Flames Of Redemption

95

The ship lurched forward, the engines humming softly as they ascended into the air. Regan glanced out the window, feeling a sense of disorientation as the landscape beneath them shifted and changed. They were going high above the clouds, the landscape like a dead mass of grey stone.

She couldn't help but feel awkward by Sirius's presence, while her mother Octavia was just staring at him, a mixture of anger, fear, and disappointment filling her eyes. Regan wished he could go sit somewhere else, not right in front of them.

The girl in uniform turned back, holding two trays of food and drinks. She pressed a button somewhere on the ship's wall and a platform appeared floating in front of Regan and her mother, making them both jump slightly. "Your meal," she announced, placing the trays down on the platform. Sirius smiled as he watched them.

"What about you, master?" Her voice was sleek and sweet and Regan fought the urge to swear out loud.

"Wine."

The girl nodded, pouring a glass from one of the bottles on the tray. She handed it to Sirius, who took a sip before glancing at Regan and her mother. "You two can eat first. I'll wait." He smirked, taking another sip of his wine.

"I'm not hungry," Regan hissed through gritted teeth. She was dying to eat but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction.

"Oh, come now, Princess. You've got to keep your strength up." Sirius insisted, leaning forward slightly. "Besides, if you don't eat, you might faint. And you know what happens then? You fall into my arms, like you did before. And I don't think you want that." He winked at her, his smirk growing even wider.

Octavia growled under her breath, her anger rising as she glared at Sirius. "Leave her alone, Sirius. You have no idea what you're saying. If you dare touch her again..." Her words trailed off, but the threat hung heavy in the air.

"Alright, alright," Sirius said, shaking his head.

Octavia took the meal and told Regan to eat as well but Regan was way too angry to even think about food. She wanted to hurt Sirius, wanted to make him pay for what he'd done to them. The anger inside her was so strong, so consuming, that she felt like she was going to explode.

"Sweetie, eat something," Octavia urged, her voice gentle despite the anger in her eyes. "You need your strength." Regan loked at her mother, feeling a pang of guilt at the worry in her expression. But she couldn't make herself eat his food. He'd just be even more pleased if she did.

The ship continued to ascend higher, the air growing colder and thinner. Regan watched out of the window, looking how the view had turned all black with only a few stars visible, the clouds far below. It was beautiful and terrifying at the same time. She wished she could enjoy it without Sirius there. She had just found her mother but he wasn't leaving them alone.

"Regan eat, please. Don't mind him. He just wants your attention, can't you see?" Octavia whispered, her voice barely audible. Regan glanced at her mother, feeling a stab of guilt as she saw the pain and fear in her eyes. She didn't even know why her mother thought Sirius wanted her attention. She hadn't thought it in that way. She had thought it was just to make her mad and furious, to make her feel powerless. But now she wasn't so sure.

Sirius smiled, taking another sip of his wine. He leaned back in his seat, watching them both intently. His general, Vlad appeared from behind him and told him something in the ear. Sirius nodded and got up. He left the compartment, closing the door behind him.

"Finally." Octavia sighed in relief, leaning back in her seat. "Sweetie, eat now. You haven't eaten for days." She tried to force a reassuring smile. Regan couldn't help but listen to her mother, feeling the weight of her words. She knew Octavia was right, she needed to keep her strength up. But it was hard, with Sirius always there, always watching her, always making her feel...