Flowers and Darkness

Chapter 24

I stared up at the ceiling. I heard the soft breathing of Dean to the left of me, signalling he was fast asleep. I was far from it.

Things went quiet when Dean barged in earlier. Alyanna was panting, trying to inhale as much oxygen as possible, after being dropped from the tree I'd summoned. She didn't even register anyone else was in the room. So when she stood up and charged for me, even I was unsure of what would happen.

Dean pushed me behind him and slammed his hand so hard across her face I heard its echo before even seeing her fall.

Alyanna raised her head to look at Dean with narrowed eyes before quickly composing herself and looking back down and away from his gaze. As if she caught herself and realised who exactly she was glaring at. She shrunk into her self and looked firmly at his feet as he towered over her.

Alyanna screams confidence. Authority. Power. Right now she looked far from it.

I felt a pinch at my throat at seeing her curled into herself, cradling her legs as if she was trying to shield as much of her body as possible.

I could see a fast developing red mark across her right cheek and eye.

I moved from behind Dean to stand at his side, a hand extending out to offer her my hand. He pushed my arm away from her, his eyes still firmly on Alyanna. I slowly reclined my arm and awkwardly crossed it across my chest.

Should I be happy that he protected me? Or scared over how he chose to do it.

I heard footsteps by the door. Turning my head, I saw a unfamiliar maid stood watching by the entrance. Most likely debating on whether to enter and attend to her chores or simply retreat.

"Take her to my room." His voice was low and stern.

I dropped my arms, surprised by his dismissal.

He still hadn't turned away from Alyanna and that irked me.

"This way my Queen."

I licked my teeth, wanting to respond but held back.

It was hours before he came back to him room. The maids had kindly notified me that I wasn't to leave. A statement that I didn't think much of until when actually trying to leave, I was blocked by two guards at the door. No amount pushing and shoving seemed to bother them. No words, not even my status as Persephone could break their resolve. I gave up when it was apparent that they stood firm on Dean's orders for me to remain here.

When I finally heard Dean's footsteps approaching the door, I quickly jumped into his bed and feigned sleep.

I didn't want to speak to him. Partly because I had been forced to stay in his room for hours. Barred from leaving. Why? I had no idea.

But also partly because I didn't know how I should feel. Should I be happy? Upset? Angry after what happened to Alyanna? I honestly don't know. But I felt felt drained.

I stared up at the ceiling. Not wanting to move and ruin the illusion of sleep. It had been hours and I could only assume it was well past midnight.

I heard a heavy sigh from besides me. I quickly squeezed shut my eyes and trying to slowly breathe in and out.

"Vi, please go to sleep. I know you've been awake all night."

I felt him roll his body to his side to face me.

I kept quiet and continued trying to breathe in and out.

He shuffled closer and placed a soft intimate kiss on my neck.