I woke up, sweaty and panting. Just as I thought, the dream returned. Just like it did very night. I couldn't shake the gross touch and revolting smells. Being in this place only made my anxiety worse. I shuttered as I ran a hand through my hair. The fact that Drake didn't wake, was a good sign that I didn't scream. Maybe I could salvage some of the night if I went back to sleep. But I knew better. If I laid back now, I would just continue to be a mess of emotions. I pulled my knees to my chest and buried my face in my arms. What was I going to do?
No matter how much I told myself that none of this was real, that bastard always came back into my dreams. Damn Jasper to hell. Damn him for tormenting me even beyond death. Why was this my punishment? Why was I being punished for defending myself? I felt the mattress move beside me as I quietly shuttered and cried. I didn't want him to see me like this, especially after talki
Drake let my face go and I giggled again. Trying to make it look natural. Dragging my eyes away from Drake, I watched as the General and his men stood. All bowing in greeting as the King made his way towards the table. A very tall man with golden locks that twisted down his face. Leather straps crossed over his back with a giant sword protruding from his cloak. A red fleece cloak dragged behind him, I couldn't get a good view of his front as his back was to me. He sat down after greeting the gentlemen, waving a server over to him. "Sorry about my late arrival. I was held up with court duties." The King's voice was dark and dead. Even his voice would scare babies. A fit voice for the Tyrants right hand man. The King was a notorious dealer of pretty much everything bad. A black market if you will. You wanted something illegal, you could easily obtain it through him. It was where he got most of the drugs he used on me.
I followed silently behind my old team, they where quiet and tense in the presence of Drake. Why wouldn't they be, they didn't know him after all. He was a stranger, a threat. A man that had pinned there leader up against a wall so menacingly. Of course they would be upset. More so because I defended said man that had pinned me against the wall. They trust me to the ends of the world and back, but they would never trust him. It was my fault, I was disturbed by my findings and couldn't bring myself to tell Drake about everything that was happening. He was only responding to my attitude and that caused him to act up. Of course there are better ways to handle situations like these, but his calm methods in the past haven't worked. Only the rough ones got anything out of me, and that was probably because of the way I had been raised. Bottle everything up until it was beaten from me. I suppose if I want to keep his trus
We left after an hour, giving my team plenty of time to disappear before we made our way back to the village. Something between us had changed dramatically over the last few days. His anger finally explained. But I had my reserved doubts about his feelings. Sure to feel appreciated for once was nice, but would it last? The stress of war would test us, make us question each other and push us. Was he really willing to go through all of that for some woman he barely knows? As for me, I barely knew him as well. I didn't know anything about him other than I know we both wanted Drakos dead. I knew nothing of his past and something told me he wouldn't tell me even if I asked. After all when they recruited us, they asked us not to. So how was I suppose to care for a man who I was suppose to know nothing about? Of course we had said nothing to each other, our only focus was exiting the village undetected. When we finally escaped
Drake and I slowly climbed the hill up to the manor. The horses where starting to tire, and I can't say we faired any better. We slept on the cold hard ground last night. No matter how we laid, it was still uncomfortable. So we basically stayed up most the night until the sun rose. Not a word was said between us on the descent. The only sound of hooves clopping on loose dirt filled the air. The trees lining the dirt pathway swayed lightly with the warm breeze. Despite the warm weather I still sat slumped in my saddle, my eyes barely staying open. We rounded the last bend, the manor coming into view. It was a two story building with two long section on either side. To the left was our hallway to the bedrooms, and to the right was the bath house and the Master's personal quarters. I gave a long sigh of relief. The chipped paint and gross windows bringing a wave of comfort at the sight. On the porch steps sat Sebasti
I waded into the pool until my chest was completely submerged. The warmth seeped into my tired and aching body, relieving the tense knots. I don't know what it was about this pool, but it always worked miracles. It was more hot than normal today as well. The steam was more thick and dense. I didn't really mind because I was alone, and that meant I didn't need to hide behind a towel. With a bar of soap in my hands, I worked diligently to wash off the dirt from the last two nights. Sleeping in a filthy inn, and then sleeping on the ground made me itchy and gross. But, somehow Drake made those moments better. He even admitted he liked me! How strange is that? I went from ignoring and fearing men, to somehow finding myself being courted by one. I hadn't even the slightest idea on how to act or be in relationships. I just know I like the way Drake makes me feel, and I want to make him happy too. Maybe I would get the hang of
What was this heavy feeling across my waist? Why was my neck so warm? Sebastion never cuddled me, he said it was too weird. Was he that worried about me that he had to keep me so close? It was starting to make me feel suffocated. Did he change the sheets too? These are more soft than I remember. Of course that could also just be because they where in better condition than then Inn's. That damn inn, this damn mess. What was I going to do? I paused, my eyes closed as I listened to the deep breathing that landed on my neck. Was Sebastion that worried about me he would cuddle? What the hell happened to him? I slowly opened my eyes, squinting with the light from the sun. I slowly blinked as my eyes adjusted. "Sebastion you dunce, remove yourself from me. You are suffocating me!" There was no reply. Oh how I hated waking him up. The moodiest and most annoying human being to ever exist if he wakes up before
I sat at the empty table, my thoughts rambling about my mind. Love, that cursed feeling. The only emotion that ever brought me any happiness in my life. The only time I ever felt love was when my parents where alive. Back then things where so simple. Now, things where different. I shut my emotions down, pushed myself away from everyone the best I could. Because deep down, I didn't want to get close to anyone. I didn't want to experience the same pain I felt when my mother and father died. I didn't want to go through that pain again. Even when Nicklos passed, my sorrow was just a fragment of what I felt the day I lost my parents. Now things where more difficult. Sebastion's life was in jeopardy, my live was being fought over, and it seemed that the whole world was about to crumble. I felt small before this all came to light, but now I felt fragile, helpless. I went from notorious and well known General, to a tiny ant. A small ch
"I always use to admire you my dear. You where an...inspiration to us all. Your skill, your tact, your wisdom. But being away from your home has made you soft, weak. We warned you about making friends Aria. It would make you unreliable. Now you understand don't you? So I came to make an offer. We know where your hideout is, and I don't want any more bloodshed then their needs to be. We will leave your brother and comrades alone if you come quietly. If you don't, as soon as we subdue you, I will see to it personally that your brother suffers." I felt my fingers twitch against the hilt of the blade. I couldn't trust a damn word he said. I knew that he would say anything to get me to go willingly, because I was going to be a problem for them if I decided against them. "Save your pretty words General. I can already assume you know what my answer is. But to save you some thought processing. Let me tell you to ki