Invisible - Part 1

The putrid air penetrated his senses as he tried to remember how he ended up in the dungeons far below the castle. Rubbing his head, Maik closed his eyes and fought another wave of nausea. He lost the battle as the last remnants in his stomach spilled onto the stone floor.

Throbbing pain radiated from the back of his head. Reaching back, he felt the sticky patch of dried blood tangled in his long black hair. How bad had his accusers beaten him before deciding to let him rot away in the king's version of hell? He felt like every bone had been broken, but he was still alive. For now. He knew he would probably spend his last remaining days on earth in this filthy pit of despair. If he didn't die from his injuries, he would die from the rats in the night when they gnawed at his decaying body.

Memories started to return slowly. Images of Clara formed in the recesses of his mind. Her beauty. Her smile. Her blond hair, almost translucent, cascaded down her back. How he had wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, but the king forbade their union because his money was from the trades and not from the nobility. He was the wrong kind of rich and would bring dishonor to the Princess. His lineage would bring disgrace.

The king never allowed Maik to defend himself as he raged at the young couple moments after placing the ruby on her finger. The sight of the ring and the radiant smile on her face enraged the king beyond reason. When the king's rage settled, the beating started, and Maik was unceremoniously dragged away from the horrified princess until his broken body was tossed into the dank prison cell.

Not knowing how long he was unconscious, he wondered if Clara had already married an unsuitable suitor to please her father's sense of decorum. His princess was lost to him forever, and his broken heart wanted to fade away to the netherworld, knowing life without her was no life at all.

Maik tried to move away from the vomit and curled tightly into the corner, dreaming of the life he lost, knowing that no one would save him, a poor merchant who managed to earn a small fortune. In this kingdom, he was a nobody and would remain that way until his dying breath. He tortured himself, remembering her sweet lips. Their first kiss. Her hand in his. As the weight of sleep took hold, he held on to the one fact that could alter his fate, but how would he ever explain that to the king? Would King Lars even believe him?

He didn't think so.

~~~

Several days later, Maik had grown weaker from the lack of food and blood loss. As the fever raged in his body, he could barely sit up, let alone eat the grey liquid sitting on the floor across the cell. He decided to forego the food, knowing it would bring him closer to death's door. The thought of entering the darkness brought comfort to him.

As he was contemplating his demise, he heard heavy boots walking toward his cell. The jailer's keys rattled and echoed in the dungeon's tunnels. Mummering voices were growing louder.

Refusing to look up at the jailer, he snapped his eyes open when he heard a familiar voice state, "This is him. Bring him up to a private room and give him blood immediately. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir. Right away."

Strong hands grabbed Maik and lifted him up. The sudden movement was too much for his weakened state, and he passed out. When he woke, his teeth had stopped chattering, and his fever was gone. He felt the coolness of clean sheets and the comfort of the pillow underneath his head.

The smell of human waste and rotting flesh didn't permeate the fresh air. With such a twist of fate, he feared that he had passed into the netherworld, for he couldn't comprehend how he made it out of the dungeons with breath in his lungs.

Still pretending to sleep, he heard a door open quietly, and gentle steps moved toward the bed. He felt someone sit beside him and place a small hand on his shoulder. A sweet voice rang out, asking, "Maik, my love. How are you?"

Shocked to hear her voice again, he bolted upright and turned too quickly to look into her eyes. His head was spinning out of control, but he managed to grab her hand before he whispered, "Clara, but how?"

She smiled at him, brushing his wayward hair away from his eyes, saying, "Well, Prince Maik, your father was none too happy when he realized your unfortunate fate. He had a very stern conversation with my father."

He touched her face and quickly replied, "Then we shall be mated as soon as I heal."

Clara stood, backed away from his bed, and wiped a tear away, trying to hold back the rest. She could barely get out the words but finally managed to say, "No, Maik. That will not be possible."

Holding her hands to her lips, she kept them there, needing to keep the words from spilling out.

Unable to look her prince in the eyes, she ran out of the room without an explanation.

~~~~

Hi Readers,

I hope that you are enjoying The Invisible. Please look for Part 2 to continue the tale. If you would like to read another one of my favorite stories, please check out Losing Lucian.

~~ KA Stefana