“More wine!” the general growls.

One step ahead of you.

I wobble across the room on my high heels, trying my best not to drop the heavy ceramic jug of wine. The strong stuff is flowing like water — the only thing I’m happy about at this moment.

My dress is so tight it makes it hard to walk, but I’m grateful for it, as Sera was right.

Every single time I pass one of the Qroqs they try to grope my ass, or slide their hands up my dress, grinning at me with their ugly mugs. Due to the extremely tight fit, they can’t get their grubby hands up where it matters.

“Nice bitch,” one of the Qroqs snarls when I pass.

“Hands off my bitch, she’s mine,” Vakgar says. “You’re going to give me plenty of babies, aren’t you?”

Oh hell no.

I keep my head down and make sure the general’s cup is filled to the brim. Every time he takes a sip, I fill his cup right back up again.

The Qroq generals are seated around a round table, on the highest level of the giant statue. On the table there are several maps, showing troop movements and fortresses.

I do my best to commit it all to memory, but it’s hard to remember a map of a place you’ve never seen before.

The generals are having an argument. From their growls and grunts, I understand General Vakgar is proposing an all-out assault on the remaining Thalanil, while the others think it’s too risky, and prefer to let them bleed to death, one by one.

As the hours pass, the generals get more and more drunk, until the sun has long set and they’re unable to argue any longer.

“Come here,” Vakgar grunts as he stumbles out of his seat. He slides one arm around my waist, leaning into me as we wobble through the halls of the palace.

We reach his chambers without falling down, thankfully, and I let him fall down on his king-sized bed.

I kick my heels off and sneak towards the door, but his grunt stops me dead in my tracks.

“Here,” he says. “I can’t wait to feel that round ass of yours around my cock.”

The thought alone revolts me.

“More wine?” I ask, putting on my best fake-smile.

I’ve fed him a whole jug of the stuff already… how much can he take?

“No more drink!”

“B-but,” I hesitate. “Wine is a powerful aphrodisiac,” I lie. “If you drink more, you’ll last even longer!”

“Hm,” the general groans. “Okay. More wine!”

I hand him the ceramic jug of wine. He grabs it with both hands and pours it over his face like an animal.

“Remove my pants,” he barks.

Why is he not passing out like he’s supposed to? Any human would have been in a stupor long ago. These Qroqs are tough sons of bitches…

I drop down to my knees and fiddle with the leather belt that’s fastened around his waist, holding back the urge to gag.

“Zzzz…”

A deep, primal snore rocks the entire bed. The General is sprawled out on his bed, the sheets wet with wine, his eyes closed.

Finally!

I’ve never been happier to hear someone snoring. I don’t even want to think about what would’ve happened if he didn’t fall asleep.

Now, to find my way back to the dorms…

I peek out the doors, and find the fortress empty. I tip toe down the hall, trying to remember where Sera told me to meet her. It’s a maze down here, and soon, I’m hopelessly lost.

“Hey!” an angry voice grunts.

A strong hand flies out of the darkness and grips my wrist.

“Where do you think you’re going?!”

The unsightly mug of a Qroq guard is illuminated by a torch on the wall.

Crap. Think fast.

“Who do you think you are?!” I say, looking as angry as possible. “Don’t you know I belong to General Vakgar?!”

The guard hesitates.

“Let me go right now, or you can explain to him how he had to wait because of you! Or do you think he’s a patient man?”

The guard tentatively releases my wrist.

“Sorry,” he grunts. “I didn’t know.”

Yes!

“Don’t let it happen again,” I say. “Now… point me to the female dorms. The general is hungry tonight.”

“Down and to the left,” the guard says.

“Excellent.”

I stride away, my head held high. I suppose knowing the general has some perks at least… but then again, if even these guards fear him, what kind of monster is he really?

I’d rather not think about that. I pray Sera can get me out of here, so this nightmare can end — preferably before one of these barbarians tries to knock me up, thank you very much.

I turn the corner and let out a sigh of relief when I recognize the hallway. The guard told the truth. I try to open the heavy wooden door, but it won’t budge.

I knock instead.

“Amelia, is that you?”

“Yes,” I whisper back. “Open up!”

