Chapter 129
The woman's face hardened at my desperate plea.
"I can't help you," she said firmly, shaking her head. "It will only bring danger to me and mine."
“I have little ones in the capital. Two boys and one girl, waiting for me. If you go missing, I will be the one to blame. I may never see them again.”
“So they will punish you? They’ll take away your children? I was told the Braamin were benevolent…”
I murmured.
The woman shook her head.
“Better than hiding what you are because you fear what the wolves might do to you.”
“Don’t think I don’t know what you do. You hid your otsayak mark just to belong among the wolves.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. Because she was right. Even if I went back, I would still have to hide who I truly was.
“Isn’t there anything you can do to help me? They wouldn’t even suspect that you’re the one who let me go. We could come up with a plan or something…”
I pleaded desperately.
She shook her head.
“I’m sorry.”
I felt my last shred of hope flicker and dim. "Please," I whispered, my voice raw. "For the sake of my child."
Her eyes softened just a fraction, but she still shook her head. "I'm sorry. There is nothing I can do to help you.” With that, she turned and left, leaving me alone once again.
I clenched my fists. I couldn't afford to wait for mercy. I had to escape on my own. I looked outside the tent again. There were a few men, all of them occupied with one thing or the other. Everyone looked busy, If I could disguise myself well enough, I might slip away unnoticed under the cover of darkness. They would never notice I was missing until it was time to give me food. But how?
How could I manage to blend among them?
Hours passed in silence before the woman returned with food. I forced myself to appear disgruntled, scowling at the offering of stale hard bread and soup again.
"I don't want this," I snapped. "I'm craving chicken."
She frowned. "Chicken? I can't bring you that. We don’t have any chickens here.”
I crossed my arms and huffed. "Really? With all that ruckus you’re always making outside, one would assume you have a whole barn out there. Well then, if you don’t have any chicken then I won't eat."
The woman sighed. "The men killed a deer earlier. I could bring you a piece. It won’t be a lot though, but that is the least I can do.”
I pretended to hesitate before nodding grudgingly. "Fine."
A short while later, she returned with a piece of roasted deer meat. I glanced around before leaning forward. "I need a knife to cut, the meat looks tough," I said in a low voice.
Her eyes narrowed. "No. I’m not allowed to give you a knife.”
I clenched my jaw.
“Not even a kitchen knife? I’m with child, do you really think I could harm someone in my state?” I said as I chuckled.
The woman shrugged.
“It’s better to be cautious.” She simply answer.
I had been hoping for a blade, something sharp to aid my escape. The woman left shortly after and I forced myself to remain calm and took the meat, eating slowly, thinking. My teeth scraped against the bone as I gnawed, and that's when I noticed it—one end of the bone was jagged, sharp enough to pierce flesh.
I quickly hid the bone under the folds of my cloak, my mind racing. It wasn't a knife, but it was something. At nightfall, I would find a way to sharpen it further.
Hours later, as the camp settled into silence, I used a rock to grind the bone's edge against the rough floor. The sound was faint but steady, my heart pounding with every scrape.
Footsteps. I froze, quickly tucking the bone beneath my makeshift bedding. The tent flap lifted, and Kaelin stepped inside.
My stomach twisted with fury.
Kaelin crossed her arms. "Reports just came in from the castle. We were lucky to get the news so quickly. Your husband has locked down the kingdom," she said, her tone unreadable. "He says he won’t open the gates or the borders until you are found. He has arrested his brother Lucian and Lilian, blaming them for your disappearance. Lilian was found with some incriminating letters pointing out that she is a Braamin spy. Hundreds of wolves have been dispatched to find you. They'll come sniffing soon, they might be here in an hour or less.”
My breath caught. Rowan was looking for me. He was willing to go to war over me.
I wish I could send him a message, beg him not to, but it was too late. I realized the prophecy would be fulfilled whether or not I was with him.
Kaelin's expression was grim. "They're moving you to Braam immediately. There’s a boat waiting at the shores of the Dark seas, they’re waiting for you.”
Fear seized my chest, if I crossed the sea then I would be in Braam territory, no going back. "No," I breathed, backing away. "You can't—"
Kaelin gestured, and two soldiers entered, grabbing me roughly. I thrashed against their grip, but they were too strong.
"You should've just told me no," I spat at Kaelin. "Instead, you delivered me to them."
Kaelin's jaw tightened. "You brought this upon yourself. You kidnapped me first."
"I was protecting my family!" I yelled as the soldiers dragged me outside.
Kaelin looked away. "And now you'll answer for it. You brought this upon yourself Ariadne!”
I was shoved into a carriage, the door slamming shut behind me. Through the small, barred window, I saw the soldiers dismantling the camp. They were covering their tracks.
My breath came fast and shallow. The wolves would track me. They would follow my scent.
Desperation flooded my veins.
I yanked at my cloak and tore off a piece of fabric. As the carriage jolted forward, I pressed the cloth to my lips, whispering a silent plea before tossing it into the mud.
Please, Rowan. Find me.
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