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14.

-HER-

I stared at the window high up in the wall in my small cell. The sunlight that managed to drain into the cell through that window was the only source of light in this small cell. I was submerged in the pool of my thoughts

I had given my words in front of the court. I had to do this. I had to prove myself. I had been finally given an opportunity to claim what’s mine but… could I do this? Should I do this? If anything went wrong then the price that I’d have to pay would be my life.

I had been thinking about this ever since I had been put back in the cell after the court session. Now, everyone knew that I was here and Cleopatra had made sure to let me know that I was the lest wanted here. Though, I must admit that she had found a great way to get rid of me without staining her hands with my blood.

She has given me such a task which is almost impossible. How was I going to kill Nefret in the first place? Even if I managed to steal her soul and take her head, there was no one way I’d survive the dark portal. I had never been to the underworld and I never want to go there.

Also, how was I supposed to get into Zaeris? It was in an entirely different realm. Besides, it’s the land of wolves. Those fierce creatures… I couldn’t dare to imagine the things they’d do if I am ever caught by them. I am supposed to kill their queen, Nefret. She is the most powerful queen out there and she is Arles’ mate, which is another strong reason one shouldn’t think about putting a scratch on her body, yet, here I was, planning to assassinate her.

The more I thought about the wolves, the more I realized that the chances of me getting caught by them were really high. Cleopatra played her cards really well in this game. She made sure that even if I am caught, they wouldn’t be able to tell that I am from the Ptolemy’s. I am physically very different from the people of Alexandria. No one would ever get a hint of me being associated with the Ptolemy’s. No one would also believe my words if I were to tell them. I would be executed right away on the charges of carrying out an assassination on their queen.

This way, Cleopatra would not only get rid of me but she would also manage to avoid any wars or clashes with the powerful wolves. My sister was surely very clever.

I sighed deeply, realizing that I would, either way, lose my life in this process. There was no way I could do this successfully and even if I managed to do it, Cleopatra would never take me back because the wolves would be after me, seeking revenge for killing their queen. The consequences would be even worse.

What did I get myself into?

I sank deeper and deeper into my pool of thoughts before I reached the deepest part where the ray of hopes doesn’t reach. There, I was claimed by unconsciousness, drowning the world around me in obliviousness…

“I am ready!” I chirped, a huge grin decorating my lips. Chefren looked at me without any expression before he addressed his men. I sighed, letting the smile slip off my lips. Currently, I and a platoon of soldiers lead by Chefren were on our way to deal with some robbers who have been supposedly looting the villagers.

They were said to be fully armed and very dangerous. I had my hopes high because Chefren has chosen me to be a part of this mission. Maybe, he’s slowly starting to get interested in me? If I managed to impress him with my skills then maybe he would give me a chance? I was very positive this time.

Also, it’s been days since I last saw him. Last time when I saw him, he was in my hut, having his way with me… though, I doubt that he remembered doing anything with me. He was drunk that night and… it both pains and terrifies me whenever I think of that night but he must really love me to come to me, right?

I wonder if he remembers anything. I’d be happy if he does. He’s my first… I had given myself to him and I was ready to give myself to him again if he showed me even the slightest of emotions. I wanted him and I’d be happy if he wanted me back. It would mean the world to me if he ever just smiled at me for once.

“You!” Chefren addressed me, snapping me out of my thoughts. My eyes lit up when he looked at me. My heart skipped a beat and I felt butterflies in my stomach. Though, his face was grim and expressionless. His eyes rather hardened whenever they fell on me.

“Yes?” I chirped hopefully.

“You’ll be the one to go into their hide first. You’ll cover me,” He commanded me and I nodded happily, excited to get such an important task. This could be an opportunity when I prove myself to him!

“So, I am chosen for this because you consider me to be good at it, right?” I asked him when we finally set through the desert to reach the small village. The soldiers were following us while Chefren led the platoon and I walked beside him. He didn’t look at me as he answered, “You’re chosen for this because no one would care if you die,”

I sit up, finding myself drenched in sweat. My heart was drumming in my chest and my mouth was dry. I was dreaming again. The cell was now dark and the guard that had been assigned to watch me was snoring loudly just outside my cell. I took several deep breaths to calm my racing heart.

Meanwhile, I recalled the dream. It was not as scary as others but it had Chefren in it. His words still haunted me. My heart ached every time I thought about it. I still found it hard to believe that he could do this to me after everything I have done for him. All I wanted in return was his love, even if it was halfhearted.

Is it too much to ask to be loved?

Past my stained character and bad reputation was a girl no one ever cared to see. I was made of the same flesh and bones as any mortal on this land. I had the same feelings and needs which a living being with warm blood had but why was I so ill-fated? What did I do in my previous life to be born into this?

I tried to cry but no tears came out. I was dehydrated and hungry. The dream had shaken me completely. I couldn’t force myself to sleep even if I tried very hard. I tried my best to peak out of the window to know if it was close to morning yet.

The sound of footsteps outside my cell claimed my attention. I froze when a familiar tall and muscular man stood on the other side of the bars. His brown eyes were harsh on me. My breath was stuck in my throat as he unlocked the cell door. The memories of him taking away my innocence soon came crashing down on me.

“Chefren,” I drew out. My voice was barely a whisper. My thirst remained unquenched as my eyes drank in his appearance. He was in his fighting gear with all his weapons. There was not a bit of remorse or softness in his eyes while mine never failed to admire him.

He stalked towards me, clutching his weapon hard, ready to kill me at any given moment. I was getting flashbacks of the time when he forced himself upon me. I didn’t realize how I was slowly backing towards the corner. I had a new feeling about him that I had never before: fear. I gulped as he stopped in front of me. His harsh brown eyes peeled my skin and reached for my insides.

“What do you want?” I asked carefully. I was shaking. Goosebumps decorated my skin and fear washed away all the feelings that I had in store for him. I wouldn’t be able to save myself if he did something to me. My hands were shackled while his hand held a weapon sharp enough to end my life with only one swift strike.

“It’s time for you to go,” He grumbled, as he stepped closer to me. I watched helplessly as he took out his spear and put it between the chains that tied my hand together. Next, he pinned the spear above my hand, making my hands hang above my head.

My eyes widened in terror as he stepped in my personal space. His hot breath blew on my face before his rough, colossal hand grabbed my chin and yanked my head up. His lips crashed on mine, making me swallow my cries and agonies that always remained unheard.

~

I grunted as I landed on the sandy desert floor with a loud thud. I looked up at Chefren seated on a camel. He pulled a pouch out of his pocket before throwing it on my face. “Oww,” I muttered in pain as the pouch hit me. There was something metallic inside it which made the hit even more painful.

“Least, open my hands,” I pleaded as he was about to leave. He cocked an eyebrow at me before directing his camel at me. I gasped before rolling away. The camel’s foot landed right where I had been lying just a few moments ago.

He did not look back as rode away on his camel. The sand dunes soon swallowed him, leaving me alone with my shadow. The sun gleamed right above my head and heat rose from the sand beneath me. I reached for the pouch, inside which was a dagger and a small wooden box. There was sand inside it. I knew right away that it wasn’t ordinary sand. It was traveling sand.

I looked at the dagger. It was rusty and blunt but the special emblem that was inscribed on its handle made up for its ineffectiveness to cut through anything. I looked around me. As far as my eyes went, I saw only sand.

I took a handful of traveling sand before imaging the snow and the coldness that contradicted my surroundings.

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