Enslaved

Chapter 28

I felt nervous as I made sure everything was perfect. Balthazar had come home last night and today is his birthday. I made his favorite for breakfast, cinnamon rolls. Lui was setting the table, our gifts for him in the middle. Except the sword which was against the wall in it's box, by the table. When Balthazar came in, Lui jumped in front of him, "Happy birthday!" The smile on Balthazar's face was bright and it made my heart clench in joy. Balthazar hugged him, "Thank you." He then let Lui go and pulled me to him, kissing me deeply. "Happy birthday mo ghaol," I told him against his lips. He smiled and we went to the table. "So how was your trip father," Lui asked Balthazar as we ate. "It was rather boring," Balthazar confessed. "The best parts were when I called you and your mother." I felt my cheeks become a little warm as Balthazar smiled softly at me. "I'm happy to be home though." 

"So anything interesting happen while I was away," Balthazar asked curiously. "Mom beat the entire Legion," Lui told him and Balthazar looked at me curiously. "Did she now," he asked. "And what earned them that experience?" "I was critiquing them on some of their stances since you weren't here to train with them," I answered. "I was then challenged to give a proper demonstration." He chuckled softly, "I see." 

We then talked about how Lui was doing in school as we finished eating then moved on to Balthazar's presents. Lui had gotten Balthazar a special journal and pen set. "I know you're wanting mom to teach you her language, and I know learning languages verbally isn't something either of us are good at, so I thought you'd like a place to put everything she teaches you," Lui told him, a blush coming to his cheeks. The journal had a spot in the center of the cover to insert a picture, and Lui put in the photo of all three of us after our snow ball fight when we had gone to the Southern Continent. 

Balthazar gave Lui a genuine smile, "I love it son, thank you." The gift was truly special to him, not just because of it's purpose, but it was also because it was the first gift his son was ever able to give him. He then moved on to one of the boxes that I had given him. There were two small ones. The first he opened was a scrapbook I had made. Lui said in his post on social media that he had photos that basically told of us falling in love so I took them, and made them into a book for him to look at. The photos in Lui's camera also had the dates for each photo so I had written under them. There was more space to add to it as well. The smile on Balthazar's face made my heart melt as he looked at it, going over each page. When he finished he set it to the side and picked up his second gift. It was a special belt that attached to the scabbard to his new sword. He looked from the belt to the large box before looking at me and I couldn't contain my bright smile. 

He went over to the box and unwrapped it before opening it. His new sword was the same weight of his old one. The hilt was black, the pommel a silver crest of the kingdom. Down the length of the blade in the center had Otho's vow engraved in it in the demon language that I had to research. I then put Otho's vow in my language on the other side of the blade. "I love it," he told me and I felt his love and happiness through the bond. "I'm glad," I told him. "We still have a few hours before the celebration, let's go enjoy the nice weather," Balthazar suggested and I thought that was a great idea. 

We out to the field where our dragons were. The males were chasing each other in the air while Sioc was enjoying a drink of water from the pond. When they saw us, they landed eagerly while Sioc came over gracefully. Everyday they were getting bigger and bigger. No longer did they look like the sweet little hatchlings. Sioc still had the same bright eyes that were filled with love and loyalty towards me. She lowered her head and I ran my hand along the side of her neck. Lui was laughing as Destroyer tried to get him to play. Rí laid on the ground by Balthazar. Balthazar petted the dragon while keeping an eye on Lui. 

"Soon you'll be able to ride her," Balthazar told me. I shook my head, "I much prefer to stay on the ground unless in a plane." "Flying is so much fun," Lui told me excitedly. "I can't wait till I can use my wings to fly on my own." 

The only time I had been flying, not in a plane, was when Balthazar flew me back to the castle after we had been kidnapped during the field trip. The idea frightens me a little to be honest. Balthazar rested a hand on my hip and I leaned into him. We then spent the rest of our time playing with the dragons before we had to get ready for the celebration. Balthazar wore his royal clothes with his sword on his hip. I wore a strapless gown that started as white but slowly goes to gray then to black. I pinned my hair up and put on my earrings. I slipped on a pair of black heels before stepping into the room. Balthazar let his eyes trail over me and I felt my cheeks warm. "Shall we," he asked while holding out his hand. I took it and we left the room. 

