Chapter 3

3.

Alaric drew a silver dagger. He moved to carve out my eyes without a shred of mercy.

Just as the tip of the blade touched my skin, I kicked him hard in the wrist.

I didn't wait. I scrambled over the manor wall and sprinted into the streets.

Seraphina heard the commotion and came running back.

When she saw Alaric's injured wrist, she screamed in a fury.

"Find that bitch! I want her dragged back and torn apart!"

The city gates were already sealed. The streets were crawling with Royal Guards.

I hid in a pile of damp firewood behind a commoner's house, shivering and covered in dirt.

I could hear the criers announcing a bounty on my head. A thousand gold coins.

A thousand gold…

When I first saved Alaric's life in the wilderness, he had promised me a thousand gold coins.

I remembered what I told him back then.

"Shut up. I don't want your gold. I just want you to live."

Looking back, I should have taken the money.

At least then I wouldn't be hunted like a stray dog.

The footsteps grew closer. I knew it was over.

Mom, I'm sorry. I couldn't live the happy life you wanted for me.

I was caught before sunset.

Seraphina and my husband, Alaric, sat on high chairs, looking down at me like I was vermin.

The girl debated my fate. Should I be drawn and quartered? Skinned alive? Or maybe thrown into a cage with a beast?

Alaric didn't say a single word the entire time.

Finally, Seraphina clapped her hands.

"I heard the King brought a Great Wolf from the plains. It's a monster."

"Since this slave managed to escape from you, Alaric, she must be fast. Let's see how she does against the wolf."

"No!" I screamed. A guard immediately kicked me in the ribs.

"Shut up, slave. You don't have a voice here."

I curled into a ball, gasping for air. I looked at Alaric, pleading with my eyes for any shred of the man I used to know.

His lips moved, but the words were hollow.

"Whatever the Lady wishes."