Captive By The Curse

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ess body of her father. "Father... Father, wake up." Her voice trembled as she shook him gently, her gentle hands stained red with his bloo

h a kind word or a story, were slightly parted, but no breath came from them. A choked sob escaped

dn't understand it. One moment, he was standing proud, head held high as the king's guards surrounded him. He had not begged. He had n

dog. Then suddenly she heard it-the distant sound of horses' hooves pounding against the pal

, she lifted her head, her tear-streaked face turning toward the trees. Shadows moved beyond the treeline, their silhouet

trees. She froze. "Over there!" another man shouted, and a beam of torchlight cut through the darkn

the dark. But if she stayed, she would die. "Stop! In the name of the crown." They

plunged into the forest, the darkness swallowing her whole. She ran until her legs gave out. Until her lungs

e, something.....dark. Then the whispers began. Soft at first, rustling through the leaves, curling around her like smoke. They c

sane. Not anymore. She staggered forward, her mind hazy, her thoughts unraveling. She had nothing left

eaking. And then came a voice. One she recognised all too well. "What do you seek my dear?" The girl jolted up.

ears. "I have been told

"Ruin? Oh child no. What you hear is from the very lips of the ones who have brought you here today." "What do you want?" The girl asked, her voice crac

k justice." "Tsk tsk tsk." A slow smile curled the woman's lips. "No," she said softly. "You seek vengeance." She did not deny it.

forbidden. The girl closed her eyes tightly as a loud shriek echoed throughout the for