Forced into Fantasy

Ivy;

I found it too difficult to sleep last night, tossing and turning for fear of what would happen to me in this strange place if I did indeed fall asleep.

I was given food as promised, and a place to bathe, not to mention fresh clothing to wear and a comfortable place to sleep.

But I had no idea of what these strangers wanted from me.

I tried to sleep, I really did…

But unfortunately, sleep was the last thing on my mind at a time like this.

When the morning finally came I was still tired and eager to find out more about this supposed prophecy I had been told about last night.

Was I really this ‘creator’ they were speaking so highly of and if so, what did it mean for me?

Who were these people?

I completely forgot to ask and I feel so stupid for not doing it earlier on.

I’m now wearing a long white dress which reaches down to the ground, it’s actually quite lovely.

Very floral and pure.

With thin lacy straps wrapping over each of my shoulders, the dress is sleeveless and made of a material that reminds me of cotton.

Lace covers it from top to bottom in a beautiful twirling design.

I wish they made dresses like this back home, I would have an entire wardrobe full of them!

My long golden hair was brushed for so long I thought it may actually fall out, but the young women looking after me had insisted they dress me and brush my hair?

I don’t know, it’s a little weird; if I’m being honest I feel as though they’re treating me like a princess and I’m a little uncomfortable with all of the special treatment that I’m receiving.

I’m not this ‘Moon Princess’ and I don’t want to let anybody down when they eventually come to realise it.

As I stand patiently waiting for the chance to leave the small hut I have been staying in since my arrival, I hear someone at the doorway and turn to see him standing there, hooded as he was last night but this time he’s come alone.

My brows furrow in confusion.

It’s the man I assume to be their leader, the one who was seated at the centre of the table when we first met.

He still wears the large medallion around his neck but I can now see that he wears white clothing beneath his robe.

As it is now morning, the sunlight makes his silver eyes almost appear to shimmer as he meets my gaze, then bowing his head slightly as he greets me.

“Good morning Ivy. I trust you slept well.”

His voice is still as deep and sexy as I remember it to be and I swallow nervously before replying.

“Actually, I didn’t get much sleep.” I admit sheepishly.

“That’s unfortunate, but I can understand given your circumstances.”

He smiles as he steps into the hut and reaches up, grasping at the material of his hood and pulling it down to reveal his facial features to me at last.

“This must all be a little frightening for you.”

The air is sucked from my lungs as I stare in complete awe at the handsome features he apparently possesses.

And to think they were hidden all this time from my view, what a waste!

My eyes are wide as is my mouth ajar, but I couldn’t think to close them or even formulate a single word right now.

I am literally shocked at just how friggin hot he is!

His emerald green eyes are like those of the woman I saw last night; his hair is a pale blonde, even fairer than mine and almost white in shade.

It is shaved at the sides, cut short and spiked at the top, but I can see a long length of his hair platted behind his head.

It’s hidden away by his massive hood as he turns his head to the side and glances around the inside of the hut I recently spent the night in.

After a moment of awkward silence is shared between us his left brow raises slightly as he looks to me once more.

“Are you… alright?”

I snap out of my daze and exhale.

“Yes, I think so.”

I must look like an idiot acting this way in front of him.

“I’m sorry, I don’t even know your name. You must think I’m rude.”

He gives a short chuckle, his voice deep and smooth like silk.

“Not at all. I fear I have not yet introduced myself to you. For that I apologise.” he smiled again.

“My name is Ronaar. I am the leader of the Moonlit Guild and it’s people.”

I don’t know why I do it, honestly if I could go back in time and slap myself for doing it I would!

But for some stupid reason I stick my hand out to shake his as is a normal greeting back home. It was just instinct I guess, an automatic response.

He looks down at my hand in question before meeting my eyes and speaking.

“Do you... need something?”

I pull my hand back as if it had just touched fire and blush as I look to the floor in embarrassment and try to explain as best as I can.

“No, sorry. I was just trying to shake your hand.”

He raises a brow, “Shake it? Why?”

“Where I’m from, it’s what you do when you meet someone, you shake hands.” I explain foolishly.

“I’m sorry, I’m a little shaken.”

He suddenly smiles again and all of my embarrassment seems to melt away with it.

