The Heir and her Guard

Chapter 26

That evening, Max lay in her bed and put her hands over her face as she sighed. She's getting married in less than a month, and the announcement is only tomorrow. If she's going to attempt to reconnect with her parents, it's got to be tomorrow or never.

She thought for a few minutes, maybe they've changed, although that's very unlikely. Maybe Neil is no longer in the picture, that will be better for everyone, but once again, her mother is afraid of him, and has sort of given up and accepted the situation.

You know what? She's grown, she's definitely stronger and taller than her abuser, and refuses to be afraid of him any longer. She's got a new life here at the palace, and she's about to have a new family too.

Tomorrow morning she will go with Jane to her childhood home, and deal with the problems of the past. That way she can finally focus on the future.

Max closed her eyes but after thinking of Neil for a long while, she found her thoughts and dreams plagued by the torturous events which played out many years ago. No matter how many times she tried to get her mind off it, they remained, until she eventually gave up and saw herself already getting out of bed with Jane on her mind.

Quietly she left her room, knowing the other guards and maids were asleep. She carefully made her way to Jane's room, making sure not to disturb anyone on the way.

Once she reached the bedroom door, she opened it before entering and closing it behind her. She looked over to the bed and saw Jane wrapped up in the blankets, her teddy likely to be somewhere suffocating underneath them.

She hesitated for a moment, not wanting to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. Eventually she walked up towards the bed, leaning down so she could gently shake Jane awake.

"Jane." She whispered.

The princess' eyes opened slowly and they travelled up until they met Max's. She didn't say anything and rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't dreaming before lifting the blankets and shuffling over to give Max some space.

Max slipped into the bed beside her, lifting the blanket back over Jane's shoulders.

"Are you okay?" Jane asked sleepily, trying to keep her eyes open.
"Mhm, I just wanted your company." Max hummed quietly, tucking Jane's hair behind her ear as she caressed her cheek.

Suddenly the sound of a belt hitting skin entered her mind, screams of both herself and her mother following closely behind.

She shivered and luckily the sounds left soon after. "Can I hold you?" She asked shyly, feeling almost scared by her memories.
Jane nodded, "You don't have to ask."

Max lifted Jane on top of her as she laid on her back, "Are you comfortable?" She wondered as her fiancée rested her head on her shoulder. She put her arm around Jane's waist and held her close.
"Very." The Princess mumbled, stretching her arm loosely across Max's chest. "What's wrong?" She asked as she felt Max tense up for a few moments occasionally.
"I was just thinking of my parents and now some memories are coming back." Max whispered, feeling disturbed.

Jane opened her eyes and looked at her lover as she seemed to be stressed. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Max looked down at her and gave her a small smile before reaching a hand out to stroke the princess' wavy hair. "I've already told you all of it. I was just uh... wondering if we could visit them tomorrow? Before the announcement and everything."

"Tomorrow?" Jane repeated, surprised.
"If that's okay with you." Max replied. "I just want to get it done with, I no longer want to dwell on the past. I'd much rather focus on the future, a life with you in it."
"Ah, I've been with you for years." The Princess yawned, snuggling closer to Max. "But we can visit them tomorrow."
"Are you sure? I mean, we don't have to, I don't want you to be uncomfo-"
"I'm sure, I understand what you mean when you say you want to get it done with. And if that means seeing them tomorrow, it means seeing them tomorrow." She concluded.