After saying goodbye to everyone, Marina, Ally, Nathan, Lucca and Brialle accompanied by some servants and a team of soldiers set out for Mystic Falls. From Silvette (the capital of Alves) it could easily take 5-6 days to reach Mystic Falls, that too only if the Mother Nature was on your side.

Marina was sitting in the carriage with Nathan and Brialle while Ally and Lucca followed them on their horses.

"When did you and Brialle become such good friends?" Marina asked Nathan while frowning on seeing how comfortably Brialle sprawled besides Nathan's feet.

"Since...I don't know. It's been quite a long time," Nathan answered while patting Brialle's head.

"I wonder how I didn't notice it."

"Well, your observational skills are not that good, can't blame you for it, Princess," Nathan replied while smirking.

"What do youuuuu-" Marina stopped herself as the carriage suddenly took a sharp turn and her body curled up against Nathan's chest.

"What is the meaning of this? Why did you take that turn?" Nathan asked the carriage driver.

"STOP THE CARRIAGE!!" Nathan ordered but the carriage did not stop.

"Why is he not listening?"

"Same question on my mind."

"I think I know why...Nathan look."

Following Marina's gaze, Nathan looked out from the back window, there was no sign of their soldiers or servants. The turn was deliberately taken to separate them from the others.

Nathan took out his sword from the sheath, ready to attack the driver. But, suddenly a weird odour filled the carriage making Nathan, Marina and Brialle feel drowsy. Marina heard the screeching sound of the halt before darkness engulfed her.

~20 minutes later~

Marina stirred on hearing some noises.

"Shouldn't they be awake by now?"

"How would I know when they would wake up? You gave them the sleeping herbs not me."

Slowly opening one eye at a time, Marina looked around trying to adjust to her new surroundings. She was in a dark cave lighted by lamps. She could make out the silhouettes of six to seven men, her kidnappers. Sighing Marina tried to get up, but her hands were tied with rope to a pole.

"Shhsh...Don't move, they don't know we are awake," Nathan whispered to Marina while looking down.

Marina noticed that both of them were tied to the same pole.

"Who are they? Where is Brialle?" Marina asked Nathan.

"They abducted us, so obviously, they are kidnappers," Nathan answered while smirking.

"Can't you be serious for one moment?" Marina whispered agitated by Nathan's attitude.

"Okay, sorry. Brialle is in the left corner of the cave. Apparently, he bit two of those men."

"That's my boy," Marina said proudly while looking at a tied Brialle from the corner of her eyes.

"We need to get out."

"I know but how?"

"I have a plan. Firstly, continue acting asleep and then take out my dagger from the back pocket of my trouser. It's a foldable dagger and I am sure they don't know about it. Lastly, cut the rope."

"Pretty simple," Marina replied sarcastically.

"It is, now start."

Marina continued to act asleep as she tried to reach for Nathan's pocket, but it was too far and those ropes restricted her movements. She snuggled in Nathan's chest.

"I am doing it for dagger," Marina whispered to Nathan as she successfully grabbed the dagger and started to cut the rope.

"Of course," Nathan answered.

Marina looked up to meet Nathan's green orbs. Nathan's eyes held so many emotions - sadness, irritation and something else, which she couldn't decipher. But, Nathan quickly covered it up with his usual cheerful glint. If Marina wasn't paying attention, she wouldn't have even believed the quick transformation.

"Are you done?" Nathan asked looking at the ground.

"Yes, almost," Marina answered as she successfully cut her ropes and started on Nathan's rope.

"Aww, look at them. They look so cute," One of the men remarked while pointing at Marina and Nathan.

Marina's cheeks instantly flamed up and she snuggled closer to Nathan to hide her blush.

"Don't let their words affect you," Nathan whispered calmly in Marina's ears.

"I-I know," Marina replied as she started to cut the last part.

"Did they just stir? One of you go and check them. I think they are awake," One of the man, probably the leader, ordered.

A man crouched in front of Nathan and Marina, closely inspecting them.

"No sir, they are still unconscious," The man replied while getting up.

Nathan and Marina sighed in relief as the man went away. Just then Brialle started barking and a man holding a whip walked over to where Brialle was.

"This dog is a total nuisance. Now, I will teach him a good lesson," the man said while grinning evilly.

"NO!!" Marina shouted while getting up and pushing the man away before he could use his whip.

"Damn it," Nathan muttered to himself.
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Hello dear readers!!

"El Destino" came second in the Eminence Awards!! I am so happy and wanted to share it with all you.

Back to the story, what do you think will happen next?

Till the next update, keep shining ;)

- Love Addy :)