Blind folded and dressed in nothing but rags, Sakura shivered against the cold wind. The metal around her wrists and ankles bit into her skin and the cart she sat in rattled. Pain rattled her back as they hit a bump in the road and she grit her teeth against it.

Thunder rumbled overhead.

Sakura had no idea where they were taking her, but she doubted it could be any worse than her former life. Magic ran through her veins and most people in her birthland didn't take too kindly to people with power. Once they had found out, she had been locked away in a dungeon when she had turned thirteen and subjected to various forms of torture to "keep her in line", as they did with anyone else like her. It had been seven years since then.

The cart came to a stop. Several moments later she felt the chains being tugged forcefully, dragging her forwards.
"Get out." A harsh voice sounded. "Hurry up!"
She scrambled to get out, stumbling over her restraints. She felt dirt and stones beneath her bare feet and pain stabbed into the soles as she was pulled forwards. A whimper escaped her lips as she felt the bottoms of her feet being shredded by the sharp stones, but her escort didn't seem to care.
She felt something wet fall on her face, followed by a few more drops.

It started raining.

She shivered violently in the cold, her hands numb and teeth chattering.
Footsteps sounded ahead, getting closer and stopping.
"Is this the girl?" a young man's voice sounded.
"Yes." Came the reply.
"What do her abilities include?"
A laugh sounded. "She's weak. But she can still use magic. Therefore, we don't want her."
"I asked what her abilities include." The young man sounded cold and almost cruel, as well as incredibly impatient.
Sakura was frightened, wondering who this new person was and what they could want with her. Was she to be put through more torture and misery? Or maybe she'd be used as a test subject, like before.
"Healing."
"That's all?"
"As I said, she's weak."
There was a brief moment of silence.
"Very well. We'll take her from here."
"Good riddance."

A hand collided with her back and Sakura fell forward, landing hard on the ground. She heard an annoyed huff and was pulled back to her feet by her arm.
"Shall we leave?" another, much kinder voice sounded.
"Yes. Guide the girl."
"Miss?"
She turned her head in the direction of the kind voice and felt a gentle hand on her arm.
"This way if you'd please."
With this unknown person guiding her, she moved forward. Her ankle and feet ached, and she realised she may have twisted it when she'd been pushed.
"Syaoran, hold on a moment."
"What is it?"
"I think her leg is injured."
Sakura froze as she heard a frustrated sigh. Her heart raced, and fear pulsed violently through her blood.
"Those people really are inconsiderate. The soles of her feet are completely shredded as well." The person she assumed to be Syaoran spoke.
She whimpered as she was lifted from the floor and slumped over a shoulder. She wriggled, and her chains rattled.
"Calm down." He snapped.
She froze, and he continued walking through the rain.

She wasn't sure how long they had been walking for, but she was relieved when she was finally out of the rain. She was led to a seat and sat down.
Sakura swallowed as the blindfold was removed, but she kept her eyes tightly shut.
"Look at me." The young man ordered her.
She didn't, and he lifted her chin.
"Do as I have ordered."
Sakura flinched and hesitantly cracked open her jade green eyes.

She was forced to meet a pair of amber eyes. His hair was a dark chocolate colour and his skin lightly tanned. He had a muscular build, though not bulky, while his presence seemed almost regal. Two earrings hang from his right ear. Sakura could only guess that they were about the same age.

She was sure he had seen her fear, but he hardly seemed bothered. Instead, he turned her head from side to side, examining her face with something similar to interest and what Sakura thought might be pity.

She let her eyes roam, finding she was in a rather elaborate tent, something she guessed was only meant for those of a rather high status. She spotted antique wooden draws and a large bed behind him. The tent seemed to be decorated in gold and deep green.
"What's your name?" he asked as he retracted his hand and moved to grab something.
"Sakura." She replied quietly.

"Sir?"

