Matilda Anderson's POV
I wasn't sure how long I had been asleep, but something pulled me from the darkness a presence.
Warmth.
Him.
Even before my eyes fluttered open, I could feel it his closeness, his energy. A heavy weight settled in the air, thick with something dangerous, primal.
My breath hitched.Slowly, I forced my eyes open.He was there.Sitting at the edge of the bed, watching me.
The dim candlelight flickered against his sharp, defined features. His golden eyes burned like molten fire, locked onto me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.
I froze.
My fingers clenched the blankets, heart pounding.
"You…" My voice barely came out, hoarse with fear. "What are you doing here?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, as if studying me, as if reading everything I was feeling the fear, the confusion, the anger.
Then, he finally spoke.
"You were crying in your sleep."
My stomach twisted. I hadn't even realized.
I looked away, swallowing the lump in my throat. "So what?"
His jaw tensed. "I don't like it."
I don't care.
I wanted to say it. I wanted to scream it at him.
But I couldn't.
Because deep down, there was something in his voice something real, raw. Like my pain actually bothered him.
I forced my gaze back to him, my lips trembling. "Let me go."
He didn't move.
He didn't even blink.
Then he leaned closer.
Not touching me. Not forcing me. But close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him, the powerful energy that seemed to hum in the air.
"I can't."
His voice was final. Absolute. Unshakable.
Tears burned my eyes.
I hated him.
I hated him.
But more than anything i was terrified.
I waited.
He didn't stay long.
After a few more minutes of staring at me watching me like I was something precious, something his he finally stood up and left, locking the door behind him.
I lay there, my body stiff, my mind racing.
I can't stay here.i had to try again.This time, I wouldn't take the obvious routes.I slowly pulled the blankets off, tiptoeing to the door. Guards were outside. I knew that much.So I turned to the bathroom.i ran my hands along the walls, searching for ananything ,q window, a vent, a weakness.And then i found it.
A small opening near the ceiling.It wasn't big, but I was small.I can fit.I climbed onto the counter, my fingers gripping the edge of the vent as I hoisted myself up. My muscles screamed in protest, but I ignored them, pushing my body through the tight space.
The metal groaned, but I kept going, inching forward, biting my lip so hard it nearly bled.
I didn't know where this led.I didn't care.
I just needed to get out.The air was tight, my breathing shallow, but I kept crawling, my heart hammering against my ribs.Then light.
Another opening.I pushed it open and dropped down into an empty hallway.No one was there.
I didn't stop to think. I ran.My bare feet were silent against the stone floors as I turned corner after corner, searching for a way out.
Then I saw it.A massive wooden door.The exit.
My pulse skyrocketed.I ran for it, my fingers wrapping around the iron handle, yanking with all my strength it wouldn't budge.
No.
No, no, no!
I pulled harder, desperate, shaking
"Going somewhere, little one?"A voice behind me.
Deep. Smooth. Amused.
Him.
I froze.
Slowly, I turned.
He stood there, leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed over his broad chest, golden eyes gleaming in the dim light.
He didn't look angry.
He looked… impressed.
But that didn't stop the pure terror from ripping through me.
I spun back around, trying again, trying anything, but before I could even take another breath He was behind me.faster than humanly possible.I barely had time to react before he grabbed me.One strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against his hard, unyielding body."Let me go!" I screamed, thrashing, kicking, fighting with everything I had.He didn't even flinch.His grip tightened, his breath warm against my ear."You're going to hurt yourself."
"I don't care!"
I slammed my elbow into his ribs. Hard.He grunted.
But instead of letting me go he laughed.
He laughed.That only made me angrier. I struggled harder, my breath ragged, tears burning my eyes."Please," I choked, my voice breaking. "Please, just let me go."For a second, he didn't move.
Then he sighed.
And before I could react he lifted me effortlessly into his arms.I screamed, kicking wildly, pounding my fists against his chest, but he carried me as if I weighed nothing.
"You can keep trying, Matilda." His voice was low, deep, certain. "But you're not leaving me."
I hated him.
I hated him so much.
And I hated myself for the way my body trembled not just in fear, but in something else.
Something far more dangerous.
Ana rushed in the moment he called, her small frame moving quickly as she lowered her head in respect.
I shrank back when she stepped closer. I didn't trust her. I didn't trust anyone."Get her cleaned up," he ordered, his deep voice leaving no room for argument.
No.
I shook my head, my arms wrapping around myself. "I can clean myself." My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.
His golden eyes flickered with irritation, but there was something else in them too concern? Pity?No. Not pity. A man like him didn't pity.His gaze shifted to the untouched food tray. His jaw tensed."Eat something too." His voice was softer this time, but it still held that commanding edge.
I didn't reply. I wouldn't obey.
He exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face before turning to Ana. "Take care of her." Then he stormed out, leaving the door shut behind him.
The room fell silent.
Ana hesitated before kneeling beside the bed. "You should eat, my lady," she said softly.
I turned away, staring at the wall.
It had been days.
Days of being trapped.
Days of not eating.
Days of growing weaker.
I could feel it the way my body was failing me. The dizziness when I stood too fast, the way my hands trembled when I clenched them.
I didn't know what to do.
But I knew one thing.
"I'm not hungry," I muttered, my voice flat.
Ana sighed but didn't push. Instead, she sat down beside the bed, her small frame relaxed, as if we were just two friends having a normal conversation.
Then she started talking.Not about food. Not about him.
Just… talking.
Telling stories about her childhood, sharing silly jokes, even mimicking some of the warriors in the castle, making exaggerated faces and voices.I laughed.
It startled me. The sound felt strange foreign.
But Ana's grin widened, and for the first time since I was taken, I didn't feel so alone.
When she finally left, I curled up by the window, staring at the sky.
A soft breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of night air.
And before I realized what I was doing, I started to sing.
It was a lullaby one my mother used to hum when I was little.
Soft. Gentle. Full of longing.
I closed my eyes, letting the melody wrap around me, picturing her face, her warm smile.
I missed her.More than anything.
I didn't know that someone was listening.
Didn't know that he was standing outside the door, silent, unmoving.Didn't know that the song my pain, my memories was reaching him too.