Crowned in Crimson Cinders

Chapter 32: Darian's POV

A sharp blow to my face jolted me awake.

"Wake up!" a male voice bellowed, shaking me roughly.

My vision slowly sharpened, revealing Brock's face, etched with clear distress.

"What happened?" I mumbled, rubbing my aching head. The room was cold and dark, with hay scattered on the stone floor. I was in a cell.

"That's what I was about to ask you," he retorted, his voice tight.

The last thing I remembered was the soldiers rushing in. I hadn't even had a chance to fight before something hit me, and everything went black. And Aleah... Oh gods, where was Aleah?

"I... I don't remember. But Aleah! Where is she?"

"Again, I don't know!" he yelled, frustration lacing his tone. "I thought you would have some sort of idea! You were supposed to protect her!"

A wave of sickening dread washed over me. She was my responsibility, and I had failed. But what had happened. I was ready yo take on the guards. I remembered unsheathing my swords, but then... nothing.

"Come on," Brock said, pulling me to my feet. "Let's get back. I can start looking for her once I know you're safe."

His unexpected kindness surprised me. "Why do you care what happens to me?" I asked, confused by his sudden concern.

Brock didn't answer right away. He led me towards the secret underground tunnels, my left arm draped over his shoulders as I leaned into him for support. Along the way, I saw about fifteen guards, all knocked out cold. He must have done this to get to me. Hurting his own men, just as he promised he would. I wondered how long I'd been unconscious before he came after us... or rather, after me.

We finally entered the tunnels, and he closed the door behind us before speaking. "Because I see the way she looks at you. Like she... loves you. I'm not going to lie. I hate that she likes you. I hate that she's even forced to marry you in the first place, but you're the first person I think she's felt herself around in a while."

As much as I loved Aleah, she wasn't ready for me yet. She'd told me so herself, and I would respect her decision, no matter what. I just hoped my feelings for her wouldn't distract me, wouldn't derail my mission here. I had to keep reminding myself that marriage was never the end goal, but leaving Aleah... that could break my heart.

"I think I love her too," was all I could offer in response.

"I know," Brock said, his voice softer now. "I know you do."

The rest of the walk was silent. I was left to grapple with my complicated feelings for Aleah, while Brock, I assumed, was probably engaged in something more productive, like trying to figure out where she could have gone.

Then, it hit me like a brick.

Those guards. They must have taken her. She must have gotten captured, and she knocked me out and dragged me into that cell so I wouldn't suffer the same fate. Regret was all I felt in that moment. Her only thought had been to protect me, even if it meant sacrificing herself. I knew then, with absolute certainty, that I could deny my feelings for her no longer. I needed to find her.

We finally crawled back through Aleah's wardrobe, emerging into her room. I wasn't ready for who I saw when we reentered. Aleah was sitting on her bed, facing the wardrobe and by the looks of it, she was completely unharmed.