Captured Witch

XIV. Daniels POV

Daniel’s POV

            Edwin approached me in the drawing room after dinner seeking a private audience. After telling Adalaide to stay I took him to my study. “What is it that you needed to discuss so urgently.”

            “Well, I was just wondering what your plans were for Adalaide. Seeing as I worked so hard to retrieve her and that she is of legal age to marry but you haven’t made any steps to marry her since she has been here.”

            “Was the reward I gave you not substantial enough? I believe I made it clear that what happened to her after she came into my possession was up to me. Now is that all you called me in here for?” Edwin bowed and exited the room quietly. I took a moment to quell my anger at Edwin and his impertinence. Once I felt calm enough, I walked back to the drawing room, only to find Adalaide gone. I quickly scanned the room and didn’t see her at all. I walked over to the guard nearest to the door. “Did you see Adalaide leave?”

            “No, sir. I just got here so there was a brief time where a guard was not here. She may have gone then.” f**k, I’ll need to fix the guard changes then.

            “Order a search for her. Leave no room unchecked, she is quite sneaky.” The guard bowed his head and walked out to give the order. I went back to the room to see if she was there. When I entered the room was empty. “f**k!” I screamed. Why can’t she just stay put like I asked her to? I paced around for what seemed like hours. What if she found a way out like her mother? I’m sure my men are not keen on searching for her again. Finally, the door opened and Adalaide appeared in only her slip with a guard next to her. “Where have you been? Where are your clothes? I told you to stay put! Can’t you listen?” I screamed at her grabbing her arms. She winced back in pain as I began to realize that she looked like she had been through a war. She was covered in bruises and cuts. Her hair was even wilder than it was earlier. “What the f**k happened?” I asked her angrily. I wanted to know who did this to her. I pushed the cuffs on her wrists up.  Her wrists had burn marks on them from what looked like a rope. She pulled her arms away from me and walked passed me to the couch without saying anything. I started to walk to her but the guard she was with pulled me aside.

            “Your majesty, I found her in a gentleman’s bedroom. From the state of her and the room, there was an obvious struggle. It is clear she was taken against her will.” He whispered.

            “Who was it?” I whispered harshly.

            “I believe it was the man who was helping Edwin when she was caught.” Of course, it was. Edwin had pulled me aside, distracted me, so that she could be taken. I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard her gasp in pain. I looked at her then back at the guard.

            “Find Edwin and his accomplice and have them thrown in the prison. I’ll deal with them tomorrow.” I whispered. The guard bowed his head and left the room. I walked over to Adalaide and squatted down in front of her. She has tear stains down her face with fresh ones falling. She was shaking violently like she was cold. I looked into her eyes, but it was as if she didn’t see me. “Are you okay?” I asked. Of course, she isn’t. She shook her head. “Do you—” she stopped me.

            “I don’t want to talk about it right now.” She whispered. I nodded my head and stood up.

            “I’ll have someone draw you a bath and I’ll get the doctor in here.” I stood up and walked outside to the two guards outside my door. “Please fetch a maid to draw a bath and the doctor to treat Adalaide’s wounds.” One guard walked away, and I went back in. I stared at her as she continued to look at the same spot on the wall. She looked so small, the hint of rebellion I enjoyed so much was gone at this moment. I got a gown for her to wear to bed and set it in the bathroom as the maid entered to draw a bath. “Make it hot, she’ll need it.” The maid nodded and did as I told her to. She left and I went to get Adalaide. I motioned at the door for her to come but she shook her head.

            “I don’t know if I can walk on my own right now. The adrenaline has worn off and I can feel everything now.” I rushed over and helped her walk to the tub, setting her on the chair next to it and left. I knew she had a thing about wanting to be by herself. I walked back into the room and poured myself a drink. All I could think of right now was how I was going to kill those men. I sat for a while waiting for her to come out. The water must be cold by now. I heard a small cry then the splash of water. I rushed in to find her grappling the edges of the tub before finally pulling herself up to the side of the tub. She was hanging on tightly, scared she might fall back in. I lifted her up and quickly wrapped her in a towel. Once she had her feet on the ground, she went to take a step forward but lost her footing. I swiftly picked her up, holding her in my arms.

            “I’m not a child, I can walk.” She said angrily.

            “Obviously not,” I said, laughing, “You’re always falling.” She sighed and rolled her eyes. I set her on the couch and slid her gown on over her towel. The doctor walked in with his bag. I stepped back as he walked over to her. He said something and she smiled a bit. He worked on her injuries, talking and asking questions as he went on. Finally, he slid two pills in her hand and walked away. He packed up his bag and came over to me.

            “She put up one hell of a fight, with the injuries to prove it. She should be fine in a day or two though. Let her rest, I gave her some pills to help her sleep and if you find she needs more, stop by and I’ll give you some.”

            “Thank you, Christopher. I’ll see that she’s taken care of.” He left and I noticed that she had gone to sit on the bed. She held her hands in her lap and sat up straight, staring off into space. My heart broke at the sight of her looking so broken. I had no idea how far he had gotten with her. She was shaking so violently again. I knew she was remembering what happened and I wanted her to tell me. I walked over to her and took her hands in mine. “You need to take those pills,” she shook her head, “Please, it will help you forget for now.”

            “I don’t want to forget!” She yelled at me. “I need to remember this, so I’m not caught off guard next time.” She closed her fists tighter like she was ready for a fight.

            “There won’t be a next time.” I retaliated.

            “This shouldn’t have happened this time!” She yelled back. Her face suddenly softened as she whispered, “I’m surrounded by more enemies here than I was in the human world.” Another tear fell down her cheek onto my hand.

            “I’ll make sure I have a guard with you at all times from now on. Now, please take the pills.” I whispered, handing her a glass of water.

            “One condition, if I promise to try and control my temper can you please take off the extra cuff. If I didn’t have it on, I could have defended myself today.” I sighed. I knew she was right. The extra cuff has proven able to control her magic when her emotions are high. It made a peaceful evening, but she was unable to use her magic to protect herself. I reached in my pocket for the key and unlocked the cuff on her right wrist. The cuff slightly hit her burn and she winced.  “Thank you.” She whispered as she dropped her hand back to her lap.

            “One magic-induced tantrum and it goes back on.” I reached up and brushed her cheek lightly. I regretted my decision immediately as she jumped back in fear.

            “I’m sorry, it’s just still so fresh.” She kept crying silently. It hurt me to see her like this. I noticed she had started to shake again so I got her a blanket from the couch. I wrapped it around her and took a deep breath.

            “Take at least one of those, it will help you calm down at least.” I sighed in relief when she took both pills. I got undressed and washed quickly in the bathroom. When I came back, she looked asleep, so I hopped in bed and absent-mindedly place my arm around her. She screamed and jumped out of bed. I sat up quickly and looked at her with concern. It was to late to fix my mistake.

            “I’m fine. I think I’ll just sleep on the couch for now.” She was shaking again. What had he done to her?

            “Adalaide, I’m sorry. Please just sleep up here.” She shook her head and quickly grabbed the blanket and a pillow. She walked to the couch and fell asleep quickly. I leaned against the headboard and tried to sleep but I was still too wired. I heard Adalaide whimpering on the couch. I knew I needed to give her space, so I decided to try and get some sleep.