Zora was cold. So terribly, terribly cold. She lay in the corner of the cell, curled up into a ball, cheek pressed against the frosted stones. Tremors wracked her body. Her numb fingers were clenched into fists, and the tears had frozen on her cheeks.

The guards had forced her into a simple white smock and taken her shoes and all her jewels. Despite it being wintertime, they hadn't even deigned to give her a cloak.

Her cell was tiny. Even squashed into a single corner, Zora took at least a third of the floor. There was a barred window about the size of a dinner place, a sorry stack of straw upon which Zora was on, a rusted pail for her to relieve herself, and virtually nothing else.

The dungeons were a frightful place. Screams and moans could be heard from every direction, along with the constant rattling of chains and the cracking of whips. Arms wrapped tightly around her body, she tried to make herself even smaller.

Zora had failed. Due to her lack of cognitive ability, she'd forgotten to make sure both cups were poisoned. Stupid.

At least King Hurfother was dead. She sneered, imagining his soul being tortured in the fires of Hell. It was a nice fantasy for the time being.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud growl rumbling from her belly. The unfamiliar ache of hunger washed over her. Zora's lips were dry and chapped, and her throat was screaming for water.

She'd lost track of time. Was her sixteenth birthday yesterday, a week ago, or a month ago? It was hard to tell. There was no clock, nor was there a guard who helpfully informed her of the time.

Her eyelid was heavy, but it flew open when the door to her cell clanged. A guard stood there, carrying a tray with a bowl and a tin can. "Food," he grunted. He unceremoniously dropped them onto the floor, nearly spilling the water.

"Beast," he drawled, eyeing Zora's face carefully. She couldn't imagine what she must look like now. Wild black hair, bloodshot eye, scars in full view. He shut the door with a bang, and she scrambled towards the tray.

The bowl was half-filled with slimy, cold gruel, and the water had a funny iron taste to it. Zora still downed it all in two gulps. Her stomach roiled. Bile surged up her throat, choking her. She forced it back down. Being a princess had spoiled her. Thus, she was not used to such grimy, basic food.

A bitter laugh followed her acrid thoughts. Estilda should have killed her that fateful night. Death was better than whatever Gregori must have in mind. Would she be burned like Zhoya and the Second Queen?

No. Her diabolical brother had promised that her suffering would be worse. Hanged? Not enough pain; her neck would snap too quick. Gregori liked blood, but she doubted he'd behead her.

So, what would he do?

"Zora?" someone whispered. Her eye widened. She'd know that voice anywhere. A tear winded down her cheek when she saw Pyter, crouching on the other side of the bars.

She dragged herself over and reached out, touching his face. His blue eyes were full of sorrow. "I wish I could get you out of here. If I were King, it would be an easy task."

"But you're not."

He bit his lip. "No, I'm not. Listen, I can't be here forever. Gregori doesn't know I'm here, and neither do your guards. I came to give you this." Swiftly, he pressed something cool into her palm. Zora glanced down.

"This is a joke, right?" she asked in disbelief, staring down at the sparkling silver and ruby comb. It was the same one they'd woven into her hair before the ball. "You do realize I'm dressed in rags and facing death."

Despite the gravitas of the situation, a minute grin came to Pyter's face. "Look again, sestra. What do you see?"

"I see a metallic atrocity that scratches women's scalps to make them bleed."

"If you ask me, I see a potential weapon with sharp and pointy ends." Suddenly, his head jerked up. "I have to go. Zora, I love you, and I want to kill myself for not being able to help you. Stay strong."

He was gone in a few moments. There were guards clanking down the dungeon halls, laughing jovially. Zora frantically searched for the comb's hiding spot. She couldn't risk leaving it in the cell, and she had no chance. Just as the first sentinel rounded the bend, she stuffed it into her chest bindings. The next thing she knew, her arms were yanked up and she was hauled to her feet.

"Where are you taking me?" she gasped. They didn't reply. Instead, her wrists were forced into manacles. The same was done to her ankles. Her shackles clinked often as they winded through the dungeons and up a set of stairs.

Zora barely kept in a sob when fresh air entered her lungs. She sucked in as much as possible, relishing the breeze kissing her skin. Her moment of relief was snuffed out, however, by the appearance of Gregori.

Now King Gregori, she supposed, although it wouldn't be official until the coronation. He smirked as Zora was forced to her knees on the carpet.

"I've decided your punishment," he said, examining her as if she were an interesting specimen. "You won't be able to enjoy an instant death. No, death alone is simply too lenient."

