Molly shifted awkwardly. How could she place her trust in the leader of outlaws? Having heard numerous dreadful accounts over the years regarding the rogues and their capabilities, she now found herself seated opposite their leader.
Her eyelids sagged slightly, yet she compelled herself to reopen them to observe him. “Where are you taking me?” she enquired with a voice more assertive than her true feelings.
“A secure location where you may recuperate. You are not being detained, Molly. You are at liberty to exit at your discretion. However, I would strongly counsel against this, given your apparent state of exhaustion.”
Molly peered through the window and observed nothing but vast expanses of darkness and snow. Even if she were not in distress, she would be unable to endure the night independently.
Her garments were tattered and stained with blood, her injuries had yet to commence the healing process, and every part of her felt numbed by the cold. Existence was excruciating; each breath intensified her suffering, and her mind urged her to succumb to slumber, despite her pervasive sense of insecurity.
“We have a short journey remaining; you may close your eyes if necessary. You are secure here,” Colton stated softly. She likely appeared to him as a terrified, bloodied rodent. Eventually, she would not endure such brutal beatings. She would not be astonished if she were never able to open her eyes again.
Molly observed him for several minutes. He provided a slight smile and reclined against the seat to gaze out of his window. Gradually, her eyes descended despite her struggle to maintain them ajar.
Heat applied to her injuries. Molly awoke with a gasp, her hands clutching her shoulders to restrain her against the bed.
Sleeping apparatus? Where was she located?
“Remain still; it is not yet closed.”
A sudden pain compelled her to concentrate. She reclined on cotton sheets, adorned in an oversized dressing gown that did not belong to her. Her hair was untamed and dishevelled, as an unfamiliar woman applied a warm cloth to her shoulder.
“This situation was quite unfavourable, yet I believe you will manage.” The woman remarked with a faint smile. Her grey hair was arranged in a bun atop her head, and her smooth brown skin exhibited no visible wrinkles. “I had to suture it to halt the bleeding. You must consume something to regain some of your strength.”
“Where am I?” Molly whispered, her voice hoarse. She attempted to clear her throat, but it felt as though blood would emerge if she tried again. The woman assisted her in sitting up and provided her with a cup of cold water. It was sheer delight experiencing it against her inflamed throat. She consumed it voraciously.
“You are at the primary rogue encampment; Lord Colton has escorted you here.”
“What is the duration of my absence?”
“He arrived only about an hour ago, after which I attended to your needs. He returned briefly to provide you with a plate of food but departed to afford you some privacy.” The woman positioned another pillow behind her back and placed a plate of food on her lap. “You must consume all of that; otherwise, you will faint again.”
Molly felt her face and ran her fingers across her cut lip and swollen eye. She trailed her fingers down her neck where the animal of a man had bitten her. Molly briefly wondered how Jayce would react if he saw another man had bitten her. Not that… it should matter to him. Vera remained his partner and companion. She was the intended target of his bite, not Molly.
Molly, trembling, expressed her gratitude while clutching the plate. “How should I address you?”
“You may refer to me as Naomi,” she stated, her smile failing to illuminate her eyes. Naomi positioned herself on the bed’s edge while Molly began to nibble at her meal. “The individuals you encountered do not represent us. Our group does not inflict suffering on innocent women for information. I apologise for your experience.”
Molly halted midway through her sandwich and blinked. The inner voice cautioned her to exercise vigilance. They may merely be attempting to deceive her into placing her trust in them. They might believe that she would divulge all her knowledge about the palace if they treated her kindly.
Molly chose to acquiesce for the time being, at least until she could escape and regain her safety. “Thank you,” Molly averted her gaze. The woman caressed her knee softly.
“Attempt to rest after you have completed your task. You have lost a significant amount of blood and will not recover until you do so.” The bed shifted as Naomi rose and collected the soiled supplies. “Should you require assistance, please feel free to enquire. I reside directly opposite.”
She proceeded towards the door. After it was shut behind her, Molly rose as swiftly as she could without losing consciousness again. The room was unadorned, featuring only a wooden dresser and a rocking chair. Clearly, no one else resided here; it was likely designated for the injured or for individuals intended for interrogation.
Molly searched through all the drawers for a weapon but discovered only spare clothing and towels. She meticulously changed from the nightgown into a thick sweater and trousers before donning the boots she had arrived with.
