Page 11 of Captive Heart

Despite my fear, I find myself relaxing against Zoldryn's warmth. His heat is comforting, a stark contrast to the chill of the stone beneath me. I clutch my necklace tightly, feeling the smooth stones press into my palm.

I can't help but feel a pang of guilt as I think about Brin. She sacrificed herself so that I could escape, and now I'm right back where I started. Nothing has changed. I'm still a slave, still at the mercy of someone else's whims.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Maybe there's a reason why Brin gave me this necklace. Maybe it's more than just a trinket. I run my fingers over the intricate design. It has to be if she was so adamant that I take it. A family heirloom, perhaps?

I don't even know my family. The only parental figure I had were the slaves who raised me to be just as submissive as them. I wonder if they ever thought about escaping, if they ever felt the same fear and anger that I do now.

But there's no use dwelling on the past. I need to focus on the present, on finding a way out of this situation. I take another deep breath, feeling the weight of the necklace in my hand. Maybe it's just a superstition, but I can't help but feel like it's giving me strength.

10

ZOLDRYN

"Hmm… this one should go here…"

I watch Lyra as she moves around my lair, her slender fingers carefully picking up each of my treasures and placing them in neat stacks. It's a strange sight, this human woman handling my possessions with such care and attention. I can't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the intrusion, but there's something about her that intrigues me.

As I observe her, I can't shake the feeling that there's more to her than meets the eye. She emits a strange power that I can't quite put my finger on. It's not like anything I've ever felt before, and it's confusing as hell. How can a mere human possess such magic?

I try to puzzle it out as I watch her, but she seems completely oblivious to her own abilities. It's frustrating, to say the least. If I'm going to use her to overthrow The Elder, I need to understand her power and how to control it. But if she doesn't even know she has it, how can I possibly do that?

I decide that the only way to get answers is to get closer to her. I need to earn her trust, make her feel comfortable around me. Maybe then she'll reveal her true nature.

I approach her slowly, trying not to startle her. "What are you doing?" I ask, my voice gruff.

She jumps at the sound of my voice, dropping the trinket she was holding. "I'm just...cleaning," she says, her voice trembling slightly.

I raise an eyebrow. "Cleaning?" I repeat, looking around at the masterpiece that is my lair. It's not exactly the kind of place that screams "cleanliness."

She nods, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Yes. I thought...I don't know. I..."

I can't help but feel a grudging respect for her. She's trying to make the best of a bad situation, and there's something admirable about that. But I can't let my guard down. Not yet.

Reaching around her, I grab a dress made of shiny cloth material.

I hold out the dress to Lyra, watching as her eyes widen in surprise. She takes it from me hesitantly, her fingers brushing against mine for a brief moment. I can feel a surge of her power wash over me, and I have to fight the urge to take a step back.

"Put it on," I command, my voice gruff.

Lyra's cheeks flush pink again, and she looks around the room nervously. "Right here?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, returning to perch on my stone bed. I can't help but feel a twinge of irritation at her hesitation. Does she not understand that I am her master now? That she must do as I say?

"Yes, right here," I say, my voice cold. "Unless you would prefer to remain in those rags."

Lyra bites her lip, looking down at the dress in her hands. She seems to be weighing her options, and I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Will she defy me? Will she try to run?

But to my surprise, she begins to undress. She turns her back to me, her slender shoulders trembling slightly as she pulls the hem of her tattered rag tunic. I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the sight of her submission.

But then she turns to face me, her cheeks flushed and her eyes filled with fear. "Are you going to watch me?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I feel a surge of anger at her audacity. How dare she question me? How dare she challenge my authority?

"Put the dress on, human!" I roar, my voice echoing through the cavernous room.

Lyra's eyes widen in fear, and I can feel her power surging again. It's a strange feeling, this boost of strength and power that filters through the air and soaks into me. And I can't help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of harnessing that power for my own gain.

But for now, I must bide my time. I must earn her trust, make her believe that I am her ally. Only then can I truly begin to unlock the secrets of her power.

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