Page 38 of Mated to the Alien Warlord

"Jynn?" I wiped my swollen eyes. "It's nice to see you again."

"Warlord Fionbyr rotates our shifts on who is taking care of you. I guess he finally ran through all the servants."

I blinked at her, wondering how much time had gone by. "How long… how many…"

"It's been a month, Lady Damaris," she said in a voice filled with empathy.

"Oh." A month? How had a precious month gone by without me being able to figure out how to get out of here?

Reluctantly, Jynn stepped closer. "Did somebody tell you what the warlord has planned? Is that why you are crying?"

"No… yes…" My lips twitched, trying to hold back more tears. "I know what he has planned, but that's not why I'm crying."

"Oh," she said.

"Out there," I waved my hands to the army camped out. "My husband is out there."

"Oh," she repeated, understanding blooming on her pretty face. "Oh, lady, I'm so sorry. That has to be hard on you."

I nodded, a half-baked idea forming. "If I could just sneak across that field, I would be safe."

As suspected, Jynn recoiled at the idea. "I'm sorry, Lady Damaris, but I could never betray Warlord Grobhan. Warlord Fionbyr is his guest."

"Of course, of course," I hurried. "I'm not asking you. I was merely thinking about the impossible situation. He is so close."

She nodded. "That has to be hard."

"Especially with what Fionbyr is planning for me and my child." I placed my palm on my belly and moved it in circles. "Do you have children?"

Jynn's face lit up. "Yes, two."

"Oh, how wonderful. What are their names? How old are they?" I asked, honestly curious but also desperate to develop a bond with the only woman I thought might be able to help me.

"Kay and Olyver, they're half Thyre," she said proudly. "Kay is five and Olyver is two."

I stroked my belly some more and allowed more tears to fall. "I will never know the joy of watching my child grow up."

"Oh, lady." Jynn took my hand. "I'm so, so sorry."

I gave her a weak smile, hating myself for manipulating her, but also having no choice if I ever wanted to get out, and my chances of survival had just increased with my husband camping out there.

"Me too," I squeezed her hand. "Tell me about your children," I encouraged, and not just to manipulate her, but because I welcomed the idea of thinking about something other than myself, my baby, and Vandor so close and yet so far away.

Jynn brought me breakfast, lunch, and dinner that day, and every time, I talked to her about her children, her husband, and life at castle Acklymburg. She even confided how much life had changed since Grobhan had aligned himself with Fionbyr and how much she and her husband hated it.

An idea formed in my mind. "What if I had the means of guaranteeing you and your husband a different life? One where you wouldn't have to work for Grobhan?"

"One where I helped you escape?" she replied shrewdly.

I nodded. "Yes, my husband would be more than willing to take your family in."

"This is our home," she argued.

"You could make yourself a home wherever you liked. My father is King Helmut. He would welcome you into Steppenfort if you wanted to stay in the steppe. Or you could live in one of the strongholds by the Dark Sea. It's beautiful there and—"

I knew I laid it on too thick, but my desperation had grown to unimagined proportions. I was almost willing to fling myself at her feet and beg her to open the door and let me out.

She waved her hand to cut me off, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, Lady Damaris."

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