Prisoner of Chaos (Redemption Book #4)

Chapter 1

Kyla

I hug Lila one last time and once we part Lila helps me into a fur coat.

"Stay warm, Princess Kyla," Lila says to me, she wipes her eyes. "Don't you catch a cold."

"Please send word when your baby has hatched," I tell her with a sad smile, blinking back tears of my own. I'm going to miss my Lila dearly. She has proven herself loyal to my service, but even better, I consider her a good friend.

"I will," Lila promises, tears streak down her cheeks.

"Don't even think of stepping out here," I warn, I've heard stories of sylphs getting deathly ill after mere minutes of exposure to subzero temperatures. "You get back to your family safe."

I step out of the train and am met by a cruel wind. Snow swirls about, biting into my cheeks and the sensitive skin of my lips. I've only seen snow on the tops of the mountains of Ferar, in my beast form, but here the sparkling white of it caps all the houses.

An Erlund guard presents me with a sebra. Sebra are mounts fit for the cold of Erlund. It's a beautiful creature, white in color with black tipped ears and a mottled back. Mother always said they look similar to the horses of Earth save their shaggy fur and spindly horns. Despite my being an immortal Cursed, I am followed at Kalvar's request by my own group of Underland guards to the famous slate-colored royal castle of Erlund at the city center of Arnest.

The castle is an awe-inspiring building with dome shaped roofs and steepled towers.

Prince Wes stands in gold robes outside the gates of the castle, with his own guard accompanying him. His expression is serious and regal; Wes is an ice prince, comfortable at home.

I greet him with a fake smile. I need to pretend like everything is okay. Like I'm not dead on the inside or possibly carrying another man's child.

"Princess Kyla, of Underland," Prince Wes begins, official in his demeanor, "I hope your travels were pleasant."

"Prince Wes," I say, bowing my head at him. I'm finding I prefer the climate of Underland to these winter woods, yet I will admit the beauty of it has it's charms. "We made it here without any problems. My guard and I thank you for your hospitality."

"I want you to be comfortable here as we prepare for the wedding," Prince Wes tells me. "I have a room prepared for you in the east wing. It used to be my mother's."

"Thank you, I am sure I will be happy here," I say, bowing my head once again. I shift on my feet, and second guess every word I utter.

"Enough with the formalities! You and I are friends after all!" Wes says, clasping his hands together and grinning. "Come over here, Kyla." He extends his arm and I walk over to him and take it. "Let me show you around the Erlund Castle. My father is also quite eager to meet you at long last."

I'm not eager to meet him, from what I've heard. Wes has always made it clear that his father, the king of Erlund, despises the Cursed.

Rift

I gaze into my dark mirror in a trance-like state, unable to pull myself away from the vision before me. My hands curl into fists at my sides. My blood heats with anger at the image of the woman I love with Wes.

Something's wrong with that one, I know it.

No, something's wrong with you, the Dark Lord sneers.

I can't track Kyla using the mirror, but I can track anyone else associated with her, and right now that person is Wes.

Wes with his arm around Kyla. He's showing her off to his kingdom as his intended bride.