The celebration was filled with many of Balthazar's friends and family. Even a few from the Legion were here. Lui had run off with Yulen and Laceria leaving us parents to enjoy the party. I was talking with Gabriela when the attack happened. A massive explosion sent me flying backwards, hitting the wall really hard. I cracked my eyes opened and saw many were injured or dead. I saw Balthazar get to his feet, just as someone came in. Balthazar was bleeding from a wound in his shoulder. I looked at the man who entered. It was Deckland. Balthazar drew his sword and both began to fight. 

I had to get up. I went to move, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me. It was Doc. He had a cut above his right eye, blood making him keep it closed. "You have glass in your side Princess, try not to move," he told me. I looked down and sure enough, I did. Waylend then came over, blood dripping from his ears. 

"Lui," I whispered. "The Legion who weren't here are already on their way, I'll have them track down the kids," Waylend said. Mokoto and Sarshay rushed over. "We came when we heard the explosion," Mokoto said. "Gather the servants and healers," I managed to get out before groaning softly. "Save your strength Princess," Doc told me. Mokoto ran off while Sarshay stayed with Doc. "I can't remove it," Doc told her. "I don't know just where it's punctured." Sarshay looked around, "Let me find Toya." Sarshay ran off and soon she was back with a healer who had the purple diamond indicating she was a witch on her forehead. "Can you see how bad it is," Sarshay asked her. Toya's eyes began to glow, "She's bleeding internally in a few places. If she moves she can cause the glass to puncture her stomach." "Can we remove it," Doc asked her. Toya nodded, "However, if we don't find a way to stop the bleeding, she'll bleed out." "Don't worry about that," I whispered. Doc and Waylend looked at me before sharing a look with the healer. Doc then gripped the glass and pulled it out slowly. As he did, I froze the wound to keep from bleeding out. It was only a temporary fix as long as I stay conscious. The moment I pass out, it'll melt. 

I panted and tried to get to my feet, but Waylend kept me down. "You are far too injured to help the Commander." Bawler soon came over in his armor. "The Commander's fight has taken him to the skies. His brother is using a dark power that goes against the practice of the Gods." "The bomb," I whispered as dizziness began to take over me. "He had to make sacrifices. That's why he blew up the party. The more he managed to kill, the stronger he'll be." "Save your strength you highness," Sarshay told me. 

Mokoto then came back. "Lui, Yulen, and Laceria have been located, they were with the dragons when the attack happened. They're safe and uninjured. The dragons were protecting them. When I got them to safety, the dragons went to assist Prince Balthazar." I nodded, "Thank you." When healers came with a stretcher, Doc and Waylend moved me to it and I was taken away. 

Balthazar's POV

I channeled my powers and my anger as I fought my brother. "You just had to take my throne and my mate," Deckland seethed as our swords clashed. "I didn't take anything from you," I said, my foot slamming into his chest, sending him back. "You were seen as unfit, so our father gave the throne to me. As for my mate, you were the one that rejected her, giving her to me. Do not blame me for what was your fault." Our swords continued to clash until Destroyer shot up out of no where, grabbing Deckland by the wings with his mouth. Destroyer tossed him towards Sioc who slammed her tail into him, slamming him into the ground with a force great enough to create a small crater. Rí then came and pinned him down as I landed. I pointed my sword at Deckland, "You should never underestimate me." Deckland smirked before another explosion sent me flying backwards. I could hear Rí cry out in pain as well. I pushed myself to my hands and knees. I looked over to Deckland who was crawling out of the hole, blood dripping from his mouth. He smiled, showing his blood coated teeth. "I will be back brother," he promised before disappearing. I pushed myself to my feet and staggered. Suddenly Mokoto was there catching me. "I've got you sir," he said. "Azula," I asked him. "She had been severely injured during the explosion. She is with the healers now," he answered. I nodded as black crept in around my vision. Mokoto's grip tightened as I struggled to stay awake. The healers came with a stretcher and I was taken away.