Unchained

Chapter 12

“How long will you be gone?”

“A week at most. Most likely will be back in a few days though.” Jax replied to Justine. He held Scarlett’s bags in his hands, waiting to set them into a car. Jax had the car delivered, curtsey of Ashton.

Scarlett was already in the passenger side seat. It was her first time ever traveling in a car, that she could remember. While cars are available to anyone who could buy them, the kingdom has very narrow streets unless one lived in the wealthier section. There, the roads were wide enough for a car to travel. The only road that was wide enough for cars outside of the section was the main road which led to the kingdom gate. Otherwise, one would walk to where they needed to go.

Jax didn’t seem to think the car was necessary on the way to Scarlett since it was just him traveling, but he was grateful a car was provided on the way back. Not only would it be more comfortable, the bags could be stored away, and the two could catch up in a relaxed environment.

Justine nodded her head to Jax’s words, before letting him put the luggage in the trunk. He swiftly moved to the driver’s seat. Scarlett was not aware Jax could drive, let alone the fact that he could own a car in the first place.

“Who.. gave y-you the c-car?”

“The heir.”

“T-to the throne?”

“Yes.”

“What’s h-his name?”

“Ashton. I promised him he’d get to meet you when we returned.” Scarlett gulped. She’d be meeting royalty? She grew nervous at the thought.

“It will be okay. I trust him.”

Jax turned to look at Scarlett as he started the car. “Do you trust me?” “Y-Yes..” She paused, trying to somehow control her stutter, “yes.. I do.” He smiled in response. “I’m glad you’re growing more confident. I’m proud of you.” He beamed with pride for her.

“Are you ready?”

“Yup.”

“Cool. Let’s go.”

❧

Scarlett had fallen asleep against the door window. She was awoken by Jax, having gently shook her by the arm.

“We’re here.”

She was surprised to find herself back at Jax’s home, rather than at the castle like she anticipated. “I thought.. I t-thought we were m-meeting royalty?”

“Yes, we are.”

“H-Here?”

“Yes. Ashton and I both agreed it was safer to meet here, especially with you around. His family.. isn’t very..”

“R-Right. I get it.” She cut him off. Royalty were the ones that made anyone but vampires, slaves. She knew that all too well. But.. this heir. Will things change for her and her kind?

Jax raced over to her side of the car, promptly opening the door for her. He reached a hand out to her, hoping she would take it. Scarlett did just that.

In one hand, Jax held Scarlett’s bags. In the other, he held her hand. The two briefly had to pull their hands apart as Jax needed to open the door.

“He should be arriving shortly.” The vampire commented, holding open the door for her. The closer Scarlett got to meeting Ashton, the more nervous she became. Jax rested a hand on her shoulder as she walked inside. Jax wouldn’t ever let anything happen to her, not while she was with him. He wouldn’t let her slip from his grasp this time.

Outside, a car door slammed closed. Ashton had arrived.

“That’s him. I’ll bring your bags up after. Sit somewhere in the living room while I greet him.” Scarlett nodded. She took a seat on the lavish, brown couch. Still the same as it once was. Jax’s home looked less decorated than it did before. More lonely. It was quiet. Nothing stirred besides the front door and Scarlett anxious hands. Jax walked outside and shook Ashton’s hand. “How was your trip, friend?” Ashton asked.

“Successful. She’s in the living room.”

“Excellent. I’m excited to meet her.”

Jax paused. “I’m going to warn you now she is a very anxious person. It took her months to even warm up to me or Maya. As far as I know she’s never met royalty and will probably be a little scared of you at first. I mentioned to her that I trust you but…”

“She not fully on board?”

“Yes.”

“It’s alright. I understand that. I’d be scared too.” With that, the vampires entered into the living room, taking their shoes off. Jax cleared his throat. “Scar.. this is Ashton. Ash.. this is Scarlett.” He spoke, gesturing towards the woman on the couch. Scarlett’s lips were pursed tightly together and she didn’t move.

“Scar?”

