To Save a Kingdom

Chapter 17

(Picture of Liddy)

"War?" I asked the shock evident in my voice.

"Yes I think so." Liddy said. She stood next to Joseph with her hand on his arm. Joseph wrapped his arms around her pulling her into his side. She leaned into his embrace.

I could feel Jared's eyes on me. He was wondering what I was going to do. I was too weak to fight in a war. Not that he would let me anyway if I was feeling better. If Jared had his way he would lock me in the tower and surround the door with the best warriors and archers. He would do anything to keep me safe.

"When will they attack?" I asked.

"It could be anytime. Days. Weeks. Even months." Liddy said.

We had to prepare. I was thinking of strategies when I looked up and caught Jared looking at me. He looked furious as though he could read my thoughts. I opened my mouth to speak but he cut me off.

"No." he said sternly taking a step towards me.

I opened my mouth again to speak but he cut me off again.

"Not a chance." he said.

I narrowed my eyes at him as I took a step backwards away from him.

"Why?" I asked trying not to growl at him.

"Because you are too weak. You can't fight because you would be killed."

I felt the anger grow inside me. Joseph took Liddy by the shoulders and steered her away. She didn't need to witness this. Mother also stood and followed them out. With them gone and nobody to protect me I felt truly vulnerable. Not that Jared would have ever hurt me but it would have been nice to have someone jump to my rescue.

I watched them go walking away from us before I turned back to Jared. He was still seething from me even thinking about joining the fight.

"Jared this is my home. I have to help defend it." He stayed silent for a minute then he grabbed my hand roughly and pulled me with him. He was walking quickly and I struggled to keep up with his pace. Walking this fast made my whole body hurt. Jared knew I was in pain but he refused to slow down. He hauled me to the armory then roughly shoved a sword in my hands. He grabbed one for himself. I knew what he was doing. He was trying to prove a point.

"Here. Show me that you can fight." He growled.

The sword hung at my side. I wouldn't fight him. I couldn't fight him. Even if I could have swung the sword I wouldn't have fought him.

"Defend yourself Eve!" he roared then launched himself at me. I had to use both hands to lift the sword and when our blades met he easily got mine away from me. My blade fell with a thunk to the ground. "Pick it up." He growled at me.

I wouldn't pick it up. He was acting like a spoiled child.

"No." I said quietly looking him straight in the eye.

He lifted his sword and leaned the flat side against my neck. "You think that just because you are a woman they will show you mercy?" he asked.

I didn't move. I knew he wouldn't hurt me he was just trying to prove a point.

"You think that just because you are defenseless they won't run you through without a second thought?"

He dropped his sword then put both his hands gently on my shoulders holding me at arms length. He searched my face looking for understanding. Then he leaned in. All traces of his anger had disappeared. He leaned his forehead against mine. "They will kill you Eve. I won't be able to protect you." He whispered.

"Jared." I said gently.

"I wouldn't be able to stand it if you were dead." He said. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"Alright." I lied. "I won't fight." I lied again. When I looked into his eyes I saw surprise. He couldn't believe that I had agreed to not fight. I smiled at him trying to seem convincing. I would fight alongside my warriors. I would fight alongside Jared as long as he didn't knock me out and lock me up like he would want to.

I leaned up on my tip toes and kissed his surprised lips. He was expecting me to be angry.

He cared about me and wanted me to be safe. I couldn't be angry at him for wanting me to stay alive. But he didn't understand. I had to help protect my kingdom. I couldn't ask the few soldiers we had to go out and risk their lives while I sat behind the safety of stone walls. Jared didn't understand that I had to fight by their sides. I would fight with them.

I broke the kiss and leaned my forehead against his. We stood like that for awhile before either of us spoke.

"We should probably get back. The others will be wondering if you're dead or alive by now." He smiled.

I nodded and put my hand in his. By now I was truly exhausted and leaned against his shoulder.

"You should get some rest." He insisted and I rolled my eyes but he was right. Some rest would do me good. I needed my strength anyway if I wanted to be able to fight when king Theo attacked.