Claimed

Chapter 30

Author's Note

For the past four days I've been ranking and I'm so happy ! Words cannot express how grateful I am. So anyways please continue to leave comments and votes. There will be a mature chapter coming up, but it will be a private chapter so you will need to follow me to see it. Thanks, I love you guys.

My eyes quickly flutter open, as I am briefly confused on my surroundings.

"The witch."

My body jolts upward as I tumble onto the floor wrapped in a thick wool blanket. Positioning myself onto my bottom I untangle my legs. Finally able to stand I take in my appearance to see that I am fully dressed in lavender.

This dress is of a high quality and they even have my shoes matching in color.

Touching my hair I notice the mud and twigs are gone from it and instead is clean, silky hair, in perfect ringlets. Panicking a bit I glance all around the tiny room searching for an exit. When I finally see the doorknob it turns on its own as I step back looking for anything to protect myself with. Keturah comes in with a tray humming softly to herself, staring intently at me as I continue to back up until my legs hit the wooden frame of the bed.

"What do you want with me?"

Keturah: "Don't fear me child. I have healed your wounds and have clothed you in attire you are accustom to wearing. You are his little doll are you not?"

"I don't understand. Why am I here?"

Keturah: " It was you who found me. You who needed me just like your mate sought me out years ago. Now enough with the questions, you must be starving."

"I don't eat meat."

Keturah: " Of course child, only vegetables in this soup."

Setting the tray down on the nightstand she turns around leaving the room and quietly shutting the door behind her. Eyeing the food hungrily I pick up a spoon, using it to scoop the warm vegetable stew into my mouth. Moaning in delight I quickly work on eating the bread given with it, while contemplating what to do next. With my bowl now empty the door to the room opens again.

Where is she?

Outside the door is a floating ball of light, reminding me of my necklace's glow. Entranced by it I follow it out of the room and into the dark hallway. I watch it disappear into another room. Curious on what's inside I quickly try the knob, surprised to find that the door is unlocked. The wind startles me as it howls causing the tree branches to scratch against the stain glass windows, making an uncomfortable sound that sends a shiver down my spine.

What is that underneath the blanket?

The light ball reappears illuminating an oil lamp. I step more into the room to figure out what's underneath the sheet. It moves and the sheet falls a bit.

"Xael!"

Running to the bed I kneel down in front of him as candles positioned in front of the windows all light up.

"Xael wake up! "

Shaking his shoulders he groans loudly before yawning. He rubs his eyes softly, as if in a daze of befuddlement.

Xael: "Angel, toll you I'd fin you."

He slurs his words picking up a ringlet of my hair before dropping it to my shoulder. Giving me a small smile his eyes close again as soft snores come out of his mouth. A cold hand felt on my back causes me to squeal in shock. I turn my head to see the witch.

"What did you do to him?"

I ask, turning my attention back to the now sleeping Xael.

Keturah: " I guided him to you, but he was hurt very badly. I had to give him a strong healing potion. It makes a person heal fast, but also can make them very loopy in behavior. The effects should wear off soon dear. Would you like another bowl of soup?"

"What I want is answers! I deserve them after all these years."

Keturah: "Come child, we can talk in my work room.

"I don't want to leave him."

Keturah: "He will be sleeping for a while. Come, I have the answers you seek."

Standing up I kiss his forehead, placing the covers back over his body. Keturah leads me to another room that is radiating heat from the inside. A sense of déjà vu hits me as soon as I step further into the room. I sit in a rickety chair positioned in front of her cauldron that is emitting an eerie orange glow. With a wave of her hand another chair appears behind her cauldron. She takes a minute to position herself, throwing a glittery powder into the smoke filled pot. It bubbles over a bit, before settling down again,  this time emitting a soft pink glow.

Keturah: "What do you seek princess?"

"Do not call me that, only Xael calls me that name."

Keturah: "My apologies. I was only speaking truth. Now ask your questions."

"Who are those men trying to capture me?"

Keturah: "There after your beauty, you are a treasure."

"Enough with the riddles, give me straight answers."

Keturah: " You were left in that forest long ago for a reason, it being you were promised to another, by contract. Your mother placed you in that forest for your protection. The man you were promised to had a reputation, he still does. The way he reigns over his people is quite despicable.

"After all these years why are they able to find me now."

Keturah: "Your necklace child. It was keeping your location hidden. The moment it broke, your world came crashing. A family reunion you so seek, will leave you feeling mad and bleak.

"Stop it."

Keturah: A piece of property you will always be, can you truly know what it means to be free.

"I said stop it!"

Keturah: "Your whole world is about to change my dear, the most important question you need to ask yourself is if you are ready for the whole truth."

"Stop playing games with my mind."

Keturah: "You are not ready for the full truth."

"Tell me!"

She opens her mouth to speak only to be silenced by something green wrapping around her neck.