The faint sound of violin music filled my ears as I began waking up from my sleepy state, my eyes slowly fluttered open to reveal a blurry surroundings and a shadowy figure sitting in front of the bed I appeared to be laying on. Lifting my fingers to my cheek I winced in pain as my finger tips came in contact with my sore flesh, I ran my tongue over my dry and cracked lips only to be greeted with the metallic taste of blood.

"I apologize for any wounds you've succumbed to, I specifically told your captor to be careful with you but he clearly doesn't know how to take orders, for that he's being punished." A gruff voice said quietly

With how dim lighted the room seemed and the slight blur effecting my vision I found it hard to identify the mans features, as I leaned closer on the bed I could see his face but it was fuzzy and hard to identify. Trying to swallow the dryness in my throat I decided to speak up."Who are you and what do you want from me?"

A low chuckle bubbled from the man and he leaned forward in his chair."My name is Raphael and I want nothing from you, I've been hearing rumors that Lorik has found a bride for his pathetic excuse of a son and that this certain girl was a witch with bright green eyes. I've also been hearing that she's the daughter of Elanor, a very powerful, beautiful and amazing witch." He said happily.

Anger burned inside of me, the way he said my mothers name made my stomach clench and I hated how happy he sounded about capturing me."Yes I am Elanor's daughter, I'm also Cassius's soon to be bride as well. What business is it of yours?" I questioned.

The man tilted his head to the side as his gaze studied me, for some reason he seemed amused by my attitude."Your so beautiful just like your mother, can you explain to me why she would pawn our daughter into marriage?, Some have been saying its for a sacred item while others say she did it for your safety." 

I gaped at the man before me, he couldn't be hinting that I was his daughter...no of course not. I shook the delirious thought from my head and sighed."I was promised into marriage in return for a Dragons Heart, I marry Cassius and my dear mother gets her prized possession." I said bitterly.

Raphael ran his thumb along his bottom lip and chuckled to himself, a smirk appeared on his lips as he looked at me."If she wanted a Dragons Heart then I could have easily ripped one out, she didn't need to send you into an arranged marriage. The woman is so stubborn even after all this time, well are you even happy?" He asked.

I stared at him in confusion, the question sounded so foreign to me and yet it was so simple. All of this time my happiness wasn't an option, no one asked me if I wanted to be married off or if I liked living in Scalefire. I nodded my head slowly and looked down at my hands."Yes I'm happy, its a very exciting time." I whispered.

Creaking filled the room and the bed dipped as Raphael sat down next to me, he gently tilted my chin up and I was finally able to see some of his features up close. His eyes held a dull green to them and he had deep dark brown hair that he kept swept back, in a way I could see the resemblance.

He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and looked down at me with cloudy eyes."I'm sorry I missed most of your life Emerald but I wont allow that anymore, I want you to know that you have a home here with me and if you ever need someone I'll be here for you. You may tell me your happy but I can see right through it, I know your only tolerating this agreement because of your love for your mother and I respect that. I can be a kind man but if I find out that someone is hurting you or Elanor I can promise you that they will pay." He said firmly.

A few tears streamed down my cheeks and I quickly wiped them away, I really didn't want to look like an emotional mess in front of my father.

He gave my shoulder a tight but gentle squeeze before getting up from the bed and sighing."I hate to have to send you back but I don't want them searching for you, when we hand you back over we have to make it look like were serious but I promise you wont be harmed. I'll have my best in command take you back and he'll inform you on how to visit."

With a snap of his fingers a young man walked into the room and knelt down on knee before Raphael, in return my father beckoned the man to his feet and placed a firm hand on his shoulder."Make the scene real, make Lorik and his son squirm but don't hurt her. You know Donovan already screwed up and his fate was grim, your's will be much worse if something happens Savon." He threatened.

Savon nodded is head in understanding before moving towards me and kneeling down beside the bed, his raven hair spiked in the front and his electric blue gaze pierced into my own."I'm going to put this blind fold on you ok?" He got up from the floor and gently placed the blind fold around my eyes before tying it in the back.

A strong arm wrapped around my waist while another arms slid underneath my legs, I was then carefully lifted and held against a warm chest. Savon carried me for a little ways until I was placed on some kind saddle, I felt his warm body climb on behind me and his arm secured itself around my waist.

Wind blew across my face and the sound of wings flapping filled my ears, I assumed we had a long ride waiting for us but it didn't matter to me. With the window lightly caressing my skin and the tiredness of my body beckoning me to sleep I figured I wouldn't stay awake for most of the ride and I was right, with the blindfold shielding my ices nicely I fell off to sleep.

I didn't know how much time had passed but I felt someone lightly shaking my shoulder, I lifted my head out of its sore position and blinked rapidly as the blindfold was loosened from around my eyes. It took me a few moments for my eyesight to adjust, it was no longer night like it had been when I was taken but instead it was towards the time of sunset which meant I had been gone for quite a while.

Savon helped me off of the saddle and pulled me back against his chest, in one swift movement he had a cold blade pressed against the base of my throat. He held onto me tightly as he guided me forward towards the large Iron gates of Scalefire, instead of two armed guards standing before the gates there was now four and once they saw Savon holding me in such away they didn't hesitate to open the iron gates. 

He kept out pace slow as he walked me through the village, some of the villagers darted into their houses in fear while others stood there gawking at me. As we approached the second set of gates I saw three figures standing in front, soon Lorik, Numissa and Cassius came into view.

Numissa's hands flew up to her mouth as her eyes filled with watery tears, she fixated her gaze on the side of my face."Oh Emerald..." She whispered sadly.

Cassius stepped forward, his amethyst eyes burned with rage and his clenched his hands into fists."Hand over my betrothed right now or else you'll face severe consequences." He growled.

Savon's once calm tone turned dark and threatening."You think i'm afraid of you?, You can't even keep yourself safe let alone your so called betrothed. You silly excuse for a man, I'll tell you how this is going to go, your going to let me walk out of here or I'll slit her throat right now."'

Cassius flared his nostrils as he glared daggers towards Savon."Fine, remove the blade from her throat and leave." He hissed.

Savon kept his gaze on Cassius as he lowered his head and let his lips hover next to my ear."When ever you want to visit your father just use a summoning spell to find me, It's been a pleasure Emerald and I hope to see your beautiful face again." He whispered.

He dropped the knife into my hands before darting off behind me, Cassius stepped forward as though he were doing to chase after him but his father shook his head.

I carefully held the knife close to me as Numissa threw her arms around me and hugged me close, glancing down at the blade I thought about how smart Savon truly is. In order for me to even complete a summoning spell I need an item from the person I wished to find, hence the reason he left the knife behind. It was my key to finding him.