After a whole day of exploring the palace, frightening atleast fifteen guards and three cooks, I was tired. After a quick shower, I picked up the book I borrowed from the library and went to sit on the widow sill.
I wanted to read more about this world's history and figured the library was my key. Most of the books were in languages I couldn't read and after a tedious search with help from the girls, I found a few that could help.
Zach and Jason left on an errand and won't be back until tomorrow or the day after. Stella looked even more sick now that he was gone. I made several attempts to talk to her at the library but she dodged the topic everytime it came up.
I sighed as I settled comfortably by the window. I unfastened the latches and breathed in as the cool breeze poured into the room. The moon shone bright with all its stars twinkling like tiny diamonds scattered in the dark night sky.
I fiddled with the ring Cole gave me for my birthday. The honey coloured stone twinkled just like the stars when light fell on it. The charm bracelet Melissa had given was still dangling on my wrist, the charms making tiny metal sounds whenever they hit each other. I had brought whatever I thought would be useful and could carry on me.
My phone!
Scrambling from my seat, I frantically ran to the closet when I had stashed my cloak and my old clothes when I got here. Along with my phone. I remember taking it at the last moment. After a few minutes of digging, I found it. I turned it around and sure enough, the phone cover Kyle had got me stared back at me.
I am the lost princess
Closing the closet door behind me, I settled down by the window again. My lips quirked up into a smile at the memory. That seems so long ago now. Biting my lip, I rubbed my thumb across the cover. I wonder what both of them were doing right now. Cole must have left for college and Dad on one of his business trips. But Kyle, he would be left alone without Nana and I there.
My vision became blurry and I blinked. Two tears fell on the screen. And then some more. I hoped Nana was alright, wherever she was. I hoped I could see Kyle again even just to hear one of his lame snarky comments. I hoped I would see all of them again. I pressed the power button and thankfully my phone lit up. A picture of Kyle and I glowed back on my face. We were both making faces at the camera. I chuckled and sniffled. I had around 70% charge left and decided to preserve it for some more time. My amulet glowed warm on my chest and I picked it up.
"What should I do? Everybody is depending on me to do something. But I'm scared. I'm in this strange place which is supposed to be my home. But it doesn't..it doesn't feel like home. I don't even know who I am anymore."
The amulet only glowed brightly as if trying to comfort me. I sighed and picked up the book. I tucked my pale hair behind my ear as I scanned the pages.
A sudden flash of light on my face distracted me. I looked out the window, my eyes darting around to find where the light came from. Another flash of light hit the wall outside my window. But it wasn't directed in my direction this time, but a little farther up.
I gasped as another flash of light signalled to the one that just appeared but this time, it came from the palace. I ducked my head inside as I spotted a somebody by one of the trees.
"What the actual hell!" I muttered under my breath. I crept away slowly from the window, not wanting to attract any attention.
I opened the door to my room gently. My amulet glowed and I dropped it behind the neckline of my dress. There was a single guard present and he looked asleep. Complete with a snore and all. I felt sorry for him for a few seconds and then remembered my mission. My bare feet made no noise as I padded through the corridor.
"Every damn door looks the same..." I grumbled.
When I finally reached my destination which I recognised by the guards outside the door, I stopped short. Unlike the sleeping guard outside my door, these two were wide awake.
They blinked at me in confusion. As I walked closer I noticed their eyes darting at my night gown clad body. I mentally cursed for forgetting to grab something to wear on top of my gown. But I had no time.
"Your Highness. Can we help you with something? Are you lost perhaps?" questioned one of them.
I internally rolled my eyes.
"I have see Ai- Prince Aiden. It's important." I said.
The guards stared at me for a moment longer and my hands itched to open the damn door.
"It's also urgent." I added, borderline annoyed.
One of the two smirked and then tried to compose himself with a light cough. They shared a look and I realized what was running through their heads. I gave them a sharp look.
Do they think I'm here for a booty call?
"Any day now-"
I was cut off as the door opened and Aiden stood yawning. Shirtless might I add. I glanced at his bed hair. Why couldn't mine look like that?
"What's all the commotion for?" He said.
And then his eyes fell on me. My face heated up as he shamelessly checked me out.
"Can you come to my room for a bit. I got something to show you." I said.
Aiden nodded and disappeared into his room. One of the guards coughed and the other cleared his throat.
