Chapter Six

The bed I was laying in felt soft, I sunk in amongst the pillows. I wasn’t in my new dress anymore, I had been changed into my nightgown. I reached for my head. It was still wrapped and extremely sore. I opened my eyes slowly and tried to focus. I was in a large room, it was very bleak. The aromas didn’t seem familiar, but at least it wasn’t as stale as the hospital,

“Good morning”

I turned my head to the voice, Duane was by my side. I looked down and noticed he was holding my hand, there was a ring on it. I looked back up at him.

“Your probably confused. We are at my house. Everything you will need is here. I went and got as few things for you from your house, I hope you don’t mind. It was just some clothes, your pillow and blanket. I thought you would feel more comfortable if you had your own.”

I froze, my pillow! Had he found the letter? I tilted my head as far backwards and to the side as I could, then lifted my free hand up beside my face. As I pushed down I didn’t hear the paper crumple, I looked back towards him. His facial expression hadn’t changed. I smiled in an effort to cover my actions.

I tried to speak but my voice just croaked. Duane leant forward and handed me a glass of water. I took a few sips. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was until I had tasted the water. I finished the glass then attempted to speak again

“That is very kind of you Duane, but also very unnecessary. There is no need for me to be a burden.”

He shook his head, “I'm sure this is how any man would respond if his fiancée were ill.” I felt him squeeze my hand that the ring was on.

I forcibly smiled again, he leant down and kissed me softly on the lips. I didn’t move or respond to it.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. You are probably hungry. Jaide! Come here please!”

A young woman entered the room, she was a rather attractive lady. Her hair was jet black and pulled back into a loose ponytail. She wore a simple black dress that fell below her knees. She smiled politely as she walked towards Duane and curtsied.

“Yes Master Duane, how may I be of service?”

“I believe Amelia here would be hungry, can you go fetch her something to eat please”

The young girl nodded her head, “Of course Master, right away” She curtsied again then disappeared back out the door.

“That is Jaide, a servant here in the house. If you need anything at all when I am not around, just call for her and she will do whatever you require”

I nodded my head, “Thank you, that’s very kind” I wasn’t used to this side of Rircaex. I had never been interested or a part of a master or mistress’s life. Dimetrius and I kept our past as secretive as possible. It is so much more extravagant then I had imagined it would be.

“I have a meeting I must attend to. I will only be gone for an hour, they are aware I have you here and understand I want to care for you. Remember Jaide is here, and I won’t be long” He leant down to kiss my forehead again and brushed the small amount of hair out of my face. He walked out the door and I was alone there in this big, unfamiliar room.

The young girl re-entered the room carrying a tray of food, “Here you are miss” She smiled as she sat the tray down beside me. “Would you like me to open the blinds? Let some light in?”

She walked towards the blinds and opened them as I nodded, “That’s better. So you are Duane’s fiancée that he has been talking so much about?”

“It appears so” I reply whilst looking down at the ring on my finger.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Jaide. One of two in house servants here. Duane has been talking about you for months now. Its so sweet how much he loves you. Wish someone cared about me that much”

Jaide seemed to talk a lot for a servant, my perception was always that they were seen and not heard. I guess not. I didn’t mind for now though, as long as I kept nodding she kept talking and I enjoyed the company.

“You should of seen how excited he was when they all agreed that getting you two married was a good idea”

I turned my head to look at her for the first real time. She blinked, “Oh, I probably shouldn’t of said that”

I shook my head, “I'm sure its fine, but what did you mean?”

She smiled, seemingly glad I had become interested in her conversation. “Well as you know, Master Duane has liked you since you came here to Rircaex. Probably longer” She sat herself down in the chair next to my bed making herself comfortable.

“He always used to complain you never paid any attention to any of his advances. That it was like you and Dimetrius had something going on. Then the circle members were over here for lunch one day. They started talking about some guy named Adam or something. How he would manipulate you, and convince you to leave the city. Duane said you were loyal to the city and they all agreed. Then he suggested if you were to be wed to someone in the city, you wouldn’t leave. They said something about they had already decided who was going to marry you but when Duane said he would do it. Well, didn’t that start an argument and a half!” She laughed as she smiled at me. Seemingly assuming I was aware of everything going on.

“Dimetrius didn’t want Duane to marry you, Duane didn’t want Dimetrius to marry you, Davina didn’t seem to really care and Cuyle just laughed a lot. In the end Carlow dismissed everyone but Duane. They talked for a while and Duane handed him an envelope. Next thing I knew he was buying you a ring and everything”

She watched me staring at her, speechless. He had planned all of this? He wasn’t forced into it like I was being?

“You didn’t know all that did you?

I shook my head, “I didn’t, no”

She frowned, “I'm sorry. I just assumed that he would have told you. I'm going to get into so much trouble for saying anything now”

I shook my head again, “It will be fine, I promise. I won’t tell him you said a word”

She looked at me with a concerned expression then tilted her head towards the door. “It sounds like Master Duane is home. I better get back to it. We aren’t meant to be social”

She stood up and walked towards the door, she turned around and smiled, “Never the less, it’s lovely to have you here”

“That’s rather sweet of you Jaide, though I am sure you have chores to attend to”

I looked up and Duane was at the door. Jaide curtsied politely then exited the room.

