The next memory that came is at least six weeks later.
Joseph looks at me with concern on his face. He also has something in his hand. It isn’t until he puts it to my mouth that I realize it’s soup. I push his hand away, my stomach feel sick and I almost don’t make it to the pot beside my bed. Joseph holds my hair and wipes the back of my neck.
"What can I do to help? You haven't eaten in two days."
I don't really think he’s looking for an answer, he’s been asking that since he woke up. I shake my head; there isn't really anything he can do.
"I have to meet Adam in a few hours. How can I leave you here like this?"
What a mess I've gotten myself into. My heart aches for both of them. The only thing I think I can do, to correct this, is to make sure that I get back to my Dad and forget about all that has happened. I need to stop myself from going and then no one will get hurt.My selfishness has killed Dad and will break two men's hearts. I deserve to have my heart broken.The next memory is of Joseph leaving."Can I go with you?""Not this time, Princess. I need Sasha to bring back our supplies."I stick my lower lip out just a little bit but it isn't working with him.
I listen to him and wait until my eyes are adjusted. For a few minutes, it’s like looking out of a window that hasn't been cleaned in years. While waiting for them to clear, I take an assessment of myself. I feel the IV in my left hand, something is stuffed down my throat and I have a breathing tube in my nose.The tube down my throat is painful, so I lift my hand to remove it. Quicker than I can think, I feel Derek shift and grab my hand."No, no. You can't do that."My eyes adjust just as he says the second ‘no’ and I can see the smile as he says it. He does have the most beautiful smile. It makes me not want to leave him or go home to 2013. It’s a heart stopping, toe curling smile.
I stop thinking, asking useless questions, and focus on my memories. These questions will be answered soon enough. I focus on the feeling of drifting off and relax all my muscles. This is the only way for me to know about Joseph, the baby, and I.When the memory comes forward, Joseph and I are preparing the horses. I sit and watch Joseph finish getting Georgie ready. He walks over to me and tightens the saddle on Sasha."I see you still have learning to do with your horse.” He teases. “That's okay, you will have plenty of time at the castle.” He smiles when he notices my confusion. “Uncle Anthony has hired his personal stable boy to be your horse-riding instructor."My heart pounds as I star
I sit back down and start chewing on some tough meat, daydreaming about tomorrow and finally being able to sleep in a real bed. I wonder if I will even be able to sleep on the bed. I remember hearing soldiers back home say that they have trouble sleeping on beds after returning home from war. Adam startles me out of my thoughts when he suddenly gives me a hug. I jump and nearly fall backwards."Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to scare you. It's just that I am grateful Joseph has finally found someone to be with. He has spent his whole life training with his father and I don't think that he ever thought about getting married.” Adam is rambling, which tells me of his nervousness.“There are a lot of jealous noble women out there now. They never knew that he was the Prince and woul
Joseph and Adam are whispering their plans. My heart is racing as I hear the footsteps coming closer. I can hear them breaking down the other doors throughout the castle. Joseph startles me when he appears in front of me. "Cover your ears." When I don't, he grabs my hands and places them over my ears. "This is no time to be stubborn." When he leaves, I tuck my knees to my chest and rest my forehead on them. I hear a loud kick at the door and someone curses. I tighten up my hands on my ears as tears start rolling in thicker waves. My current self does not want to watch what is about to happen. I have a very foreboding feelin
The next thing I see, I’m in a dark room with no windows. I’m shaking and one of my dresses are cut up and made into a sheet. I hear movement over to my left and automatically move. "No, it's okay. It's just me. Adam.” He attempts to reassure me. “We're locked in the dungeon. Well, it's not really a dungeon since this isn't a real castle. This part was made for sickness." I don't really care about the explanation of the dungeon. I want out and I want Joseph. Why did it have to be him that died? I know it’s selfish but I would rather it be him sitting beside me than Adam. I can
I wake up and nearly fall off the bed that I’m laying on. I need something to catch what is coming up my throat. I’m completely disoriented and confused as to where I am. My stomach keeps heaving but nothing seems to come out. Someone rushes to my side but I push them off. I roll off the bed and crawl to the toilet just in time. The images of Adam and Joseph are still fresh in my head. Once my stomach is settled, I lean against the wall and cry. I don’t really care where I am and I'm not really sure if I am truly awake. I’m not sure how long I’ve sat against the wall crying before I feel someone come and sit beside me quietly. I ignore them as I try to control the images of Joseph and Adam's deaths. I feel a hand touch my shoulder and I shrug it off as I press myself farther against the wall. I hear a mumbled apology and a sigh before I feel them leav
I hear the intake of Derek's breath but I choose to ignore it, for now. "Can I please sign the certificates now, Doctor?" "Sure, no problem. Do you want to contact the Father?" He asks. I freeze for a second. Who does he think the father is? "No, no need. He's dead." I say, barely able to control the tears. "Are you sure? He may be old but I'm sure that he'd want to know." Bernie asks. "Yes, I'm sure. I watched him die, okay? I watched someone kill him and, again, I did nothing about it. Except this time, there was no one holding me back. Then, I go and get myself captured