“Queen Graelin spoke highly of you, and yet here you are, your feet bound and your nose in her pretty rug.”

I thrashed, trying anything to get on my feet. Her words went in one ear and out the other, I was too focused on getting away. I froze as she bent down, her head tilting like a snake, her eyes trying to read my very soul. “Untie me.” I said through clenched teeth.

Her face was unreadable as she stared at me for a moment. I pushed up with all my might, but her leg kept me down. Past her boot in front of my face, I saw a maid at the end of the hall. Before I could speak, she tucked tail and ran in the other direction.

“If I let you go, promise not to run?” Her words sounded more like a demand than a question, and I weighed my options.

I could run, then immediately regret doing so, or I could stay and feel ashamed of myself for being easily bested. I rolled my eyes, and with a groan I accepted.

She took her leg off, then moved to unbind my feet. I scrambled back once I was finally unbound, my back hitting the wall as I panted, attempting to catch my breath. “Who the hell are you?” I furrowed my brows, looking her up and down.

She moved to squat down in front of me, resting her arms on her knees. She tilted her head again, as if I was an anomaly to her. I looked down at myself, sort of embarrassed at being perceived for so long.

“Are you suddenly unable to speak, or?” I pushed a hand through my hair, visibly shaken up.

“Xena.” She barked, standing back up and placing a hand on her hip. She appeared to be bored, which puzzled me. Does she bind people and shove them into the rug every other day? I couldn’t help but feel anger at her calmness.

I stood up, attempting to appear confident. I was a bit taller than her, yet it seemed she held command in the room despite it. We held eye contact, and Xena broke it after mere moments, then turned to walk away.

I jogged to match her pace. “You can’t shove me to the damn ground and then leave, wait-” I went to grab her arm, but before I could, she shot her leg out at me, kicking me square in the chest. It completely winded me, and I was on my ass again.

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I fell on my back, gasping for air. I leaned on my right arm, attempting to regain myself. Xena towered over me, her eyes piercing my skin.

“Dumbass.” She spat, placing her hands on her hips.

After a moment, I was finally able to stand again, and I stepped back. I knew if I tried to touch her again, I would most certainly fall to the floor. Through ragged breathing, I spoke.

“Why’d you attack me?”

“Why’d you let yourself get attacked?” She crossed her arms, that bored expression painted on her face again.

I bury my face in my hands, annoyed and in pain. This whole ordeal felt like some sort of nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. I looked at her through my fingers, and my eye instantly met hers. I brought my hands back down and crossed my arms, matching her.

“I don’t know, because we’re in the castle? The castle with guards? The castle where people normally don’t get attacked?” I threw my hands up in frustration. I knew she was taunting me, and it was working.

She shrugged, throwing her head back and staring up at the ceiling. “That’s a stupid reason.”

I stepped closer, my fists clenched at my sides. “What the hell do you want me to say? I didn’t expect someone to attack me in broad fucking daylight like that!”

She moved her head back, meeting my eyes again. “Queen Graelin left out the whining when she described you. Gods, what does she see in you?”

I crossed my arms again, furrowing my brows. “Did she send you to bring me to her?”

Xena threw her head back, letting out a laugh that echoed through the hall. “Gods no, is that a joke?”

My stomach twisted at the mention of the Queen. I wasn’t scared of her, but I wasn’t exactly comfortable at the thought of her either. I know she's the one holding me here, and it concerns me as to why.

“Then what do you want with me?” I throw my arms open, “I don’t have shit.” I reach into my pockets and pull them out, showing I had nothing.

She raised a brow at me, and laughed again. “Do you think I’m trying to rob you? Seriously?”

I shove my pockets back in, my face red from embarrassment. Xena began walking around me, her eyes looking me up and down. I froze as she did so, once again nervous at being perceived for so long. I watched her as she moved, her footsteps were silent. If I closed my eyes, I knew it would feel like nobody was there.

She stood back in front of me again, a cheeky look on her face. “I think you’ll do nicely.”

My eyes widened, and a million different thoughts ran through my brain. “Nicely? For what?” I rubbed my thumb on the back of my other hand nervously.

“Be up and dressed at dawn, hair braided back. No exceptions.” She turned on her heel, then tilted her head to look back at me, “See you in the morning, Marion.”

Xena turned a corner and disappeared. I wasted no time going back to my room. Once inside, I shut and locked the door behind me. I glanced around the room, but nothing seemed different. Walking over to the vanity, I glanced down, noticing a pair of shoelaces neatly placed. Beside them, a small piece of paper with an X written on it.

I stare at them for a moment, then step back and look down at my boots.

“Fuck.”