Keditha's Beloved

Chapter Twenty-two

It's been days and Julian still hasn't shown. I felt raw and weak from my parents deaths and lack of food.

I clutch my mother's necklace close to my heart. My hand was covered in her own blood. This was all I have left. Left of mother and father. The only thing I could call home. Why did I leave the castle?

They died not knowing whether I was alive or dead. And I'll have to sit here knowing their deaths are all my fault.

Lord what do I do now? What happens now? Will my fate be the same as my parents?

"Athena?" A quiet voice calls to me. I jump hearing my name but it wasn't Philip, I knew that voice but it was different

I glance up, half laughing, half crying when I see the familiar set of grey eyes. "Julian!" I dart towards the jail door.

Julian reaches in, grabbing my hand. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

I frown. "He-"

Brynjar steps into frame, pushing Julian back. "I got the key." He says as he unlocks the jail door. He smiles widely, swinging the door open. "Hello Athena."

I smile back. "Hello Brynjar."

Julian sighs. "Yes you're friends, I get it. Can I talk with Athena now?" He asks.

Brynjar shrugs. "I guess, I'll go keep watch."

The second Brynjar leaves, Julian wraps me into a tight hug. "Athi be honest, did he hurt you?" Julian mumbles against my hair.

I pull back, showing him the bloody necklace. He raises an eyebrow confused. "It's my mother's." I mumble, tears already threatening to fall.

Realization fills his eyes. "Oh Athi... I'm so sorry." He pulls me back into a hug and I sob against his shoulder.

Julian gently rubs my back. "It's going to be alright Athena, okay? We'll go back to Astoan, grab Emilie and some of your valuables and we'll leave."

"Where will we go?" I tighten my grip around him.

"Wherever you want." Julian stops rubbing my back, hesitating slightly. "I love you Athena, I mean it this time."

"No take backs?" I mumble.

Julian sighs, pulling me back at arms length. “Athena, I’m so sorry. I was mad at you for lying and I made a terrible deal with my father because of it, you-“

I cut him off. “It’s fine Julian.”

Julian places his hand over my mouth. “let me finish.” He says chuckling. I laugh but it comes out muffled. “You didn’t deserve it Athi, you deserve so much more than I can give you but if you let me, I’ll try hard every day to become that man you deserve.”

I slowly pull his hand from my mouth, gazing into his eyes. “Please forgive me.” He says softly.

“Julian, you’re already the man I deserve, you’re the only man I’ll ever need or want.”

Julian smiles. "How do you do that?" He asks.

"Do what?"

"Forgive. You forgive people so easily even when they don't deserve it. You're amazing." Julian twirls a piece of my hair.

"Julian, just shut up and kiss me." I smile, tugging on his jacket.

Julian smiles back. Leaning down, he presses his lips against mine. I wrap my arms around him, desperate to not let go. I finally felt safer than I have in days in his arms.

"I'd hate to break this charming reunion." Brynjar says nonchalantly. "But someone's coming."

Julian pulls back and looks at his brother. "How many someones?" He asks, rubbing my back again.

"Three, maybe four." Brynjar shrugs. He seemed the least bit fazed.

Julian raises an eyebrow, I assume out of surprise. "We can take them." He walks towards Brynjar, but I grab his jacket causing him to turn towards me.

"You can't!" I say suddenly panicking. "I've haven't been totally honest with you. The letter you got... Philip made me write it, he wanted you here. Julian he wants to kill you."

Julian exchanges a look with Brynjar. He then smiles at me, almost laughing. "That's not a big deal, we'll just find another way out." Julian turns towards his brother. "Bryn, will you lead the way?"

Brynjar grins. "It'll be my pleasure." He moves in the opposite direction of where the guards were coming.

"Are you sure he knows where to go?" I ask Julian, moving closer.

Julian plants a kiss on my mouth, smiling. "Of course he does, Bryn is like a human map." He grabs my hand, following Brynjar down the hallway.

I stick close to Julian's side, praying with all my heart. Lord please let us get out of here. I already lost my parents, I can't stand to lose Julian too.

Shouts echo in the hallway behind and I know they discovered me gone. "Julian..." I say uncertain.

We'll be fine Athi, don't worry." Julian whispers. Brynjar shoves us against the wall, concealing us from the well lit hallway in front of us. We watch as a guard patrol passes us, not knowing we were standing right there.

Brynjar then motions for us to move again. We follow him into the lit hallway, careful not to make any noise.

"We should put out these torches." Brynjar says, gesturing to the torches hanging on the wall. "Darkness is our friend right now."

"Julian Kleinhaus, I was wondering when you would show up." A horrible voice chimes. I tense up. No no please no.

Philip stands a few feet away, with plenty of guards. "You should thank beautiful Athena for this wonderful plan." He steps forward, brushing my hair.

Julian pushes him back. "Don't touch her."

Philip grins. "I'm going to enjoy killing you." He snaps his fingers, causing his guards to seize us. He moves closer to me, forcing a kiss. "But don't worry, I won't hurt you." He chuckles, caressing my cheek.

I glance at Julian but he didn't look back, he was too busy glaring at Philip.

“Bring them to the courtyard, I have something special planned.”  Philip looks at Brynjar. “But leave the brute.”

Brynjar struggles against the men holding him. “If you hurt my brother, I’ll kill you Philip! There’s not a place on earth that you’ll be able to hide!” Brynjar yells as they drag him back to the cell.

Philip only grins. “Shall we?” he asks.