Few who ever went into the Castle of Moonlight as a prisoner came out alive. The few that did were so tortured and scared that they wouldn't be able to function properly.

Mani sat beside me in the back of a wagon that would normally carried food. He rubbed soft circles on my arm while whispering assurance that we wouldn't be like the others. Assurance that we would escape.

I knew his words were lies, but I didn't have the heart to tell him. Mani always found comfort in comforting others.

"You two are a really cute couple." The girl across from Mani said. I blushed and shook my head.

"Volkn is just a friend, Eliza." He said then kissed my forehead. I buried my head in his chest, not caring about the two other people watching me cuddle with the town doctor.

I looked up from my security in Mani and saw a dark castle that contrasted the sunny day we were having. It looked like a nightmare had escaped the realm of dreams and entered reality. It looked over the green grass and cast dark shadows that made the grass appear as if it had been burned.

We were dragged into the throne room, a place I had hoped I would never see.

Before us stood four thrones with a man sitting on each throne. All of the men were in a different color a and even though they were brothers looked like they were the furthest thing from family.

My eyes dared to look upon the prince farthest to the left. He had wavy blond hair and turqouise eyes with pale skin to match. This was Prince Byron, the eldest. He wore all blue apart from his white blouse and black boots.

I let my wandering gaze fall upon the next prince, Prince Lyulf. He was the youngest prince and was very close to his eldest brother Prince Byron. His hair was black as the night and was fell in soft, messy curls. Prince Byron's skin was tanned and his hazel eyes held mischief.

The prince in the next throne was a favorite amongst women of the court. Prince Archer had pinkish skin and dark brown wavy hair that fell just above his shoulders. His eyes sparkled a bright blue like a winter's sky after a storm. He also shared his brother's uniquely muscular build; a quality few princes in the more recent days of Darok had.

The last brother was the one no one spoke of. Prince Raiden was a frightening man. His dark black curls, similar to his youngest brother's, covered his head. Instead of making him look warm and inviting though, his curls made people think of a black panther. His eyes were such a dark brown color that they appeared to be black. It was said that only psychopath and mad-men had such eyes. Prince Raiden's skin was the color of snow and had many scars that he concealed well under his black clothing.

"My princes, your prisoners from the village of Azar." Sir Jonathan said as he bowed. I saw a spark flash in Prince Raiden's eyes and his lips twitch. Prince Byron looked at our dirty, unfed selves in both pity and disgust. He looked at us as if we were something he held dear to his heart. I knew better though. All of these princes are cruel men that care little about their people.

"Any details? Any connections between any of them?" Prince Lyulf asked curiously.

"Eh.... Yes, your majesty, these two are lovers, your majesty." Sir Jonathan said and pushed both Mani and I forward.

"Hmmm..... Intriguing... Put them in my room and tell Malcolm to clean them up and get them some decent clothes." The prince ordered.

We were dragged away from the other prisoners and up several staircases until we reached a large wooden door. We were pushed inside and astonished by what we saw.

This room was the most lavish, expensive, and beautiful room we had ever been in. A young man walked into the room smiling at us.

"Sir Jonathan told me about you two! I've never seen people from outside of the castle walls before!" He said. He was probably only a few months younger than me and I could tell that he brought most of the supply of joy into this depressing domain.

"I'm Malcolm Jones, what're your names?" He said as he began to run around Prince Lyulf's room.

"Volkn Wolfe." I say trying to stifle a chuckle as he shoved a blue dress into my hands.

"Mani Wells." Mani said looking first at the dress then at me.

"It's nice to meet real humans my own actual age. My best friend is a horse and I don't really talk much when I'm around the princes. All of then think I'm annoying other than Prince Lyulf. He's very kind to me. Has he been kind to you too? Oh I really hope so. He's the most amazing person I know. I've never seen him be mean to anyone or be angry at anything. Not even his dog!" Malcolm said, rambling about which caused Mani and I to chuckle.

"Oh! You two need to take a bath before the prince returns! Mani you go first you'll take less time than Volkn!" Malcolm said and shoved Mani behind the a changing screen.

"You two are such a cute couple! Is he good to you?! Are you good to him?! Do you guys fight?!" He asked excitedly, which caused me to chuckle.

"He's good to me. I'm good to him. We don't fight. And we're not a couple." I said, then saw a frown form on Malcolm's face.

"That's good! I'm happy if you're happy!" He said, bouncing around like a little child.

Prince Lyulf walked into the room, sleeves rolled up and hair messy. He had blood splattered on his clothes and he reeked of alcohol. The man was the definition of a beautiful horror.

"Where's your lover, darling?" He asked as he sat down beside me and moved a piece of my hair out of my face.

"Right here." Mani said as he stepped out from behind the changing screen in some very exquisite pajamas.

"And what're your names?" He said as he beckoned Mani over to him.

"V-Volkn Wolfe, your majesty." I say nervously as his hand caresses my cheek.

"Manuel Wells, sire. Most call me Mani though." He said with a soft smile.

"Beautiful names. Malcolm show them their rooms and help Volkn bathe and get into her night dress if she needs it." Prince Lyulf commanded.

"Come." Malcolm said. I followed him to what I did not know would be the most amazing night of my life.

Not in that way you pervert!

😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉

Hello Darokians! It is your loyal Darokian author Shadow873

Did you enjoy the second chapter? In my opinion the second chapter is always the hardest to write because it's like "How do I go from there?". I really do hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Question of the day: If you had to choose on of the princes to marry based solely off looks who would you marry?

Lyulf. But if he was taken probably Byron, then Raiden, then Archer. Yeah....

Anyways....

Thank you so much for reading!

Have a blessed day/night!

God bless you!

Buh Bye! 😘