Chapter Three

Aria's POV

I paced my cell feeling like a caged animal. I couldn't help but think about the events that had led me here. I had been a princess, born into a life of luxury and privilege, but it had been a gilded cage. My father, had always been cruel and controlling, dictating every aspect of my life.

But it was when he tried to force me into an arranged marriage with Richard Lord Ravenswood that I had realized I had to escape. I had always known that my father didn't care about me, that he only saw me as a pawn to be used in his game of power and politics. But the thought of being married off to a man like Richard, a man who was almost as old as my father and who had a reputation for being cruel and abusive, was too much to bear.

I had tried to reason with my father, to plead with him to reconsider, but he had refused to listen. He had told me that I would do as I was told, that I would marry the lord and produce an heir, no matter what I wanted.

That's when I had realized that I had to escape. I had packed a small bag and snuck out of the castle, making my way into the forest.

I thought back to my childhood, to the times when my father had hit me and starved me. I had always been a disappointment to him, never good enough, never obedient enough. And now, as I stood in the cell, I realized that I had been running from him my whole life.

I hated my father, hated him for the pain and the suffering he had inflicted on me. For forcing my hand. If not for his decision to marry me off like a broodmare I would've never crossed paths with Kael. I wouldn't be standing in a dingy cell trapped and helpless.

I sat on the cold, stone floor of the cell, my back against the wall as I let out a sob. The tears streamed down my face, hot and uncontrollable, as I felt the weight of my situation crushing me. I was trapped, helpless, something I vowed to never feel again.

I had tried to hold it together, to keep my chin up and my spirit unbroken, but it was no use. The reality of my situation had finally sunk in, and I was overwhelmed by the feeling of hopelessness that had been building inside me.

I thought of the freedom I had never gotten to experience, to make my own choices. And now, the possibility of all that was gone.

I felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, with no lifeline in sight. I felt my body shake with sobs, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I was exhausted, physically and emotionally, and I didn't know how much more I could take.

I thought of Kael's words, his taunts and his teasing. I thought of the way he looked at me, with a mixture of curiosity and contempt. And I felt a wave of anger wash over me, anger at myself for being so weak, for letting him get to me like this.

But the anger was short-lived, replaced by a deep sadness and a sense of loss. I felt like I had lost myself, like I was no longer the person I used to be. I was a prisoner, a captive, and I didn't know if I would ever be free again.

As the tears finally began to subside, I looked around the cell, taking in the cold, grey stone, the iron bars, and the small, narrow bed. It was a bleak and unforgiving place, a place where hope went to die.

Kael's POV

Kael stood in the shadows, watching as she broke down in the cell. He had been observing her for some time, studying her reactions and trying to understand what made her tick. But as he saw her collapse to the floor, overcome with emotion, he felt a deep sense of despair wash over him.

He had expected her to be strong, to resist and fight back against her captivity. She had initially but he hadn't expected her to crumble, revealing a vulnerability that he hadn't anticipated. And as he watched her, he felt a pang of regret for his actions.

He shouldn't have locked her away in this cold, dark cell? He had told himself that it was necessary, that it was the only way to stop her from trying to escape. But now, as he watched her cry, he wondered if he had made a terrible mistake.

He felt a deep sense of regret for the pain he had caused her. He had never intended to hurt her, but he had done so nonetheless. And as he watched her, he knew that he had to make things right. He had to find a way to make her happy, to give her back the freedom and autonomy that he had taken from her.

But how? He didn't know. All he knew was that he couldn't keep her locked away in this cell, not now that he had seen her vulnerability.

As he stood there, watching her, Kael felt a sense of resolve wash over him. He would find a way to make things right, no matter what it took. He would give her back her freedom, and he would make sure that she was happy but he couldn't let her go.

But for now, he just stood there, watching her as she cried. He felt a sense of helplessness, a sense of regret for the pain he was causing her. And he knew that he would have to live with that regret for a long time to come.