Alone in the dark, Auretta cowered in the, shutting her eyes. She kept humping back inside a wagon, completely tied up with fresh new ropes. A groan escaped her lips as the wheels bumped a large rock, causing her to slide over near the door. She resented the dark so much.

All she heard was murmuring at the front. Auretta didn’t have knowledge on why these strangers abducted her. She struggled kicking herself backwards, just to eavesdrop on their conversation. She would lose her balance if she stood up instead.

Perking her head up, a grin formed on her face. “I have an idea…” she muttered.

She sat close, listening to what they were saying, but all she could hear was blabbering—not a single word was understood.

“Pathetic.” She hissed, forcing to free herself for who knows—the fifteenth or more, she quit counting from there.

Gritting her teeth, Auretta slammed her back against the wooden wall. “Hey! Stay still in there or we’re going to kill you!” That sounded like Truce. Auretta couldn’t recall these men working for her mother before—they were not taking her back to the Lantern Islands.

She pondered about these men. What could they want from her? Money?

Laying her head against the wall, she sighed. It was rough but comforting. Hours had passed since the abduction—her stomach kept grumbling and her eyelids were tempted to drop. A whisper—or rather a wish, escaped her lips. “I just want this door to open.”

Without hesitation, Auretta rolled over, groaning as she hit the door.

As the wind blew stronger against the walls, a loud noise made an impact on the top of the wagon, startling Auretta.

She kicked the door several times. Nothing.

Whoosh.

The door flew wide open—her wish came true. Her heart pounded—it was both from excitement and fear. The chance to escape was granted. “I need a plan…”—Wait for the perfect timing to jump, run and find help from people who live nearby, come back to Myrindel.

A grin formed on her face as she squirmed her way, near the door. It was dark—dark in the middle of the woods. Blood drained from her face, muscles trembling slightly. Her lips curled up, chest feeling heavy. Auretta did not want to cry now. Flee in the dark or join the men.

Auretta hasn’t decided yet—losing her balance, a scream escaped her lungs as she toppled onto the ground. “Ouch…” She quickly stood on her feet, heart pounding faster as she saw the wagon halt at the corner of her eye.

Run—the only word she could think of right now. “Get back here brat!” It was Truce—or the cloaked man who yelled, she did not know. Auretta was not an agile runner, yet she kicked hard her legs, her breathing growing rapidly, knees aching.

Footsteps grew louder behind her, they were gaining on her. “Leave me alone, jerk!” she yelled, gritting her teeth.

Gurgling croaks rose from a distance—they sounded like ravens. Auretta looked up at the branches, taking a better look at them. She was not paying attention to her feet, she tripped on the root of a tree, her face meeting the ground—she was doomed.

She knelt forward, clenching her jaw. She winced in pain as Truce snatched her arm, crushing it with might. “Don’t do that again please.” he murmured, sounding like it was a threat.

She was panting, glaring at the men. The cloaked man seized her by the collar, gripping her jaw. “Ouch—!” “If it weren’t for the orders of the princess—I would’ve killed you by now.” “The princess of Pyralis?! What do you mean?!” she screamed.

“You won’t be seeing the princess’ face again,” said someone nearby. Truce snapped his fingers, disappearing in a flash as the cloaked stranger tilted his head, searching for where that cocky toned voice came from. Auretta furrowed her brows. She could not see anyone around her—it was dark after all.

The cloaked man yanked Auretta in haste. He was leaving Truce to deal with that person.

Fire burst forth from one of the trees. Auretta’s eyes flew open, heart dropping to her stomach, as she watched Truce, screaming from the top of his lungs, falling head first to the ground. As his head made an impact, silence filled the air, the fire dying out.

“That weakling!” The cloaked man growled. “I’ll deal with you myself!” Tossing Auretta aside, she groaned, hitting the ground again.

Auretta could hear the man unsheathing his sword. She could not tell what was happening, until she heard someone getting knocked out. Panic surged through her body as she pushed herself with her legs, hitting the bark of a tree with her back.

The sound of footsteps became more audible—this killer must be nearing towards her. Was it a bandit?

She squinted her eyes, turning her face away as she felt hands resting on her shoulder. She saw a dagger in the corner of her eye, shaking her head as her body began to tremble.

Auretta flinched, gasping as she heard the ropes around her snap. Quickly, she turned her head, looking up. Fire burst forth from a torch, she could see the appearance of this young man who just saved her. Another magical person.

His hair was spun gold, eyes washed green. Auretta could feel her nose crinkling, heat prickling around her ears as this young man smiled at her. He looked flawless, despite wearing a messy brown tunic. She would’ve thought of him for a noble, if it weren’t for his clothing. Perhaps, they were the same age—seeing he didn’t look older or younger than her.

“I’m not hurting you, I don’t bite.” Auretta furrowed her brows at him. He doesn’t bite? This golden-haired guy just killed not one—but two people. His smile turned to a frown, a brow raised at Auretta. “What’s with the reaction?” His hands snatched Auretta’s arm, a whine escaping her throat.

Letting go of her, he smiled again at her, swinging his other arm. “Follow me,” he said. Auretta didn’t have a choice. Wandering in the dark wasn’t a wise decision. This boy saved her, there mustn’t be any harm awaiting her. She followed him, quickening her pace.

“The name’s Jaemi.” There he goes again with the smuggish tone, booths kicking the dried leaves on the ground. “Do you talk?” “Of course I do—” Auretta responded, met with an offensive chuckle from Jaemi. “Name?” he asked. “Auretta, but people prefer to call me Arya.” She replied, feigning a smile. “I could see why—it sounds weird.” Auretta twitched her nose. “Uhm—thank you? No one’s ever said that before.” she stated, a laugh escaping her lips.

They continued on into the woods, Auretta’s eyes exploring the surroundings. “Where are we going?” she asked, slipping her cloak off. It was warmer here. “Just a cottage—no worries.” Jaemi responded.

Auretta’s eyes lingered on a cottage, not so far. She quite couldn’t see the appearance, but it looked safe.