“I was attempting to contact my wolf. I have yet to receive any communication from her,” Molly stated without hesitation. How had she become so proficient at deception? Jayce’s frown lingered in her thoughts before she dismissed it.
Joseph acknowledged with a nod. “I heard she may be absent for several days.”
“What did they administer to me? Will she recover?” Molly enquired, her grip on the garments in her hands tightening.
“I am unfamiliar with its designation, but it is one of their experimental pharmaceuticals. It has been administered to numerous individuals here, so I am confident it was effective on you. She should be completely fine once the effects dissipate.”
“Are you aware of the precise duration-”
“Does it last? No, regrettably not precisely. It endures for a few days or longer, contingent upon the dosage administered.” Joseph remarked, stepping slightly closer to her. Colton’s taunt lingered in her thoughts as her gaze followed his every movement around her.
“Is there anything else I can assist you with?” he enquired.
“A collection of keys and a horse?” Molly enquired, her smile potentially blinding him. He chuckled and withdrew.
“I will attend to it immediately,” he said with a wink. Molly observed him approaching the door once more, and a fleeting notion ignited within her, akin to a fire poised to consume everything in its vicinity.
“Halt!” Molly exclaimed. He halted with his hand extended towards the door. “It has been rather solitary here. I was enquiring if you might accompany me later when one of the meals is served, if that is feasible for you.”
His lips curled at the edges, and she recognised that she had him precisely where she desired. She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ears, as though she were bashful.
“Indeed. I believe I can accomplish that. I will arrive later.”
The smile remained on her face until he shut the door and secured it; then it vanished as though it had never existed. Molly needed to rescue herself.
Molly asserted that she was losing her sanity due to the excessive pacing in her room while alone with her thoughts. Jayce’s words tormented her more than anything else could ever attempt. Individuals often express statements in anger that they either genuinely believe or anticipate will cause the greatest harm. Individuals exhibited cruelty when they lacked the capacity to manage their own emotions, subsequently projecting their turmoil onto those they cherished.
However, she was unaware of Jayce’s genuine emotions. He returned for her despite having declared she meant nothing to him. He appeared to ensure his words resonated appropriately, subsequently attempting to compensate through his actions. Her heart experienced a profound fluctuation of emotions that continually propelled her upward for another surge. Why had she not heeded her own resolve to never be attracted to a man of his ilk? Even Kylie attempted to arrange a match with a more benevolent prince, yet her heart foolishly became entangled with Jayce, despite him being the most callous individual she had ever encountered.
Now he traversed Colton’s camp as she traversed this room, yet she envisioned a hint of fervour in his stride. She envisioned him reprimanding anyone who approached or attempted to propose a resolution to his issues. No, he intended to cultivate his anger and await the opportune moment to unleash it in his fury. Why did her heart yearn for him despite her intellect’s awareness?
She was relieved to be absent when Colton informed Jayce that he could not accompany him in his pursuit of the crown—if he intended to disclose this to Jayce, indeed. Since Jayce had not broached the subject again after she expressed her disinterest in his political views, she now realised he remained resolute in his desire to seize what he perceived as his. Throughout their time at the camp, he continued to pursue his plans covertly. Did he covertly approach Sir Antony to persuade him that he was destined to be king instead of his own brother?
“You will wear down the rug if you persist,” remarked a voice from the doorway. Molly, taken aback, turned to find Joseph holding a tray of food clearly intended for two individuals. Moreover, it appeared more enticing than the previous several dishes he had presented to her. “Apologies for the delay; the kitchens were operating behind schedule this evening,” he stated as he shut the door forcefully behind him. Molly squared her shoulders and beamed broadly.
“That is perfectly acceptable; I am pleased you arrived.”
Molly enquired whether additional guards were stationed outside the door. Were they aware that he was alone with her in this location? Did they exhibit indifference towards the actions of the guards, provided she did not escape?
She was not intimidated by Joseph, not in the least. His kindness was so pronounced that she could not conceive him as capable of anything beyond a few dry jokes and overt flirtations. Each monster possessed its own mask, and she merely wished that no beast lurked beneath his twisted smile.
“It has a delightful aroma,” Molly remarked as she positioned herself on the edge of the bed. No tables or additional chairs were present, aside from the one he appropriated for himself as he placed the tray on his lap.
“I wager it is significantly superior to the unpalatable fare they have been providing you since your arrival,” Joseph remarked with a wry smile as he presented her with a steaming plate.
“Do you consistently extend such kindness to prisoners?” Molly enquired, raising her brows and smiling lightly. His cheeks flushed slightly as his gaze shifted to her lips.
“Frankly, you are the inaugural inmate I have encountered since commencing my employment here. We were not adequately instructed on how to handle-”
“Hostages?” Molly enquired, tilting her head as she blew on her spoonful of soup.
“Indeed. Correct.” Joseph cleared his throat and bit off a substantial piece of bread. His curls nearly obscured his eyes; she surmised he was due for a haircut.
“For how long have you served as a guard?” Molly enquired nonchalantly, crossing her legs elegantly.
“I have been training for approximately four years, commencing at the age of seventeen. I was not released until about a year ago, but you represent the most exhilarating occurrence here.”
“I am pleased that you have been designated as my guard.” Molly smiled slightly and tucked her hair behind her shoulder. His gaze tracked even her most subtle movements. “I believe I would have lost my sanity without compassionate companionship.”
“You need not concern yourself with that; they have appointed me as your primary guard,” Joseph stated, puffing out his chest slightly. She would have laughed under different circumstances. He possessed an ineffable quality that was remarkably… so pure that it incited her aversion to all her malevolent thoughts. He evoked memories of her past as a maid, and nothing more. She lamented her inability to safeguard that aspect of herself.
“Is it true that you are monitoring me alone?”