He turned his head to the entrance of the tent and a girl with long, dark hair and lavender coloured eyes stepped in. She was slim and her skin pale, with an oval shaped face and soft pink lips.
"Tomoyo-good. She needs a bath and some decent clothes. I don't want her walking around in that." He replied. "She'll freeze."
"Of course. I can lend her some of mine until I can make her some clothes." The woman replied.
"Good. Her feet and ankles also need to be tended to, so prepare the appropriate medicinal needs."
"So, she's the new girl?" Tomoyo murmured. "I'll go get that bath ready, then."

She left, and he turned back to Sakura. She quickly averted her eyes.

"My name is Syaoran. I'm the current leader of these people." He spoke as he removed her restraints and tossed them to the side. She realised the item he had turned to pick up was the key. "Do you know why you're here?"
Sakura shook her head.
"The first reason is because your former King decided to use you as some form of bargaining chip." He said.
A bitter smile graced Sakura's lips for a very brief moment.
"The reason I chose to take you is because I intend for you to be my wife." He then added.
Sakura stared at her hands in shock. His...what? But why?
"Did you hear what I said?" He asked, lifting her chin and forcing her to make eye contact with him. She saw no trace of lying and only brutal honesty.
"You...want me as your wife?" she finally managed to whisper.
"Good. You seem to understand." Syaoran murmured. "You'll be staying with me. Clothes will be provided, and as a healer you will work as part of the healing team."
Sakura felt her face turn red. "Um...you seem to have a minor misconception about how my magic works..." she said quietly.
He glared at her. "And that would be?"
Her heart started to pound again. She swallowed hard.
"I-I don't know if it's just me, but-"
"Sir, her bath is ready." Tomoyo interrupted.
Syaoran looked to Sakura, "You can tell me later. Go with Tomoyo-she'll see to your needs." He said.

Sakura stood, and pain shot up her leg. She winced as she made her way over to the woman named Tomoyo.
"If you'd follow me, please." She smiled kindly.
Sakura followed her out, glancing over her shoulder briefly to find Syaoran watching her curiously.

The water was warm, and it didn't take long for Sakura to warm up. It had been a long time since she'd had a decent bath.
Tomoyo cleaned her hair and body thoroughly, and by the end of the bath the water was full of dirt and other muck.
"Do you need help getting out?" Tomoyo asked.
"N-no, I'm fine, thank you." Sakura replied.

She pulled herself out of the tub and Tomoyo looked her over. Sakura felt her face burn with embarrassment and she tried to cover herself, though it was a lame attempt. Tomoyo wrapped her in a towel and started drying her off.

"You don't have a mark." Tomoyo stated.
"Sorry?" Sakura blinked in surprise.
"All magicians have a mark depending on their ability and how powerful their magic is. Don't tell me you don't have one?" Tomoyo stared at her with surprise.
Sakura smiled timidly.
"Oh well." Tomoyo smiled as she started drying Sakura off. She moved to pick up a cream coloured garment, "I'm sorry. Normally I'd have prepared you some clothing, but I've been really busy with a certain project. Until I can give you some clothes, you can borrow some of mine."
"Thank you." Sakura replied as she slid into the dress.
Tomoyo wrapped the material around her frame and tied a bow at her waist. "I'm sorry it's not very warm."
"It's fine. I'm used to the cold." She murmured.
"Now...we need to wrap that ankle and those wounds." Tomoyo said and turned to pick up a roll of bandage. Sakura sat down as instructed while Tomoyo wrapped her ankle and tended to her feet with tender care. Then, after her hair had been combed, Tomoyo led her back to Syaoran's tent.

People stared at her as she limped by, making her uncomfortable. She stared at the ground, not daring to make eye contact with anyone else. She could hear whispers about her, each curious about whether she would really marry their leader. Others wondered what her abilities were.
"I'll leave you here." Tomoyo bowed and then left.

Sakura swallowed hard as she stared at the entrance. She was afraid to go in.

"Come in."

