Chapter 52

Axe's POV:

The dungeon's damp walls seemed to close in around me, each step I took echoing with the weight of time passing. I had lost track of how long I had been confined to this wretched place, my frustration and anger simmering beneath the surface. But amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope persisted within me, a beacon of light that refused to be extinguished.

Velvet, my love, was not dead. I held onto that truth with every fiber of my being. Though my senses were trapped within these stone walls, my heart told me that she was alive, fighting against the odds. Her strength and determination were etched into my soul, a reminder that we were bound together even in the darkest of times.

As I paced back and forth, my thoughts consumed by her, the heavy footsteps of another echoed down the corridor. Polar's presence announced itself like a storm cloud on the horizon, a harbinger of more torment and cruelty.

"Ah, Axe, my dear brother," Polar's voice dripped with mocking sweetness as he appeared before the bars of my cell. His eyes glinted with malevolence, a coldness that seeped into the very air. "Have you been enjoying your solitude?"

I clenched my fists, my jaw tight with restrained anger. "You know damn well that I am not here by choice."

Polar chuckled, his voice tinged with a maddening edge. "Oh, I am fully aware. But you see, dear brother, your suffering brings me immense satisfaction."

I met his gaze with unyielding defiance. "You will not break me, Polar. No matter what you do, I will find a way to end your tyranny and you."

His lips curled into a sinister smile. "Ah, that is the spirit. But let me put your mind at ease. You see, your precious Velvet is no more. A tragic fall from the cliff claimed her life."

My heart clenched at his words, a surge of anguish threatening to overwhelm me. But I refused to let him see my vulnerability. "Liar. I know she is alive."

Polar's laughter echoed through the dungeon, a chilling symphony of cruelty. "Oh, how delightful. Your hope is almost palpable. But let me assure you, Axe, I was the one who pushed her from that cliff. Her screams were like music to my ears."

A searing rage ignited within me, a fire that threatened to consume all reason. "You son of a..."

Polar's voice cut through the air like a blade. "Careful, dear brother. Remember where you are."

I took a deep breath, my anger simmering beneath a thin veneer of control. "You will not get away with this, Polar. I will make you pay for what you have done."

He leaned closer, his eyes boring into mine. "Ah, the noble hero, vowing to seek retribution. How very predictable. But you see, I have plans of my own. With the power of Raza, I will make this kingdom powerful once again."

I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "Power is not just about brute strength, Polar. This kingdom's strength lies in its unity, its fairness, and its compassion."

Polar's expression twisted into a sneer. "How naive you are, Axe. You always were blinded by your foolish ideals. Enjoy your time in that cell, brother. The world outside is changing, and you will have a front-row seat to my triumph."

He turned to leave, his footsteps echoing away into the distance. As the sound faded, I was left alone in the darkness once more, my heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty. But even in this desolate place, I held onto the truth that burned within me: Velvet was alive, and Polar was unaware of the fact. I knew that if I told him, I ran the risk of him actually believing me, but I had no other way of getting information out of him. The treacherous bastard. Our parents are rolling in their graves right now, the shame they would feel if they could only see the monster that stood before me. Alessandra must be beside herself. I wonder if she is okay. How can I get a message to her. I paused to think and turned towards the tiny cell window. As children Alessandra and I used to play a game that involved enchanting birds to send secret messages to each other. I gently mimicked the cry of a small larping bird. Its pale yellow wings flapping towards me from the darkness of the trees. I stretched as much of my hand through the bars of the window, allowing the bird to rest gently on my hand, I slowly pulled the bird into the cell with me, bringing it close to my lips I whispered an incantation and repeated my message to it. Once I was done and satisifed I released the bird and watched it make a sharp turn up and towards the tower where Alessandra resided. I hoped it reached her. I am no longer certain whether Polar would harm her or not. Walking back to my pallet on the floor I sat and waited.

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Alessandra was startled by the chirping outside of her window. Since Axe had been taken the dungeon the castle has been eerily quiet and gloomy. Alessandra was still in disbelief that her own brother could do this. Standing up from her seat she opened the door to her balcony watching as the tiny larping bird danced on the railing, it jumped when it saw her and flew to her arm, perching itself onto her. Alessandra peered down at her little intruder, staring deeply into it's gold yellow eyes.

"What is it my little Larp? Are you also lonely here in this palace?" The little Larp tilted its head. Tiny notes of music begin to leave its beak, startled Alessandra leaned further down. Words formed inside Alessandra's mind seeping into her brain, carried on the notes of the music the Larp was singing to her. "Sister, Velvet is still alive! Polar is planning to use the magic of Raza against not only our people but the others in the realm. You must find Ingrid and quickly."

When the music faded, the Larp gave one last chirp and flew off into the safetly of the forest. Velvet was alive! Alessandra couldn't believe it, she had thought she lost the only sister she would ever have. Her heart thumping hard in her chest she turned and ran back into her room going straight for her door, when her hand touched the handle she remembered she had one problem. How was going to find Ingrid when the palace was crawling with Polar's enchanted guards. Think, think Alessandra. What would Velvet do? Velvet would rip up these sheets and climb out the window. Well that would be an option if she wanted to die and then no one would have any help. Alessandra knew she was running out of time, she would have to make up the plan as she went.

Grabbing her cloack she pulled it on and wrapped it tightly around her. Praying for strength she opened her door, expecting to find guards, but seeing none. Odd, she heard them earlier. Before she could move further into the corridor a hand shot out and covered her mouth pulling her against a hard male body.