Three Days.

They passed me by in a blur and not once did I leave my room, Numissa and Lorik stopped by daily to check up on me or to bring me a meal but Cassius never showed. Not once did he stop by to thank me for saving his life from an old lover and his actions only added confusion to my already chaotic mind.

I passed most of my time by playing with the dagger Savon had given me, many times I contemplated summoning him. I wanted nothing more then to be free of this marriage but I couldn't do that to Lorik even though his son was nothing but rude, I couldn't turn my back on the only people who've shown me kindness and given me a home.

Twirling the dagger between my fingers one last time I stood from the bed and carefully slipped it underneath my mattress, I was tired of being cramped in my room and felt like a walk would do me some good but I didn't want anyone to find the dagger. As I walked by the mirror I glanced at my face, luckily the bruises were starting to fade and my was no longer swollen. I hated how Numissa looked at my face every time she saw me, although she tried to hide it I could still see the tears welling in her eyes from just looking at me.

For some reason the bruises didn't bother me, maybe because I knew that the man who was responsible had been punished for it.

I smoothed down my dress before plucking the matching jacket from my bed and draping it over my arm, with a wave of my hand my door swung open and I walked out into the hall. With a light nod of my head I greeted the guard on duty, the security around Scalefire had amplified since my recent kidnapping and that was now a newfound problem for me. If I did decided to go visit my father, I'd have to figure out how I was going to make it past the watchful eyes.

Clutching my jacket close to my chest I made my way down the hall towards the front entrance, as I passed by one of the many doors I heard giggling coming from inside. Stopping next to the door I tucked my hair behind my ear and inched closer so I was able to hear the low voices coming from inside.

"Katia, Katia this isn't what i brought you here for. I just wanted to speak to you." Cassius's familiar voice said in a husky tone.

I could hear hushed giggling behind the door and the sound of a bed creaking, Katia's annoying voice flowed out ."Cassius, I'm feeling much better now so let me help you get rid of your stress, I know that stuck up witch doesn't do anything for you." She cooed.

My even breathing turned into heavy panting as anger washed over me, I clenched my hands into fists as I glared at the door in front of me. I had saved his worthless life and never received a small thank for doing so, yet she had tried to kill me and he couldn't be happier with her.

Looking down at my arm I could see the dark veins pulsating underneath my skin, as my anger flowed so did the darkness. The small jacket in my hand fell to the floor as I clutched my arm with my other hand and ran off down the hall, panic spread through my chest as I tried to find a safe place to hide. If one of the guards saw me they would go straight to Lorik and I would be questioned, I couldn't let any of them find out.

The front entrance became clearer as I rushed down the hallway, I was so close to the exit that I could feel a faint breeze feathering across my skin. Suddenly a hand clamped down over my mouth and someones arm wrapped around my waist, the person behind me held me close against their chest as they dragged me into a nearby room. I was pushed forward out of their grasp as they quickly shut the door and stood in front of it.

Stumbling froward I caught myself and whipped around only to be greeted by an electric blue gaze, a smirk appeared on Savon's lips and he tilted his head."What's got you in such a rush?, You look like your running away from a madman with an axe." He chuckled.

I gulped down my fear and hid my arm behind my back, my gaze flickered around the room nervously."You can't be here Savon, you need to go right now and so do I."

His gaze locked onto my hidden arm and his head tilted to the side curiously."Why are you hiding your arm behind your back?."

Before I could come with an excuse or even an explanation he pulled my arm from behind my back and ran his thumb along the dark veins, his concerned gaze landed on my own."What happened?, Who upset you like this?" He questioned.

I stared at him in shock, he wasn't calling me a monster or telling me I was some kind of dark witch. No, he was staring at me with a concerned look on his face and it baffled me.

"This...these don't bother you?, How can you stand there and look at me with concern when there are inky veins pulsating underneath my skin." I asked in confusion.

Savon stared down at me, his eyes clouded over with unreadable emotion. He gently traced patterns on my arm and shook his head."This is completely normal for you Emerald, most of the Outcasted have similar patterns on their arms but for you its different. You have power coursing through your veins and a mixture of that power is dark, powerful but dark." He explained.

He gently dragged his fingertip along my arm and the delicate touch sent chills running through my body, I felt the anger disappear and the dark veins followed in suit. He stood so close to me that I could feel his warm breath fan against the side of my cheek when he spoke."Why do you stay here?, You can't be yourself around this people and your living in fear of them, I could see how panicked you were Emerald."

Leaning my head against the wall behind me I blew out a sigh, it felt nice to be able to talk to someone about my power...to just let myself be open. Running my hand over my forehead I shrugged my shoulders helplessly."I don't have much of a choice, my mother made a deal with these people and they have been kind. I have to honor it." I said sadly.

Savon let go of my arm and snorted, he turned away from me and smiled bitterly."Your mother made this deal which means she should honor it herself, you didn't sign your name in blood so I don't see why your being noble. You really wanna marry that insulin boy?"

Narrowing my eyes, I grabbed the front of his shirt and hissed in anger."No I don't want to marry him!, I don't feel like being an attached to a self righteous prince who loves no one but himself but here I am!, stuck here with him and all of his little bed pals. I saved his life once already and did I receive a thank you?, no instead I heard him in one of the rooms with that whiny bitch!"

He pulled my hand away from his shirt and leaned his face dangerously close."Then you should come stay with your father and soon, you have so a toxic mixture running through you Emerald. You haven't been able to express your power and your anger is getting the best of you, make your decision quickly before you end up hurt."

His soft lips pressed against the side of my cheek before he backed away from me."This time I'll wait for you to find me, I wanted to make sure you were ok but I can't risk sneaking in here without your summoning me. Be safe beautiful." He said before leaving me alone in the room.