Page 41 of The Last Guardian

All night, I had relived every step that had led me to this point—this moment in my life when I could finally choose my own path.

For far too long, I had let others dictate the course of my existence, like a mere spectator. My father had always sought to dominate me since birth, using every blow to brand me with his hands, his whips, his belt.

The scars on my back, the one below my breast, the two tiny holes etched on my neck, the bite from the wolf, all these scars reminded me of my survival.

I closed my eyes, trying to bury each one deep within my soul.

Each scar was a chapter in the tale of a princess who had never taken control of her own life.

But now… Now, I’d chosen. Instead of seeing them as brands of what others wanted me to be, I’d see them as marks of what I was becoming. What I wanted to be. A woman capable of defending the frightened little girl within her.

They were proof of my endurance, even as the shackles tightened and the wounds deepened.

I was still breathing.

I was still fighting.

And I never wanted to feel like that again.

Powerless.

I took slow, deliberate breaths, keeping my lids shut, and pictured the person I had always aspired to be.

The young princess, seeking refuge in her palace? Or the adult striving to create a better world, a better existence, not only for herself but also for those she held dear?

I was ready, like a flame ignited at sunrise. I gently cracked open my eyes, savoring the first rays of light that touched my lids. And as the sky welcomed a new day, I allowed myself to embrace the new dawn.

“I ACCEPT YOUR offer.” My voice carried away with the wind.

The waves softly swayed the ship’s hull in unison with the salty breeze.

Zaidkiel turned toward me, still wearing black leather with the intriguing wolf carving on the left side, similar to the one on the sails.

“On my terms,” I emphasized, my chin held high.

“So, you believe that you hold some form of power to bargain with.” He raised an eyebrow and put his hands in the pockets of his black leather pants. “And what leverage did you think you had to negotiate exactly?”

“This isn’t a negotiation, Commander. You can refuse, and I’ll be off the ship at the next port.” The wind nearly blew away the blue dress I was wearing as my hand caught the railing.

Zaidkiel studied me from head to toe, and a playful smile tugged on his lips. For a moment, I thought he would ignore me, but then he spoke once more.

“So, what are your terms, Princess?”

My heart pounded in my chest as I looked at the horizon for a moment.

“Regaining my memories is my top priority. Even with your quest—or whatever it may be—this shouldn’t be put aside.”

“Of course,” Zaidkiel said with a satisfied look on his face. “What else?”

“I want to learn how to defend myself,” I said.

In case Haedeon attacked me again, if he found me.

Zaidkiel remained silent, waiting for me to continue. And I did.

“There are people in Lorath who need me. I want to take them out of that godforsaken city before Haedeon attacks them, too. If only they could join us…”

If I could escape, maybe my siblings could too, right? I hadn’t thought about how that was possible. But I needed to see them at least one last time because I was never going back to Lorath.