The Prince and the Guard

Chapter 5

 fRoman walks past, throws his stuff on the floor and collapses on the bed. I slowly make my way into the room, put my stuff on the dresser and sit in the big chair in the corner.

"So do you want to take the left side or the right side of the bed?"

"What?"

"Which side of the bed do you prefer?"

"Oh, I'm not sleeping in the same bed as you,"

"What? Why not? I don't kick,"

"I just don't,"

"You are going to pass up a great night sleep on a big comfy bed, because you don't want to sleep in the same bed as me?"

"Yep, I'll take the floor. Pass me those pillows," He rolls his eyes and passes me two pillows and a blanket. Then gets up to use the bathroom. I make myself a makeshift bed, and go to grab some more comfortable clothes. Roman is still in the bathroom so I change quickly into a hoodie and shorts. I take my hair out of ponies and put my boots away, and as I turn around Roman is staring at me. He is in long plaid pants and no shirt. Just abs.

We stare at each other for probably a second to long, before he says "Last chance, Adira,"

I shake my head and start to get comfortable on the floor. I hear him get under the covers and immediately start snoring. Skies, of course he is one of those people who can fall asleep instantly. Of course he is one of those people who doesn't get uncomfortable when sleeping in the same bed as someone. Of course he has abs. What kind of cruel trick has the universe played on me? I get stuck with the first man in a century I don't hate, but he is my boss's son, the Queen's son. Plus this isn't the time to be distracted when I need to get the orb for myself and find my family, my girlfriend. He doesn't like me anyways because I'm a pain in the ass for anyone. I'm too stubborn, too sarcastic, too masculine, and too tall. And that's without him knowing about my powers of illusion. His snores cut into my train of thought. Of course he snores. I realize I probably should try to sleep and close my eyes.

Except sleep does not come, only nightmares. I see my Mom hug me then get shot in my arms with an arrow, Dad screams, Athena cries. My brother, Adam, shouts at me I should've done more. It shifts and I'm crying in a cell as the Queen tells what a disappointment I turned out to be and now she will be in control of me and my powers. The first person I have to use them on is Kida. No, no! I scream I will not do this to her, she doesn't deserve it. I try to run, but can't because Lucas is holding me back with a chain attached to my neck. I can't breathe. I can feel myself moving back and forth on the floor and I can feel that my cheeks are damp. I try to snap myself out of the dream but can't until I hear Roman next me. "Adira... Adira, you're okay. I'm right here. You're okay," I let out a little sob and try to open my eyes just as he scoops me up into his arms. I put my head on his bare chest and the warmth feels so good. I snuggle up to him a little more and he holds me tight. "Adira?" Roman asks. I don't respond because I just feel so at peace right now. He lays me down on the bed and puts the covers over me, then brushes a piece of hair out my face and says "I'm right here, okay?". I nod and fall into a deep sleep.

I wake up the next morning confused. I do not remember getting in bed, I quickly look to see Roman next to me, but he's not. He's in the chair asleep with a blanket over him, I look out the window and realize the sun is barely rising. I go back to sleep.

The next time I wake up, Roman is awake and reading a map.

"Where'd you get that?" I ask.

He looks up a little bit shocked and responds with "Downstairs, you okay?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" He gives me a questioning look and everything from last night comes back to my memory, the nightmare, the holding, all of it. I crash back down to the pillows and groan, I can hear Roman start to chuckle. "Not funny," I say, a little bit embarrassed.