“She always was the social one” He smirked as he walked over towards the bed.

“She’s lovely. How was your meeting? You are back quicker than I expected”

“Cancelled”

I nodded my head. I remembered that Jaide had brought me in some food. I reached over and picked up the tray. There was a nice chicken sandwich and a glass of orange juice. Duane sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Are you feeling any better? We should be able to see if you can stand without passing out this time”

“I'm getting there, I don’t feel overly light headed anymore at least”

“Well eat up. I will get Jaide to run you a bath and we will see if we can get you in there”

He stood up and kissed my forehead again before walking towards the door, calling out to Jaide as he left.

I ate my sandwich and finished the juice. I decided I wanted to try and stand up by myself. I threw back the quilt that covered my legs, I suddenly remembered it was winter as the cold chill ran up my spine. I slid over to the edge of the bed and gently placed my bare feet on the solid oak flooring. With my hand against the side table I lifted myself up. I suddenly became light headed but I managed to stay alert. I took a few steps and I was fine. I walked across towards the window. I didn’t even know where in Rircaex, Duane’s house was. As I walked towards the window I squinted at the light. I could see the square quite easily so we must be near the centre of town.

As I looked down towards the road I blinked, Abran was standing just outside an alley way in front of the house. My heart skipped a beat and I stepped closer to the window laying my hand against the glass. He lifted his hands to his lips and blew me a kiss before stepping back out of sight. I panicked, what was he doing inside the city? He could be killed!

“You’re up! By yourself! That’s fantastic!”

I spun around to the entrance too quickly, my head spun. I put my hand to my face and stood still.

“Amelia, are you okay?” I felt his arms wrap around me and I shrugged him off.

“I want to go home Duane”

“I don’t think you are well enough to go home Amelia. What’s wrong?”

“I just, I want to be in my own house, in my own bed”

He lifted my head with his hand, “This is going to be your home Amelia”

I shook his hand away, “Give me my coat. I'm going home!”

He sighed, “You’re not leaving . One, your not in the condition to and two, we are engaged to be wed. You have to get used to me being around sometime”

“I'm not marrying you Duane. I'm going home, now give me my coat!”

I saw his face go red, “You don’t have a choice. You will marry me or you will never set foot in this city again. Do you understand?”

“I don’t love you, I will not spend the rest of my life joined to a man who feels the need to force himself upon women because they can’t stomach him. Your pathetic” I felt guilty as a spat those vicious words at someone I thought was my friend. But a friend would never do this to someone. They would never trap them like he has trapped me.

I pushed past him to the cupboard next to the door, I pulled the door open and my coat was hanging inside. I grabbed it off the rack and threw it over my shoulders. Duane came up behind me and grabbed hold me tightly around my arms. He began to shake me as he yelled.

“You aren’t leaving Amelia, and that’s final. You said yes, that’s all there is too it. Your precious Abran can’t save you this time”

I lifted my knee and connected with his groin. He fell to the ground.

“Never put your hands on me again, you don’t own me Duane and you never will”

I stepped over him and walked out the door. I walked down the flight of stairs and Jaide stepped in front of me as I reached for the handle.

“What are you doing Amelia? A girl would love to be a married in mistress. Duane adores you”

I rolled my eyes, “Then you marry him Jaide. I prefer love over money and reputation. Now please, step out of the way”

She stepped to the side and curtsied, “Be well Miss”

I nodded, “You too Jaide”

As I walked out into the chilly winters air, I pulled the coat around me tighter as I walked towards the alley way. Abran was nowhere to be found, but there was another envelop.

Amelia,

I heard you had become unwell and I came as soon as I could get some information out of anyone.

I saw you, and its good to see that you are up and about. I have been waiting a few days. Though, you looked unhappy… I hope that isn’t my fault.

I still love you, Amelia. I always will. I am going to be selfish today and tell you that I am going to be at the place I first told you I loved you.

I will be there for the day and majority of the way into the night.

If you want to make us work in anyway shape or form and you still love me, come there.

If not, after today I will leave you be. You will have my word.

Abran

I put the letter into my pocket and turned around to head home. Duane was standing at the entrance back onto the main road.

“What are you doing here Amelia?”

“I enjoy the smell, now please. Get out of my way and trust me, the manners are merely a courtesy.”

“You aren’t going to get away with seeing him Amelia. Everyone is watching you and him”

“We will see. Now move Duane or this time I will do more than just knee you in the groin”

I heard him growl under his breath as he stepped to the side. I took off in a light sprint back to my house. I couldn’t get in the door fast enough. Once inside I sat for a minute. Running home wasn’t exactly the brightest thing I could of done. I got changed slowly and picked up my backpack and headed back out the door. I pulled it closed behind me and locked it.

