The Devil's Warrior Queen
Chapter 368: Alluring Warrior

Chapter 368: Alluring Warrior

He let out a groan as he shoved the dress toward her, which she caught swiftly with her free hand.

"Get dressed or I’ll drag you out to the detaining room myself." He said in a stern tone, as he suddenly switched to his soldier mood.

Retreating back into the washroom, she closed the curtain in silence while she dressed up in the black dress. It wasn’t her usual style and colour but it surprisingly suited her well, despite staying that black wasn’t her colour.

After brushing her hair with her fingers, she emerged out into the room and Aldric gave a subtle nod in satisfaction "Who said black wasn’t your colour?"

"Apparently, I was wrong." She muttered in agreement and afterwards, he led her to the detaining room, as they walked in silence.

Aldric, strode with purposeful steps, his armor clinking softly with each movement. Beside him, bound and guarded, walked Zoya, the enigmatic witch whose fate hung in the balance as she awaited her trial at midnight.

Aldric’s stern countenance belied the conflict raging within him. Duty dictated that he deliver Zoya safely to the detaining room, yet an unexpected bond had formed between them during their journey. Despite her reputation as a witch, there was a vulnerability in Zoya’s eyes that stirred something within him, a sense of empathy that warred against his hardened resolve.

As they traversed the labyrinthine passages, torchlight flickered against the ancient stone walls, casting dancing shadows that seemed to mirror the tumultuous emotions swirling within Aldric’s mind. He stole glances at Zoya, her features illuminated by the flickering flames, revealing a mix of defiance and resignation.

The air grew heavy with the weight of anticipation as they neared their destination. Aldric’s grip tightened on his sword hilt, his senses alert for any sign of danger. Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, a part of him couldn’t shake the feeling of connection that had formed between him and the woman at his side.

Finally, they arrived at the detaining room, a small chamber with cold stone walls and a single barred window that allowed only slivers of moonlight to penetrate the darkness within. Aldric motioned for the two guards to secure the door, their eyes betraying a mixture of fear and awe as they glanced at Zoya.

Alone at last, Aldric turned to face his prisoner, the flickering torchlight casting eerie shadows across her features. In that moment, he saw not a fearsome witch, but a woman haunted by her own demons, trapped by circumstances beyond her control.

"I am sorry for what fate has befallen you, Zoya," Aldric said softly, his voice tinged with regret. "But you must face judgement."

Zoya met his gaze, her eyes betraying a hint of gratitude amidst the resignation. "Thank you, Aldric," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the distant echoes of the fortress. "For showing me kindness in a world that has shown me none."

Their exchange hung in the air, a fragile thread binding them together in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. And as the final moments before Zoya’s trial ticked away, Aldric found himself grappling with emotions he had long buried beneath the weight of duty and honor.

With one last glance, she watched as Aldric walked away, leaving her alone and oddly a sense of emptiness washed down on her.

In the cold, damp confines of the detaining room, Zoya, the witch, sat with her hands bound in enchanted silver shackles, her powers rendered useless by the cruel restraints. Nighttime loomed like a specter, casting long shadows that danced across the stone walls, while the distant echoes of the fortress seemed to mock her predicament.

Alone and vulnerable, Zoya’s senses were on high alert as she awaited her trial. The air was thick with tension, anticipation mingling with the heavy silence that enveloped her. Yet, despite the gravity of her situation, a flicker of defiance burned within her, a refusal to be cowed by the forces that sought to break her spirit.

But as the minutes stretched into eternity, the sound of approaching footsteps shattered the fragile illusion of solitude.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps drew near, the heavy tread of boots signaling the arrival of unwanted visitors. Zoya’s heart quickened as the two guards supposed to keep watch entered the detaining room, their faces twisted with malice as they advanced towards her.

The two guards, their faces twisted with malice, entered the detaining room with predatory grins, their intentions unmistakable.

