Chapter 5: Echoes of Fear
Amelia stirred awake, her senses dulled but slowly sharpening as the world around her came into focus. Her head ached, and her body felt heavy as if she had been carrying an invisible weight for days. The room was quiet except for the faint crackle of a fire in the corner. She blinked, adjusting to the dim light cast by a single candle on a nearby table.
The room was unfamiliar, its stone walls cold and foreboding. The bed beneath her creaked as she shifted, the coarse wool blanket rough against her skin. A heavy wooden door stood on the far side of the room, its iron hinges worn with age. She frowned, trying to recall how she had ended up here.
Then it came back to her—the ambush, Kaelen's desperate fight to protect her, and the haunting finality of his collapse. Her chest tightened, and she clenched the blanket, willing the memories away.
A soft voice startled her from her thoughts.
"You're awake," the voice said, quiet but curious.
Amelia turned her head quickly, her heart racing. In the corner of the room sat a young girl, no older than ten. She had wide, intelligent eyes and a face that held a strange mix of innocence and wisdom. Her dark hair was tied in a loose braid, and she clutched a well-worn doll in her lap.
"Who are you?" Amelia's voice came out raspy, her throat dry and strained.
The girl tilted her head, studying her. "I'm Elira. You're in one of Lord Valerius's houses. He brought you here last night."
The mention of Valerius sent a shiver down Amelia's spine. His face—sharp and cruel—flashed in her mind, a stark reminder of the man who had orchestrated the nightmare she was now living.
"Why am I here?" Amelia asked, her voice sharper, though it trembled slightly.
Elira shrugged, her fingers idly tracing patterns on her doll's dress. "I don't know. Lord Valerius doesn't tell me much. He just said you'd be staying for a while."
Before Amelia could press her further, the door creaked open, and Valerius stepped inside. His presence seemed to fill the room, the air growing heavier. He was dressed immaculately as always, his dark cloak flowing behind him. His piercing gaze met hers, and the corners of his mouth twisted into a smirk.
"Ah, you're awake," he said, his tone dripping with feigned warmth. "Good. I was beginning to wonder if you'd sleep the entire day away."
Amelia forced herself to sit up straighter, though her body protested. "What do you want from me?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the fear coiling in her chest.
Valerius chuckled, a low, amused sound. "All in good time, my dear. For now, you'll do as you're told."
He gestured toward a door on the opposite side of the room. "Through there, you'll find a bath prepared for you. I suggest you make use of it. You've had a rather… trying few days."
Amelia's stomach twisted at his words. She didn't trust him, but the thought of washing away the grime of the past few days was too tempting to ignore. Her body ached for even a small moment of relief.
She hesitated, glancing at Elira, who now stared at her doll with a neutral expression.
Valerius's smirk faded, replaced by a sharp edge in his tone. "I won't repeat myself, Amelia. Go."
Swallowing her fear, Amelia rose from the bed, clutching the blanket around her for modesty. She refused to let him see her tremble. She walked past him, keeping her chin high, and stepped through the door he had indicated.
The adjoining room was surprisingly ornate compared to the stark simplicity of the bedroom. A large copper tub sat in the center, filled with steaming water that carried the faint scent of lavender. Neatly folded towels, a bar of soap, and a comb were arranged on a small table nearby.
She shut the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment as she tried to steady her breathing. The warmth of the room and the inviting bath offered a momentary reprieve, but her mind was far from calm.
Amelia peeled away the torn and soiled dress she had been wearing, her hands shaking as she folded it and set it aside. Her reflection in the small mirror above the basin startled her. Her face was pale, her eyes hollow, and dark shadows rimmed them. She barely recognized herself.
She stepped into the tub, the hot water stinging her raw skin at first before soothing her aching muscles. She let out a shuddering breath, sinking lower until the water reached her shoulders. For a moment, she allowed herself to close her eyes and imagine she was anywhere but here.
But the quiet was short-lived. Kaelen's voice echoed in her mind, pulling her back into the darkness.
"Amelia!" His desperate cry rang in her ears, raw and filled with pain. She saw his face again, bloodied and battered, his eyes wide with fear and determination.
"I'll protect you… even if it costs me…"
The memory hit her like a wave, and she gasped, clutching the edge of the tub. Her heart pounded in her chest as images of that fateful night flooded her mind. The clash of swords, the shouts of soldiers, and the sickening sound of steel meeting flesh.
"No," she whispered, her voice trembling. "No, no, no…"
Her hands flew to her ears, as if she could block out the memories, but they only grew louder, sharper.
She saw Kaelen fall, his body crumpling to the ground as Valerius's men dragged her away. His blood stained the ground, the metallic scent filling her senses. His final breath—ragged and broken—played over and over in her mind.
"No!" she screamed, the sound raw and guttural. It tore through the small room, echoing off the stone walls.
The door burst open, and Elira stood in the doorway, her small frame trembling. Her wide eyes darted between Amelia and the bath, alarm etched into her young face.
"Are you hurt?" Elira asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Amelia gasped for air, her chest heaving as she tried to pull herself back from the edge of panic. She gripped the sides of the tub, her knuckles white. "I'm fine," she lied, her voice hollow and shaky.
Elira hesitated, her gaze uncertain. She seemed to want to say something but decided against it. Instead, she backed away slowly. "I'll tell Lord Valerius you're almost done," she murmured before closing the door behind her.
Alone again, Amelia let out a ragged breath. She wiped the tears from her face, her body still trembling as she leaned back against the tub. She closed her eyes, willing herself to calm down.
Kaelen's voice echoed in her mind once more, but this time, it wasn't his desperate plea.
"Amelia, you're stronger than you think. Never forget that."
She clung to those words, letting them anchor her as she steadied her breathing. She couldn't fall apart now. Not here. Not while Valerius still held power over her.
Kaelen had believed in her strength, even when she doubted herself. He had fought for her because he knew she was worth fighting for.
Amelia sat up straighter, her tears slowing as determination began to harden in her chest. She didn't know what Valerius wanted from her, but she would survive. She would honor Kaelen's sacrifice by fighting for her freedom, no matter the cost.
Because no matter how broken she felt, her will remained unbroken.
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