Amethyst

Chapter 7 - A Close Call

I'm walking through the halls of the Amethyst Court, wearing a beautiful purple silk dress with a front that plunges just a little too low for comfort. why am I walking through the halls? am I looking for something? someone? as I continue to walk, someone gently grabs my wrist, halting my steps. I turn and see Ben. His lavender hair is ruffled and there's a hunger in his deep purple eyes.

'Ben? what's wrong? what are you?-' I get cut off as Ben gently, but with a little force, shoves me against the wall. his strong, lean, muscled body is inches from mine. heat rises to my cheeks. No, no I don't want this. I can't have this. But despite that, a small part of me gets the strong urge to want to explore his body, to capture my mouth in his. Ben's hands gently cup my face. he whispers so softly so that only I can hear him, even though it's only the two of us in the hall, '

Shelby, I love you. I love you so much I want you. but I can't. I cant, even though I so badly want you.' I look at him, confused. what's stopping him?'

'He cant? that's great! I don't even need to hear the reason why. It's good that there's a reason he cant' Yet I reply with "Why, Ben, why can't you be with me?"

"It's that damn oath I took. but I'm tired of it getting in the way. I don't want to be bound by it anymore ."  Dammit. If only he valued this oath he's talking about more than his feelings about me. as Ben says this, his lips move to my neck and begins to lick and bite it. his hand beginning to dip down under my dress, his fingers going under my panties. my flush becomes stronger and more visible, heating my face. Though I desperately try to get him to stop being so intimate with me, my traitorous body soon takes over, my strong grip beginning to falter and forcing me to give into the pleasure I'm feeling as my hands begin to lock around his neck. my breath hitches as he pulls his mouth from my neck, his fingers gently cupping my chin, intending to turn my lips to his so he can kiss me. 

"Ben-"

I jolt awake to the sound of frantic pounding on my door. getting out of bed, dazed and groggy with the flush on my cheeks still there, I quickly go over to the door and open it. in the hallways is Ben, dressed; wide awake and alert.

"Ben? what's going on? what's happening?" I ask as I rub sleep from my eyes. 

"Shelby, there's no time to explain. just get dressed quickly and come with me. Rohit and Celadon are here with an army of Ruby soldiers. I figured you could use this." Ben gives me the Bow and arrows from the training room. I quickly throw on the black tank top and leggings I wore yesterday and run with Ben outside, Nuna fast on my heels. we get into the front entrance of the Amethyst Court and see with open-mouthed horror about ten Amethyst Court guards all dead on the ground, laying in their own blood with spears in their backs. Ben and I look at each other with maching gazes of worry. we run out into the chaos unfolding around us. I see King Caspian fighting among the shoulders. I didn't perceive him as one to hide behind walls while his shoulders fight with a high chance to die, nor did I have any doubts he would that he would fight. Still, some small part of me is reassured to know that he's out there, fighting for his Court. Ben and I run towards him and shout,

"King Caspian! What's going on?" Caspian turns to look at us, his expression grave and disheartened.

"They just...they came out of nowhere. All was quietly peaceful and then suddenly...they attacked. Meredith and I tried to get inside but we weren't quick enough. fortunately, we're okay. But her arm got cut pretty badly so I brought her closer to the wall, away from the fighting." I look over and see the Queen, holding a bloody rag to her left arm. Besides the injury, she looks ok. She smiles at us with a grimace then turns to her husband and says,