The metallic click of the iron bolt snapped Selene to focus with a gasp. Her heart leaped. Just moments ago, she had been a silent prisoner at the window, her gaze tracing every inch of the room, searching for an elusive crack in her prison cell.
Now, she scrambled back to the cold mattress, pretending to be asleep.
When she heard footsteps, her breath hitched in her throat and her heart drummed with anxiety as she anticipated his arrival – the man who had invaded her dreams last night, the one who had made her wake up early to desperately search for escape.
She braced herself for his imposing presence and the chilling intensity of his dark eyes.
Alpha Zephyr.
Instead, Zeeb entered and a confusing mix of relief and disappointment flickered within Selene.
"Good morning," Zeeb said with a soft but stern tone.
Selene offered a clipped nod. "Good morning," she replied bluntly.
A knot of apprehension tightened in her stomach.
Surely, something is about to happen. More torment, perhaps. She thought to herself.
"I'm here to inquire if you require anything for comfort," Zeeb stated with his expression neutral.
Selene blinked back at him in surprise.
"Why?" She couldn't help but ask.
Zeeb was not surprised that she didn't trust him. "Because the Alpha wishes to ensure your comfort."
A wry, almost silent laugh escaped Selene. She bit her lip to suppress it. Was this a prelude to her execution? A calculated deception? Were they trying to probe her for information?
If so, they would find nothing. She had nothing to give them.
"I am comfortable, thank you," she said with a small snile. "You have a good way of taking care of your prisoners." She added with a dry chuckle.
Zeeb's eyes narrowed slightly.
Was she mocking him? Being genuine? He didn't know if she was being honest, sarcastic or dismissive. He looked around the confined space. It was very well maintained but still not fit for a princess.
"So, you don't need anything at all?" he pressed, a hint of sympathy softening his tone.
"I'm fine," Selene stated firmly.
Zeeb nodded and started to leave but a thought crossed Selene's mind and she decided to risk it.
"I would appreciate some clothes. And some butter and bread." She called after him.
He stopped, turning back with a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. A curt nod was his only reply before he disappeared.
He seemed kind, Selene thought to herself. She could believe he was the one who wanted to make sure she was comfortable and definitely not Alpha Zephyr .
Thinking of the Alpha made Selene fall in to spiraling emotions. Since last night, she had been battling with such strong feelings unable to push him out of her mind. She had seen him in her dream also.
The thought of him stirred a disquieting unease within her as his image clung to the edges of her mind.
She was still thinking of him when Isolde came in carrying a breakfast tray and followed by a guard pushing a rack overflowing with at least fifteen colored dresses which Selene eyed warily.
Isolde waited till the guard left before embracing Selene tightly. "Oh, thank the Goddess! I was so afraid when I saw you unconscious!" Her voice trembled with genuine worry.
"Oh!" Selene flushed.
"Don't be embarrassed," Isolde said gently, guiding Selene back to the bed.
She quickly recounted the events since Selene's collapse, including the riot sparked by the dying child.
"I saw her at the sorceress's," Selene said, a wave of concern washing over her.
"She's better now. She woke up healed this morning," Isolde replied, her smile warm.
"That's wonderful!" Selene exclaimed, then fell into a troubled silence. "So, the riot was for her?"
"Well…" Isolde hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "They came believing someone was responsible for the illness."
"Oh!" Selene's eyes widened. "But who would do such a thing?"
Isolde bit her lip, her gaze troubled. "They thought it was you."
A heavy silence descended.
"Me?" Selene shrieked in confusion.
Isolde ran a frustrated hand through her hair. "I know who you are," she admitted, her eyes filled with a mixture of pity and understanding. Selene remained silent, the truth hanging heavy in the air.
"And the people… somehow they discovered your identity and believe you caused the sickness," Isolde explained. "The Alpha dismissed it as rumor, so try not to worry."
Selene said nothing, shame coloring her cheeks as she looked down.
"They have a right to be angry then." She murmured.
"Hey," Isolde said softly, noticing Selene's distress. "No child should be punished for the sins of their parents."
Selene finally met her gaze. "You should hate me. I know he caused havoc and did terrible things ," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
"He shattered our lives. He filled us with fear, with trauma. He stole our freedom, our joy… he terrorized us," Isolde confessed, her voice laced with bitterness. "I was only two during the war. I lost my family."
Tears welled in Selene's eyes, but Isolde smiled gently, wiping them away. "But… I don't hate you. In fact, I like you," she admitted. "There's a peacefulness about you and you are so beautiful, it's almost unreal," she murmured, admiration in her eyes.
Selene looked away.
Her? Beautiful?
"I really like you, maybe it's because I was too young to remember the war… but I want us to be friends," Isolde offered.
Selene had never known true friendship.
Well, she could think of Varon as a friend in a type of way.
"If you don't mind, that is…." Isolde added with a nervous smile.
"I really would not mind." Selene said with a croaked voice fighting back tears.
She was so emotional that she cried a little when Isolde left her alone. What a pity that she, Selene would not be here for long.
She brought out the little knife she had stolen from the butter plate while Isolde wasn't looking and hoped it went unnoticed.
She would begin trying her escape today. She had the knife and clothes she needed. She was not going to wait until the New moon phase anymore with the hopes that, whatever grace had been preventing her from getting struck will still continue.
She needed to achieve her goal, to find out who her mother was.
—————————————————————————-
Isolde walked home with a lightness in her steps and her arms swinging. Time spent with Selene always left her feeling this way.
As she rounded a corner, a sudden, rough hand grabbed her arm. Fear spiked, then reduced as she recognized who it was .
"J-J-Jareth," she stammered, caught off guard.
"Are you Blaize? Lost your words?" he teased meanly.
Isolde yanked her arm away, smoothing her dress with an angry gesture. "What do you want?" she snapped.
Jareth raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "What's wrong with you?"
Isolde groaned and walked on with irritation building as Jareth's footsteps echoed behind her.
"Are you angry with me, sweetheart?" he purred.
"Don't call me that," she warned, pointing a finger. "And yes, I'm angry! I know what you did, Jareth. I'm not dumb!"
Jareth laughed, amused by her outburst. "So?" he challenged.
Disbelief washed over Isolde. "Is that all this is to you? Using me for information, stirring up trouble! This wasn't the agreement! This isn't right!"
"Who cares? She's the dark king's spawn. She deserves whatever she gets!" he spat.
"She's not responsible for her father's sins!" Isolde retorted, turning to leave.
Jareth caught her, pulling her back into his arms. "I always knew you're soft. Sweet and compassionate, that's you," he murmured, his lips finding the sensitive skin of her neck.
A jolt of unwanted desire coursed through Isolde, her resolve wavering.
She wanted to push him away, but a familiar weakness held her captive.
"See you tonight," he whispered against her ear before releasing her, leaving her conflicted.