Unknown POV

My heart was beating out of my chest as my breath swirls through the air above me due to the heaviness of my breathing, which was quick and rapid, echoing deeply through the cramped stone hall. I felt as though the walls were closing in on me.

I wrap my arms around myself, attempting desperately to protect myself against the constant draught that seems to be coming from nowhere in particular. Even my thick jacket and trousers weren't enough for the freezing temperature to soak into my pores.

The smell of moss and mould invades my nose as I creep further into the dark, the only light emitting from the cracks in the thick stones, the lime green glow sending chills down my spine.

The floor was spotless apart from a few stains here and there. I didn't want to know what they were, but I suspect, of course. The state of the half-carved rocks diminishes as they creep towards the shadow shrouded ceiling not far above my head, the mildew and damp that hadnt been scrubbed in what looked like decades litters the ceiling along with thick cobwebs and spiders the size of at least my fist, dead and alive, cowering in the cracks, even though I made no sound as I tread my way through the narrowing corridors. I see that Im not the only one that gets warning vibes from this place.

I suppose that was how he wanted it to be. The conditions he would want his main rival of many to be locked away in, he knew it would make her weak, to be away from the sunlight and stars so long, in such a dark place where he thrives.

The air was becoming warmer, the glow of the walls blending to a warm yellow and orange. I was getting closer. The information I had been fed before I squeezed through this- and this was the only way to describe it- hell-hole tells me so.

You have to do this, youre the only one she trusts enough, recognize enough. Shes probably demented, the amount of time shes spent in there. Once you reach the yellow, youll know youre getting closer. Shell be trying to expel as much power as possible. Now go save your Queen!

The image of the old general flashes through my mind. He had been too big to fit through the small gap we had made at the entrance to this fortress, as well as the select few kingdom warriors we had brought with us. I was the only one lean enough and the only one strong enough to hold my own if I were to be attacked and run into trouble, and can carry the Queen back. She will most definitely be too weak to stumble herself back to safety.

Save your Queen. You can do this, come on.

What I saw when I turn the corner shocks me. The most beautiful woman in the kingdom is chained to the filthy wall by her wrists and her bare ankles, her once beautifully curled hair lank and greasy at her shoulders, matted and tangled like a birds nest.

Her beautiful golden yellow gown, once intricate with sparkling jewels crafted to celebrate the summer solstice, now a muddy brown, diamonds and emeralds hanging on by threads. It was tattered and barely touching the floor. Her tan skin is now a sickly pale green, and washed in the yellow glow her high cheekbones were even more prominent due to her sunken face and cheeks.

The bags under her closed eyes were obvious under the smudged eye makeup smeared across her hollow face, messed and mucked from her struggle of capture.

The only part of her that seems to glow in the least are her hands, the swirling liquid gold in her palms dripping to the cracks of the floor, climbing the walls to combat the menacing cold of the green with heat and warmth. Trying to save the child growing in her stomach as we speak. She was unconscious because of it.

My mate was a mess.

A/N

Short chapter! Sorry, doesn't look as short in a Word document!

More than 3 weeks, sorry! Starting school is stressing me out a bit. and writers block. I know I use that excuse every time, and you're probably tired of hearing it but I just got inspired today. I'm meant to be doing homework. but anyway.

Thanks for reading!

ErinXx