He leaned so close, she could smell his breath. A pity it was a sweet, minty scent. "Zora, you get to have a grand tour outside of the walls of Etharia. Only, it's a one-way trip."

Her heart stopped.

"You-you're sending me out to them?" she croaked. "You're insane!"

Gregori shrugged. "It's not like it's never been done before. Feel honored that you're the first princess to ever be eaten by them! I'll even throw in a bonus. If they bother returning your bones, I'll make sure we give you a nice burial."

He chuckled humorlessly. "I do hope they tear you apart little by little." He turned, waving back. "See you in Hell, Zora!"

"You son of a bitch!" she shrilled. She made a move to grab the comb in a last attempt to stab him, but he was already too far. Shaking with fury, she was led out of the castle. Her head hit the bench when the guards threw her into the prison wagon. Hissing in pain, she watched as they slammed the doors shut.

Immediately, Zora began observing the cramped space for a way out. The barred window was much too small, and they had locked the wagon from the outside.

After a futile five minutes, she lost hope and slumped against the side. The wagon shook violently every so often. She slid around from the force but no longer cared.

A lump formed in Zora's throat. This is it, she thought. I'm going to die as something's dinner.

Morbid much? She scoffed, reaching into her smock and pulling out the comb. It glinted in the shafts of lighting streaming between the bars. There was no way she was going down without a fight.

All too soon, the prison wagon stopped. Zora got into a crouch, prepared to launch herself at her first target.

The doors rattled; somebody was fumbling with the locks. Her gaze remained trained on them. Finally, the doors opened, and a guard poked his head inside.

"It's time to –" The last sounds he made were gurgles. Zora wrenched the comb out of his throat. It left six punctures, all in a neat line. He collapsed. Another spotted her and began shouting for help.

She launched herself at him and stabbed both eyes. There were two squelches following by a cry which was silenced by a slash across the jugular.

If she'd had training like her brothers, it was likely Zora could have demolished most them. Alas, her days had been spent learning useless tasks like sewing. Her clumsiness caused her to trip over her chains, and at that moment, the guards were upon her.

Zora was hoisted up a ladder leaning against the massive kingdom wall. Once she went over that wall, there was so turning back. She kicked, clawed, and screamed, drawing the attention of the rural community. They watched in silence as guards swung her over, but her fingers latched onto a stone.

Too bad it recently rained.

In horror, Zora felt herself falling in slow motion, arm outstretched toward the sky. She hit the ground so hard, she coughed up saliva. The men far above her laughed and vanished.

The sun was already setting, and soon it would be dark. Her ruby comb was her only weapon. Zora clutched it tightly.

At first, she walked along the wall, trying to find a gate, anything that would let her in. But she was sorely disappointed. She attempted climbing the wall but found the stones were too slick from rain.

Dark clouds were gathering overhead; if she were to live until morning, she'd need shelter. Her legs aching, Zora forced herself to walk into the forest. Already it smelled damp of rain. She couldn't help but notice a few pairs of glowing eyes follow her every move.

She swallowed hard and continued. Zora didn't know what she was looking for. Maybe a tree or a cave?

It was almost too dark to see where she was going. The leaves shuddered, their vibrant green now dull and poisonous. The whistling wind wailed. Multiple times, Zora had to free her chains after snagging on roots and twigs. The harsh chill seeped into her bones. She rubbed her hands together, struggling to create friction to warm herself.

As she was considering her options, another feeling of dread slithered down her back.

A few ravens watched her as they perched upon the branches overhead. She shivered, wondering if the Nefari were prowling about this forest.

"Ack!" Zora found herself lying on her stomach. Annoyed, she turned around to glare at what she assumed to be a branch. But the culprit was not of plant heritage.

Zora saw a young man with hair so red and dark, it was like blood. His naturally tanned skin was pale, and his chest was rising shallowly. He was covered in blood and dirt. His hands were still clutching his left side where red was steadily leaking between his fingers.

"Oh, by our holy moons and stars," Zora whispered. 

I have literally waited THREE months to write this one scene. ahhhh it feels good to have written nearly 2k words in one day... *glances over at cup of coffee*. anyway, here it is! the moment you guys have all been waiting for. this is a huge leap in our plot.

Discussion Questions: Did you expect for this to happen? What do you think Jurauk will do once he wakes up?

ALSO GUYS WE HAVE HIT 10K READS AND 1K VOTES. CAN I JUST SAY HOW AWESOME THAT IS? It wouldn't have been possible without you! Your comments and votes are what drive me to write diligently. I love all of you and thank you for giving Dark Queen a chance!