Dawn came way too soon and I was already seeing a member of the Elite coming my way. My heart started to pound faster and harder. My breathing accelerated and my vision darkened. My wings instinctively wrapped around my body as if protecting me and reinsuring me that everything was going to be okay. I never thought I would ever lose my wings, especially not in that way.
It seemed they noticed me on the roof because I heard someone’s footsteps behind me. I didn't dare to turn around and stayed as I was. In a little ball with my wings surrounding me. Someone coughed a few times, making me turn around. It was the Prince! I quickly turned around, bowed and apologized for my rudeness. He nodded and accepted my apology before placing his hand on my shoulder.
"You must be scared and suffering from the thought of losing your wings. I know how much you love them. I want you to know that I'm here to apologize. I wish I could change the law, but..." the Prince stopped before closing his eyes. "If only we found Daniel Vanburen nothing of this would have happened."
"Thank you, your Highness, for your concern... But I'm afraid that doesn't change anything..." I said sadly.
"Well..." he hesitated, "For your case, since it wasn't you that committed the crime, there's a way to win your wings back," he explained.
"How!?" I exclaimed interestedly as a feeling of relief suddenly invaded me.
"When Daniel Vanburen will be found and his punishment given, you'll be able to have your wings back."
"If he's found..." my hope suddenly flew away as fast as it came. If the Elite didn't find him this time, how the hell would they find him in the future?
He didn't comment on what I said, so I supposed he didn't have that much hope either. I sighed, now more depressed than I already was. I looked at the sun slowly coming out, illuminating our lands, but not my heart.
"It's time," announced a guard landing next to me.
I nodded and got up to follow him. This would really be the last time I would be flying. I looked at my surroundings and saw a stage in front of the communal house. Great, it would be a public punishment...
On the stage, there was nothing more than a table with a bottle and a drinking glass on it. We waited until people started to wake up and soon enough, a large crowd was surrounding the stage. I was so nervous. If only I didn't propose myself to take all the traitor responsibility. If only I didn't...
"Thank you to have you all gathered this early in the morning, but I have truly sad news to announce you. Two days ago, my Father, the King had been attacked by Daniel Vanburen," there were gasps and mumblings all over the crowd. “Fortunately, the King is still alive, but he is still very weak. As his only successor, I'll be replacing him until further news. However, this isn't the sole reason why you were summoned. As everyone knows, Daniel Vanburen has to be punished with the ultimate punishment. Even if he is currently missing, his son, Keith Vanburen, accepted to take the responsibility."
There was a pause and everyone attention was now on me making me more uncomfortable. Then I saw Sebastian, his face showed horror and concern in his eyes. I tried to smile to comfort him a bit, but I didn't succeed and made a grimace instead.
"Keith Vanburen wasn't an accomplice or the one breaking the law, so only his wings will be taken in the less painful way possible. And when the real culprit will be found, his wings will be returned," the Prince finished before turning around to open the only bottle on the table and filled the glass with a transparent liquid.
He walked toward me and gave me the glass. I reluctantly accepted it and looked at it for a very long time before tearing my eyes from the object to the crowd. No one was talking. They were all staring at me. I could see it in their eyes. People were pitying me, their eyes told me all. My mom and Angela were both crying and Sebastian was now nowhere to be found...
Slowly, I leaned the glass against my lips and observed the liquid slide into my open mouth. Taking a deep breath, I swallowed everything down. At first, I didn't feel anything. Then, I felt a burning sensation spreading from my chest to my back. It was unbearable. It felt as if someone pushed and folded my wings into my back. I crumbled on the floor while gasping for air.
I could feel a drop of sweat slid down on my forehead as my body was trembling uncontrollably. I curled into a ball, hoping to make the pain disappear which wasn't the case. I didn't know how long it took, but the pain didn't seem to want to subside.
Suddenly like magic, there was no more pain, no more burning sensation. So, I slowly stood up but ended up losing my balance. When I waited for the floor to hit me, nothing came. I looked up, and Sebastian was there holding me in his arms. He helped me to stand up, and I felt so... Light.
I tried to look at my back and there was nothing. Absolutely nothing, I felt naked. Then I looked at the crowd who still didn't move an inch. People looked at me as if I had two heads.
"Do I look so different without wings?" I mumbled to no in particular.
Immediately after my question, people started to argue. Some were saying that I shouldn't be admitted here anymore. That I wasn’t one of them anymore since I didn't have wings anymore. Some others argued saying that it wasn't my fault. That I just obeyed the laws, and everyone else in my place would have done the same. People were so in discord which each other that it was utter chaos. Even the Prince had difficulty to calm them down. As for me, I was so absorbed into their arguments that I was only hearing the bad ones. I wasn't wanted. I wasn't like them. I had no wings anymore. I was a monster, a monstrous creature with no wings.
Someone touched my shoulder. Scared, I turned around and saw Sebastian. I didn't really hear what he was saying, but earlier, I saw his expression filled with horror and then, he disappeared. I bet he was really disgusted. He didn't want to be my friend anymore and was telling me to disappear since I was a monster... A monster... A DISGUSTING MONSTER!!!
"STOP!!!" I shouted before running into the forest as fast as I could. It would be better if I disappeared. Everyone would be happier without someone like... Without a monster!
However, before I could go far, Sebastian caught me into his arms and flew high into the sky. Scared to fall, I held to his neck for dear life.
"Put me down! Put me down!!" I shouted as I was frightened to fall.
After an eternal moment, he did finally put me down. But only at a few hundred meters from the ground. Still scared to death, I hugged as tightly as possible the trunk of the tree in front of me.
"WHERE DID YOU TAKE ME?! AND WHY AT A THOUSAND METERS FROM THE GROUND?!" I shouted with my eyes closed.
"If you open your eyes for a second, you'll actually see where we are," he said seriously without any amusement in his tone.
Slowly, but surely, I followed his instruction. I saw the usual and breathtaking view. It wasn't the sunset, but it was enough to calm down, calm enough to listen to him.
"I knew what you were thinking, but don't let the stupid things they said into your mind. The Prince and I think you were very brave to sacrifice your wings for your family. Don't worry, I promise I'll find your father and give back your wings."
"Even if you say that... There are still people who don't want me back. You won't be able to protect me forever. But... Thank you. You made me realize that I wasn't alone. I still have you and my family."
"So you'll stay?" he asked hopefully.
"No, I'll explore our Kingdom. That way, I may have the chance to offer that traitor’s head on a silver platter to the Prince and have my wings back. I know it'll be difficult without my wings, but I prefer doing that than waiting around for my saviour."
"Then let me go with you!" he added more and more desperately.
"It's not your fight..." I started, but then saw his pleading eyes. "Okay, fine," I concede while rolling my eyes. "First, You have to take me down and take me back to my house."
He laughed before taking me into his arms bridal style, but he added an unnecessary comment that made me gave him a bitch slap.
"Did you gain weight? You're heavier than the time with wings..." he admitted.
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