Caged (Book One)

Chapter Thirty-Three

Kristine let Aiden slump into bed, panting with Leo as Aiden groaned. He waved his hand at them before crawling into bed more, snuggling into the pillows.

"I'll leave you to it." Leo nodded at Kristine, quicking leaving the room while closing the door behind him. Kristine let out a long sigh, looking over at Aiden as he rolled to lay on his back, reaching up to rub his eyes.

"Prince guy looked, looks, like that toe bitch from hell dungeon." He rambled. Kristine smirked, taking a seat on the edge of the bed by his feet. She wasn't going to dare to try to take his shoes off.

"Maybe Eveleen won't give him the time of day if you opened up to her?" She suggested. Aiden groaned loudly, lifting a leg to give a pathetic kick at her.

"Why are you so, so into me and Eve, things?" Aiden started to talk more softly, getting more tired.

"I want you to be happy, Aiden. Despite what I've done and our history, I have always cared about your happiness." She told him, adoring him as he scowled back at her.

"Bitch you left me. You and Leo won't stop fucking staring at each other. Yuck!" Aiden tossed in bed, laying on his side before he let out a chuckle,

"I stare at Eve a lot, does she look at me?" He asked out loud, his eyes closed. Kristine held in a giggle,

"Why don't you ask her?" She pressed. Aiden smiled with his eyes still closed, then slowly frowned,

"I wasn't good enough then, Kris. Was I?" Aiden opened his eyes, staring right at her with the most vulnerable expression. Kristine felt her chest hurt, she really hurt him.

"You were, more than enough. It was me that wasn't good enough for you. You deserve better. I still love you, but we are clearly not fit for each other." She gently told him, watching his face relax before looking away.

"That prince is a joke." Aiden shut his eyes again, snuggling into the pillow again.

"You are way better than him." Kristine assured him, pushing to stand up. She went for the door, when her wrist was grabbed. Aiden gripped onto her, slowly opening his eyes again.

"I don't think, I could have ever killed you. I'm happy knowing you don't hate me." He grinned before dropping his arm, his eyes closed again as he breathed deeply. Kristine stood in shock, did he really just say what she thought he said? Aiden tossed, rolling over to his other side, facing away from her.

"Lights." he mumbled. Rolling her eyes. Krisitne leaned over to snuff out the candle before sitting down in the chair across the room. Just in case, someone should watch him.

~~~~~

Eveleen marched down the docks, stomping towards Prince Fred as he waited on a ship to be tied. The crew had already begun stepping off their ship, carrying large boxes.

"What is this?" Eveleen fought hard not to yell at him, especially as he turned to her with a smile.

"A gift, or maybe it's technically I'm buying your affection?" He lifted his hand to tap his chin.

"I don't want gifts, what have you brought to my city?" She snapped. Fred smiled at her, stopping a crew member, taking his box. Eveleen waited as he set the box on the dock to open it.

"Weapons?!" She stared at him confused, watching him lift an updated version of a crossbow.

"Your parents showed me your armory, to ensure safety is a priority. I thought you could use some more lethal options." Fred handed her the crossbow, stepping back as she held it up.

"It's impressive, and insulting to us. We're the best army in the county." Eveleen shoved the crossbow back. Fred chuckled, carefully setting the weapon in the box.

"I never meant to offend you, Miss Eveleen. Think of this as me ensuring you will be safe." He smoothly told her, holding his hand out to her. She glared at him, till he snuck a nod behind her. She quickly snatched his hand, turning to greet her parents as they strode down the dock to them.

"Good morning." She fake smiled at them. Florina, grinned at their held hands.

"Wow, what's all this, Prince Fred?" Colin was the one to ask. Fred gently let go of Eveleen's hand, picking up the box before them.

"A few upgrades, I needed to be sure Miss Eveleen here had the best of the best."

"Oh my! How thoughtful of you." Florina took out the before crossbow. She lifted it up to aim,

"This is amazing, we can't thank you enough." She beamed at him. Eveleen closed her eyes for a moment, to hide an eye roll.

"Don't worry about thanking me, I'm happier knowing Eveleen here is able to protect her city better." Fred turned, giving her a wink. Eveleen blinked at him, expecting him to remark about protecting her.

"Thank you for helping me with that, Prince Fred." She nodded at him.