This male… he was so much more than I’d originally thought. His story had touched something within me. Changed me. And now, I knew I needed to make a new plan. One that didn’t just involve me leaving Ithenmyr.
I was seeing Xander in a new light. Not only that, but I was beginning to realize that things weren’t as simple as I had thought. Xander’s entire village had been destroyed. His people had been wiped out. His sister was dead.
Evil reigned all throughout Ithenmyr. This was bigger than me or the things I’d endured. Even the scars on my back seemed to pale in comparison to the pain and agony suffered by others around me.
I had thought escaping Ithenmyr would bring me freedom.
But now I was doubting everything. What good was freedom if it came at such a steep price? If it left others to suffer in agony? If I got out but others were living lives filled with despair and grief and hurt, was I really free?
Over the past few days, I had learned many things.
I had learned the taste of freedom. I had learned I was strong. But that wasn’t all. I’d learned I wasn’t born Without.
And perhaps, with the right training and someone who understood who I was,whatI was… maybe I could change things. Do things. I couldbethe elf I was born to be. Whoever that was. Before the king had stolen my future, I’d had a family. Parents. Someone had to know who I was. What I was.
The minutes slipped into hours as I meditated, my thoughts keeping me company as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The evening was coming.
Eventually, my reverie was broken when a branch snapped outside the cavern.
“Xander,” I whispered, pushing myself to my feet, “is that you?”
No reply, but I heard a small cascade of pebbles. I glanced around the cavern. Nothing seemed amiss, but my heart pounded in my chest.
Then the sound came again.
My breath caught in my throat as I slipped out a dagger, pressing my back against the rocky wall. I held my breath, moving carefully as I tip-toed my way to the entrance.
Matthias’ many teachings echoed in my mind as visions of the two of us sparring in the attic entered my head.
Be careful. Always be alert.
Always be on guard.
If someone comes close enough to touch you, you stab first and ask questions later.
Your life is valuable, Aileana. Never forget that.
And to that, I added my own mantra. The one that had given me the strength to escape before my wedding.
Even pets have teeth. No one can touch you without your permission.
I would not go back willingly. Not to that. To him. I was free, and I would remain that way.
I hissed, “Xander if this is your idea of a joke, stop and show yourself.”
Leaves crunched outside the cavern, but there was no response. I tightened my grip on the hilt of my dagger and let out a long breath. Remembering my teachings, I peeked around the corner of the cavern and saw… more trees.
And then I looked down.
A long breath escaped me as I sheathed my dagger before extending my hands. “Oh, hello, darling. What is a tiny thing like you doing all the way out here?”
Run
Ibent, running my hands down the back of the small black cat that was rubbing up against my legs. Its fur was silky and soft beneath my fingers. The animal arched its back, a softpurrescaping it as I rubbed behind its ears.
I hummed. “Aren’t you just the sweetest?”
In response, the cat licked my fingers. I laughed, continuing to pet the feline until another branch snapped.