Molly shut her eyes in an attempt to block the faint stream of light. She was unwilling to observe it, as it was beginning to drive her to madness. She positioned herself on the frigid floor and endeavoured to disregard the notion of what else resided in this space with her. It exuded an antiquated and stale odour, suggesting it had remained undisturbed for years. Molly had sneezed numerous times, leading her to feel as though her nose was congested with dust.
Molly’s thoughts were consumed by the prospect of Jayce being ambushed. She regretted that he had not departed as he had indicated; he was the sole genuine target. Molly’s fate was inconsequential in comparison to his. Had he returned to the palace, they would have either released her or ended her suffering definitively.
Had they commenced the assault on them yet? They are required to have. Several hours had elapsed since she first became aware of their scheme, leaving her uninformed. She would be aware if Jayce were injured, would she not? Would only her wolf possess the ability to discern such matters? It was excruciating to remain uninformed above all else. Jayce might be deceased for all she was aware while she remained here ineffectually.
She ought to have recognised that it was excessively simple. Mr. Hugh acquiesced to Beckham with undue haste and facilitated the agreement with excessive ease. Her subconscious informed her it was erroneous, yet she permitted herself to accept it like an unsuspecting simpleton. Colton and the other villagers now endured hardship due to her actions. It was invariably due to her. Had she not embarked on this trip, it could have proceeded significantly more smoothly rather than devolving into chaos at every juncture.
“Joseph?” Molly enquired. “I believe I have fractured my ankles,” she stated feebly. She recognised his indifference; there was no purpose in continuing. How many attempts had she made to elicit a response from him? Potentially one hundred or more. Her ankles were, at worst, contorted. If Joseph possessed any remaining sympathy for her, he would at least enquire about her well-being. However, Molly sensed that she was utterly isolated.
“Is it truly broken?” Joseph enquired softly from above. Molly looked up, but he had not yet taken down the boards. His shadow traversed the light and halted directly above her. Each board creaked sufficiently to strain her ears, yet it was preferable to the silence he compelled her to endure.
“Affirmative,” Molly exclaimed. She expressed her emotions profoundly with each word. “The pain is excruciating, Joseph. I doubt I can mobilise.”
“I currently lack the means to extricate you.” He stated while leaning down. “Are you experiencing haemorrhaging?”
“I believe so… I cannot perceive anything in this location, but I struck the ground forcefully when you dropped me.” Molly clutched the wall. It was frigid; she desired to recoil from it, yet it was her sole support. “Why are you unable to extricate me from this situation? I cannot flee with fractured ankles.”
“I must retrieve the rope, but Mr. Hugh has taken it with him. I cannot extricate you alone.”
“Are you unable to lift me out?” Molly enquired with a semblance of innocence. Nothing is more detrimental to a man than a wounded ego.
“I did not state that—” Joseph exhaled sharply and began to lift the board before abruptly halting. “Are you attempting to manipulate me once more?”
“What are you discussing?” Molly attempted to rise, but she grimaced as soon as she bore weight on her ankle. “I require an item for my ankles…”
“I believed you were distinct, Molly,” Joseph remarked softly. Molly grimaced as the familiar pang of guilt throbbed in her chest. “I presumed you held affection for me akin to my feelings for you.”
“You are unfamiliar with me, Joseph. How can you develop affection for me so swiftly? You are attractive, and I wish to trust in your kindness; your approval is unnecessary.”
“I was not soliciting your endorsement! I presumed you held affection for me.”
“Joseph, you informed me of your awareness regarding the prince and myself. What prompted your interest in me? I am uncertain of your expectations, as I was merely a captive under your supervision.”
Joseph derided her statement as if it were absurd. “You are merely a toy for a prince infamous for discarding women as if they were garments. I underestimated your naivety in succumbing to his allure. I should have recognised your deceit when the prince dispatched a guard to ensure your safety; he would not extend such consideration to an ordinary maid.”
Molly recognised his attempts to provoke her, yet she remained resolute in her composure. “I apologise for exploiting you, Joseph. No one merits having their benevolence rejected. Can you comprehend my rationale? Observe my situation! You have relegated me to a pit, and it is evident this was your intention from the outset. I was never going to be surrendered to Jayce without resistance.”
Joseph repositioned himself above her. Molly stated, “I initially perceived you as an admirable man whom any woman would be fortunate to possess. My perception altered the instant you transformed into a different person. I am uncertain which aspect of you is authentic.”
“It represented my authentic self-”
“Joseph! You must assume your post; the prince has arrived.” a guard exclaimed, his tone frantic. Molly experienced a momentary flutter in her heart—Jayce had arrived? Already?
Joseph rose abruptly, and she observed as his shadow vanished, followed shortly by the sound of the door slamming. Molly exerted herself to detect any indication of Jayce, but she discerned nothing. She was aware that Jayce would persist relentlessly until he achieved his desires. What caused her blood to surge at the notion that he desired her so intensely?
Her entire essence yearned for him in an unforeseen manner. She envisioned his embrace nightly, only to awaken to the disheartening reality of his absence. He was now present.
Molly compelled herself to rise on her painful ankles. “Hello?” she enquired. No one spoke; she must have been utterly isolated. “Jayce!” she exclaimed futilely. She was aware that there was no possibility he had arrived already.
A cacophony of screams emanated from beyond the door. Molly shivered and covered her ears when the sounds became nauseating. It resembled the sound of damp bodies repeatedly colliding with the doors until they ultimately fractured and burst from their hinges. Molly indeed hoped it was Jayce; otherwise, she would not have desired to emerge.
“Molly?” a panting voice enquired. The deep sound was melodious to her ears. It resonated within her, leaving her yearning for additional stimulation.
Molly wept uncontrollably as she yelled. “Jayce! Over here!”
His footsteps were resounding as he searched for her. His presence resonated within her, as though a dormant part of her being had finally begun to awaken. “Where to?” he growled impatiently. Molly shut her eyes and envisioned him instantly. His furious countenance and bloodied physique. Her fingers curled in contemplation. How had she transitioned from detesting his frowns to yearning for them?
“Beneath the floorboards!” Molly exclaimed feebly.
