Ch3. A Prisoner Who Was Never Chained
945 Words
Magnolia didn't speak for the entire journey.
She rode on a magnificent black stallion, surrounded by Bloodfang warriors, every instinct screaming that she should escape. Yet something didn't make sense.
No ropes bound her wrists.
No chains weighed her down.
No guard held a blade to her throat.
If she wanted to run, she could certainly try.
But where would she go?
Home?
The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Was Wolfbane still home?
By nightfall, the Bloodfang fortress rose from the mountains like something carved from legend.
Massive black stone walls towered over the valley, lit by hundreds of silver torches. Crimson banners bearing the Bloodfang crest snapped in the cold wind.
It looked intimidating.
Yet as the gates opened, Magnolia didn't hear frightened whispers.
She heard laughter.
Children chased one another through the courtyard.
Merchants closed their stalls for the evening.
Healers hurried toward injured warriors returning from battle.
It wasn't a fortress full of monsters.
It was a home.
"My King!"
A young girl with long black curls came racing across the courtyard.
She couldn't have been older than seven.
Without hesitation, Evander knelt and caught her as she threw herself into his arms.
"You came back!" she squealed.
"I promised I would."
Magnolia watched in disbelief.
The ruthless Alpha King gently tucked a loose curl behind the little girl's ear.
"Were you brave while I was gone?"
She nodded proudly.
"I helped Miss Clara bandage the warriors!"
"I'm proud of you."
The little girl beamed.
Magnolia frowned.
Monsters weren't supposed to smile at children like that.
The girl's bright blue eyes landed on Magnolia.
She tilted her head.
"Who's she?"
Evander looked toward Magnolia.
"This is Magnolia Thornheart."
The little girl smiled brightly.
"Hi!"
Magnolia blinked.
"...Hello."
The child walked closer.
"Are you staying with us?"
Magnolia hesitated.
"I don't know."
The little girl nodded as if that made perfect sense.
"That's okay."
She slipped her tiny hand into Magnolia's.
"You can eat dinner with me."
Before Magnolia could respond, the child skipped away toward the kitchens.
Evander chuckled softly.
"Lily has apparently decided you're family."
"I thought you said I was your prisoner."
"I said I was bringing you here."
He looked at her seriously.
"I never said prisoner."
Inside the great hall, Magnolia expected a cold welcome.
Instead, every warrior stood as Evander entered.
Not out of fear.
Out of respect.
"My King," they greeted in unison.
Evander acknowledged them with a nod.
Then he surprised everyone.
"This is Magnolia Thornheart."
Every eye turned toward her.
"No one will disrespect her."
His voice carried effortlessly across the room.
"She is under my protection."
One warrior frowned.
"But, my King... she's from Wolfbane."
Evander's gaze turned icy.
"Did I stutter?"
The warrior immediately lowered his head.
"No, my King."
Magnolia stared at Evander.
He hadn't introduced her as a prisoner.
He hadn't called her a hostage.
He hadn't called her spoils of war.
He had simply protected her.
Dinner was quieter than she expected.
Lily insisted Magnolia sit beside her.
She happily filled Magnolia's plate with roasted meat, fresh bread, and vegetables.
"You have to eat."
Magnolia smiled despite herself.
"Thank you."
Across the table, Evander watched the exchange.
"You smiled."
Magnolia looked up.
"What?"
"You smiled."
She immediately looked away.
"I did not."
"You did."
Lily giggled.
"You really did."
Magnolia sighed dramatically.
"I liked it better when everyone thought I was scary."
Evander laughed.
A genuine, warm laugh.
The sound caught her completely off guard.
For just a second...
He looked less like a king...
And more like a man.
Later that night, a maid showed Magnolia to a beautiful suite overlooking the mountains.
She frowned.
"There must be some mistake."
The maid looked confused.
"My King ordered these rooms prepared."
"I thought prisoners stayed in cells."
The maid smiled kindly.
"Our king doesn't keep innocent women in cages."
Magnolia stood speechless.
After the maid left, she wandered through the room.
A roaring fireplace.
Fresh flowers on the table.
A wardrobe already stocked with dresses in her size.
Then she noticed something that made her chest tighten.
A basket rested on the bed.
Inside were healing herbs, fresh parchment, ink, and several medical books.
She whispered to herself.
"How...?"
A quiet knock sounded.
Evander stood outside the door.
"I won't come in unless you invite me."
She folded her arms.
"What is this?"
He glanced toward the basket.
"I was told you're an excellent healer."
"I am."
"I thought you might like to continue your work."
She searched his face for some hidden motive.
She found none.
"Why?"
"Because war shouldn't take away the things that make you who you are."
Magnolia's defenses cracked just a little.
"You know almost nothing about me."
"No."
His silver-gray eyes met hers.
"But I'd like to."
He inclined his head politely.
"Rest well, Magnolia."
As he turned to leave, she noticed something dark staining the back of his black shirt.
Blood.
"Wait."
He paused.
"You're injured."
"It's nothing."
She frowned.
"It doesn't look like nothing."
He smiled faintly.
"I've survived worse."
"You'll survive longer if someone treats it."
Their eyes met.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Evander sighed.
"Is that your healer's order?"
Magnolia crossed her arms.
"It is."
The corner of his mouth lifted.
"Very well, Lady Healer."
For the first time since leaving Wolfbane...
Magnolia wasn't thinking about escaping.
She was thinking about the wounded man standing in her doorway.
And for the first time in years...
Someone had asked for her help because they valued her gift.
Not because it was expected.
Not because it was her duty.
But because they believed in her.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD