This chapter is not edited. I just want to continue the story and I won't do a proper edit for now. My story was selected by a team of editors in training, so it will be edited within a year and I am very happy for this.
In the same time, I invite you to outline the mistakes you might find and let me know what you think of this chapter. Happy reading!

Dawn

A white, tall ceiling with transversals blackened wooden beams. That is what I was staring at, trying to make sense. After a few seconds, realization poured over. I was in His den!
I turned my head slowly while my heart was bumping wildly in my chest, but the room was empty. I got up, unwrapping the thick cover that fell on the floor, and I felt the coldness of the air on my bare skin.
Eyeing my abandoned garment, I stepped through the chills and dressed in a rush. I did not know how much I've slept nor how late it was.

Ignoring the silent ache in my lower tummy and the soreness in between my legs, I plastered an ear on the door and listened. Silence.
My mind started to work. Now it was the moment. I will not get another chance.
Searching in my pocket, I wrapped the scarf around my neck and I walked in a hurry to the far corner of the room, opposite the fireplace wall.
This had to work! I saw his star, it was identical to mine.
Questions rose in my head, but now it wasn't the time, so I shoveled them at the back of my mind, focusing on the task at hand.
My heart stopped for a moment.
Click.
With a turn of my silver star, the chest unlocked.
I wasted no time and removed the oval key from the ring filled with countless keys, hiding it in the hem of my sleeve.
I locked the chest and took a deep breath when I heard steps approaching on the other side of the door. I jumped straight on the fur, in the exact moment the door opened.
"Now, good afternoon to you, Dawn." Uma's scolding-like voice filled the air.
I peered at her with an apology glance, not realizing how late it was actually. At this time I should have been already returned with my basket filled from the forest's treasure and helping with after lunch cleaning in the great hall.
She came into the room and closed the door with a tray in her hand.
"How are you feeling?" She asked in a warm, sympathetic tone. I avoided her gaze.
"You know, you can come to me if you need to talk. Here-" She gestured to herself, "there is no judging. No questions. But a shoulder for you. And I can tell you, girl, that this shoulder has been dampened many times."
She approached with her determined steps and placed the tray on the floor in front of me.
"Thank you, Uma." I paused, looking at the plate filled with steamy, divine smelling goods. This was a king's meal.
I opened my mouth to say something, but Uma, catching my wonderment of the meal, cut me with her voice.
"His orders. You are to eat, wash and rest here. After you fill your belly, I shall bring warm water."
"Where is he?" I asked with a longing in my soul, a longing that I could not understand. In the night, after he kissed me, he told me that if the Moon will smile on him, he will see me again.
"Is not my place to know of his whereabouts. Come now," she clapped her hands, "eat!"
She lit the fire and scurried out, leaving me with my meal and my thoughts. I knew he was going to Taria, but somehow I hoped to see him one more time before his journey. I knew it wasn't his intention to hurt me, and I saw and felt how much he held back. Despite his roughness and power, despite the fear he instilled in every living creature and his darkness, he showed me something else, something I never thought to see. His heart. And in it, I saw light.

I couldn't eat much, I wasn't used to so much food. After Uma returned, I washed myself fast and left the room in a hurry. I had work to do; I had an escape to set in motion.
On my way to the kitchen, I nearly bumped into a young warrior. He stopped in his tracks, looking at me with an intense gaze, his nose capturing my scent.
I muttered an apology and tried to walk around him when his arm flung in the air at my chest level, halting my steps. My breath came out faster, expressing my fear.

