Page 37 of Mated to the Alien Warlord

A way out of here? A horse? My mind screamed, but I didn't want to put her in an awkward position right away. My survival instincts kicked into high gear because it wasn't just me I needed to look out for. I had my baby to think of too.

I had no doubt that Vandor would move the moon and sun to rescue us, but he most likely didn't even know we needed rescuing.

He expected me to be safe and sound at home in Wyrkymburg, along with my guards, who were also imprisoned now, or worse. No, I didn't want to think about Wrynn and the others. It was too much.

"Some food would be nice. The baby needs lots of nourishment," I said, attempting a weak smile and stroking my slightly swollen belly.

"Oh, you are pregnant?" Jynn exclaimed excitedly. "I promise I will spoil you and fatten you up."

"That would be very nice," I forced myself to look confident and pleasant when all I wanted was to scream at her to help me find a way out of here.

I knew servants were loyal. Asking her for help now would only worsen my situation. I licked my lips and bit down on them. This would require patience and manipulation. Both character traits I was usually short of. I needed to come to grips with the cold, hard truth: if I wanted to get out of here, it wouldn't be today or tomorrow, probably not even next week. And that realization scared me even more because time was what I was painfully short on. Once I grew heavier with the baby, it would be harder for me to move around or ride. Not to forget the fast-approaching cold season, which would make it nearly impossible for me to be out there on my own.

I bit my lip even harder to keep from crying over the hopelessness of my situation.

EverydayIstaredout of the window. It was my only pastime besides talking to the servants who came three times a day to deliver food and who were different each day, making it impossible to form a relationship with them. Which was probably just how Fionbyr had planned it.

It was hard fighting my increasing depression, but I tried my best by talking to my baby, telling him about all the things I saw from my window.

One morning, it was a family of grovers who played in the fallow fields that surrounded Acklymburg. Another time I watched a flock of birds as they flew circles over the same fields searching for food.

Every once in a while, I even saw a farmer, checking the soil and contemplating what he would plant after the cold season.

Sometimes I read to my baby. Sitting by the fire, I pretended to be home at Wyrkymburg, killing time until Vandor would walk through the door to greet us.

All in all, I wasn't mistreated. I found myself inside a gilded cage, was fed and provided with everything I asked for, from certain dishes to books and clothing, everything but freedom.

My belly grew daily as well, filling me with happiness and dread. Every night I fell asleep wondering how I would ever get out of here, and every morning I woke asking myself the same question.

The door to my chamber was locked, of course, but I wasn't sure if guards were stationed on the other side or not. Probably not though, I concluded, because Fionbyr and I both knew that I had no place to go.

Alone, it would be suicide to run into the woods. Besides predators, Udruns lived in the forests. They would have welcomed the opportunity to kill me. They loved nothing better than to hunt and kill humans as much as Thyres, whom they equally hated for settling on what they thought of as their land.

But I knew sooner or later I needed to do something because staying here meant certain death. I harbored no doubts that Fionbyr would make good on his promise. He was known for following through on his threats. Just as he was known for his ambition and mercilessness toward men, women, and children alike.

Plus, he carried a special hate for Vandor for rescuing me and foiling Fionbyr's first plans of abducting me.

One morning when I woke and walked to the window, I was in for a surprise. My heart hitched the moment my eyes landed on an unexpected spectacle.

The fallow fields I had been watching were filled with tents of all sizes and colors. Warriors moved about as if readying themselves for an attack.

My heart stuttered when I recognized Vandor's banner flying against the azure blue sky.

"Vandor," I whispered.

For a moment I even thought I saw him riding on Mordakay and giving orders. My vision, however, swam with tears, and I wasn't able to say if it was truly him or wishful thinking. It didn't matter though. He was here. And so close I could have run to him and been in his arms within minutes.

That thought nearly crushed my heart, and I barely stopped myself from flinging the window open and calling his name. Desperation filled me so completely; my hands were already on the knobs to open the little latches when I stopped myself. Sobbing, I bit on my lip to not break down and succumb to the urge to scream at Vandor to come and rescue me.

Because the truth was that yes, we were only a few paces apart, but the paces were filled with quicksand and indestructible walls. As much as I wanted him to, I didn't think he knew I was here. I didn't think he had assembled an army to lay siege because of me. And even if he had, calling out to him would only distract him.

"I love you," I sobbed, curling over my even more extended belly. "I love you so much."

And because of that, I didn't dare endanger him. If he knew I was here, he would risk his life to come rescue me and the baby, and he would fail because these walls were impenetrable. He would die.

"Lady Damaris?" a shy voice called out to me.

I had been so distracted that I hadn't realized somebody had entered. Expecting to see yet another person I had never met before, I was surprised to find Jynn standing there.

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