The Shackled Sorceress' Mate

Going Home

I run through the forest again, ignoring the slaps of branches as they angrily grab at my face and my dress. The woods are eerily still, though. They’re normally crawling with creatures and the distant howls of wolves can be heard every night. My heart thuds in my chest as I look to the sky and wonder if that dragon has gotten any closer yet. 

I hope I can get back to my tower before it gets too close to town. 

But let’s be honest here, I’d rather face the dragon than my father.

So I have to pray that I can get back inside unnoticed.

When I cross the tree line and see my tower on the edge of the castle grounds, I breathe a sigh of relief. Everyone should be asleep by now, so I should be able to go through the courtyard and up the stairs… as long as the guards are sufficiently drunk tonight.

I scale the heavy stone wall with ease, just like I’ve done so many dozens of times before. When I peek over the edge, the guards are nowhere in sight. Maybe the dragon scared them into hiding too.

A victorious smile creeps across my lips. I’ll have to thank that hideous creature if I ever meet it face-to-face.

I swing my legs over the wall and plop down into the dirt, a cloud of dust puffing up around my filthy ankles.

I brush myself off a little then stride toward my tower to get a good night’s rest. Who knows the next time I’ll get a taste of freedom.

The winding stone staircase to my room is long and lonely. I think my dad puts me up here to keep his embarrassment to a minimum. Let’s face it. I’m a disgrace. I won’t get married, I like to party, and I have no magical abilities. To him, I’m just a waste of oxygen. But really, who wants to get married and be a servant to a man forever anyway?

Ew.

I shake my head at the thought, finally reaching my room at the top of the tower. I push the door open, looking forward to flipping lazily onto my bed. 

But alas, my room isn’t as empty as I’d hoped.

I let out a long sigh and brace myself for what’s to come.

“Hello, father,” I say.