"If you can still walk," he smiled, "then he didn't hump you good. If you would come on my fur, I would make your core shiver, so you wouldn't walk for a day or two."
I tried to sneak under his stretched arm, but in that moment he took a step in the direction I aimed for, so my nose collided with his chest.
"When he will get bored and you will be up for claiming, I'll fight for you, slave. And I will win. I just hope that, after Him, the prince will not keep you on your belly for too long."
His words were like daggers in my soul, and my vision blurred with tears. "Please, I need to go and help with the cleaning." I nearly begged.
"Yes, you better hurry, there is a lot to do for the feast tonight." He replied, tracing a finger over my arm.
I took a step back and he finally lowered his arm.
"What feast?" I asked. I knew nothing about that.
"A new Aga has been named. He wishes to celebrate with his warriors."
"And R... the king?" I asked with a small hope that he maybe delayed his journey to attend the celebration.
"Well, Him and the prince are not here now, our new First Aga is in charge till they return. So when he commands a feast, a feast shall be!"
That's all I needed to know. Besides the sadness of his departure, my plan wasn't including his presence. Tonight was the night, the perfect opportunity for mother to leave.
I smiled, thinking of how the powder of daffodils bulbs and the valerian will go unnoticed mixed in the wine, the wine that all will drink, including us slaves. I knew I had to drink as well so I won't rise any suspicions.
The warrior mistaken my smile and smiled back.
" You are beautiful, slave, and I will treat you nice. I know he said that you are not to be claimed, but he didn't say that you can not visit my den if you wish so. I am looking forward to see you at the feast."
I nodded my head, not knowing what else to do or say, and he stepped aside, letting me go.
I had to make my way to the spot behind the slave's barn, where I spotted what I needed.
The daffodils bulbs powder gives a bad and runny stomach, but its effect is later than the valerian, which induces a deep sleep. Combining those two, they will not be able to track her. After a good nap, instead of hunting for the escaped prisoner, they will not be able to leave the privy for some time.
Making my way to the kitchen, I grabbed the basket and dashed through the back door and in the veggie garden, then on the trail that lead to the forest, making a small stop behind the barn. I thanked the Sun that Uma wasn't in the kitchen when I  grabbed the basket.
With the valerian in my possession now, I headed to the spot I knew I 'll find the spring flower bulbs.
My hands digged the damp dirt and I pulled out several bulbs, taking pride in my foraging skills.
Once I was happy with the load, I took the path to the small lake , adding my usual picks in the basket.
Rinsing all the dirt of the poisonous roots, I chopped them as small as I could and I realised that there is no time for it to dry it into a powder.
I sighed, knowing very well that my only option is to make a mash that will have more aggressive effects and I hoped that no one will notice it in their drinks.
I was going to make my way back when, suddenly, a dizziness struk and my head was spinning. I gulped for fresh air and collapsed on the earth, reclining my back on an old tree trunk. What was happening to me?
My eyes closed slowly and all became dark.

The dark faded, making room for the brightness of the mighty Sun that shone on the white veil covering my face. I smelled the beautiful peonys I was holding in my hand and walked the narrow path in the heart of the forest. Soon I found myself in a small clearing where people of all ages and sizes were waiting. Someone grabbed my arm. I turned my face, only to see a most beautiful woman smiling at me. Her eyes were warm and her smile was one of those that would heal the dullest heart.
"Are you ready, my dear?"
Before I could answer, she turned her figure and lead me through the parted crowd.
We got in front of a stone altar, where a young man was waiting. My soul melted and I was transfixed of his powerful and colorful aura. When he smiled at me, I forgot to breathe, but somehow I could not discern his features. They were blurred to my eyes.
He took my hand in his and we both turned and kneeled in front of the flower decorated altar, where, from behind it, an old man cleared his throat and started:
"Cadeyrn, High King of Dirae, do you take Dawn, the Moon's daughter as your wife?
Do you pledge your body and soul to her, in life and beyond, here and now, in front of the Sun and the people gathered here today?"
"I do!"
I looked upon his face with wonder, thinking that I did not heard correctly.
Cadeyrn? There must have been a confusion... And this... what was this? A wedding?
He brought his hands at the back of my neck and placed something, under my veil. I looked down on my chest and saw a simple, yet beautiful star hanging on a silver neck chain.
I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
But when I opened them and looked around, something was changed. I could no longer feel the Sun's warmth, nor his loving gaze upon me. It was dark, the air was damp, and chills of fear conquered my mind.
I was still kneeling in front of an altar, but the flowers were dead and the old man behind it was now younger, even his robe was changed.
He cleared his throat and looked at me.
" Do you, Dawn, daughter of the Moon, take The High King of all the Realm Nuallan, as your husband?
Do you pledge your body and soul to him, here and now for our Mighty Dark Lord and all gathered here to witness?"

Before I could see his dark face, before I could answer, all went black again.
I woke up on the damp earth where I collapsed embracing myself and shivering. What just happened?
My hand clutched the silver star from around my neck and I stood there lost in my thoughts for a time.

'In life and beyond' My lips voiced.
Who was Cadeyrn and who was Nuallan?
My head started to spin again, but I forced myself on my feet.
I was lost in an abyss of doubts and questions, but I still had something very important to do. Mother.

.....