Chapter 4: A Test In Chains
Her gaze flickered to the iron bars, then back to Prince Kade.
The weight of the chains around her wrists was constant, biting into her skin. He wanted something from her. She didn't know what it was, but she'd learned to recognize a man hungry for power. The prince wasn't here to be entertained by a mere prisoner.
Selene leaned against the wall, trying to look casual, despite the ache in her bones. "You want to know how I almost escaped, right?"
"I do," Kade said, stepping closer, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "And don't waste my time with lies or half-truths. I want to hear the full story."
She exhaled slowly, feeling her pulse quicken. Why now? After all these days, why was he interested in this moment? But she knew she had little choice. The chains were a reminder of her place.
There was nothing to be done than answer his question.
"Fine," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "The last time I tried to escape, I used the only thing I had left—my wits. You see, these guards aren't as clever as they think. There's always a gap in their pattern, a moment when they get too comfortable, too arrogant. I waited for that moment. They'd gotten used to me being obedient, so one night when they weren't looking, I picked the lock on my chains."
"How?" Kade's voice was soft, but there was an edge to it.
"Sharp edge of a rock, believe it or not," Selene replied with a smirk. "They never checked the cell properly. I kept it hidden under a loose stone in the wall. I waited for them to do their rounds, acted like I was asleep, and when the time was right, I slipped out."
Kade raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And you made it out of the cell. How far did you get?"
"Farther than you'd think," Selene shot back, her pride showing. "I used the shadows, the same skills that made me the best assassin in the guild. I knew the layout of Ironkeep well enough. I slipped past the guards, got to the outer courtyard, and was just about to scale the walls when—"
"When you failed," Kade interrupted, his tone sharp.
Selene's jaw tightened. "When I was dragged back by a dozen guards. You can only get so far when you're outnumbered and haven't eaten a decent meal in weeks."
"Convenient excuse," he murmured, but she caught the flicker of admiration in his eyes. "You were close. I'll give you that."
She crossed her arms, her chains clinking as she moved. "I've already told you what happened. Now, are you going to explain why you care?"
Kade didn't answer immediately. He studied her, as if weighing something in his mind, and then turned his back on her, pacing slowly toward the door.
"Your little escape attempt wasn't just an act of desperation, Selene. It was a test."
"A test?" she scoffed, disbelief coloring her words. "You expect me to believe that?"
He turned, his expression cold and unreadable. "Believe what you want, but I let you get that far. I had to see what you were capable of. And now that you've proven yourself, I have a proposition for you."
Selene's eyes narrowed. "What kind of proposition?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Kade replied cryptically, signaling to the guards outside. "Bring her out."
The iron door swung open with a harsh creak, and two guards stepped in. Rough hands grabbed Selene, yanking her forward. She staggered, but kept her footing, her chains rattling with each step.
"Careful," Kade's voice cut through the tension, his eyes flashing with a warning. "She is still a lady, after all."
The guards hesitated, exchanging glances before loosening their grip slightly. Selene shot a look at Kade, confused by the sudden shift in his tone. Lady? That was the last thing she had been called in years.
For the first time in so long, eyes were on her as they led her out of the cell and into the open air. The guards outside glanced at her as she emerged, whispers passing between them. She didn't care what they thought. All that mattered was the fresh air on her skin, the sun she hadn't felt in so long. Even the harsh stone of the courtyard felt less suffocating than the confines of her cell.
As she stepped out of the iron gates, she noticed the chains around her wrists being unlocked. Finally. She stretched her arms, feeling the stiffness in her muscles, and for a brief moment, she considered it—running. She was fast enough. She knew the terrain.
But before she could make a move, they clamped new chains around her wrists, heavier than before. A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
"You almost gave me hope for a second, I thought I was free," she muttered.
Kade smiled faintly, watching her closely. "You should know better than to expect freedom just yet."
Selene met his gaze, a lazy smirk on her lips. She looked at him condescendly, the same way she used to when she was an assasin. "What's this all about, Kade? You bring me out here, have your guards treat me like I'm some sort of royal guest, and yet you're still keeping me chained. If this is another game—"
"It's not a game," he interrupted smoothly. "I brought you out here because I have plans for you, Selene. You've proven your skill, your resilience. You're exactly the kind of person I need."
"And what exactly do you need from me?" she asked, her voice sharp.
Kade stepped closer, his voice lowering so only she could hear. "I want you as my champion."
Selene blinked, her mind reeling. "Champion? For what?"
"All will be explained when we reach the castle," he said, his lips curling into a smirk. "But for now, you'll have to trust me."
"Trust you?" she spat. "Ha. The last time I trusted anyone I was brought here to die."
"And yet, here you are. Standing, alive, and with a chance to change your fate."
Selene's mind raced, trying to piece it together. A champion? Why her? She had been the one betrayed, the one locked away as a murderer. Why would the prince choose her of all people? What was he planning?
One of the guards, clearly displeased with the entire exchange, sneered. "Filthy assassin," he muttered, his disdain palpable.
Selene turned to him, a cold smile on her lips. "You say 'filthy' now, but if I wasn't in these chains, you'd be dead where you stand."
The guard flinched, but said nothing, his eyes flicking nervously toward the prince.
Kade chuckled, clearly amused by her reply. "You got a sharp mouth."
"I got a lot of things that will catch your eyes. Just give me a warm bath, good food and you will see the beauty that's underneath all these mess."
"I still won't be interested."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and began walking toward the waiting carriage, his cloak billowing behind him. The guards hesitated, but eventually followed, dragging Selene along.
As the heavy gates of Ironkeep clanged shut behind her, Selene glanced back only once. She had spent 365 days in that prison, and now, for the first time, she was leaving—chained, yes, but not broken.
Whatever game Kade was playing, she was ready.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone