Forty six
*Freya*
“I heard you were captured by the Sunshades. That must have been so awful. I’m so glad you are back and safe with us now” Addy commented the moment I walked into the Crimson palace. She looked so relieved to see me that I couldn’t help but smile at her and enveloping her in a tight hug. I had missed her so much. The other ladies stood in front, watching us intently.
After we broke apart, I turned to find Kelly and Jessica glaring daggers at me. I raised my chin up and stared them down. I was done allowing them intimidate me every time they had the chance. I was done being the girl that got bullied.
“Hello, Sis,” I said, my voice dripping with intended sarcasm. She glared even harder at me as I approached her.
“Back from your little trip I see,” She chuckled, but I could see the fury hiding in her eyes. She must have thought she had triumphed when I left. She had scared her sister away as she always did. Not this time. Not anymore.
“As a matter of fact, yes I am. The Alpha king himself brought me right back to the palace. I guess I’m too special for him to let go. You’d better watch your back sweet sis,” I taunted her, loving the furious expression she gave me. If looks could kill, she would have destroyed me right on the spot. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it, her attention shifting to someone behind me.
Before I turned, I already felt his presence behind me. Potent and strong. I took a deep breath and turned to him. My breath caught in my throat. Rafe was staring at me so intensely that I felt the heat of his gaze sliding tantalizingly. His eyes seemed to bore into my skin. I turned my face away as he came to us. The other ladies smiled and gathered closely around him.
“Lady Freya, may I have a word with you… in private? Just a few seconds.” Rafe was asking but his voice had that command in it that brooded no room for disagreement. I turned to him. He raised his eyebrow, waiting for me to say yes like he wanted. Connor and Rafael had also walked inside. Rafe glared at me now, clearly angry that I hadn’t given an answer to his not-so-gentle request.
I moved closer to Rafe and before I could change my mind, I dipped into a slow curtsy. “Forgive me, my king,” I said in a soft voice that sounded so fake. I wanted him to know I was taunting him. I would not let him control me. And I would let the girls see that I had him wrapped around my fingers. At least for now. A little voice said.
“But I cannot talk right now, as I am extremely exhausted from the trip I had and I need to take a moment to gather myself. Perhaps you could talk to um… Jessica instead?” Series of gasps broke in the room. Connor looked positively shocked and Rafael looked like he wanted to uproot me from where I stood. Too bad.
The girls stared between Rafe and I, shocked written so clearly on their faces. Even Addy looked surprised.
“Did she just reject the king in public?” Someone from outside said loud enough for me to hear. I smiled with pleasure as I realized that almost everyone in the whole palace had seen me talk back at Rafe. Without waiting for him to say anything, or even sparing a glance at his face, I turned on my heel and cat walked away. A rueful smile on face knowing that he was probably furious with me for embarrassing him in front of everyone.
As soon as I stepped into my room, I exhaled a breath that I didn’t realize I had been holding. A part of me was worried about the potential trouble I could have gotten myself into.
“Miss Freya, you’re back!” My maids rushed towards me and enveloped me in a hug. Flo and Clara sniffled while Grace planted kisses on my cheeks so enthusiastically that I thought they might break.
“Take it easy, guys.” I chuckled at their reactions. My maids were always so loving and caring. I smiled at them, feeling grateful for their warmth and affection.
“Are you alright?” Grace asked as she pulled me forward towards my bathtub. I thought about everything I had put myself through, almost getting killed in the evil forest, being captured by the sunshades, Almost getting raped and killed. To top it up, I had overhead Rafe telling his Gamma that he Jessica was his first choice right after having the best time of my life with him. I sighed sadly.
“Not really,” I answered. “But I’ll be fine.”
Grace nodded with a smile that said she understood that I didn’t want to talk about it. “Come on, let’s prepare a nice, hot bath for you”
I quickly pulled off my clothes and stepped into the bath tub, welcoming the heat from the water as it melted the stress away from my body. I sighed happily, letting my eyes drift close as Grace began washing my body.
..
My eyes fluttered open and I blinked in confusion. Where was I? The last thing I remembered, I had been relaxing in the bathtub while Grace washed my body with a soft sponge, the warm water soothing my tired muscles. But now, as my vision cleared, I realized I was no longer in the familiar confines of my bathroom. How was this possible?
I sat up slowly, my head spinning. Looking around, I tried to get my bearings. I was sitting in the middle of a shallow stream, the water crystal clear and frigid. It lapped against my legs, numbing them with its icy touch. Shivering, I noticed how quiet it was – an eerie, unnatural silence broken only by the faint bubbling of the stream.
Unease prickled my skin. I tried to stand up to get out of the freezing water, but something held me back. Glancing down, I saw that my left ankle was tightly bound with a rope, the other end disappearing into the rocky streambed, anchoring me in place.
“What is this? Hello?” I called out, my voice sounding small and frightened in the stillness. “Is anyone there? Grace?”
Only silence answered me. I tugged frantically at the rope, trying to work it free, but it held fast. Panic started to rise in my throat. Where was I and how did I get here? Was this some sort of bizarre dream? If so, I needed to wake up, to find myself back in the safe haven of my room with my maid’s presence.
The icy water soaked through my thin gown, raising goosebumps on my flesh as I continued struggling against my bonds. My teeth began to chatter and I rubbed my free leg, trying to bring some warmth back into it. I had to get out of here, had to find a way to free myself before I froze to death or worse. But no matter how hard I pulled, the rope wouldn’t budge.
I realized I was stuck here.
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