He looks both a millennia and a few decades old at once. His golden circlets rust is the only indicator that he has been around for far longer than even gold can withstand.

“Rise” the king says, his tone arrogant and bored. I suppose in a life of immortality, my mortal life is just a bump on the road.

I get up from my knees, though it would be much easier if my arms weren’t restrained.

One of the guards with silver wings comes to help me, but then questions what the king would do and cowers back.

The king gets up from his throne, his tall figure looming over me from the steps. Still, his wings look like they could crumble with a blow of the wind.

Looking quite amused at my state, he grins. “Humans are like flowers” he says. “Beautiful, until they quickly wither away and become no more”

“Then what are you like?” I retort, no genuine curiosity. The longer I can get him talking, the sooner Anna can get me out of here.

The kings wings lightly flutter, hand to his chin. “The sun. It shines eternally.”

I roll my eyes, untying the ropes behind my back while he and the guards are distracted in conversation. “Even the sun will fade one day.”

“No sooner than the flower” he says.

While I may wither, at least I won’t rot.