The Warrior Princess

Falling Slowly

Erik (Bonus Chapter) THIS CHAPTER IS IN ERIK POV!!!!!

I walked along the corridor as fast I could. I didn't want Amika to catch me. But she always does. She would ask all these stupid and annoying questions that I would have to answer.

I couldn't believe that Kalia had accepted my ring. It wasn't anything special. It was just for putting the powder. The look on her face was so hard to interpret. She analyzed every aspect of the ring. Her eyebrows kept moving around, they scrunched back and forth in thought. I was scared at one point, I really did want her have the ring.

I heard loud footsteps coming my way and looked ahead. I saw my father staring at me intently. His mouth was set in straight line, His eyes were dark and narrow slits. Deep sadness and pain glowed in them.

He places both of his hands on my shoulders and says,

"You haven't smiled once since your mother died. I'm happy that you are happy."

He puts his head down and simply walks away.

I smack my hand on my forehead walking as he rounds off the corner. I slumped against the wall, my mouth agape. We both knew it was a very delicate subject between us. I loved and still love my mother. I miss her everyday. I just wish I could admit it.

He never talked about what happened to her. He didn't even talk to me about anything since she died. Now he thinks marrying Anna was going to fix it.

My father had a complicated past. He was the favorite of my grandfather. But as soon as he married my mother everything changed.

He was in line for the throne because he was the oldest. My uncle despised him openly. Always tried to appear on top. But old grandpa didn't notice that. When my father was suppose to marry, he chose one of the commoners... by the way that cancels out any possibility of having the throne, by law. But since he was grandfather's favorite he still had a shot. He actually banished the law, just for my father. But then here came uncle emperor, using his sly words, he maneuvered his way into my grandfathers's mind. He was able to convince him that it just wasn't proper.

Then finally we have my psychopathic uncle ruling like a tyrant across the land. What a wonderful place to live in! Sarcasm aside my uncle definitely had something wrong in his mind. Like a one string in his filthy brain snapped.

So going back to Anna... she is a pain in my backside. And now she is to be my future step mother. She came from a rich family. Making my father think that this will resolve all his problems with his brother or something in the area.

I have no idea what he is thinking. But I am not a mind reader so how could I know anything that goes on is his brain.

I wish I could do that, read other people's mind. I wish I could read Kalia's mind. I finally stood up and started walking to my room.

Mentioning Kalia, I completely lost my train of thought. She was very different. She was calculating, mysterious and awkward, very awkward. She seemed so uptight. But she was being forced to fight against her country. She was different from other girls here. She actually was more of a woman.

That was the thing, I really like her. She was definitely more intelligent. When Amika brought her friends over... Oh dear, Darkness. They were the most annoying people I've ever met. They followed me around everywhere. When I say that, I really do mean everywhere with absolute conviction. They chattered non-stop. I almost died that day.

The problem with Kalia is... she should hate me. My father was the one who dragged her here. I was actually there at that time. Standing in the background. Watching her be taken away. Seeing her hysterical mother. I haven't had the time nor the heart to tell her I was there, but I will wait for the right time.

I opened my door soundlessly and entered my bathroom. I opened the faucet washing my face hurriedly. I winced as I trailed my fingers from where it used to be and ended up on the back of my neck. I banged my head on the low counter softly, I probably looked like a freak. 'Why the Hell did this have to happen to me? So much bad things happened already in the past.'

Fate was morbidly cruel to me.

"Your going to loose all your brain cells if you keep up with that."

I knew that voice. It was way too familiar.

"I know." I said back to Amika who was standing at the doorway.

"We need to talk."

"About what?" I said as I exited the bathroom and sat in an arm chair facing Amika.

"You."

My eyebrows furrowed.

"When did you ever start caring about me?"

She shook her head. She looked so proper at that moment. Hands in her lap, back straight, her mouth a thin pale line. She never looked so motherly in her entire life.

"Come on, we are almost like siblings. Ever since the thing that happened..." she cut off and started again.

"Your attitude has been different since the start of my father's plans. You haven't smiled, ever. Probably in 10 years. All you've had is that smirk. Your face never showed emotion until now. But lately you've been smiling, laughing, talking more. It's like you woke one day and decided to change."

"I don't want to talk about this." I said getting a bit frustrated. She didn't need to dig her way into my life.

"But you have to! I know why your mood has changed. It's because of her!" she said angrily, standing up from her spot. Her face started to redden slightly. She clenched her jaw so hard, it looked like her teeth would shatter.

I closed my eyes, trying to calm down. I knew who she was talking about. She didn't have to into insert herself into my relationship with her. I can't even believe I would call it that.

"Then why is it wrong if I happen to like Kalia?" I answered back.

"You did not smile, you did not laugh, you did not cry! These are human emotions and you never showed an ounce ever since your mother died! The only emotion you did show was anger!" she was furious and I couldn't understand why. She never tried to help me when my mother passed. If she did maybe I would never locked her or anyone out.

"Don't go there." I say with my head lowered. I clenched my knuckles tightly, as I tried my best to be calm.

"Can't you see Erik, you can't have a relationship with her. She is going to fight in a war in a few days. Do you think that if she makes it through the war, that she will go to you first? Do you think she will celebrate? She will grieve her people if we win! She will be scarred for life knowing that she let this happen to them! And after the war what will my father do to her? Or what if we are defeated? My father won't give her another chance at life knowing that he lost." She bit out the word father with a huge disgust. She hated him with her whole soul.

"I- I don't know." the weight of all these questions just fell on my shoulders. I sank down in my chair. Even though she was very annoying and irritable she had a huge point, and I could help myself but agree.

My vision was starting to fade out. The pain in the back of my neck began to throb. 'Why did this have to happen now at this very moment.'

"Amika, you have to get out. Now." I said quietly, trying not to leave anything in my voice but rage.

"But I'm not done reasoning with you!" she said yelling, like a spoiled little girl. She smacked her hands down on her sides, her hair even went with the motion.

I started to get up from my seat. I towered over her small frame. Then she ran away saying, "Okay!" repeatedly.

She was so childish even for a 22 year old.

The pain in my neck began to be unbearable. My vision was completely filled with black spots.

But before I completely passed out I came up with one thought.

I'm going to help her escape.