Drowning in Fire

Counting Goats

I don't even know how I ended up here

Standing outside of his door

I tried to fall asleep

I tried counting goats.

"One Goat, Two Goats, Three Goats.. .. Ugh this is so stupid" I grunted to myself as I marched away.

I even took time to say a prayer to the moon goddess but I couldn't fall asleep

Back home I would go for runs in the mountains or a swim in the lake but now I am standing here in front of his door clutching a blanket around my body.

I slowly lifted my hands and knocked on the door.

Not even a second later I heard his serious voice

"Come"

I slowly pushed the door open

And scanned the room

It was the same as before, just a little darker because the sun was beginning to set.

My eyes landed on the prince leaning back in his chair

His eyes were closed and his head was thrown back he looked deep in thought. It seemed like he had not noticed my presence. the silence caused my palms to sweat slightly.

"I can't fall asleep" I blurted out of nervousness

His eyes flew open and then suddenly his chair fell all the way backward

The thud echoed throughout the room

My hand flew to my mouth as I desperately tried to hold back my laugh

He jumped up and looked at me

"What are you doing here" he yelled

normally I would flinch at his tone

But I could no longer take him seriously he sounded like an embarrassed little boy

I clutched my side laughing

I leaned forwards laughing, but that caused me to let out a yell.

 My stitched were still tender

 I felt the princes presence beside me

"Are you okay?" he said in a quiet voice giving me flashbacks to this morning

" you reminded me of a child just now," I said still laughing slightly

His mouth formed a serious straight line

" you look like a child with your blankets and complaints about being unable to sleep" he countered back

I was taken back

He's right!

I haven't done this in years. I have never had anyone to be this open and vulnerable around.

I looked back at him

But he was already staring into my eyes

" go ahead and lay in my bed Luna," he said suddenly standing up and making his way over to his desk

My face grew warm but I stood up and made my way over to his bed my face being to hot to even argue

The warm sheets welcomed as I folded my blanket and laid it at the foot of my bed

Silence filled the room as we both sat here

My eyes drifted towards the window to the water

The waved came back and forth making lovely music with the birds of the earth

"Isn't it beautiful," I thought out loud

"What is " he answered without looking up

"The ocean" I answered him

"I suppose" he gave me a curt and short answer. Maybe I was annoying him.

another silence filled the room

"Why couldn't you sleep" he broke the silence once more

"I don't know Kai"

"It prince kai" his voice felt serious and playful at the same time

"Okay kai" I wasn't afraid of him. In a way, I felt safer being near to him like this.

He didn't feel like "the bloody prince" right now he just felt like a normal guy that just so happens to be royalty

I laid down in the bed looking up at the ceiling

"Kai" I whispered

"Hmm" I heard him say from the other side of the room

" why did you really save me?"

"I guess for the same reason you saved me"

"Then I guess you aren't like what they say you are"

"What do they say I am" his voice became colder. I could hear his footsteps get closer to me. I rolled over to the side so I can look at him

"A bloody prince" he stood over me. He had a sad look on his face. He knew what they called him yet he never defended himself

"Then what am I," he said kneeling beside me

" You are just kai, Prince kai" he looked at me in silence. " I now believe everything you have done to earn that name has a reason that may be different from what the kingdom believes."

I smiled at him to show how thankful I am. He has been very kind to me. 

I feel like we are friends.

I've never had a friend before.

I felt my eyelids closing

I felt myself drifting further and further into a dream state

I could have sworn I heard the prince murmur something to me as I fell asleep

But I am sure he did call me "crazy" and  "stupid"

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