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I can feel her nerves mixing with mine. “Thank you,” she mutters, sitting down.
“Drink?” he asks, and I’m proud as she shakes her head.
“Where is the envoy?”
“He’s coming.” The guard takes a seat opposite her, taking a swig from the bottle. Camellia’s brow must’ve shot up as he laughs at her. “I won’t tell if you won’t, darling.” His eyes glint.
The guard is wearing our palace uniform, but I’ve never seen him before. I don’t recognise his wavy, dark brown hair or his boyish grin. There’s something off about his right eye too. Beneath it is a faint scar shaped like a lightning bolt.
Oddly, it seems to only add to his handsomeness.
“See something you like?”
Camellia flinches. “No. I was just thinking that I haven’t seen you here before.”
“I’m new.” He shrugs before leaning forward. “Why don’t you have a biscuit?”
“What?” she breathes.
“You should try a biscuit,” he repeats, an odd smile on his face. “They’re nice. My favourite kind.”
She blinks at him until eventually he sighs. “And it will make this whole experience a lot more pleasant for you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She grips her skirt as darkness shutters over him.
“It means, Princess Blossom, that you are going to do exactly what I say unless you would like for me to gag you, tie you up, and carry you over my shoulder to my horse.”
“What?” she squeaks.
“Behave now, Blossom, and this will all go so nicely for you.”
“But I-I’m not Blossom!” she stammers.
He chuckles. “Wouldn’t that be convenient for you?”
Camellia bolts up from her chair. “I’ll scream,” she blurts as the man stands up with a bored sigh. “I’ll run!” She shuffles back.
“Believe me, I’m faster,” he chuckles, drawing closer. “But if you want to run so badly I won’t complain. Watching your pretty arse will be worth it.” He winks while she scoffs.
“How dare you—”
“Too slow.” He captures her wrist.
Eden.
“Get off me!” she yells before a hand covers her mouth. Together, we thrash against him, but it’s pointless. He’s at least six foot five and feels like he lifts boulders all day.
“Relax, mi sirensha, my crew and I will take good care of you,” he purrs into her ear. “You will have a nice life on my ship. We’ll look after you.”
Eden!
She thrashes around, squealing, until something is tied around her mouth and the world flips upside down, a loud rip sounding as her cloak…
“...Eden! Eden! Damn it, wake up!”
I gasp as my vision clears. I’ve never had a memory last that long before. Normally it’s just little glimpses or a feeling. Never like this.
“Eden, are you alright?”