I walked straight out the gates down the main highway and headed for Walshwere. I knew everyone was watching me, but no one dared stop me. I wasn’t walking for long when I started to get light headed, I sat down quickly to ensure I didn’t faint. I would have been sitting no longer than five minutes when I felt soft rain drops begin to fall around me. I pulled myself back up to my feet and continued on my way. I could see the tower off in the distance and my pace quickened. As I got closer I looked up, I saw him standing by the railing smiling. I smiled back as my heart began to flutter. I stepped up to the door of the bottom of the tower and he emerged from the shadows within.

“I didn’t think you would come”

“What on earth where you doing in the city!?! They would of killed you if they saw you!”

“Ah, but they didn’t and they never do. I’ve been sneaking in for weeks now”

I frowned, “But what if they had of caught you, I would have had to marry Duane”

“Well about that, you still do. Technically”

I shook my head, “I told him it will never happen. You know he set the whole thing up? He wasn’t pressured into it at all, it was all his idea”

He nodded, “I would believe that. Though, he never has been very creative”

I sighed and leant into hold him, “Lets not talk about him. I am here with you, that’s all that matters

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in tight against him. I could feel him breathe and hear his heart beat.

“Come, its beautiful up there” He took me by the hand and led me up the stairs. As we walked through the opening I remembered how amazing it was up here. I knew it was amazing, but this I could never accurately visualize.

“Its better then I remembered”

He ran his hand through my hair, “I could say the same”

I blushed as I looked up at him, then I couldn’t help but smile. “So, has your city said anything to you about your situation yet? I’m sure they are just as much aware of your return and seeing me as mine is”

He shook his head, “They haven’t said anything negative to me. Just that I need to tread carefully and not give you any information that could destroy us” He rolled his eyes, “As if you could, if you tried”

I chuckled softly then nodded my head, “We are going to have a problem if and when I get banished you know. I would be enemied to every city”

He sighed and nodded his head, “I am sure the senate and I would try to come up with something”

“Its not always that easy Abran. I am the enemy remember, the person who would raid their towers, kill their guards. They aren’t exactly going to forget that in a heartbeat”

He pulled me in against him again, “I didn’t say forget, love. I merely said we could try and work something out.”

He turned towards the south, and growled. “We have company. This whole never actually getting time to spend with you is getting rather old”

I followed his line of sight, and sure enough Commander Cuyle was on his way with his lap puppy of a slave Cecila

“Right, we need to be on the same page here Amelia. Are we together in this or not? I need to know if you are going to go back to the city with him?”

I shook my head, “I am with you Abran, for now. I know I gave them my word but I am not going to go back to a city that thinks they can buy my hand in marriage”

He nodded his head then kissed my forehead, “Very well, this may get messy then”

Cuyle and Cecila entered through the door and eyed me from head to toe.

“What's going on Amelia? This is the second time I have run into you in the company of a city enemy”

“Abran is no enemy to me, just you”

“And all those you share your city with”

“The city in which you are forcing her to marry a Master in a pathetic attempt to keep her within your walls”

Cuyle stiffened as Abran spoke, “I wasn’t directing any comments towards you, so I suggest you keep your mouth shut”

“I will do whatever it is that Amelia wishes, if she wishes for me to speak. I shall”

Cuyle turned towards me, “Oh how sweet Amelia, you’ve found yourself a puppy dog”

I glared and put my hand on the small dagger I had attached to my side, “I’d suggest you follow your own instruction Cuyle, you wouldn’t want for something disastrous to happen”

He stepped towards me, challenging my proposal. Abran stepped in front of me with an aggressive stance, “Back off Cuyle”

“Amelia, you need to go back to the city right now”

“She doesn’t need to do anything you tell her Cuyle”

“On the contrary Abran, I am her commander. She will do as I say or suffer the consequences”

“I’m not going anywhere Cuyle, here is where I choose to be. Not within the walls of a corrupt city that focus’s its power on self ratification rather than the betterance of those they share their walls with or with those that use their positions of power to force those of young ranks to partake in sexual favours as there is obviously no way one would, given the chance to refuse” I glanced across at Cecila with a disappointed expression then back to Cuyle again. 

I saw him draw his sword from his scabbard and step towards me, “No one insults me, especially not within the presence of a slave. You will pay for your words Amelia.” He pulled his arm back to strike as Abran’s sword swiftly penetrated his chest. Cuyle obviously wasn’t prepared for battle with great gaps amongst his armour. I watched as he fell to the ground as Abran withdrew his sword.

“I have waited years to take my revenge on you Cuyle, you should of known attacking the one I love would cause you nothing but demise”

With his dying breaths he muttered, “Consider yourself an enemy of the empire Amelia, there will be a bounty on your head”

I stepped back as he fell face down, Cecila blinked then quickly ran through the door then down the stairs of the tower. I had never seen someone move so quickly in my life. She would be back in the city centre in no time at all. Telling everyone of what just happened. I will officially be an enemy of all three cities. Homeless