Anya

“What, cat got your tongue?” Till’s eyes burn into mine as I dig my nails into the leather of his cuirass, furious that my magic has been depleted.

I had the upper hand, but now as my fingers tingle as I try to call on my power once more, nothing happens.

Till pulls me closer, leaving no space between us, his eyes wide and lips smirking as he realizes I’m unable to call on my magic.

“Unhand me.” I hiss as my chest heaves with anger and a slight twinge of fear.

I’ve never met a man I couldn’t handle on my own, nor have I been left vulnerable, my magic depleted, in the tight grip of a thief who broke into my home.

A sick, twisting sensation blooms in my belly. What if my mother saw me like this? I swallow thickly at the image of her shame and disappointment as she looks at me, her daughter, a powerful witch, bested by a petty thief.

My eyes dart toward the window wondering if I could dare make an escape.

I lunge away from him, but his powerful hands hold me firmly in place.

“Oh, are you out of your fancy magic spells?” Till smirks as he pulls me closer to him.

His intoxicating, woodsy scent momentarily causes me to pause as I look into his dark eyes. He really is handsome, but I don’t have time for this.

“Get your hands off me!” I snap, trying to pull away from him, but his grip holds tight, my frustration only overshadowed by the primal notes of fear at the idea of being caught and overpowered like a deer by a wolf.

Even still, there is a hint of amusement blooming in my chest. If he wanted to kill me right now, he could, but he hasn’t.

Why?

“Oh, you are a feisty one.” Till shakes his head, a grin threatening his lips.

“I would have killed you if you hadn’t caught me sleeping, you know.” My lips split into a grin, but it doesn’t reach my gaze.

“I’d like to see you try without magic.” His hot breath fans my skin as he speaks.

For a moment, I think our lips might touch, and a ripple of excitement washes over me, but then he gently pulls my arms behind my back.

"Give me a knife, and we’ll see what happens.” I snarl as he pulls me closer to him. He’s much stronger than he looks.

His hips are pressed against mine in a way that makes my body flush with heat, our faces are only inches apart as his eyes bore into mine. A sense of awe moves through me at the sight of his glistening eyes and that slight scar above his lip.

“Not a chance.” Till spins me around, so I’m no longer facing him. His breath is warm on my skin as he whispers over my shoulder, binding both of my wrists behind me.

“You’re tying me up? Really?” I shake my head as the coarse rope bindings dig into my flesh as he fastens an impossible knot.

“I can’t have you throwing any more fire at me, can I?” Till gently shoves me forward after ensuring my bindings are tight.

“You’re frightened of me, aren’t you?” I arch my brow in question as excitement courses through me. This is something different. He’s no ordinary foe—he has wit, charm, and an uncanny ability to get under my skin.

Every man I’ve ever encountered has tried to kill me and my mother. This is so much different. The ropes against my skin, the fact that he’s not trying to kill me—it’s all new and fascinating.

I strangle back a laugh as I shake my head, watching him with curious eyes.

“I am.” He laughs, his mouth infuriatingly enticing when he smiles. “I’d say it’s only natural when a witch is throwing fire at me.”

I tug against the bindings, and then my body relaxes, giving up for now. Relief falls across his eyes as he realizes I’m no longer struggling.

I suspect Till has no idea how easily I could slip out of these bindings once my magic replenishes. I could take the form of a bird and slip free of my bindings. I could burn them to embers in an instant. He has no idea what I am capable of.

“Well, you’d better bind my mouth then, too. You’re mistaken if you think I need my hands to wield magic.” I chuckle, shaking my head as I tug at my bindings.

“Don’t tempt me." His lips tug into a grin, before he shakes his head. “But really, I didn’t come here to hurt you.”

“Then why did you come?” My eyes narrow on him, not quite sure what to make of him.

“I came here looking for treasure.” Till clears his throat, and I notice the seriousness in his eyes. “The one the witch of the woods stole ages ago.”

