Chapter one

"Don't move." A smirk creeps onto my face as I hold my blade to my target's throat.

"Now, as much as I wish I could kill you right here, The King requests to have you returned to him alive." I force the woman to the ground and tie her hands behind her back. She looks weak and small.

"Please-," She begs. "I can't, I can't go back." Tears make clean streaks down her cheeks; paths in the dirt coating her face.

Before I can change my mind, I huff out a low breath and cut off the rope binding her wrists together.

"Look, if I let you go, nobody can know you're alive. Do you understand? Nobody." She nods uncontrollably, shaking with sobs. I squat down and place a hand on her shoulder. She looks up at me.

"I suggest you go into hiding. Maybe even cut your hair." I stand up and gather my things before leaving her in the alley.

"Thank you, Ian."

I whirl around only to see the alley empty. How did she know my name? I hurriedly leave the alley and head back to the castle to inform the king of the prisoner's "death."

Author's Note

not my best writing, but its something. Enjoy!