Chapter 14 The Rescue
[Lysander]
The training field buzzed with activity as I watched warriors pair off for combat drills. My eyes kept drifting to the empty spot where Nyx should have been standing. She was already seven minutes late. For someone who'd shown such determination yesterday, her absence was... disappointing.
"Looks like Princess decided beauty sleep was more important," Seth snickered, catching my gaze. Several others joined in with knowing smirks.
I kept my face impassive. "Continue the drills."
Symone approached, her expression unreadable. "Maybe something came up," she offered, surprising me with her defense of Nyx.
I nodded curtly. "Perhaps." But doubt had already taken root. Had yesterday been too much for her? Had she given up already?
As noon approached with still no sign of her, I made a decision. "Seth, take over. Lead the afternoon perimeter run."
"Where are you going, Captain?" he called as I headed toward the equipment shed.
"To check on our newest recruit," I replied without looking back. If Nyx Verdant thought she could skip training after one difficult day, she had seriously misunderstood my expectations—and my determination.
Part of me hoped there was a legitimate reason for her absence. The way she'd pushed through yesterday's training, refusing to quit even when her body was clearly failing her... that wasn't someone who gave up easily. Something felt wrong.
As I walked toward the Verdant estate, I tried to ignore the voice in my head that had admired her tenacity. This was about maintaining discipline in my team, nothing more.
[Nyx]
The doorbell's chime startled me out of my boredom-induced stupor. I sat up quickly, my senses immediately on high alert. No one had visited since my imprisonment began this morning.
I sniffed the air—rain-washed forest and steel. Lysander. My heart did a strange little skip that I immediately attributed to surprise. Why was he here?
The doorbell rang again.
"I can't open it!" I called out, moving closer to the door. "I've been locked in!"
"Locked in?" his confused voice came through. "What do you mean?"
"Isla put me under house arrest," I explained, leaning against the door. "Luna's command. I can't leave, and the guards won't let anyone in."
There was a pause. "Why would she do that?"
"Because I went to training yesterday," I answered bitterly. "Apparently, getting muddy and sweaty isn't appropriate behavior for a Verdant daughter."
Another pause, longer this time. Then, "That's ridiculous."
I blinked in surprise. "Wait... are you actually taking my side?"
"Of course," he replied without hesitation. "You're my recruit now. And my future wife. I don't care who Isla thinks she is—she has no right to prevent you from training."
A strange warmth spread through my chest. I quickly suppressed it, unsure what to do with this unexpected support.
"Stay there," he continued, his voice hardening with determination. "I'm going to speak with Karl and Isla. I'll be back soon."
Before I could respond, I heard his footsteps retreating. I stood frozen by the door, genuinely shocked. Had Lysander Crowley just promised to fight for me? The very idea seemed absurd, yet... there was something undeniably comforting about not facing Isla's tyranny alone.
True to his word, Lysander returned less than an hour later, but he wasn't alone. Through the door, I could hear three sets of footsteps—one confident and steady (Lysander), one sharp and irritated (definitely Isla), and one heavier, resigned (my father).
The lock clicked, and the door swung open. Lysander stood there looking smugly triumphant, my father appeared vaguely uncomfortable, and Isla... if looks could kill, I'd be a pile of ashes.
"The restriction has been lifted," my father announced flatly. "You're free to resume normal activities."
"Including training," Lysander added pointedly.
Isla's lips were pressed into a thin line. "I may have... overreacted slightly," she managed, the words clearly painful for her to say.
My father sighed. "Just try not to cause any more disruptions, Nyx." He turned to leave, practically dragging Isla with him. She shot me one final venomous glance over her shoulder before they disappeared down the corridor.
When we were alone, Lysander's serious expression melted into something almost playful. "Training's finished for today, but the warriors are having a bonfire tonight to process yesterday's hunt. Want to join?"
I hesitated. "A bonfire?"
"It's part of the training," he said, a hint of command in his tone. "Learning to properly handle the kill is as important as making it."
After a day confined within these walls, the idea of fresh air and open spaces was irresistible. And if it annoyed Isla? All the better.
"Give me fifteen minutes to change," I said, already heading toward my closet. For the first time in ages, I felt something dangerously close to excitement.
---
The sunset painted the sky in strokes of amber and gold as Lysander led me through a winding path in the forest. After being cooped up all day, even the scratchy branches catching at my sleeves felt like a welcome touch of freedom. The scent of burning wood reached me long before I spotted the flickering orange glow ahead.
"The warriors were asking about you this afternoon," Lysander said. "After yesterday's training, you made quite an impression. Especially with that trap incident involving Seth."
I fought back a small smile, remembering Seth's red face as he dangled upside down. "I'm sure he had plenty to say about that."
"Actually, he's been unusually quiet," Lysander replied with a hint of amusement. "Though I should warn you, social gatherings can be different from training. Some of them might still be... cautious."
I shrugged, trying to appear indifferent. "I can handle it." The truth was, after the few warriors had approached me with genuine questions yesterday, I'd felt a tiny spark of hope. Being locked up all day had only intensified my desire to return to that tentative connection.
We stepped into the clearing where about twenty warriors had gathered around a massive bonfire. The crackling flames illuminated faces mid-laugh, cups raised in toasts. The easy camaraderie was palpable—and while it didn't stop completely, there was a noticeable shift when they spotted us.
Several heads turned our way. In the momentary lull, I could hear the sizzle of meat dripping fat into the fire.
Seth, predictably, made an exaggerated bow. "Well, well! Princess has graced us with her royal presence again!" His mockery earned a few chuckles, but I noticed they weren't as widespread as they might have been yesterday.
I kept my face carefully neutral, fighting the urge to either run or punch him. Neither would help my case.
Breathe. You've already shown them something yesterday. Build on that, Sylva reminded me.