Annie readied for bed and opened the last article about Koxinga and Formosa and began to read. As she drifted to sleep her phone fell from her hand.
Annie startled awake and realized she was not in her bed, but she was moving. Or being carried, rather. She moaned and turned her head toward the one responsible and clashed eyes with none other than Koxinga himself.
"It's you!" She whispered, her throat terribly hoarse.
"Ahh, you know who I am now?" Koxinga said with sarcasm heavy.
"Please put me down!" Annie begged. If what she read of Koxinga was true then she had literally fallen into the hands of a cruel man.
"You will lead me into the fort." The domineering warrior said.
"And if I don't?" She countered. She knew that Fort Zeelandia would fall to Koxinga and his men. Could she prevent it?
"You will take us into the Fort or I will kill you." Koxinga said.
Well that certainly left her with limited options! Anna also knew that she had to comply. She couldn't do anything to alter history so pointed in the general direction.
"Couldn't I at least walk?" Annie asked hesitantly.
"You are my prisoner. I will carry you if I so choose." Koxinga answered blandly. She sighed and fell back on his chest. She could hear his heart pounding. She realized that she was at his mercy, but simultaneously she was struck by how strong he was and how secure she was in his arms.
They had reached the fort and he suddenly stood her on the ground and pushed her behind him.
"Stay behind me," he commanded.
She was startled to realize that he was protecting her from the onslaught of the Zeelandia men.
As the fighting intensified she was fearful, but Koxinga was her shield. Eventually the Chinese warriors stepped back. She knew from her reading that the onslaught went on for months. The Chinese play the long game. They would conquer all in good time. What surprised her was that he wouldn't return her to the fort.
Instead, he announced to the men that night that Annie was his woman and no one could touch her. Why had he said this? Was he doing so to protect her? Or did he really mean that she belonged to him now?
But she was too tired to sort out everything then. It would have to wait until morning.