The first thing Adina felt was the dull ache in her head.

The second was…fear.

The men laughed over her, tugging at her arms and legs, treating her body like she was some sort of dummy. She was scared…fear gripped her soul. She couldn't break out of the shell they had locked her in. It was almost like her body didn't belong to her anymore.

A tear slipped from her eyes, and finally she opened them, her chest heaving heavily as if she had been in a deep trance.

The first thing she saw was the stark white ceiling. Her heart pulsed hard that she could hear it in her ears. She closed her eyes once again and opened them…confirming that she truly wasn't in that forest again. No. She was in a room.

The second thing she saw was him. He stood a few feet away, watching her—no, studying her.

She opened her mouth to speak, only then did it register in her head. He's the king, and he's here…

She jolted upright, a sharp gasp escaping her lips as she scrambled backward in shock and fear. "M-M-my king," she stammered.

Thorne merely cocked an eyebrow at her reaction. It wasn't anything he hadn't been expecting.

He didn't say anything for the longest time, then finally, he spoke. "You're awake."

Adina slowly looked up at him, feeling like a wild animal in some sort of way. She nodded quickly, her heart beating fast.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" he asked quietly.

Adina blinked at him, her chest heaving, and then shook her head. Her lips trembled as she whispered, "No… I don't think so."

So it was real. He really came, and he saved her…he cut off all of their heads, ripped them apart like they were just meats at the butcher's market. He saved her.

Throne stepped forward, and she whimpered involuntarily, her eyes widening at the sound, and she immediately clasped her hand over her mouth tightly, watching with wide eyes as he moved toward the table to pour water into the cup.

He held it out for her. "Drink."

She blinked, surprised. She looked up at him, lips between her teeth. She slowly reached out and took the cup from him, their fingers brushing.

Her heart stuttered.

The cup trembled slightly in her hands as she brought it to her lips and drank. The cool water soothed her dry throat. Just as she lowered the cup, the door burst open.

Lord Levi stepped in. No—he rushed in. "Your majesty. I just heard—" the words died down in his throat when he laid eyes on Adina.

His breath seized for a second, and he moved toward her, but he didn't get the chance.

Thorne shifted.

"Stop."

Levi halted instantly, as if he had slammed into a wall. He blinked at the king, then looked at Adina. "Forgive me. I—I heard she was attacked…I just wanted to see—"

"You've seen her. Now leave. You have no business here."

Levi flinched. His throat bobbed. He looked at Adina like it pained him greatly to leave, then he bowed stiffly. "Yes, your majesty." He turned and walked out, the door clicking softly shut behind him.

Adina gripped the cup tightly. The air felt heavy. Why did Lord Levi come, and more importantly…why did he look so…concerned?

She looked up at Thorne only to find him already staring at her. She quickly lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "For being a bother. I didn't mean to keep causing trouble. I never meant to—"

"You lied," he cut her off sharply.

Adina snapped her gaze to him, confusion clouding her features. She lied? About what?

"You're injured," Thorne said calmly as he reached for a bottle of alcohol and some wool.

Adina watched in surprise as he doused the wool in the alcohol then turned to face her. "It's going to hurt."

He didn't wait for her to respond. Thorne stepped forward, his presence overwhelming.

Adina tried not to flinch, but her shoulders tensed as he reached for her.

"I—I can do it," she whispered, trying to take the wool from him, but he pulled back, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Stay still."

Her breath hitched.

The sting was instant, she gasped softly, hands gripping the sheets tightly as the wool met the cut on her forehead. Her eyes watered, but she didn't move.

Thorne's touch was steady. He was careful, but not overly gentle. Like he was used to dealing with wounds but didn't quite know how to handle fragile things. Or maybe… maybe he didn't want to.

He tossed the bloodied wool aside and stood, wiping his hands with a clean cloth. "You'll be moved out of here tomorrow."

Adina blinked. "M-moved?"

"You won't be going back to the slave quarters," he said flatly. "You'll stay in the main palace. Under my direct orders."

Her stomach twisted. "But—why?"

Thorne looked at her like it was obvious but didn't reply.

He merely stepped back, hands slipping into his pockets. "You're my personal maid now," he continued, "That means you answer to no one but me. Not the head maid. Not the guards. Not even Levi."

The way he said Levi's name held weight. It was almost like he detested the man. Why would he, though?

"You'll eat when I say, sleep when I say, and go nowhere without my permission. Do you understand?"

Adina nodded slowly, her chest tightening. "Yes, my king."

Thorne gave her one last look…something unreadable flickering in his eyes, then turned and walked to the door.

Before he left, he paused. "Rest."

The door shut behind him.

________

Thorne sat on a chair, rubbing his temples tiredly. He still hadn't been able to sleep. He forced himself for an hour tops and woke up gasping. Another nightmare.

Caelum entered silently, holding a steaming cup of tea. "Drink this," he said, passing it to him.

Thorne took it, bringing it to his lips. He drank slowly, then closed his eyes for a moment…just a moment.

"You know what you're doing, don't you?" Caelum said after a pause.

Thorne didn't answer.

"Keeping her close will only strengthen the bond. You're making it worse."

He opened his eyes, looking outside the window. Still, silent.

Caelum raised an eyebrow. "What exactly is it that you want, my king?"

Thorne said nothing, but the tight clench of his jaw was answer enough.