In a land where power and deception reign supreme, two unlikely heroes find their fates intertwined in a battle against a malevolent force.
Kelvin, a daring thief, gets caught in a perilous mission to steal a prized horse, only to discover that his...
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The noise outside Morgana's lair gradually faded into silence. I strained to hear more, my heart pounding in my chest, but the exhaustion from the day's events finally overwhelmed me. My eyelids grew heavy, and despite the fear and pain, I slipped into a fitful sleep.
***
I don't know how long I was out when a soft rustling noise jolted me awake. My eyes fluttered open, and I saw a hooded figure moving quietly through the dimly lit room. Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to remain still, watching the intruder's every move.
The hooded man approached, and as he drew closer, I could see the determined glint in his eyes. My heart raced with fear and curiosity.
Who is he and what does he want?
As he reached me, he paused and pulled back his hood. For a moment, I didn't recognize him, but then the features became familiar. It was Vladimir. Relief washed over me, but I remained wary, unsure of his intentions.
"Vladimir?" I whispered, my voice trembling.
He pressed a finger to his lips, signaling for me to be quiet. Then he pulled aside his shirt to reveal a tattoo on his chest. In the dim light, I couldn't make it out clearly at first. But as he shifted, the intricate design began to come into focus—a phoenix. The tattoo seemed to shimmer, the wings of the phoenix stretching across his chest in a display that was both powerful and graceful.
It's a pretty badass tattoo. I couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration.
A thought nagged at the back of my mind. I had seen this symbol before, but I couldn't quite place where. The memory danced just out of reach, adding another layer of mystery to Vladimir's presence.
Vladimir pulled a small bundle from his cloak, revealing a piece of bread and some dried meat. He carefully fed me, his hands gentle as he helped me eat. The food was a welcome relief to the hunger I felt in my stomach. I knew it would be good for the baby too.
As I chewed, Vladimir's eyes never left mine. His silent presence was somehow calming to my frayed nerves, and I allowed myself to hope that he had a plan to save me. Once I finished eating, he squeezed my hand gently, his eyes conveying something more than mere kindness.
What does that mean? Is he going to help me escape?
He stood up and packed his things back up. I watched him go, my heart aching with both fear and hope. The door closed softly behind him, and I was left alone once more, the darkness pressing in around me. I clung to the idea that he'd help me. I had to; it was the only thing keeping me going. I wasn't alone, and there was still a chance for me and my baby to find freedom.
***
I awoke to the sickly sweet sound of Morgana's voice, her sing-song tone grating against my nerves. "Good morning, Aurora!" she trilled, her face twisted into a mockery of cheerfulness.
