Chapter Text
Growing up, other children had always told you stories about soulmates. About how once you locked eyes with the one, your eyes would change and no longer be mismatched. After many years though, that magic faded and you had to adjust to living life on your own.
The town was buzzing with life, serving as a sharp contrast to the usual dreary and repetitive way of life the citizens were used to. The Second Army’s approach invigorated the people, giving them a purpose beyond washing clothes and baking bread. You always thought it was strange how people seek something new to be happy and excited. Usually, because their own lives lacked.
However, despite not understanding the sudden liveliness of the town you've called home since birth, you revel in it all the same. Your long skirt swishes past your legs as you saunter down the busy street towards the pub. You're not usually one to go out drinking, but your friends had insisted on making the most of the night.
Through the darkness, yellow-tinted light and rowdy voices indicated your nearness. The excitement seemed to pulse through your veins at the prospect of letting go and enjoying a few hours with your good friends.
Passing past an alleyway, an unexpected force knocked into your side and sent you stumbling. Balancing your weight, your gaze travelled up to investigate the disturbance with a caution staple to many women.
You saw darkness. Dark environment, dark clothes, and dark hair. A pop of colour came in the form of blue - a blue eye to contrast the others greyness. More shocking was the change that followed. As your eyes met, one of his slowly morphed to lose the sky-coloured pigmentation and match the grey hues. You knew yours had done the same without needing a mirror.
Your mouth opened to question the man. However, before you could get a peep out he spoke up, “Take her to my carriage. Now.”
Panic flooded your senses as large men emerged from behind him and strutted towards you. You hadn't even noticed them earlier despite the prominent colour of their clothing. Grisha.
Rushing backwards, you looked around for help. Surely your soulmate wouldn't kidnap you. Right? You turned to run but two men firmly grasped your upper arms to keep you from escaping. “Let go of me, ” you struggled, scared and confused. However, despite your pleas, the large men wrestled you away in the opposite direction.
Struggling, you looked over your shoulder at your soulmate. “Please, ” you yelled out to him hoping for a change in heart. All you received in response was a stony look as he turned around and walked away with his remaining Grisha.
Only a few minutes passed before a carriage came into view. You dug your heels into the dirt as you approached, but you were still dragged along. “Let me go! Please, ” you begged further with the hope that one of the two would show some mercy.
As one of the men threw the door open, the other wrestled you into the carriage. You landed ungracefully against the seat as the door was slammed shut after you and the men placed themselves in front. There was no way you could get out. Nervousness ate away at you with the knowledge that you would have to face your soulmate. But until then all you could do was wait.