To Save a Kingdom

Chapter 10

"Dead?" I whispered unable to believe my ears. Jared's fingers closed around my wrist. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It must be wrong. Joseph couldn't be dead. He was my older brother. My protector. He had always been there to protect me but when he needed it nobody was there for him.
The king nodded.

"When?" I asked.

"A few days ago." He replied.

"What happened?"

"He got sick. Our physician tried to save him but it was no use."

Joseph was strong. There was no way he could have gotten sick. This couldn't be right. My brother couldn't be dead.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"We buried him. After he passed. We didn't want anyone else to get sick."

"I want to see the grave." I said with a hollow voice that didn't sound familiar. "I need to see the grave."

"I'll take you there myself. Tomorrow."
I nodded turning to look at Jared.
"Feel free to stay the night. I'll get rooms prepared for the both of you."

§

I was in the room king Theo was kind enough to let me stay in. Finally alone I was able to embrace my grief. Hot tears poured down my cheeks as I wiped them on the blanket that was covering me.

Joseph isn't dead.

He can't be dead.

The thoughts raced through my mind. There had to be some mistake. If he were dead because he took my place....

No.

It couldn't be.

I tried to block out the thought before it could come but it was too late.

He's dead because of you.

A sob escaped my chest. My brother was dead.

A quiet knock thumped on my door. I tired to be as quiet as possible and feign sleep. The door opened as a figure slipped in then closed again. There were soft footsteps as someone stood beside my bed. I pretended to be asleep with the covers up to my chin and my eyes closed. It was Jared. I watched him through my eyelashes as he placed a piece of paper on the table next to my bed. Then he looked down at me.

"Faker." Whispered Jared and I opened one puffy eye to glare at him. "Scoot over." He said and I complied. Jared laid down next to me with his arm under my head. I rolled to use his shoulder as a pillow. "How are you doing?" He asked looking up at the ceiling.

I didn't have to respond. Instead a fresh wave of tears hit and I soaked Jared's shirt. Jared nodded as his finger traced patterns across my arm. "I thought as much." He said.

Eventually I ran out of tears. Exhausted my eyes drooped shut. Jared started to ease away but I wrapped my arms around his chest. "No. Stay." I said groggily.

"What if someone saw us?" He asked. "They would assume the worst."

"No they won't." I sighed as he settled down next to me on top of the covers. With my arm wrapped around him and his shoulder as my pillow I finally fell into a much needed sleep.

§

I jerked upright in my bed from a horrible dream. I couldn't remember exactly what it was about but judging from the rapid beating of my heart it was something awful. I was shoving the hair back away from my face when something touched my arm. I jumped at the contact.

"Eve it's me." Jared whispered next to me. It took a second to figure out what Jared was doing in my bed then it all came rushing back to me. My brother was dead.

He was dead because of me.

The wave of guilt was crushing. I could feel Jared's eyes on my face as the guilt washed over me.

"Are you alright?" He asked carefully. I looked him in the eye and nodded.

"I will be." Was my reply as I slipped out of the bed. I felt completely exhausted still like I hadn't slept at all. Jared stood up and came to stand in front of me. He placed his hands on my shoulders and waited for me to look up at him. When had he gotten so tall?

He gestured to the slip of paper waiting on the table from the night before. "I was supposed to give that to you when the time was right." He said. "The time is now."

He gave a small smile then walked to the door. He opened the door a crack to make sure the hallway was clear so he didn't get spotted. With one last glance in my direction he was gone.

I stared at the door for a few seconds after he left. I was grateful that Jared had come with me. I didn't know what I would have done if he hadn't agreed to accompany me.

I looked down at the letter in my hands. It was addressed to me. With Joseph's handwriting and seal. I flipped the paper over then with shaking hands I popped the seal.

Dear Eve,
I'm doing this for you. This is my decision to make and mine alone. Don't think that this is your fault in any way. I am doing this so you have a chance. So the both of you can have a chance. He loves you Eve. He is my best friend and I want you two to be happy together. You can be happy together. I want you to see that. I love you little sister.
-Joseph

His words brought more questions to my mind. He didn't mean Jared and I. He couldn't. But Joseph didn't have any other friends. Jared couldn't have feelings for me. I was like his little sister and he was like my older brother. I was more confused than ever. I clutched the letter in my hand and opened the door to my room. I needed to speak to Jared. Joseph had to be mistaken. Jared couldn't have feelings for me. I walked quickly towards his room. Just as I was rounding the last corner in the maze of corridors there was a noise.

I paused and turned around as a fist collided with my head. I fell to the ground my hands flying out to catch myself. The letter flew from my grasp as I hit the hard stone floor. As I tried to get up a large boot bashed into my head and I was embraced by the darkness.