-Karen-A couple of voices woke me up a while later, talking about the events from last night. What day is it? "They got gutsy, that's for sure," Bart commented from the left. Ugh. I'm so tired."No kidding," Conor replied from right above me. I sleepily looked up at him, not realizing I was curled up to him, holding his shirt tightly. Karen! Why are you clinging to him like that? Additionally, he had me tucked right against his chest with his arm around me still. "Hey. Are you feeling okay?" I squinted at him while he and Bart chuckled. I need to wake up quickly and get away from him."I guess she isn't a morning person?" Bart asked as I slowly woke up. Wake up, Kay! Wake the hell up!"No, I'd say she was up most of the night guarding herself against me," Conor explained as I sat up. I yawned and stretched and felt a couple of joints pop. "Good morning, Karen." Are you trying to make small talk? Really! You just don't stop, do you?!"Get out..." I grumbled tiredly to them. I was exha
-Karen-"I have a question for you," I said as he returned and sat on the bed before me again."Oh! You have a question—it better not be 'why are you still here?'" he huffed sarcastically. As much as I would find that to be amusing, not this time. I shook my head in reply. "What's your question?" Conor asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He was watching me intently, and I felt a tinge of nervousness charge through me. The way he looks at me makes me uneasy."Why- Why did you pick me that day? You spared my life of all the people you must have run across in town. I'm sure that's only temporary, but I don't understand why. I didn't save you or even speak to you. I didn't do anything to warrant that gesture. Why would you save a total stranger?" I asked, meeting his gaze. I'm not sure, but I want to know the answer. But I am curious!"Why? Because you looked interesting. I still think you're interesting even if you're a bit psychotic and stubborn," he smirked while I pursed my lips.
-Karen-"You could call it a bribe or a present, depending on how you look at this situation. In this case, seeing as how stubborn and combative you've been, I would be inclined to call it a bribe," he said, picking up part of the broken apple slice and putting it to my lips. Eat it."I looked away defiantly. I heard Conor and Bart both sigh out of frustration. Before either of them could try to say anything, I laid down on my left side and curled up tightly into a ball. I just wanted to be alone. I didn't want bribes or presents. I didn't want food or advice. I wanted to die, and I wanted it to happen quickly. I was tired of this life, and I felt like I had no purpose now that the Queen had been killed. Who do I serve now that she is gone? I sure won't serve either of them- Especially the prince! I could hear the men talking and did my best to block out their voices. I closed my eyes as tightly as possible when I felt Conor's presence coming back towards me. I balled up tighter on i
-Conor-"Wake up!" Conor yelled at Karen, trying to wake her up. He set her down on the bed and tapped her cheek repeatedly in hopes that it would rouse her. Oh, my goodness. This woman! "You are so damn stubborn! You're going to drive me insane!" He snapped angrily. "I wish you would stop fighting me. Even if it were for half a day…" Conor grumbled as he pulled her to the pillow and covered her with the blanket. I need to see what I can do for her. Conor left the room, locking the door behind him. He rushed to Bart's office and burst through the doors, startling Bart and Joanne. "She passed out, Bart… Would it be a good idea to give her an IV now? I don't want her to regress." I mean, at this rate, she's going to kill herself by being a pain in my ass."Yes, I don't see what it would hurt. Jo, can you help him with that, please? I also want a vitamin bag added. It's going to be a Zargan one, so I don't know how much that will actually help, but let's see if that helps perk her up." B
-Karen-I woke up alone in the same servant quarters as before. The only difference is I was propped up on more pillows with a tube running into my right arm. Ugh… I felt weak and heavy. My hands had been placed over my stomach, and it took me an hour to realize that I was in a new nightgown. The fabric was soft against my skin as I stayed still, thinking about my last encounter with the prince. How dare he even comment on them? I thought about what he said regarding Delia and Lizette and how I acted. It enraged me.I'm not being ungrateful at all! I'm being belligerent and uncooperative with the enemy! He's just an arrogant jerk! He's a stupid, lusty Zargan. Another man that I will have to deal with somehow. The only option for him is to die as painfully and as slowly as possible. I have to find a way to make that happen! I tried not to doze off as I reaffirmed my thoughts. I felt sleepy from the heavy feeling of despair I was left with. I glanced over to the window to my right. It w
-Karen-"Tell me about yourself, Karen," Conor said, scooting the chair closer to the bed. I gave him an edgy glance as he gave me an expectant look.What? "There's nothing to tell." I shot back flatly. "I'm a servant. End of story." I mean…"Nope! You have to do better than that," he retorted quickly. "Come on. Really! I'm curious about you. Tell me anything."I watched him for a moment, and he watched me with a smirk. What do I say? "Well… I, uh. I'm a Mage, and I have a flower garden," I said plainly. He nodded for me to continue. “That's it. Really." I don't know what he is looking for in this."There has to be more than that," he said, frowning at me. “Who is Karen? What's your favorite color? Do you have any hobbies? Do you have a favorite food? What is your family like?" he asked rapidly. Who is Karen?—She's a servant with a garden like I just told you.Being put on the spot like this made me feel uneasy. "Well, uh- My favorite color is purple. And I have the garden that I have
-Karen-I waited a few more minutes and got up slowly. I crossed the short distance from the bed to the small window and watched as the sun dipped behind the ocean, allowing darkness to cloak the sky. I could see Taurameras high above the town, and the stars started to dot the darkened heavens. I love the light of Taurameras at night. Its soft light is so beautiful! The city was eerily dark below the palace. It left me with a relatively empty feeling as I thought about the many people who must have died in the attacks. I shook my head as the sadness continued to eat at me.'I could just throw you to the soldiers. They would love to get a piece of you…' The words echoed in my head as my throat became tight with emotion. And that is precisely why I don't expect to have a happy ending. I could hear yelling down the hall but ignored it while I cried silently by the window. I wrapped my arms around myself as I stared out into the darkness. He is just like Lewis, but he was more than okay w
-Karen-The next day, I awoke to the smell of porridge entering the servant's room. Sleepily, I sat up and rubbed my face through a yawn. Conor and Bart were carrying things, and instinctively, I got up to help. "Oh no, Karen. Go lay back down," Bart said firmly while he set up a foldable table."Go," Conor said just as firmly to me."I'm a servant- I'm supposed to help." I retorted flatly. I tried to help take the tray from Conor, but he raised it high over my head. "It shouldn't matter if I'm sick or not-""It matters. Now, change into your dress while we step outside." Conor said in a commanding tone. I frowned at him while he set the tray down. Why does it matter?! "Go on. I want to make sure it fits you correctly."I rolled my eyes while he snickered under his breath. I'm going to hurt him. He is making me mad! Bossing me around and not letting me help- I trudged over to the night table as the door shut, leaving me alone. "Such a bossy bastard," I grumbled as I changed into the s