WONDER (8)

AMELIA

As the gentle wind swept up my hair I began thinking about my plan to escape, my gaze was fixated on the setting sun in front of me and it gave me a comforting feeling. I had asked William to let me out so that I could scope the area and find a safe route to decamp from. The branch I had climbed gave me a clear view of the vast grounds around me.

I recounted the way William spoke about my family and my home, it angered me to no end but I had pretended to accept his not so apologetic apology because it was all part of my scheme. I had to prove myself to be trustworthy so that William could be more lenient on me and let me have a little more freedom so that when the time is right I'd leave without further complications.

For a minute I thought about William being right, what if everyone at the human home were really dead? But as soon as the thought entered my mind I disregarded it. Even if he was right I had to make sure of it myself because, in the end, I'd be the one living with the myriad guilt if I didn't even try to look for them. There was no question, I had to do it! I had to escape!

"Please come down Amelia!" Sandra, the maid that accompanied me pleaded with a fearful voice.

This is what William does to people! I reiterated, trying to solidify my resolve. Even though he made me feel things I was pretty sure no one would ever make me feel, leaving him was the right thing to do. The few hours that I had known him for proved that he was not a good guy, he was not a hero, he wasn't the charming prince I had dreamed of, he was the cruel king I was supposed to fear yet fear was the last thing I felt around him.

Shaking my head I looked down towards Sandra, "Just a few more minutes, I promise I'll be down as soon as the sun sets," I requested and after a few moments of consideration she nodded reluctantly in reply.

I closed my eyes and breathed out clearing my head of any and every thought. I opened my eyes once more and continued to look at the breath-taking view in front of me when a loud growl startled me, "WHERE!" 

I looked down and my breath caught in my throat. There stood a furious William with his hands around Sandra's neck. His face slowly turned around and his smouldering gaze met mine all of a sudden his eyes began softening and in an instant, he was right in front of me. The branch shook slightly because of his weight.

His large, calloused hand rested on my cheek for a few moments before gently, moving a stray tress of my hair behind my ear. His other hand came in contact with my back and pulled me close, my face hurried into his rugged and muscled chest as his hand began to move up and down my spine in a comforting manner.

"What are you doing up here?" His gentle voice penetrated the otherwise silent ambience.

"Just looking at the sunset," and looking for a way to escape I added in my head.

"Well you should know that I do not permit you to such hazardous activities," he spoke in an authoritative tone which sent shivers down my spine.

"Let's get you down and inside the castle so that you can warm up, it seems as if you might catch a cold," he said referring to my prior shiver; little did he know that it was him affecting me rather than the climate.

I nodded my head in agreement partly because I wanted to show him I was agreeable and indulging the idea of letting him dominate me and partly because it was really starting to get cold.

I removed myself for his comforting hold and began leaning against the trunk to see for a partially secured area to move down from but as soon as my left hand twitched to grab a frail branch I was wrapped up in William's embrace once more but this time instead of the relaxing sparks a rush of adrenaline swarmed through my nerves as he jumped down without another word. I clutched his shoulders and buried my face into his neck whilst tightly shutting my eyes.

An amused chuckle rumbled through him making his chest vibrated against my body. "We are down now love, no reason to be afraid anymore,"

"I wasn't afraid!" I declared, inwardly I cringed as even I could feel the dishonesty in my statement.

He chuckled once more before patting my head like a child's, " of course you weren't!" He cooed whilst I frowned in reply to his patronizing tone.

He continued to carry me to the castle even though I begged him to let me walk on my own but if I had, to be honest, it felt like heaven in his arms. His body was cool but an obscure sense of warmth engulfed me every time I was near him.

We entered the gates and arrived at the very hallway through which I entered the garden, his long strides paused and he stood still. I was about to question what was amiss but all of a sudden a man appeared from the right corner of the seemingly endless hallway.

He had locks of red, which were tidily slicked back and a pair of unorthodox greenish-blue eyes which sparkled with a peculiar glint. His frame although impressive was lacking compared to Willliam's and his face though young portrayed wisdom beyond my years.

"Thomson!" William's roaring voice distracted me from my scrutinization of the man before me.

"Your highness," the man named Thomas bowed in respect.

"I am pleased to finally introduce you to my little mate, Amelia and little one that is Thomson, my trusted adviser," William explained whilst I gave a shy 'hello' in reply which caused both men to smile adoringly in my direction.

They continued to talk for a minute or so, I tucked my face back into William's neck and waited patiently for them to finish. I recalled the image of the grounds and began analyzing the area for the best escape route. I had just figured out a way when William's surprisingly gentle voice interrupted my thoughts, " are you hungry little one?". I hadn't even thought about my hunger but now that he had mentioned it, I truly realized how starved I actually was. I nodded a 'yes' as his hands rubbed my back in a soothing manner.

He then proceeded to order Thomson to instruct the Royal chef to prepare a grand feast for 'his angel' as he put it. Subsequently, he marched toward his room, upon reaching his room, he dropped me on the large bed. The long, floral dress I had donned fanned around me.

Slowly, I got up and sat at the edge of the bed. I looked up to see William discarding his shirt. Warmth began surging through my body as I stared at the half-naked Adonis in all his glory; his eyes gazed into mine as he made his way towards me. He began walking towards me with a predatory look and to be honest it excited me.

He stopped in front of me and ran his thumb across his bottom lip, his lips began forming an indescribably sultry smirk. He leaned forward and connected his forehead with mine, his eyes closed and he let out a content sigh but I continued to stare at him. This little gesture had my heart racing, my breath caught in my throat.

 "You are my life," he whispered before slamming his lips to mine. My hand snaked up into his hair, gripping tight I tugged hard and was received by his deep groan. 

He pulled away and stared into my eyes, "Let's go get you some food," he suggested before kissing my forehead gently and rising up whilst donning on a brand new shirt.  I continued to stare at him with a dazed look, a slow smile involuntarily began creeping up to my face. He extended his arm and without a moment of hesitation I grabbed it, as we walked down the hallway hand in hand I began thinking...

Could I really leave him?