Zoya’s heart hammered in her chest as she tensed, her instincts screaming at her to flee. But with her hands bound by the enchanted shackles, escape was impossible, leaving her at the mercy of her assailants.

With cruel laughter, the guards advanced, their movements predatory as they closed in on their helpless prey. Zoya’s breath caught in her throat as she struggled against the bindings that held her captive, her mind racing for a way to defend herself.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of the guards sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "A helpless witch, bound and at our mercy."

Zoya’s pulse raced as she struggled against her restraints, her eyes darting frantically around the room in search of an escape. But the enchanted shackles held her fast, their silver chains digging into her skin with every futile attempt to break free.

The other guard leered at her, his gaze filled with predatory hunger. "I’ve always wanted to see what a white witch looks like up close," he leered, reaching out to grab her roughly by the arm.

Zoya recoiled, her instincts screaming at her to fight back, but the shackles rendered her powerless against her assailants. She felt a surge of helplessness wash over her, the weight of her predicament pressing down upon her like a suffocating blanket.

"Touch me and you won’t live to see the the next dawn." She hissed as she glared at them.

But rather than take her threats seriously, they laughed at her because she was defenseless against them "It only applies to you, white witch, you will be executed at midnight, there will be no trial to save you." One of the guards jeered as he moved closer, his hands extended toward her face, while she groaned in disgust.

"Fuck off you pigs or I’ll gouge your eyes out!" She growled, but her threats were null and they were not so easily deterred by it.

As they moved closer despite her warnings, she sent a hard kick towards the calf of one of the guards, sending him to fall on his knees as he groaned in pain "You bitch!" He hissed and with a snarl, the guard lunged forward, his fist aimed at Zoya’s defenseless form. Time seemed to slow as the blow connected to her midriff, sending shockwaves of pain coursing through her body.

Yet, even as agony threatened to consume her, Zoya refused to yield. With a primal scream, she summoned every ounce of strength within her, she sent another hard kick into the face of the guard that was closest to her, making him stumble backward as he held is face in pain while blood trickled out of his broken nose.

"You broke my fucking nose, what are you waiting for? Grab the bitch!" He growled.

Shifting back, despite her fear, she snarled at them "Touch me again and I’ll break more than your fucking ugly nose."

As the guards closed in, their intentions clear, Zoya’s mind raced with desperate thoughts of escape. But just as she was about to resign herself to her fate, a sudden footstep echoed through the corridors outside.

Moments later, the door burst open, and a figure stepped into the room, his presence commanding and authoritative. It was Aldric, finally, she sighed in relief inwardly as she saw him approaching them, his eyes ablaze with righteous fury as he surveyed the scene before him.

"What do you both think you’re doing?" Aldric demanded, his voice a thunderous boom that filled the room with its authority.

"Release her at once," Aldric commanded, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. The guards faltered, their bravado waning in the face of his steely gaze.

The guards faltered, their expressions shifting from malice to fear as they realized the gravity of their situation. But before they could respond, Aldric was upon them, his sword drawn and gleaming in the dim light.

With a swift and decisive motion, Aldric dispatched the guards, sending them sprawling to the ground in a heap of tangled limbs and defeated pride. He turned to Zoya, his gaze softening as he approached her with cautious steps.

"Are you alright?" Aldric asked, his voice gentle yet filled with concern.

Zoya nodded, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as she struggled to find her voice amidst the chaos. "Thank you," she whispered, her words a fervent prayer of gratitude to the man who had saved her from certain harm. Her white knight in shining armour, and at that moment, she didn’t mind being the damsel in distress.

Aldric knelt beside her, his hands deftly working to free her from the enchanted shackles that bound her. As the last of the silver chains fell away, Zoya felt a surge of relief wash over her, her magical abilities returning to her in a rush of power and strength.

With Aldric’s help, Zoya rose to her feet, her heart overflowing with gratitude for the man who had come to her rescue in her dark hour. Her white knight.