Abandoned By My Mate

Call me by my name

"Chosen?" A voice called, "We will be stopping soon."

I stretched, rubbing at my eyes as I awoke. It was still early judging by the dim sunlight filtering through the tall trees surrounding the lonely road we were on. I couldn't make out any signs of civilization, so I assumed we would just be stopping to stretch before continuing.

"Is there a town up ahead?" I asked, the horses had been pulling the carriage for quite some time and usually on long journeys we would either stop to rest at night or there would be places to switch out the horses.

"Yes," The driver replied, "We are only a half mile away."

"Wonderful," I said, throwing off the blankets and rearranging my skirts. "Would it be possible to walk the rest of the way?"

"No," He said firmly.

"Why not?" I frowned, shifting closer to the front of the carriage, "I wish to stretch my legs."

"We have orders to not let the chosen out of the carriage," He explained, "The only reason you are allowed to leave is to use the facilities."

"I see," I looked around the carriage, "Will I at least be allowed to eat?"

"Of course," He replied quickly, "Marcus will give you some food when we stop."

"Lovely," I huffed, my stomach aching.

I hadn't eaten the night before, my family insisting that we would feast upon my return. Leaning against the wall I looked out the window, watching the trees pass by slowly. Golden beams lighting up the reds and oranges of the leaves.

It wasn't long before an inn came into sight, along with a few small shops. There was a male waiting beside the inn, holding onto two large drafts similar to the ones pulling the carriage. He was also wearing the king's crest, the red standing out brightly on his black clothes.

"Madon!" The driver called out.

"Dran," He replied, nodding. "You have the chosen?"

"Yes," Dran the driver replied, "I'll help you with the horses. The others will take the chosen to change and use the facilities."

I shifted towards the door, excited to finally be able to move. The carriage shifted as the males jumped down, their boots landing with a loud thud. The door swung open, revealing two serious looking males. Both extended their hands to me.

I grasped their hands gently, carefully stepping out with their help. I tried to pull back my hands, but they kept a tight hold. Dark eyes narrowing as they looked down on me.

"Am I not allowed to walk on my own?" I grumbled, "It's not like I am going to run, and you are making me very uncomfortable."

"We are here to protect you," The taller one with sandy brown hair replied gruffly, his hand tightening on mine.

"I don't feel protected with you hanging onto me like this," I snapped, attempting to tug away from them.

"Chosen," The shorter one growled, "Behave."

"My name is Aslin," I snarled, "Unhand me, I am not a dog to be leashed. I will do as you wish, but I refuse to be held onto by two strange males."

"Casi, Sel," Dran growled, "Let go of her and show her where the restrooms are."

"Yes, sir." They replied quickly, immediately letting go of me.

"This way," The taller one said, stepping ahead of me towards the small shop right next to the inn.

A crooked sign hung above the shop that read Daisy's General Store. The shorter male held open the door for me, his dark eyes watching my every movement carefully. The inside of the shop was cluttered, but there were large windows and bookshelves that caught my eye.