A few locks are turned before the door is pulled open only a few inches. Sera peers through the crack.

“Are you alone?”

“Of course,” I answer.

She pulls me into the room and slams the door shut behind me. To my surprise, the dorm room is empty.

“Follow my lead, okay? Don’t speak until spoken to.”

“What’s going on?”

“You’ll see in a moment. Come.”

She lifts one of the stones on the floor, revealing a hidden passageway.

“The Qroq made us build this place… so we put in a few extra features. Watch your head — there are no lights in this tunnel.”

I follow Sera into the darkness, holding onto her hand. I’ve never been anywhere this dark, this cramped before, and it’s making my heart thump like mad.

I can’t tell time anymore. It’s hard to know how far we travel as we shuffle slowly through the darkness.

“Where is that cursed… ah, here,” Sera says. I hear the sounds of stone scraping, and then light filters in.

I have to turn my head away at first — the brightness hurts my eyes.

When I adjust to the light, I see a room packed to the gills with female Thalanil… and they’re all looking right at me.

Oh boy.

I don’t see any doors. I quickly realize this is a secret room, a meeting place for the captured Thalanil.

“Is this the human?” one of the women says. She’s standing in the middle of the room, and seems to be the leader of the pack.

“Yes, Petra,” Sera answers. “This is her.”

It seems the meeting is about me.

“She shouldn’t be here,” another whispers angrily. “She’s a danger to us all. What if she rats us out?”

“I can ask the same about you, Unda,” Sera answers.

Unda looks furious.

“She’s a prisoner here, just like us. I vouch for her,” Sera says. She looks around the room, looking every woman there in the eyes. “Because she is Tau’s melethril.”

The room is silent for a moment, before it erupts in excited whispers.

“Tau’s melethril?”

“Her?”

“That can’t be true!”

“But what if it is?”

“I always thought he’d come for me…”

“I can’t believe this.”

“Silence!” Petra bellows, and everyone listens instantly. “How do you know this?”

Sera turns to me. “Go ahead and explain.”

Anxiety makes my heart race. I didn’t ask to be taken to this place, to be abducted into this world, or to be their prince’s chosen mate… so why are they all glaring at me?

Or are they jealous?

I clear my throat and tell them the same story I told Sera. When I’m done talking, Petra doesn’t seem convinced.

“We don’t know if she’s telling the truth,” she says.

“But what if she is?” Sera counters. “We can’t risk Tau going feral. We have to get her out of here, as soon as possible. Every second counts.”

Petra shakes her head. “I can’t believe I’m saying this… but you’re right. If what you say is true, then you are our princess… and we must act accordingly. Fine. Tomorrow, the maids are going out to pluck berries for the wine. Security is at a minimum. No dragon-riders.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. It’ll take a long time for me to get used to being called princess.

“If I send a message bird out now, it might reach the resistance in time. It’s a gamble, but one we’ll have to take. You, Amelia… accompany us, tomorrow.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

Petra scoffs. “That’s not my problem. You figure it out.”

The girls snicker amongst themselves, and I feel my cheeks growing red with anger. Why are they being so damn snappy with me?

A Qroq’s growl, coming from right above us, makes everyone fall silent.

“The hourglass!” Petra whispers. “We’ve been here far too long! Everyone, return to your rooms at once!”

Secret tunnels open on all sides of the room, and everyone hurries to leave, as if they prepared for this countless times over. A few moments later, the room is empty except for me and Sera.

She hugs me when she sees the sad look on my face.

“Don’t let them get to you,” she says. “They’re all just a little peeved, because, well… we’ve been locked up here for months, some even for years, without an end in sight, and you’re getting busted out within your first day.”

“Oh,” is all I can answer, and suddenly I feel foolish for being annoyed with the Thalanil women.

Of course. It makes perfect sense.

All I’ve had to deal with is some groping. I can’t begin to imagine what horrors the rest of the women are subjected to without feeling sick to my stomach.

And if all goes well, I’ll be out of here tomorrow.

“Thank you, Sera,” I say. “For trusting me.”

“I’m doing this for Tau,” she smirks. “He’s the best chance we have, and if he’s chosen you, well, so be it. Come, let us return, before General Vakgar wakes up.”