“It’s okay, Jax. Give her a moment to process what’s going on.” The prince said, taking a seat on the other end of the couch, with Jax in the middle of the both of them.

After a few moments of silence, Scarlett spoke.

“Y-Your.. highness.” Scarlett dipped her head down in respect. She didn’t say anything else.

“Please, call me Ashton or Ash, whichever you prefer. I’m very excited to see you two together again.” Ashton was pleased with how things turned out. Jax cleared his throat again, to break the silence. “We’re in a little bit of a predicament, Ash. I only gave you brief details earlier but..” He paused, then continued once Ashton gave a nod. “I wanted Scarlett to live here with me. However, it turns out she is very happy with her living situation towards the south of the kingdom. She suggested I live with them, there. I tried to explain to her that I couldn’t just up and leave.”

“Jax is right. He can’t just up and leave. But, before we continue this conversation, I wanted to gift you something, Scarlett.” Ashton fiddled around in his suit pockets. He pulled out a folded piece of paper. He opened it, handing it over to Scarlett. The document was signed by the King himself, stating that Scarlett was a free woman. She was *officially* no longer a slave. The kind gesture caused her eyes to widen. For so long she dreamed of this day.

“I.. T-Thank you so m-much!” She excitedly exclaimed, holding onto the paper with a death grip. She giggled with happiness. Jax’s mouth was slightly agape. “Ash.. Wow, I didn’t expect this.” He said, looking over Scarlett’s shoulder to read the document.

It read, *“As ordered by the King, Scarlett Deathly, a werewolf, has been declared as a free woman. Starting immediately, she is no longer a slave and will treated with respect. Anyone who violates this order will be subjected to a punishment. Any further questions or concerns should be reported to the King’s current advisor.”*

Beaming a genuine smile, Scarlett set the document onto the coffee table.

“Secondly, Scarlett.. Do you understand what Jax is saying? He has responsibilities here and relieving him of his duties right now is time consuming and a long process. He’d need to find someone to replace his role and also get it approved by the royal family. Commoners and others, unlike the nobles and higher up positions, do not need permission to leave. But because Jax is noble, he must get permission.”

“But because you are a free woman now, you can chose to stay here in the kingdom with Jax.. without facing any conflicts.”

Jax spoke up next. “So if I were to leave, what happens to my things? My house, my title?” He asked with curiosity and dread.

With a sigh, the prince answered back, “Well, for one, you would lose your title as a noble. Secondly, while you would be able to take your things from the home, the actual house itself would be put up for sale. You wouldn’t be labeled as a traitor or exiled completely.. but it would be incredibly difficult to worm your way back in to the kingdom and regain any sort of status.”

“What if it is temporary?”

“Then, you would just need to find a replacement and return within 6 months.”

“6 months only? You can’t be serious..”

“Unfortunately, I am. My father has strict rules about these things. I am hoping to change these up when I ascend the throne, but the timeline of it is messy.”

Scarlett gulped. He would lose everything if he permanently moved into the building. Everything, all for her. “D-Do we have time.. t-to think about i-it?” “Oh, absolutely yes, take all the time you need. This is a big decision.” Jax leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. He huffed.

“I wish I could help you guys, but my hands are tied here. I can only do so much as a prince.” Scarlett squeezed Jax’s hand tightly. The two were quiet. The silence in the room was deafening. A pin could drop. The tension of the room could be cut with a knife.

“I.. think I should go. I’ll be in contact, Jax.” Ashton bid a goodbye to the pair before heading out. The car eventually sped off in one direction, getting fainter the further it moved away.

Scarlett closed her eyes.

“I wish I c-could tell Justine right n-n-now.”

“You can and you will, in a few days. We will figure this out one way or another and no matter what, I will not leave your side. Nothing will come between you and I.”

*‘Nothing? Not even his family? What about the royals?’* Scarlett’s gaze turned to him at his words after opening her eyes again. “I promise.” A smile formed on her lips, leaning in to hug Jax. She pressed her face into his chest.

“It will all be okay.”