"If there's any immediate danger, we can come scout the place for you, Your Highness."
"There will be no need for that. Stay in your positions." Aiden said, buttoning his shirt.
Though his face was calm, his tone held a warning. There was light thump and a clank as the guards straightened and faced the wall behind me.
"Here." Aiden handed me a night robe.
"Let's go. I'm not sure if they're still out there." I said, slipping into the robe. It's silky texture sent goosebumps down my arm.
Both of us jogged to my room. Aiden frowned as we reached my room and snapped his fingers at the sleeping guard, startling him.
"Your Highness!"
"Why is there only one of you here?"
"Shhh!" I hissed at both of them. "Get in."
Something flew past my window just then and then a flash of light. Just for a second. And then another flash.
"What in the name of-"
Aiden quickly ran to the window, his left hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. He thrust his head out of the window carefully looking around. Something flew past his head with a whoosh and dragged me down along with it. I squeaked in surprise. Aiden cursed.
"Shut the window! I'm fine!" I said.
"Did it hit you?"
Aiden was down by my side in a flash. He frantically searched for whatever pulled me down.
"It's okay. I think it's stuck in between my dress and the robe." I said, gently pushing his hands away. "Here, let me do it."
I quickly unfastened the knot keeping the robe together. It was no bigger than a pencil. A thin, sharp piece of metal pinning my dress to the carpeted floor. The area it was lodged into was slowly turning purple.
Aiden sucked in a breath and tore a piece of his shirt. He carefully pulled the metal free. I tried to move but his free hand pressed on my stomach holding me in place. The warmth from his hand seeped through the flimsy material of my night gown.
"Don't move. I have to cut out that part." He said, pointing to the purple area.
In a single swipe, the damaged cloth was cut free from the rest of my dress. He stabbed the piece with his dagger and lifted it up.
"Is it some kind of a poison or something?" I said.
He lightly sniffed it and then shut his eyes, blowing out a shaky breath.
"I'll be back. Don't leave your room."
"Answe-"
Aiden was gone before I even finished the word. I sighed for what seemed like the tenth time today. I got up from the floor and checked the windows.
It took about half an hour before Aiden got back. I shut my book as a knock came from the door. The sleeping guard from earlier poked his head inside. He eyes darted to my body briefly as if to make sure I was still fully clothed.
"Yes..?" I said.
"His Highness Prince Aiden is here. He wishes to speak with you. Should I let him inside Your Highness?"
I wondered what would happen if I refused and shut the door on his face. I smiled at the thought.
"Is this honestly necessary?" Aiden grumbled from outside.
My smile widened. The guard looked uncertainly at me. I realised I hadn't given him an answer yet.
"Er yes, let him in please. Thank you." I smiled at him. "Do return to your quarters and take some rest. I'll be fine here." I added after a thought.
The guard went red and looked quite embarrassed. "I'm sorry it won't happen again, Your Highness."
"No really I-"
He left and Aiden got inside, shutting the door behind him. He frowned when he found me near the window.
"Why aren't you in bed yet?"
I choked on my breath.
"Excuse me?"
His eyes widened when he finally realised what his words sounded like.
"No I didn't mean it like- it's an hour past midnight. Aren't you tired?" He said.
I shrugged.
"I'm not sleeping when you whole lot are trying to kill me."
His face turned dark.
"I'm not one of them. Don't you ever say that again." He said coldly. "And I'm not trying to kill you."
If you only knew that our very bond is slowly killing me
"If only you knew." I said without thinking. Aiden froze. My hand flew to my mouth and my eyes widened in panic.
"I'm sorry..I didn't mean to say it out loud." I slumped on the bed, running a hand through my hair.
"Why would you even think that?" He said quietly looking at me.
He gingerly sat down at the edge of the bed. When I didn't say anything, he sighed and looked away.
"The poison comes from a rare flower called Netta. It's commonly called 'slow death'. It is what it is called. When ingested or injected, the results aren't immediate. But the body degenerates with time. The reason why it is so popular is because the result is sure. A cure for it hasn't been found yet." Aiden explained.
"So if a person is infected with it then, there is no hope. Death is final." I finished for him.
He nodded. So that is why he was so afraid to even let me move. The bed dipped as I moved to where he sat. I put a considered distance between us as I sat opposite him. If Aiden noticed, he didn't say anything.