She felt surprise quickly followed by fear. He knew she was there. She wondered if she should run but remembered her ankle. She wouldn't get very far.
A hand reached out and pulled her in. She gasped in surprise.
Syaoran stopped her from falling and reflexively she held onto him. She quickly stepped away as he released his hold.
"Why didn't you come in when I told you to?" he asked irritably.
"I-I'm sorry." She whispered.
He sighed softly. "It doesn't matter. Are you cold?"
"N-no." She lied.
"Sit down please." Syaoran pointed to the chair she'd been sitting in earlier and she did so. He then pulled a chair over and sat down across from her. "Right, there are some things I need to talk to you about."
Sakura felt afraid. Was he going to tell her what he was going to do with her? Would she be treated as a slave or something less than human once more?
"First; you'll tell no lies. You'll be honest with me at all times, and in turn I will be honest with you." He said.
She nodded.
"Now tell me; are you cold?" Syaoran asked again.
Sakura swallowed, and he gave her a stern look. She nodded once and stared at her knees. She jumped as he placed something around her shoulders, something warm. She looked at it, finding it was made of fur.
"You can keep it." He said. "It's real fur, and it should keep your shoulders quite warm during the winter."
"Thank you..." her voice was barely audible, but he still heard her. He blinked and watched her for what felt like an eternity, until finally he spoke.
"Second, you'll tell me what you meant about your magic."
Sakura bit her lip and he waited patiently. "Um..."

He stared at her expectantly.

"My healing magic...only activates during intercourse..." she felt her eyes burn with tears of embarrassment and shame, and she was sure he would take full advantage of her ability like all soldiers had in the past.
He sighed. "I see. I've never heard of magic needing to be activated like that. How are your medical skills otherwise?"
Her head snapped up, startled by the question. "I only know the bare basics. Before I was locked up, I was just entering my apprenticeship to become a medic." She confessed.
"How long were you locked up for?" he asked much more softly.
"They locked me up when I was thirteen." She answered.

He watched her curiously and she averted her eyes. "As I said earlier, you'll work in the medical tent. I'll make sure you get the training you need. Refrain from using your magic if you have to do what you said."
"Thank you..." she whispered, and she couldn't help but feel surprised that she was being given a job. As an apprentice medic, no less! But even so, she still didn't know what to make of her situation. She might be given a job, but that didn't mean she would be treated any better.
"Sir, your meals are ready." A voice sounded at the entrance to the tent.
"Bring it in." He called out.
Someone entered the tent and they set two bowls on the table. Another person entered with a basket of bread and set that on the table too.
"Eat as much as you like. I doubt being locked up daily you got much to eat." He said.
She nodded.

The soup was nice. It was a vegetable soup with a tomato base and she could taste hints of garlic. It was nicer than anything she had eaten in the last seven years.
She nibbled on a bread roll for a moment, feeling slightly awkward in Syaoran's presence.
"Umm...sir?" she asked quietly, hoping it was safe for her to ask questions.
"Just Syaoran."
She swallowed hard. "Syaoran, what you said about me becoming your wife..."
"I meant it." He answered her question without her needing to say anything more.
She stared into her bowl. "I see."
"The ceremony will be held in four days." He told her honestly.
She felt shocked upon hearing this. Four days...? Why so soon?

If he noticed her shock, he said nothing.

"Have you finished eating, or would you like more?" he nodded to her empty bowl.
"I've finished eating." Sakura answered.
He watched her for a moment and then sighed. "I'll have Tomoyo show you around the camp before bed."
She just nodded, and he stood to leave.

