Page 31 of Ravenrose

And then they left.

That was hours ago. Hours and hours I spent struggling against the unforgiving iron binding my wrists, and trying to spit out the gag, to no avail. All the adrenaline and fight I’d summoned has long since ebbed away. Exhaustion and pain took its place.

The tent has darkened with the setting sun, making it nearly impossible to see. Two small candles flickering all the way across the tent are the only source of light within the space—the only light breaking up the shadow. They emit just enough light to illuminate a dark desk covered in documents and maps of various sizes. It stands opposite a small washbasin, with a small table and chairs nearby.

The captain must be a big deal to not only have his own personal quarters, but so many amenities as well. Admittedly, I haven’t really gotten a good look at him, but he hardly looks old enough to have earned the title.

I stare forlornly at the cold, dark, fire pit near the center of the tent. The teeth-chattering chill in my bones can attest to the fact that the Kovari soldiers purposely didn’t bother lighting it before they left.

They tied me to the wooden post—one of the ones holding up the tent—which had been hammered deep into the earth, making it more than secure. The post stands conveniently to the left of a large pallet of soft furs and blankets.

His bed.

Not for the first time tonight, my mind goes to just how bad things could get for me when the captain finally returns. What Theo alluded to… I choke back the rising vomit.

But so far, the captain hasn’t shown himself. And after spending hours unsuccessfully trying to wriggle free of my restraints, I’d crumpled to the ground, tired and defeated… with nothing to do but wait.

Shouts from outside the tent send my knees to my chest—the only protection I have—watching the opening of the tent like a hawk for any sign of movement.

Fatigue pricks at my eyes and my head is swimming, still pounding from where I hit it earlier. We didn’t sleep last night after spotting the Kovarian troops, and I’d gotten very little the night before. But for how tired I am, I can’t sleep.

A breeze simmers through the cool night air, brushing open the tent flaps with a small gust, and every muscle in my body goes rigid. After several long seconds, when no one enters, I release my breath, my body slumping back against the post.

I suppose I should be thankful the prince’s men had left so quickly that they hadn’t even bothered to check me for weapons. My knife remains strapped against my upper thigh, still hidden under my skirts, despite the large tear up one leg. After giving up on wriggling free, I spent the better part of the last hour trying to work out how to get ahold of the blade.

I shift again, my wrists screaming with the slight movement. Hours of trying to slip free of the iron cuffs has not been kind to my skin.

No matter how many times I twist, reach, and strain for the dagger sheathed at my thigh, I lean back against the wooden pole at my back, staring up at the tent’s ceiling, finally acknowledging that getting away may just be impossible.

All I can do now is wait for Rusic to release me, and when he does… my knife will be ready.

I try to be content with the plan, but fear has its hold on me, and I cannot hide from the monster inside my head.

I should be dead.

They should have killed me.

Instead, I was given away on a whim—an object to possess. A gift.

A low growl escapes me, my cheeks burning with anger. I am Princess Rowena Vivietta Valrose of Sitara, and under no circumstances will I bow to some human captain, general, or whoever the fuck he thinks he is.

I cling to that rage, letting it carry me to the next minute—the next hour—the next day?

Will I even see tomorrow?

Perhaps the captain will do me a favor and kill me immediately. He hardly seemed interested in anything other than my swift death. Only my title had given him pause back in the ballroom. I later found out from Theo’s men that any royals found were to be delivered to the prince.

That’s it. My way out. If escape isn’t an option, I will make him kill me. I have to.

I won’t let him use me against my brothers.

I won’t let him use me, period.

I place escape high on my to-do list, but I’m not dense enough to think it will be an easy task.

The captain’s tent is only a short walk from the prince’s. While they didn’t blind me again with that light-cursed hood, I was too busy resisting them on the walk over to properly assess my surroundings.

Stupid mistake.