Lyra POV
The door opened suddenly.
It was a lady, dressed in a uniform looking like a servant.
I guess she was.
She carried a tray of food and the smell hit my nose so fast my stomach growled before I could stop it.
The big man walked over and took the tray from her hands.
"You may leave," he told her.
His voice was calm, like nothing strange was happening here.
"You'd be called on when she finishes."
The servant didn't even look at me. She just nodded quickly and left.
The door shut.
And then it was quiet again.
Just me and a scary man.
He walked over to me and untied the ropes around my wrists.
The moment they came off, my hands stung so badly.
But I didn't complain.
Because of the momentary happiness at the sight of food.
My stomach twisted painfully.
I didn't even look at him.
I rushed to the table and grabbed the bread first.
The meal was made of bread with scrambled eggs.
I ate fast.
Too fast probably.
Egg crumbs stuck to my fingers but I didn't care. I licked everything off my hands because I didn't want to waste even a tiny bit.
I could feel his eyes on me the whole time.
Just watching.
Before, that stare made me feel uncomfortable.
But right now I was too hungry to care.
When the plate was empty, I finally looked up.
He was smiling.
"Did you enjoy the meal?" he asked.
My head felt a little light.
I nodded slowly.
"Yes."
He chuckled softly.
"You ate like you hadn't seen food in days."
My eyelids blinked slower than usual.
Why was I suddenly so tired?
I rubbed my eye.
"I was hungry," I murmured.
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"I can see that."
My head felt heavy.
"You shouldn't rush your food like that," he continued.
His voice sounded farther away now.
"It's not good for you."
I tried to answer.
But my mouth didn't move.
My body leaned back onto the wall.
My eyes kept closing even though I tried to keep them open.
Why was I so sleepy?
I had just eaten.
The last thing I remember hearing was his voice.
"Are you sleepy?"
Then everything faded.
I was woken by a knock on the door.
I didn't move at first.
I wasn't sure how long I slept but I know the sun was about going down when I did.
For a second my mind did something strange.
I almost imagined I was home again.
But that feeling disappeared quickly.
Because I knew where I was.
I knew I had been taken.
I knew this wasn't my room.
The knock came again.
After that came a couple of clicks, then the door opened slowly.
A woman poked her head inside.
Her voice was soft.
"Can I come in, little one?"
I stared at her.
She looked, in one word, Kind.
Not like the people here.
Her eyes looked warm.
Why was she asking me permission?
I was the captive here.
She stepped inside anyway, holding a tray.
"Good morning," she said gently.
That's when I realized something strange.
My hands weren't tied.
My legs weren't tied either.
And the creepy man wasn't here.
My shoulders relaxed a little.
The woman placed the tray down and sat near me.
"My name is Mrs Crystal Stormborn. I'm the first lady of the house."
She said with a bright smile.
Her voice felt calm, like warm water.
She studied my face carefully.
"How are you feeling?"
I didn't know how to answer that.
So I just stared at her.
She didn't push the question.
Instead she asked softly,
"How old are you?"
"I am seven years old," I said with a voice I couldn't even recognize.
Her eyes softened even more.
Something about her made my chest feel lighter.
Maybe because she was the first woman I had seen looking in striking resemblance to my mom.
I hesitated.
Then I looked at her.
"Ma, please can I ask you a question?"
She smiled gently.
"You can ask me anything."
I swallowed.
"There's something I don't understand."
She waited patiently.
"What does putting someone to sleep mean?"
The smile on her face disappeared.
Her eyes went wide for a moment.
I tilted my head.
"And how do you put someone to sleep?"
I asked honestly.
"Is it like when parents make kids sleep?"
She looked like she didn't want to answer.
But she did.
"It means, the person is dead."
Dead.
I looked down at my hands.
"Oh."
I stayed quiet for a moment.
Then the thought that had been sitting in my chest came out.
"I don't like the other man."
She went very still.
"The scary one."
My voice got smaller.
"The way he looks and touches me, I don't like it."
She leaned forward slightly.
"What did he say to you?"
I hugged my knees.
"He said something about being gentle."
My throat tightened.
"Does that mean he wants to put me to sleep?"
Her hand suddenly touched my hair.
Slowly and gently.
"No," she said quietly.
But something in her voice made me think she wasn't sure.
I ate the breakfast she brought.
Slower this time.
She stayed with me while I ate.
When I finished eating, my eyes started getting heavy again.
I leaned against her without thinking.
Her lap was warm.
Her hand moved through my hair slowly.
Just like my mom used to do.
For the first time since I got here,
I didn't feel scared.
And before I knew it, I fell asleep.
Crystal POV
I look down at the child sleeping on my lap and my chest tightens.
She's so small.
Way too small to be caught in this house.
Too small to understand the things men like my husband do.
Her breathing is soft and steady now.
She looks so peaceful.
I ran my fingers gently through her hair.
She trusted me so easily.
That hurts more than anything.
Because I know the truth.
This isn't the first child Thorne has brought here.
And every time it happens, a part of me dies a little more.
I carefully lift her head and lay her back on the floor.
I really need to provide a bed for her.
She sleeps so soundly.
At least she can sleep without fear for now.
I steped outside, closed the door then locked it with its key.
The guard straightens when he sees me.
The thought of leaving her in his care made my chest heavy.
Although for now, she's safe.
Thorne isn't here.
He left for the sect days ago.
There's trouble in a town called Dimiville.
He is to return tomorrow.
And the moment he does,
My heart sank.
The girl will not be safe anymore.
As I walk through the halls, my mind keeps racing.
I need guards I trust.
Men who won't harm her.
And my most loyal servant that can bring her food.
If I can protect her just a little longer.
Maybe something will change.
Maybe.
But hope is dangerous in this house.
My steps slowly carry me toward the training grounds.
My eyes fell on my strong baby.
Henry.
I stop beneath a tree to watch him from afar, practicing with his instructor.
He moves with focus, practicing every strike his instructor shows him.
He's growing so fast.
Too fast.
A sad smile forms on my lips.
If the truth ever comes out…
What will happen to my sons?
I pushed the thought away.
I can't think like that.
Not now.
I leave quietly and go in search for Jason.
I find him exactly where I expected.
Under a tree with his cat curled beside him, with a book in his hands.
He looks up when he notices me.
"Mom!"
He sits up with excitement.
"Did you know penguins only marry one penguin their whole life?"
His eyes shine.
"They stay together forever. Just like you and father."
The words hit me harder than he realizes.
I smiled anyway.
I walked over and sat beside him, stroking his hair.
"My little man… when will you ever stop reading?"
He thinks about it.
Then answers proudly,
"Till the world is safe, mother."
My chest aches.
He closes his book and suddenly looks serious.
"Mom…"
"Yes?"
He hesitates.
Then asks quietly,
"Are we a normal family?"
For a moment my heart stopped.
"Of course we are, little one."
He frowns and pouts, saying,
"I'm a man."
"You called me little twice already."
I laugh softly and pull him closer into a hug.
But heart hurts.
Because I know the truth.
And one day…
He will too.