“A treasure hunt? That is why you broke into my home?” My pulse quickens as my skin begins to burn against the ropes, I twist my wrists, but the bindings are too tight.

“Yes.” Till’s voice is hollow as his eyes look me over. “But I’m beginning to think this has just turned into a rescue mission.”

I shake my head, thoroughly confused by his words. “And just who do you think you’re rescuing?”

“Believe it or not, I think I’m here to rescue you, princess.” Till grips the bridge of his nose, exhaling deeply.

“Have you looked at me?” I shake my head, tossing my wild hair around as best as I can. It’s a far cry from the image of a prim and proper noblewoman. “I am no princess.” I grunt as I look away from him.

“Aren’t you, though?” Till steps closer to me, lifting my chin so that I return his gaze. “Because what I see with my own eyes tells a different story.”

“What are you talking about? What story?” I jerk my chin from his grasp and shoot him a nasty glare.

“I believe you are the lost Soltemni princess, and I’m going to bring you home.”

“The hell you are!” I pull away from him, my hands bound behind me causing me to lose my balance.

Till reaches out, catching me in his strong arm before I can fall. He holds me close a minute before helping me back to my feet.

My eyes dart wildly around the room as I frantically try to think of a plan. I don’t believe a thing coming out of his mouth, and his words only fill me with a desire to throw him from the tower.

Till’s arms are still wrapped around me, and my heart flutters in my chest. I don’t need or want his help, but his touch does something to me.

Without another word, Till snatches his rope and scales down the tower wall with me draped over him like a sack of potatoes.

“Put me down!” I scream. “Release me!”

Till does his best to ignore me as we make our way down the tower wall.

The closer we get to the ground, the more I feel a sudden burst of curiosity. Not that I believe I am some lost princess or that I think for one second that Till has my best interests at heart, but the fact is that I’ve been considering leaving the nest and seeing the world.

I want to see something other than the tower and the forest, and this could be a valuable opportunity, especially since my mother is gone for several more days.

I wanted to leave, but would I have really left in the morning if my hand weren’t being forced? I suppose fate works in mysterious ways, and I it felt wise to let this see its course.

“Easy, now. Let me help you.” Till murmurs as he lowers me to the ground, placing me firmly on my feet.

“Now what?” I grumble as he adjusts my cloak, pulling it closer to my shoulders.

“Now, we find a place to camp.” Till motions for me to follow him, and we walk some ways into the woods, beneath the trees.

“This is as good a spot as any.” Till gathers firewood, and within moments, a proper campsite is made.

Till stokes the fire with a large stick, watching the flames dance towards the sky, and I pull against my restraints. He’s distracted, seemingly in deep thought—maybe now is my chance to get away.

My eyes follow Till’s gaze toward the dancing flames, and I lean toward them, warming my hands.

I press my bindings into the fire’s heat, but I do not scream. My affinity for flame magic renders it harmless to me, but Till doesn’t know that. I feel the rope bindings begin to loosen and sigh in relief as they fall off.

Glancing at Till, I pull my arms away from the flames and hide the singed rope. Till is lost in thought and I feel a rush of pride at successfully deceiving him.

He doesn’t notice that I’ve been relieved of my bindings as I hold my hands behind my back. His eyes still watch the dancing flames. I shift closer to him, feeling his body heat against my flesh.

His face is visibly relaxed, and I can tell he’s let his guard down. He must think I am no longer a threat since I’ve been sitting quietly beside the fire with him.

That both angers and excites me. My eyes rake over his form, noting the blade hanging from his hips as I nestle just a little closer, still holding my hands behind my back in an attempt to look bound.

“Are you cold? Come closer.” Till’s voice is soft as he motions for me to scooch beside him, and I take up his offer, my eyes darting back toward the blade strapped to his belt.

“Yes, thank you.” My voice is too soft, but it doesn’t betray me. Till nods and looks back toward the flames.

My hands bolt to his waist, snatching the blade from its sheath and pressing it against his throat.

“Don’t move.”