Ember
As I wake from my sleep, the room is dark, and I smell the most tantalizing scent seeping through the crack under the door. My mouth waters and my stomach growls. Zaid did say I could explore the cabin, so maybe the food cooking in the kitchen is done, and I could have a bite or two.
I slowly push myself into a sitting position and freeze. My body barely hurts, and my limbs move smoothly. I have no idea how long it has been since I felt like this—like my body is my own—and it takes a moment for me to hold back tears of joy.
Every day since losing my parents, I’ve slaved away under Kendrik’s orders. If my job wasn’t completed in time or to his satisfaction, I would be starved and beaten. I grew accustomed to my sore and jagged movements and used to hiding winces of pain, but now my
