When I reached the clearing, the soldiers were about to light the fire. Before they could, I was across the clearing. Pressing a knife to the soldier’s throat.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” 

“Shouldn’t I be telling you that?” A dark voice spoke up.

My eyes snapped towards the soldier who spoke. He looked just like every other soldier standing around me, with the same armor. His presence was completely different, though. It was commanding and dark. Sending an unwelcome shiver of fear down my spine.

Still, I held my place and even pressed the knife deeper into the soldier’s throat at his words. 

“Don’t think I won’t do it.” 

“Oh, but I know you won’t do it, little Raven. You have never taken a life because you believe even the most wicked person can be saved. Of course, if this isn’t true, then prove me wrong by slicing his throat.”

I gritted my teeth. Pissed off because he was completely right. Ravenhood had never taken a life, and I would never go against her character. Plus, the only things I’ve killed are the occasional spider or roach. I had hoped that I could come in here and bluff my way out of this situation.

That’s not why I am pissed, though. I am pissed because those words are from a character I had completely erased from the book. A ruthless commander of the king’s army who sexually tortures Ravenhood even worse than the prince himself. I had believed him to be too cruel for what I wanted for this book. His character wouldn’t care if all of his men died by my hand as long as he captured me.

Actually, he wanted a fight; blood and torture excited him. Instantly, I drop the knife and go down on my knees, bowing my head. 

“I will become your prisoner if you promise not to burn down the forest.” 

Silence followed my words at first. Then he chuckled. “It’s cute that you think you can ask for anything. Bind her to my horse. I will return to the castle first and wait for the prince. Do not come back until the entire forest has burned down.”

******

I watched as my brother took command. Making sure we had everything that we needed. I was a little surprised. He had always been the quiet one. He was the reason I was the loud one.

I had to make sure my quiet brother was protected. Seeing him like this, though. Made me less angry about the no-voice situation. Though I hate how, with nothing else to do but think. My thoughts keep going to her. 

Especially how she kept teasing me even after the word she wrote stopped. Making me finger-fuck her until she cummed on my fingers. As much as I hate to admit it. When she wasn’t looking at me, I had tasted her off my fingers. Maybe it was because, unlike my brother.

I was left with a hard cock. Either way. I just can’t seem to stop thinking about her. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice someone was running towards me. Until they collapsed in my arms. 

A black bluebird mask stared up at me, and it took everything in me not to throw her to the ground. In the note Raven had left us. It told us that the one we should worry about is the one she went missing with. Is the one we should worry about. However, the genuine panic and worry on her face stopped me.

I opened my mouth to ask her what was wrong. But of course, I couldn’t speak. Thankfully, my brother must have also noticed her because he appeared by my side. 

“Lady Bluebird, what is wrong? Where is Lady Hood?”

None of the anger that I had felt towards her at first. Showed on his face or in his voice. So if he was upset with her, he wasn’t showing it. Something I have to admit would have been hard for me to do. She pulled away from me. Her body is shaking.

Probably from the exhaustion of running here. 

“There are soldiers in the woods, and they’re going to burn down the forest. Lady Hood stayed behind to stop them and sent me back for help.” 

My brother and I exchanged a look at her words. While her panic seemed genuine. Raven did claim we should watch out for her. Of course, since our characters would not know that. We still have to follow her.

Bear- ok, all these different names are going to get irritating fast. I thought to myself. As if sensing my irritation. My brother’s lips twitched into a smile. I sent him a glare.

Not caring that we were in front of everyone. 

Lady Bluebird looked between the two of us. “Do you not believe me? I swear on my own li-.”

“No need to swear on your life; we believe you.” My brother stated, interrupting her. 

Then he turned to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “It seems we must split up, brother. You should take the train, just follow the plan, and everything will be fine. I believe in you.” 

My first thought was to shrug his hand off my shoulder and flip him off. Instead, I just gritted my teeth and nodded my head. 

******

I could tell it was taking everything for my brother not to snap at me. I didn’t do it to piss him off. It’s just how my character would treat his brother. Since he was mute and always more comfortable in the background. Bear always treated Fox as if he were fragile.

Of course, since my brother isn’t really Fox. That just pisses him off. While that wasn’t my intention. It was kind of amusing. I released him.

Trying not to grin as I gestured to Lady Bluebird. 

“Lead the way to where our Lady Hood is, Lady Bluebird.” 

Lord Eagle crouched down in front of her. “Since you are exhausted from running, I will carry you.”