getting

been asleep for days-no, years. The first thing I saw was the fireplace, its soft, flickering glow dancing along

rt didn't

d it when I took in

ouldn't recognize but that made my stomach twist. A large, roughly-carved table sat off to the side, cluttered with o

he hell

small, makeshift bed. The mattress was lumpy, the blanket scratchy, and everything about the place screamed not hom

een kid

hinner than I remembered-but unbound. No cuffs, no ropes, no bruises. If

take, my

ed my teeth and fought through it. I stumbled to the door, careful not to trip on the uneven floorboards.

h a dull thud that echoed a little too loud for comfort. The hallway beyond was dimly l

held my breath and watched as they passed by, their silhouettes tall and elegant in the flickering torchlight. They didn't noti

ks-sunlight. I could feel it even before I reached it. My fingers trembled as I re

me more th

shouting. No o

ra

scattered cottages and farms, strange markings on banners I didn't understand. The place f

o get out.

en it

was

was the last thing I remembered? Who did I love? The questions spiraled thro

all I had. Nyla. Beyo

ow where I was going, but every instinct in my body screamed run.

meone

ckward, preparing to hit the floor. But instead, strong arms caught me mid-fa

strong and steady. I looked up, and

s bea

ue and oddly confused, like he didn't know what he was looking at. Full lips curled sligh

learly as sta

ody heat was oddly comforting, almost distracti

he

us. He immediately let me go, and I stepped back, daze

or obstacle had been his chest.

ple I'd ever seen-and every inch of hi

standing beside him, holding his hand a

rf

didn't see where I was going-I was

," the brunette interrupted. Her tone was syrupy

't lik

we called out for you to stop. You didn't respond." He looked at

I swallowed har

k anything else. Because

e, huh? No reverence in her voice either. Ca

p

he sleeve of my shirt. I flinched but didn't stop her. She

ave the Cresce

he name of this place? A

pun with

s. I twisted and saw two armored men-silent, expressionl

ling again. "I'm not a spy. I swear. I just wo

voice full of venom. "And you won't give us any useful information.

m. I had no answers. And even i

nt s

rowed like he was trying to solve a puzzle. His gaze held a flicker of curiosity,

e broke th

you'll be held in the dungeons. I

ed me away. What would be the point? I

thought bitterly, Screw my luck. I ne