Valoria

My eyes fluttered open, and I blinked in confusion as I looked around the unfamiliar room. The last thing I remembered was... oh my god am I kidnapped?

I was on the floor, fortunately, my hands and legs were not tied. Only a faint headache because of the drugged smoke. It does not mean that it will be easy to escape. I can feel the hum of enchantment on the door. There is some kind of spell on it.

I don't think it will be easy to break out of here.

The alley, the witch, the fight all of it came rushing to me.

Where was I? Who were those men? I groaned as I realized the situation, I was in. This is honestly worse than marrying that twit, then at least I knew what kind of situation I was in. Here I don't know anything. Not even where I am.

I shouldn't have helped the woman; she was not a woman she was a witch.

She somehow knew the men were coming and take us.

Did she plan this?

Was this all planned to kidnap me?

I was so dumb trying to look for some witch who I didn't even know. Is she even a witch?

I stood up, I will find a way out if here.

I paused when I found the witch in the corner of the room comfortably sitting on a chair.... and eating apples. I was rooted to the spot in shock, the audacity.

"Why did you kidnap me?" I asked, moving towards her.

The witch was a woman in her mid-thirties or early forties, with a striking appearance that commanded attention. Her skin was pale and flawless, almost luminous in the soft light of the room.

"Me? I am also locked in this room just like you," she said, her eyes were a piercing grey, sharp and intelligent, with a glint of mischief. There is no way I will believe that.

"you're lying, you knew about the men." I accused, she flipped Her long and dark hair, biting the apple without a care for the world. Her hair fell in waves around her shoulders and was streaked with silver. It was wild and untamed as if it had a life of its own.

"Because I am a witch. I know many things; I know that you came to the market in search of me." The witch regarded me with a faint smile on her lips, her grey eyes seeming to glint with amusement.

It was annoying how she was not taking me seriously.

"Then help me go back."

"You wanted this. You wanted to escape the marriage. This is what you wished for. Why are you complaining." she said, rising from her perch and walking towards me.

She had a certain elegance and grace that spoke of years of experience and knowledge. There was a hint of danger about her as if she held power and secrets that she would not hesitate to use if necessary.

She is right of Couse.

"This is not what I wanted." I gritted my teeth

"isn't it?" she asked one of her eyebrows raised in question. There was an air of mystery and power about her as if she knew secrets that no one else could even imagine. I couldn't deny that.

I had no answer to her question. I wanted to escape the marriage and not get kidnapped by unknown people.

"I want to go back," I said, I know this is not what I wanted.

"And marry that arrogant prince?" I paused. No, I don't want that. "Are you sure about that?" she said circling me. She knows exactly what she's doing.

Using my vulnerability to convince me. "I just wanted to help you," she said. Her gaze was intense and penetrating, seeming to see right through my defenses.

She knows exactly what to say to get my attention.

This is not all there was something. Something I was missing. Why would she trap me with her in an unknown place? And the way she was making trying to convince me that this was the better option than marrying that prince.

She wants something from me.

"What do you want?" I asked, staring into her grey eyes without fear, I want answers, I am not in the mood to play her mind games. Did she think that I am so dumb to trust her when she says she is 'just' helping me?

"Smart girl," she said, as she smiled with satisfaction. "Just know that I need you, I will tell you when the time is right. Until then I can assure you, you will be safe here."

"I don't think I am ready to trust you."

"You shouldn't," she said as she made her way to the only window in the room which was providing light in the closed room.

"Where are we?" Turning to the witch, I asked her in a hushed tone, "Where are we?"

"We are in Valoria," she said as my mouth dropped open.

"Wait, did I hear it right? there is no way you said Valoria." I laughed; I am sure I heard it wrong.

"You heard it right the first time."

"We are in Valoria." the witch said.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

It took a second for the shock to wear off.

"What?" I shouted, she turned to me with a chuckle, "You should see the expression on your face."

"Are you serious?" I shouted, then went towards her and whisper shouted at her. "If anyone finds out who I am they will kill me." How can she be so reckless?

"Why did you bring me here?" I demanded, my voice laced with anger and fear.

"You can live a totally different life here. And no one will ever force you to marry a person you don't want to."

She is right no one will force me to marry, they might just kill me.

Because we were in the heart of the enemy kingdom.