She's a Hero

pte

door's soft light shining on my face. Darius's low, com

follow him. As I walk, I catch a glimpse of Darius's face, and for a moment, I think

his voice taking on a harsh tone. "You're my prope

'm too tired to fight back, too tired to care. Darius's g

wer," he com

k, but Darius's words hold a hint of promise. "Hit

it takes to get something to eat. With a surge of resentment, I h

at keeps the tension high and

-

feet as I step inside. I turn the faucet and let the water run,

ip the sink tightly, staring at my reflection. My face

hits my skin, washing away the dirt and sweat. But no amount of scrubbing can e

ll myself. Get

is there, lounging on a chair near the bed, a plate of food resting on the table b

eyes scanning me from head to toe

ve quickly to the table, ignoring the way his gaze lingers on me. Each bi

er a while, his voice low and almo

my food, pretending I can't fe

again. My limbs feel like lead, my eyelids heavy enough to slam shut

re going?" Darius's cold

eep," I mumble, barely

dtime?" His tone is sharp,

body swaying with fatig

ce Darius to you," he snaps.

rp reply bubbling in my throat. Don't push

Prince Darius... can

"Tch... Don't let me get started," he mutters. "You think you've had it ro

ike. I thought I could be cruel when I needed to be. But this... this is dif

tonight," he says with a sneer. "

it, too drained to care about his twisted idea of power. The last thing I hear

oon enough... y

morning comes far too soon. The harsh

p," he

eeper into the pillow. "Ju

ts the bed, a crumpled envelope and I force myse

is hoarse, my body still

s says flatly. "F

ps a beat. "

ion indifferent. "I fo

nvelope. "You forgot?" I repeat, my voi

etter," he say

climbing out of bed. "You don't g

cruel glint flashing in h

ou've been nothing but cold, wicked, and heartless since I got here

steps forward, and I instinctively step back. His presence

re lucky I'm tolerating this much." His eyes lock on mine, unfli

d, and I know better than to challenge it. My b

fore turning away, his footste

ing. My pulse is still racing, but I force

sharp and rigid, ju

d to for the family, for the empire. Time

my life was just another debt they needed to clear. My mother's na

last line, scrawled

being our

d of being one who saves lives, someone who matters. I wanted to heal, to help... to be somet

. I traded bandages for battle scars, and somewhere along the way,

and shut my eyes tightly. A h

y they