The Warlord's Unexpected Affection
chapter 4
The ropes around Ava's wrists burned as she sat near the campfire, her body aching from exhaustion.
Every creak of the forest, every drunken laugh of the bandits sent shivers down her spine.
“Where exactly did you come from, huh? A noble’s lost daughter? A merchant’s runaway wife?”
The leader said crouching in front of her
Ava Harrison
*said nothing*
"You'll fetch a fine price,"
the bandit leader commented as he grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up.
Ava Harrison
*Clenched her jaw*
“Once I sell you off, whoever buys you will—”
A sudden, sharp whistle interrupted the bandit.
The night exploded with the sound of swords clashing and men screaming.
Ava’s breath caught in her throat as dark figures moved through the camp, cutting down the bandits before they could react.
A bandit tried to flee, but a shadowy figure stepped into his path.
The man barely had time to raise his weapon before a sword flashed through the firelight, slitting his throat.
Ava Harrison
* stomach lurched *
Ava barely registered the scene before the scarred leader grabbed her, yanking her against him in desperation.
“Wait!”
The bandit leader gasped, panting
“You don’t have to do this! Take her instead! A gift for your leader! Spare me, and she’s yours!”
Ava Harrison
*her entire body went rigid*
Ava Harrison
*Turned her head, heart pounding*
And at the center of them stood him.
A tall, imposing man, dressed in all black.
His face was carved from stone—harsh, unreadable.
But it was his eyes that made Ava freeze.
One of the warriors beside him scoffed.
“Hah. You expect Lord Damien to take a damsel in distress as a prize?”
A few of the other men chuckled.
Ava Harrison
Lord Damien? Who was this man?
*to herself*
The leader—Damien—remained silent. Then, after a moment, he spoke.
The bandit laughed in relief and shoved her forward.
She refused to be handed off like some helpless—
Then something unexpected happened.
Damein Valorian
*moved his hands like a signal*
The moment his fingers made the smallest movement—
Damien’s men struck without hesitation.
The bandit leader’s eyes widened in horror as a sword pierced through his chest.
Ava barely had time to gasp before the rest of the bandits fell in the same breath.
Ava Harrison
*froze, trembling*
The screams. The metallic scent of blood. The lifeless bodies.
Ava Harrison
*Couldn’t breathe*
And just before the darkness took her, she caught one last glimpse of those cold, blue eyes.
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