Love and War

38: Anastasia

Anastasia's POV:
I grabbed the backpack the maids gave me earlier and put away some of my belongings. I left behind all the gowns they had gifted me. There's no way I could keep those.

I pocketed the envelope money and put on my cloak. I started looking for my boots.

God where are they?

Just when I need them most they aren't here. While I checked in the closet I heard a knock at my door.

I opened it to see Landon and Serena. They pushed their way in and Landon looked at the backpack disapprovingly.

"What?" I asked.

"Anastasia, are you leaving?" Serena asked quietly.

"No I think she's just reorganizing," Landon said sarcastically. He started grabbing a dress and putting it back into the closet unpacking my clothes.

"Landon!" I grabbed the gown from him and shoved it back into the backpack. "I am leaving Serena," I said glaring at Landon.

I can't stay here. Not when he's going to marry someone else. I saw him at the coronation. He's a king now. A king cannot be with... me. He needs a woman like Robin.

Serena hugged me tears in her eyes. "Please don't. I'll miss you like crazy!" She cried. "Anastasia we all will please don't go."

"Doesn't our friendship matter to you?" Landon asked from behind her.

"Of course it does. I'll make sure to visit you guys but... I can't stay any longer." I said turning to grab my backpack.

Where's my bow and arrow?

"I don't belong here," I said. "I'm sorry and I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me, but I'm going back home."

"Fine but can I at least give you my carriage? I don't want you walking home alone." Serena said worried.

Landon stepped forward looking annoyed. "Home? That cabin was not your home Anastasia. This here with us, with Jonah is your home. Even if neither of you admit it. It was not just a coincidence that you met us that day. You were meant to be here."

"Landon. Jonah and Robin are getting married soon. This isn't my home." I pushed past them and had Serena take me to her carriage. She looked worried and sad that I was leaving but she didn't intervene.

***
"Anastasia!" I heard someone call. The carriage stopped and I knew who it was before the door opened.

My heart melted and my hands were getting clammy.

Jonah stood there breathless and yanked me out of the carriage. I stumbled getting out but he held my hand firmly.

"What are you doing?"

"Leaving."

"No, you aren't. Let's go back inside." He said grabbing my backpack and pushing me inside gently.

I shook my head staying firm on the ground. "I'm sorry but this is something I have to do," I said.

He balled his hands into fists and put the backpack down. He stepped in front of me pinning me to the carriage cart. I gasped. His eyes darkened and he was tense. He looked furious.

"Okay, so that's all this meant to you? Nothing!" He said raising his voice.

It meant everything to me.

"I came here to tell you that I wanted to be with you, that this was the best month and a half of my life, that I..." he pushed away.

He wants to be with me?

I exhaled through my nose and I wrapped my arms around his waist from behind and before he could pull away I whispered. "What about Robin?"

He turned and caressed my cheek with his thumb. "Robin and I have nothing together. We've never had feelings for each other further than friendship."

I smiled feeling relief wash over me. "Then I want to be with you too." I got on my tiptoes and placed a small kiss on his lips and placed my forehead on his.

He smiled.

"I love you, Jonah."

At the sound of the words he pulled me to him and kissed me. "I love you too."

His hand went down my back and smacked my butt causing me to gasp and then laugh. "For thinking you could leave me. Now you are never leaving."

"Never," I said agreeing.

***