You might be right
But I don't care
There's a million reason why I should give you up
But the heart wants what it wants

-

Muriel clapped his hands loudly, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Crystal turned her head away, unable to bear the hurt that was stinging her heart. Her eyes flickered at Apollo who had a decency to look a little sad, but that was it.

She blinked back the tears that were threatening to spill. It hurt harder than she had imagined it would be. She always had a feeling Apollo wouldn't feel the same way, but it hurt way more than she thought.

Apollo didn't dare to look at her, his head turned and his brown gleaming eyes focusing on the ground.

"Well wasn't that a touching scene." Muriel sneered as he nodded at the two of the men, who grabbed her arms, yanking her up to stand up.

Crystal didn't have the strength to fight back, her body like a light doll as they puled her up.

The men around her jeeered at Apollo and her, the comments hurt and stung more than it should have.

Muriel walked up to her, grabbing her chin squezing it roughly, a cold glint in his dark eyes, "Tell me, are you a virgin?"

Crystal paled, her shoulders slumping as dread began to fill her. Were they going to rape her?

"So you are." Muried said, chuckling at my frightened reaction. Some of the men whistled their hungry eyes settling on me making me flinched.

Muriel stroked my cheek thoughtfully, and I gagged inside, but I knew he would hurt Apollo if I resisted.

He leaned foward, his sour breath on my ear, "You're really beauitful you know that?" he whispered softly, "As much as I would love to get inside you, money is more important that me."

My nose wrinkled from his wretched breath. I shuddered as he stepped away. I suddenly paled when his words registered into my mind. He wanted to sell me. I shook my head shakily imagaining if I got seperated from Apollo. If I did get seperated from Apollo I knew I would never see my family again.

Muriel smiled coldly, as Crystal shook visibly, "We will not touch her." he annoucned to his men.

Immediately there were groans and glares. The men were not pleased, and she could feel the eyes darken in anger. There was whispers and growls from the men making Crystal close her eyes, terror coursing around her.

One of the men approached her, his mind filled with lewd thoughts.

"You will not touch her, Christopher." Muriel said darkly, a vicious smile on his lips.

Christopher narrowed his eyes, "You promised the men that we could touch her." the angry bandit growled, there was a chorus of agreements behind him, making Crystal pale, "You just want her all to yourself."

Muriel did not seem fazed by the angry men. He merely shrugged, "She's worth a lot of money, more money then you men will ever see in you're life." Muriel said lazily, "I mean would you really want to pass this much money?"

Christopher narrowed his eyes, his lips pursed tightly together. He didn't say anything but he seemed to be listening.

"She's not only ravishing." Muriel continued, greed glinting in his eyes, "She's a virgin." he said raising a brow, "Do you not know how much money we can get off of her?" Muriel smirked, "I'll give each you a quarter of what we get and," he continued, "Would you not rather get whores who are experienced?"

A nasty smile grew on Christopher lips. He titled his head, thinking, "I suppose you are right." he said nodding, chuckling, satisfaction on his face.

Muriel nodded, "Never should any of you doubt me.""

I clenched my hands, angry that the men were talking as if woman were only mere objects. My thoughts seemed to mock me as Apollo words rang in my head over and over. Was that it between me and him? We were now only supposed to be nothing more but a guard to serve the princess?

Muriel walked over to Apollo, "The real game is beginning now." he said, a cruel smile on his lips, "Who are you?"

Apollo didn't answer his eyes cast on the ground.

Muriel smile amusedly, "Oh? Is that how you want to play then?" he stood up walking over to me, before slapping me hard on the cheek.

I would have fallen to the ground, if it wasn't for the fact that the men, who held my arms, gripped me hard enough so I would not fall. My cheek rang painfully, and I realized that my lip was bleeding. I was too shock to make a sound, and I winced wanting to cry, my cheek stinging painfully.

I clenched my eyes, shut, refusing to cry.

Apollo's head snatched up his eyes meeting mine, his brown eyes flashing with concern and pain. Yet, that only lasted for half a second, before his lips pressed together in a thin line, his face hardening. It happened so fast, perhaps it was only my imagination.

Apollo's face darkened, "Slapping a woman in order to show that you are strong, shows that you at a coward." his cold and steady voice sending shudders up my spine.