“I see.”

With that he extends his hand out for mine and takes my hand within his; I can feel the smoothness of the leather of his gloves as he pulls my hand out between the two of us and gently shakes it from side to side.

I supress a giggle by pursing my lips tightly together.

The way he’s shaking my hand, it’s completely wrong but I don’t tell him.

I can’t blame the guy for being so clueless about something I find so common and he seems pleased with the end result.

He notices my expression and frowns.

“Did I do it wrong?”

“It's ok, I’ll have to teach you.” I admit after a moment and his smile widens so that I can see his row of clean white teeth.

Our hands separate slowly as he speaks after first clearing his throat.

“Well, I’ve come to escort you to our morning feast. We have one every morning but I thought you may like some company with this being your first time here with us...”

He looks to me as if seeking confirmation of this.

Was it just me or did he seem suddenly… nervous?

His cheeks were flushing with a soft crimson hue and he kept looking down at the ground instead of keeping eye contact with me.

“So, may I escort you, Ivy?”

Once again, he holds out his tightly-fitted black leather gloved hand once more and waits for me to take it.

I look between his hand and his mesmerising gaze as I quickly make a decision based entirely on my stomach and nothing else.

I am hungry and he seems safe enough to go along with... right?

My hand moves out to rest in his and he wraps his gloved fingers around mine as he begins to pull me along after him, out through the doorway and into the filtered sunlight leaking in through the canopy of the overhanging trees above us.

He seems nice enough…

‘How dangerous could this gorgeous guy be anyway?’

Adomis;

It is morning and we have been trekking through the densely surrounded forest for hours on end.

Still there is no sign of her, no sign of any form of life.

But that is all about to change.

“Overlord, come quickly!”

I hear the frantic voice of my Captain from a nearby location and I turn upon hearing his voice, then darting across the wilderness to find him.

My soldiers accompany me.

As I reach Khalan and Zarkin, both huddled behind a large moss-covered boulder in front of them I peer over the boulder and see it.

My heart skips a beat as my mouth opens without permission.

I can hardly believe what I am seeing as it stands there before us, clear as day.

“A… village?” I speak softly, but with obvious disbelief.

“Sire, duck down!” my Captain warns.

“We can’t risk being seen by their scouts on the perimeter.”

As he speaks he grabs onto my long black cloak dangling beside him and pulls me down to join them.

Of course I allow this as it is wise to remain hidden in a situation such as this.

My soldiers follow my lead and do the same, surrounding us to also peer over at the mysterious place we had no idea even existed until now.

The village is rather large and filled with houses, various buildings, farms and fields.

I silently wonder to myself how they have managed to keep this hidden from me for so long as my dark eyes skim across the incredible landscape before us.

People; villagers move about at their usual tasks of collecting wood, farming, shopping in the centre of the village square and at the back field I can see several men who are currently training with weapons.

Then I see it, the crescent moon-shaped symbol that fills me with dread and causes my blood to boil.

I know who these people are now and rage rises within me.

“The fucking Moonlit Guild.” I snarl.

“This must be one of their hideouts.” Captain Khalan adds with excitement.

“It’s been right here, under our very noses for so long and we had no idea!”

“I’ll wipe them all out!” I snap, going to move away when Zarkin’s hand suddenly grasps my arm and pulls my attention back.

“Overlord, wait!”

He gestures for me to glance down towards a small gathering occurring at the front of the village.

“Look, down there!”

I frown as I try to see what it is that he expects me to notice, but all I can see is villagers, lots of them merrily eating and chatting around a large wooden table filled with an assortment of foods.

“What am I looking at?” my tone shows an obvious lack of patience now.

Zarkin now points with his finger outstretched towards the centre of the table as he explains.

“There, seated at the centre of the table with the others… do you not see her, sire?”

My eyes suddenly fixate on her, the beautiful Ivy as she sits looking around at the others seated with her at the table.

Her expression shows her obvious unease as she tries to remain unnoticed amongst them.

Around her sit many of the treacherous Moonlit Guild members, including one I have to take a second glance at, just to check whether it is in fact him or not.

I haven't seen him in years.

“It can’t be!” I whisper with disbelief.

But it IS!