The mark burned on my neck now that I was so close to him. It was almost fully visible now and I made a mental note to put a spell on it before I left the room in the morning. I was tired of hiding it every time from plain sight.
But I guess we didn't have a choice. He was betrothed to somebody else. They probably loved each other and I couldn't be that person who broke that between them. I wouldn't be that person. Even if Aiden felt something for me, it surely was only the bond making him feel stuff. Nobody falls in love with somebody they barely know.
And yet here you are..here I am
I froze. I wasn't in love with him, was I? No. Like I said it is only the bond making me feel things I shouldn't be feeling. Once I figure out how to free both of us from this. Once I figure out any of this, everything will be fine. He'll be married. I'll be gone. It will go back to how it was before.
A touch on my knee broke my train of thoughts.
"Is something wrong?" He said and then paled. "The poison didn't get you, did it?"
I blinked.
"What? No! No I'm fine. I was just.. thinking." I smiled softly at him. "Is she pretty?"
He blinked.
"Is who pretty?" He asked. His face scrunched up in confusion. He looked adorable.
Shut up. Stop thinking like that
"Your fiancée, silly." I chuckled. I tapped the ring on his finger. The touch burned my finger. I frowned flexing my fingers.
"Oh. You meant Isabella." He said plainly. Void of any emotion.
Suddenly Aiden's conversation with Derek flashed through my mind. I cursed inside my head.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. I just-" I paused not knowing how to continue.
He shook his head and twisted the ring.
"She is. She was the most prettiest girl I'd ever laid my eyes on. With her golden curls and forest green eyes. We met at one of the balls my brother used to throw. She didn't go with a date and neither did I. I was sixteen at that time." He smiled sadly to himself as if remembering a distant memory.
"I courted her for three years before I asked her to finally marry me. She said yes. It was the happiest day of my life. I told Derek and the wedding was fixed. Two weeks before the Winter festival. But it was after the wedding dates were announced that I got this feeling that something was wrong." He paused to take in a breath.
I hesitated before I placed my hand on his. He went still and then relaxed after a few seconds, his hand slipping through mine.
"It had nothing to do with Isabella or wedding. I don't really know how to explain it. It was this feeling at the pit of my stomach. For the first time since that ball, I didn't want to do anything with Isabella. I grew panicked and talked to Derek about it. He pushed it away saying it was just the wedding and the responsibility getting to me. A week after the wedding, was to be our coronation. I would become the King of Avrael and Isabella, my Queen."
That feels so wrong
"It felt so wrong."
I looked up at him startled. He smiled.
"I thought Derek was right. But the feeling just grew stronger. And then two days prior to the wedding, the visions started."
Visions?
"A kingdom burning. People crying out for help. People crying over their dead family. Me among them holding my mother. And then..you." He smiled fondly. My heart lurched in my chest.
"Or atleast the younger you. Pale hair damp with blood and sweat, honey gold eyes flashing as you pushed me away from the burning hut that hurt you. You saved my life." Aiden looked at me and yet through me.
My mind flew back to the tiny scar I had on my stomach. It wasn't visible unless you were really looking for it but it was there.
"After that it's a haze of memories. But I felt it you know. It all made sense suddenly. It was you. It's always been you. I was under Isabella's spell and you broke it. The day I saw you at the..the.." He paused searching for the right word.
"Mall?" I said. He nod his head.
"And then at your house. That's when I started talking to you. I put a spell on myself to disguise myself from you." My eyes widened.
"You weren't really wearing a mask and that hideous cloak, were you? It was just my mind playing tricks on me!" I gasped. He laughed.
"I wasn't hideous."
I rolled my eyes.
"No, you were just extremely creepy. Yet I'm not sure why I talked to you."
"It's the bond. It's always been there. Ever since I first saw you thirteen years ago. It wasn't marked because we weren't of the right age. But when I saw you again and you accepted me, though unconsciously, it was done. You were mine and I was yours. Forever." Aiden pulled my hand up and kissed my knuckles.
"But I was afraid. I am afraid. The night before the wedding ceremony, I went to see Derek. I wanted to make sure my instincts were right. And then I found him. But then I also found Isabella with him. I was still under her spell that time. And what I saw broke my heart. She broke my heart. That night I left to look for the place in the woods. Where I last left you. I did some digging and figured out where you were. I left to find you immediately."
I squeezed his hand.
