt like ice-cold water slammed into me as his words hit me. Who was this strange man, because he wasn't the one that I knew? He was someone else entirely, and he was scary.