Hope In The Darkness

Chapter 16

A loud thud awoke me from my deep slumber as I let my hand drift under my pillow where I had left a dagger the night before.

Once my hand was wrapped firmly around the blade I jumped to my feet to find Paige sitting on one of the plush couches in front of the window with a tea cup shattered on the floor.

"What happened?" I questioned as I placed the dagger on the bed as I walked over towards Paige.

She looked at me with a look of shock as she stood to face me. "Why do you have a dagger under your pillow?" She questioned.

"For safety reasons." I said I walked over and sat down facing the large window.

The sun was near the trees with a lovely sunset painted across the sky.

"You have slept in all day." Paige pointed out as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

"Have the men returned?" I asked, turning to where she sat.

"I believe that is them." She said standing to her feet, pointing at something in the distance.

Rushing towards the window I watched as the three men rode down the long driveway until they reached the stables.

I watched curiously as they dismounted the horses and began walking towards the large estate.

Making my way down the staircase I met them carrying large boxes in their hands as they placed them down on the dining table.

Slowly I reached for one of the boxes Henry had placed down and removed the covering.

"Weapons?" I said out loud.

"We shall need them when going to get your Aunt if she is still alive." Leo said as he was leaving the large dining room.

I waited for him to walk down the hallway before turning towards Henry.

"What is wrong with him?" I asked as Ralph handed me a sweet caramel apple out of one of the boxes.

"He was upset that one of us didn't stay with you girls today. But we reminded him that you could possibly blow up an entire calvary with one glance."

Henry said as he shoved some nuts and berries into his mouth and walked away.

"Dinner should be quick tonight since I got more ingredients at the market." Ralph said motioning to the other boxes on the table.

Nodding at his comment I descended back up the stairs towards the large bed chamber.

While walking down the large hallway towards the room I paused at the entrance of Leo's room, hesitant, I peeked in before slowly entering.

Leo was lying on the bed, his eyes closed. His face seemed relaxed and peaceful as I paused in the doorway while my heart was pounding rapidly in my chest.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside the semi large room. I slowly approached him as his eyes met and mine.

Letting a smirk dance across his face as my eyes dipped lower past his neck onto his shirtless body.

I swallowed hard as I felt my cheeks flush and my breathing quicken at the sight of him.

Raising an eyebrow at me, as if he knew the effect he had on me. A moment of silence passed between us before he spoke.

"Are you going to stand there and droll or are you going to come over here." He said as he used his arms to prop himself up.

"I just wanted to tell you that what happened that night can never happen again." I said quickly as I left his bedchamber and rushed towards my room.