While she was alone, she took the time to examine her new residence in closer detail.
The sheets were made of silk and the bed was covered in warm furs and feather pillows. Several sharp bladed weapons sat on top of a wooden chest. She stared at them for a brief minute, temptation tugging at her mind, but was distracted by someone entering the tent.
Tomoyo smiled, "Syaoran has asked me to show you around." She explained.
Sakura nodded.
"First we'll go to the medical tent to get your ankle sorted and to introduce you to the team." She said. "My name is Tomoyo by the way. I'm one of the medics as well-I hope we can be good friends!"
Sakura was taken by surprise as the woman smiled at her cheerfully. Then, confusion appeared on her face. "I thought you had already...tended to my ankle...?"
Tomoyo nodded. "That was just a temporary measure. Our head medic will have a much better look. I think you'll get along well." She replied, "Now, let's go."
Sakura followed her out of the tent. People sat around fires eating their meals and warming themselves up.
They watched as she passed by them.
"The red tents are the ones you need to remember. The medical tent and yours." Tomoyo explained.
"There are only two?" Sakura asked.
"That's right. Easy, huh?" Tomoyo smiled.
They passed a black tent.
"What about that one?"
"That's where the prisoners are kept." Tomoyo answered. "Here we are."
They came to a stop outside a red tent and Tomoyo pushed aside the flap, holding it open for Sakura who stepped in behind her.
"Eriol!" Tomoyo called.
A dark-haired man wearing glasses looked over and his blue eyes landed on Sakura.
"I was waiting for her to arrive." He said with a kind smile. "Welcome."
Sakura recognised his voice. He had been the one travelling with Syaoran.
He walked over and gestured to a nearby seat. "I'll have a look at your ankle."
Sakura sat down in the chair and as he knelt down to examine it, she felt the familiar tingle of magic as his hand brushed her skin.
"Sakura, was it?" he asked.
She nodded.
"My name is Eriol-Syaoran wants me to take you on as my apprentice starting tomorrow, but you're not to use magic, correct?"
Again, Sakura nodded.
"I can fix your ankle-the damage isn't extensive." He then said.
"Thank you..." she blinked with surprise.
Magic enveloped her ankle and the pain started to lessen.
"I'll introduce you to the rest of the team tomorrow." Eriol then said. "I'm sure you'll get along with them just fine."
"Yes, sir." Sakura replied quietly.
He looked at her thoughtfully. "Hmm. They really did a number on you." He said, "Stand up, tell me how your ankle feels."
She did so and walked around the tent. She smiled as she realised there was no pain. "Thank you for helping me." She said.
"It was my pleasure." Eriol smiled kindly.
"Shall we continue your tour, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked.
Sakura nodded and then left the tent behind Tomoyo.

Tomoyo showed Sakura to the place where people practiced their fighting skills and to where children took lessons and learned how to use their magic.
It was very dark by the time Tomoyo had finished showing her around.
"You'll get used to where things are. We usually keep tents in the same order so that when we move to a new location, we don't get lost in the camp." She explained.
"I see." Sakura murmured.
Tomoyo peered through the tent flap, "looks like Syaoran is waiting for you. Sleep well."
"Thank you." Sakura murmured, and Tomoyo left.

Sakura turned and hesitated for a moment. She tried to squash her fear, but it was no use. Hands shaking, she entered the tent.

Syaoran was reading when she walked in. He bookmarked the page and closed the book before looking over.
"How was your tour?" he asked.
"I have a vague idea of where everything is, but I don't think I'll remember by tomorrow." She replied honestly.
He nodded. "It will take a while."
She looked to the large bed and started to feel anxious.
"You'll need to wear that dress tomorrow as well. I don't recommend sleeping in it." He added as he stood.
"Yes sir." She murmured.
He was about to correct her but decided against it.
"We should get to bed." Syaoran sighed.
"Um..."
"What?" he asked before peeling his shirt off over his head.
She spotted a strange mark on his left bicep, and wasn't sure what it meant or was.
"You don't...expect me to...do anything with you tonight, do you...?" she asked.
"No, not tonight." He answered as he removed his belt and laid it on top of his wooden chest. She then watched as he stepped out of his pants after removing his heavy leather boots.

He hardly cared she was watching.

"I don't have all night to wait for you." He said impatiently.
She jumped and scrambled to undress herself. She looked over her bare shoulders to find he was facing the other way to give her some privacy. She stared at the bed for a minute before climbing beneath the warm fur blankets.
Then, he clicked his fingers and the lamps went out, plunging the tent into darkness


Hello everyone! Thank you for reading chapter one of Spellbound. Please drop by a review, however please note that flames and rudeness will not be tolerated.
Thanks!