Muriel's face turned red with anger, nodding at one of the men, who was holding my arms. The man let me go, walking to Apollo he grabbed Apollo's broken arm twisting it.

Apollo's face filled with pain, his lips curled up menacingly. He grunted as the man twisted in even more, sweat beginning to show.

Muriel raised his hand, making the man stop. Apollo groaned softly, breathing heavily. His face was hardened again, but his eyes were filled with bitterness and pain.

I winced, flinching when glancing at Apollo's arm, which seemed in a much worse state. His arm was red and blue, and the arm seemed even more crooked than it was before.

Muriel laughed, amusement flickering in his eyes, "I'll ask you again." Muriel said scowling, "Who are you?"

When Apollo made no movement to comply, Muriel's face reddened with anger. Muriel grabbed my face, gripping it painfully making me whimper softly.

Apollo eyes flickered towards me and Muriel his face torn.

"My name is Apollo." Apollo said through clenched teeth.

Muriel smile, satisfaction brimming in his eyes, "That wasn't so hard was it?" he cooed, mockingly, "Continue."

"I," Apollo hesitated, "I am a soldier, and she is my sister." Apollo forced out.

"Liar." Muriel hissed, kicking Apollo in the chest, a flash of pain flashing through Apollo's face, "Who is she really?" he snarled, "What village girl or daughter of a lord even is able to buy such expensive and nice clothes as she is wearing? What ordinary soldier can hold such nice weapons such as those?" he hissed pointing towards the swords Sebastian had given us, "Furthermore, those swords are not you're ordinary sword." he raised a brow, knowing he had us cornered, "So, who are you really?"

"I am Crystal." I whispered softly, forcing the words out of my mouth. I knew Apollo would refuse to talk, and that Muriel would beat him even more if he did not comply. As much as I didn't want to reveal my identity, I knew they would find out eventually who I was.

Realization dawned on Muriel's face, "Do you mean the princess?" he asked, eying me carefully, a dark evil emotion glinting in his eyes. A cat like smile grew on his face, "You must be part of that group who escaped the rebellion, so that means," understanding grew on his face. His eyes narrowed, "You know Brayden has sent out a reward for anyone who gives him any information about the runway king."

My face paled, realizing that Muriel wanted to take us back to the kingdom and hand us over. I knew once Brayden had me, he would kill Apollo and then use me to toy with Lukas.

There were murmurs around us and some of the men glanced at Apollo uneasily, glancing at him warily.

Muriel frowned at his men, "What are you so scared about? We just captured a fugitive wanted by a king! Do you know how much money we will get!"

One of the men, scratched his head nervously, "You have heard of the demon that is among the group?" the man shuddered slightly, "I've heard he once burned down a village because they made fun of him."

"What about the one where he killed a whole army?"

"Did you hear about the one where he killed his family?"

"No but-"

"Enough!" Muriel snarled making the men close their mouth, "If this demon was really so powerful then how come he isn't here now?"

"Well, if you haven't heard," one of the men muttered warily, "I've heard their group is strong. Not only do they have a demon, they have a powerful king, a warrior, and an assassin."

"We have a warrior in our hands right now." Muriel hissed, his eyes narrowing, "Stop complaining about things that don't even make sense."

"His arm was broken." one of the men muttered, "He was at a disadvantage, yet he was still able to kill two of us, against all of us."

Muriel's face reddened with anger.

"I think we should let them go." another said loudly. There was a chorus of agreements and Muriel eyes narrowed, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Enough." he spat darkly, "We will not let them go and that is an order. We are not weak men. We are strong. Are you really going to let a group, led by a fallen king make you guys cowards? " he scoffed, "If you're so scared, then you can go."

Then men glanced at each other uneasily, none unwilling to let damage their pride.

Muriel raised a brow, a sneer on his face, "That's what I thought." he growled scowling. His eyes were narrowed into slits and his face glared at Apollo as if this was all his fault, "If anyone else defies to what I say, I'm sure hell will welcome you gladly."

-

I wonder what will happen to Apollo and Crystal. Hopefully they will be fine... I wonder how the rest of the group is. I can only imagine how Lukas is reacting to this.

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Love, NerdyWhale