6

The chippers of the birds wake me up and I groan as the melodies pitch higher into my eardrums. I pull the covers down and get up, remembering that I am tainted from yesterday's situation. My whole body aches as I walk towards the tub and to my surprise, Jace had left me new buckets of water and soap, toiletries, towels, bed sheets, undergarments and more dresses. There was also a tray on the side with breakfast and a pile of books, art supplies and an extra table and stool. I pour the fresh water into the tub and slide in, relaxing at the still warm temperature, and begin scrubbing between my thighs and breasts and all other parts of my body to remove any memory from last night.

After getting dressed and finishing my breakfast, I pour a hot cup of tea and drag to the stool towards the window where natural sunlight illuminates the highest and sit to bathe in the warm rays and think of my escape. Whatever happened last night did not matter to him, nor should it matter to me. It is best that I escape before he drains me entirely of my dignity and blood.

A light knock on the door breaks my trance of thought and I steady my breathing in preparation for what mayhem will happen today.

"Come in."

Jace enters the room covered in black armor fitted in all the right places. I sigh and look down at my now lukewarm tea as he strides towards me.

"Is everything to your liking? Or should I bring more?"

"I'm good," I reply.

"Give me your arm Princess."

I look up at his serious expression and scoff. "No?"

"Why's that Luna?"

"Are you insane?" I reply flabbergasted. "Get me out of here and return me home, or I'll find my own way out and ruin everything in the process."

"What do you mean by that?" he smirks, pulling at my arm towards his mouth. I eye the small blade hanging on the side of his hip and go for it, grabbing it before he realizes what I've taken.

"I'll ruin this for both of us," I threaten, holding the blade against my throat.

Jace stiffens and gently releases the pressure of his clenched hand around my arm, letting it drop down.

"Who knew you would be so much work," he replies, holding out his hand towards me. "Give it back."

"No."

"Princess." Sighing, he swiftly pulls the blade towards him out of my reach and pins my wrists up against the wall. He bends over just inches away from my face and smiles, but I stay expressionless, ungiving to his actions.

"I've come here to offer something, Luna. How about you and I go to the Palace of Nightshadows?" he says.

"What do you have planned?" I mutter in response.

"Wouldn't you like a tour? It's better than staying here isn't it?"

I roll my eyes and turn towards the window, gazing at the vast view of moss and flat lands. It is quite ironic for him to say that when he could just set me free to go home. The care he provides for me is only for me to stay healthy for his appetite, and I must remind myself of that; of how he is a monster at the end of the day and nothing here is for my benefit. Accepting the tour would be a chance for me to escape, since Father must have released the guards to find me. What I must focus on now is executing the right plan for my escape, keeping the end of my short lived life as the last resort.

"Okay," I say, turning back to Jace.

We stay in silence after that and I turn my back on Jace to think some more. He carries weaponry at all times and if I could just gather more weaponry from Nightshade, I'll be able to protect myself in unprecedented times. Maybe I can create potent elixirs to scare him off, if only I had the resources and a witch.

"Do you have witches in Nightshade?" I ask, back still facing Jace.

"We do as nurses. What are you thinking Princess?"

"Just women needs," I reply. He doesn't ask more questions.

"You know," he speaks, standing by the side of my stool to look out the window. "You're awfully quiet today."

"Is there something I must say? Because I did ask you to let me go but that isn't happening, so I have nothing else to say," I reply.

"About last night then..." he starts, but I immediately get up.

"I want to be left alone. When you're ready to go you can just knock."

Jace eyes me in confusion but I continue to look out the window, hoping to hear him leave the room. It is stubborn of me to keep my urges at bay, but I know that whatever sensuality I feel as of now must be controlled.

"Luna, what's wrong?"

I turn around. "Jace, why do you care? Why are you trying to play nice with me right now?"

He sighs and replies, "It's common decency to ask how you're doing."

"Save me your fake bullshit Jace," I reply, rolling my eyes and breaking contact. "You know I'm not fucking okay, I'm a prisoner to a monster and I would much rather just die now."

"But you weren't a prisoner last night were you? You were enjoying yourself but now you're just snappy."

My eyes widen at his remark and I shove his rock hard body, only to hurt my own wrists. Either way, it did not stop me from my anger, until a thought came to mind. Because he was distracted with me, he must have forgotten to lock the door.

To test the theory, I make a run for the door and quickly go out, remembering to lock him inside the room. With glee, I run down the rotating stairs and hear him yelling at the top of the floor, but I ignore the noise and run down until I see an entrance of light.

A black horse is tied up beside a post next to the tower entrance and I run towards it, mounting myself on top of the saddle and scrabbling at the rope to let loose. Immediately, I pull at its harness and increase speed, racing straight into the array of trees not even looking back to see if Jace was nearby. I have no direction to go but straight, so I do just that.

When I finally see an opening to the end of the trees, I smile but then instantly halt. Jace stands there with his arms crossed, his face fuming with anger.