Imona's Prison - Chapter 2

It had been a while since they had started walking, at least two hours. Imona was starting to break. Her feet hurt, her neck and wrists hurt, her legs were burning. She couldn’t even stop to catch her breath. Even with the horses walking at a slow and steady pace, if she even paused for a second, she was dragged along the dirt and rocks. The guards ignored her and chatted idly on their horses. There were four guards ahead of her, and then Killian’s horse at the front.

She didn’t want to plead, but she guessed that they were only halfway there. No way would she be able to walk for another two to three hours like this. She just knew that her bare feet were bleeding. It was dark now, and the only lights around were from homes nearby, or from the lanterns that the guards held on poles in front of the horses to help them see. Neither light was enough to reach her view, and so she continuously stepped on jagged rocks and, occasionally, stepped in whatever scat the horses dropped.

They were doing this on purpose! Trying to control her with torture. They could easily put her on a horse and set the pace to a run and they would have been there in two hours! And Killian had the nerve to say that he was not a bad person! Well if the shoe fits…

“Enough!” Imona screamed. “Please! I cannot go further! My feet are raw!” Imona fell to her knees sobbing, and momentarily was choked on her collar before Killian called out, “Halt!”

Imona lay face down in the dirt, trying to catch her breath and trying to get her tears under control. She was so weary. She just wanted to close her eyes and forget that any of this was happening.

Killian dismounted from his horse and took his time walking to the back to stare down at Imona on the ground. “Have you had enough punishment?” he said casually.

Imona was still breathing heavily. “Punishment…for what?” she asked.

He held up his arm nonchalantly. “Those scratches you gave me earlier. You have sharp nails girl.”

He had done all of this…over some scratches? Imona couldn’t even speak. She could only think of how much crueler he could get when she tried to escape. Well, she would just have to make sure not to get caught.

“Well, I think you’ll be a good girl now.” Killian said. He unlatched the heavy rope from her collar and threw her over his shoulder. She couldn’t even fight at this point. She was far too exhausted. He walked back to the front and threw her over the back of his horse on her stomach, behind the saddle. The wind was knocked out of her. “Be sure not to fall off lest you be trampled by the horses, Imona.”

And with that, he hopped back onto his horse and continued forward. Imona did her best not to shift too much on the horse, even though it was hard to breathe in this position. Well, it was better than walking at the moment. She closed her eyes and tried not to think of how badly her life could get from this point forward, but of course, the voice wouldn’t let her.

‘You are so…weak. You will not last a week without my power. These barbarian humans will probably rape and torture you. Just give in girl! Give in and take what is yours…’

Imona didn’t respond. She just lay, with her eyes closed, listening to the quickened trot of the horses as they went through the rest of the village. The trotting noises got louder as the horses shifted over to stone, meaning they were passing through the higher class areas and would soon reach their destination.

The humiliation. Though it was nearing evening, she knew there would be people about to witness her shameful display. The tears continued to fall relentless.

Maybe an hour passed by before she heard Killian yell out, “Open the gates!” and her stomach dropped. They were finally entering the stronghold. She refused to open her eyes. Not long after that the horses slowed and then came to a stop. Killian dismounted and then tugged on Imona's dress until she began to slide off. She braced for impact, but instead he caught her in his arms.

Imona stared up at him with surprise and, eyes locking, couldn't help but notice that his eyes were indeed the jade shade she had heard rumors of through the village. They weren't wrong, he was by far the most handsome Kingdom Holder that she knew of. He couldn't be too much older than her. His arms were muscular and taught around her, holding her securely-no doubt to make sure she wouldn't make a run for it. Killian smirked and Imona averted her gaze.

“Let me take you to your chambers, I'm sure you'll love it. You know...this doesn't have to be a tough experience for you.”

She looked back at him to find him not looking at her, but upwards. As she peered in the same direction she could see a tower that was a part of the castle and a small barred window there.

Her eyes went wide and she couldn't help but think, "Surely he's not taking me all the way up there..”

Oh, but he did. After one of the scouts took his horse away, he walked through the front of the castle in to an open area where some guards were talking and looking at her in disgust. She could see two stone staircases in front of them, but instead he veered to the right, down a hallway, where one of the guards unlocked a steel door to a long spiraling staircase that went up quite far. She thought for a moment he might throw her down and force her to walk all the way up, but instead he began walking up them.

He walked with purpose, his stride never faltering, she could only detect the slightest change in his breathing as they neared the top maybe 10 minutes later. She hated to admit it, but she was impressed.

“Ooohh...we've got a strong one here Imona... He could really be useful. I could show you ways to take control, to use his power against him. I could show you..” Imona shook her head and cut the voice off, “No. I-”

Killian jostled her a bit, catching her offguard, but never slowed his pace. “I had heard that you talk to yourself. Some say you talk to spirits of the dead, others say it's demons... I wonder..”

Imona stared up at him, cheeks flushing with embarrasement, but she found no hint of disgust or fear on his face. She decided not to reply.

They reached the top of the staircase and walked to the left, down a short hallway before he stopped. There was a metal door there with a small barred window on top that was open. He walked inside to a small circular room, all stone, one small cot in the corner and a chamber pot on the other end. At the opposite wall to the door was the small barred window she could see from the ground.

The room...no...cell was dark, cold, and she couldn't believe she might be spending the rest of her days her. She suddenly tried to scramble from Killian's arms, but he held her tightly, strong muscled flexing without issue. “Please...no....please don't keep me here...” Tears started to stream once more.

He didn't listen. “Don't worry Imona. With cooperation I can make this cell into a very confortable room for you, but you haven't earned that yet.” He dropped her into the middle of the room were she slumped down onto her bottom rather than stand on her still aching and bleeding feet. She heard the rattle of chains and looked up right as Killian grabbed her by the metal collar she now wore and secured a lock to it connecting it to the chain she hadn't seen was bolted into the floor.

He stomach sank once more. “The chain can come off,” he continued, “eventually. In the meantime.... I will send a nursemaid up to tend to your feet. If you harm her, there will be strict punishment.” He looked down at her with a cold gaze before walking out of the cell and locking the steel door behind him.

As she listen to his and the guards with him walking away, her tears renewed again with fervor. “Oh mother....what great horrors await me now..”