"But out of all the places in the planet, how did you manage to find me in such short time?" I asked, curious.
"I didn't at first. I almost lost all hope. I didn't know most of the languages Earthlings spoke. I knew I didn't have much time. I had to find you. And then, almost a week later, I was outside this place where they sold food. When these kids were talking about finding people on this magical device. Everyone seemed to have it. I lured one of them to help me." He grinned looking smug.
"You lured a kid to help you? Oh Aiden!" I laughed.
"I know, smart. You were on the opposite side of where I was. But I found a way to get to you. I was terrified of those huge machineries the Earthlings used to travel but I didn't have enough energy to create big spells. I didn't bring enough food to last throughout the journey with me. And I didn't have any of the money Earthlings used. I also didn't have a place to stay so I camped out wherever I found place. So being homeless and hungry, I was really tired and restless. I had nearly given up when I finally laid my eyes on your precious self." Aiden smiled, that beautiful smile that made his eyes twinkle.
I moved closer to him until our shoulders touched. I lay my head on his shoulder.
"There you were with the rest of your friends. Laughing and talking. And then you looked at me. It was only for a few seconds. That's when I knew the spell was broken. Every thought of Isabella and the wedding was off my head until it was only you. All the hunger, weariness and anger was gone. It was the best sleep I had in days. When the bond was marked, I knew I had to keep you hidden until I could keep you safe on my own. I figured Isabella was with the people who are hunting you down. She was using me to get the power to manipulate people. But I didn't know how to explain it to you. I am being selfish, I know it. But I didn't know another way. I know how the bond works. If they caught me, I didn't want it to affect you. And the rest you know." He finished.
A few minutes went by. Both of us said nothing. Just basked in each other's silence.
"Did I ever tell you how amazing you are?" I said turning to look at him. His lips quirked up into a smile.
"Did I ever tell you how amazing you are?" He said, his eyes gazing into mine. I smirked.
"I mean..I know that already but I don't mind hearing it again."
He laughed and I joined him. He cupped my face and pressed his forehead to mine gently. I fluttered my eyes close.
"You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Rora. I'm sorry for everything. I truly am. Just give me a few more days, I'll make things better. I promise." Aiden softly whispered.
He pressed a kiss on my forehead. My amulet flickered when it hit against his. The bond mark spread warmth throughout my body. I pulled away and looked at him.
"And I'll be there by your side helping you. Helping all of us. We'll find a way."
He squeezed my hand twice.
"I know you will be."
We stared into each other's eyes. It was like one of those scenes from rom-com movies I used to binge watch with Kyle. Aiden hesitated and then leaned in slowly. My heart thundered in my chest as I copied his movement. I felt his breath fanning my face and the warmth of his body against my own.
Thud
"Skies! Are you hurt? Here let me.." Aiden looked startled. He bit his lip and made some sort of a noise which he quickly turned into a cough.
I groaned and got up from the floor. I cursed my stupid gown and Aiden's discarded night robes. Another noise escaped from Aiden and I looked at him sharply.
"Don't you dare laugh! It isn't funny!" I glared.
That was it. He giggled and then went full out laughing. I groaned and rubbed my butt. That fall actually hurt. I'm not sure how I managed to do it but I did.
"I'm going to sleep. Make sure you take yourself out." I grunted and climbed to the other side of the bed.
Aiden continued to laugh for the next few minutes.
"Oh dear skies! Only you princess. How you even managed to do it is beyond me!"
Another chortle of laughter. My face was on fire. I knew I was as red as a tomato. I buried myself further into the pillows. I heard the laughter die down slowly. And then a rustle of clothes.
The bed dipped and a second later, I felt Aiden's arm snaking around my waist, pulling me closer to him. My breath caught in my throat.
Does he actually want to kill me?
"I remember telling you to take your ass outside." I said. I glanced at him and my gaze zeroed in on his naked torso. My cheeks flamed. "Where are your clothes?" I sputtered.
"I can't sleep fully clothed. I usually slip the pants off too but I figured you won't be able to handle that so.." He shrugged nonchalant.
My eyes narrowed at him.
"You can sleep fully naked for all I care." I huffed and the settled myself in his arms, spooning us comfortably.
"Don't tempt me princess." He said, nuzzling his face into my neck. "Good night Rora."
"Good night Aid." I mumbled back sleepily.
And then we were out like lights.