Hope In The Darkness

Chapter 20

I awoke some time during the night with a chill surrounding my body.

Leaning forward I glared at the dying flames of the fire and rolled over to my side.

A faint shiver danced across my skin as I listened to the faint sound of the wind outside the large widow.

Closing my eyes I tried to fall back asleep, but the events of everything kept my mind awake.

I carefully walked towards the door of the large chamber and leaned my ear into the cold wood as I heard muffled voices.

Turning back towards the large window I let my fingers guid my movements as I heard the latch click as a part of the window opened.

Glancing down I was relieved to find an old wooden trellis covered in vines.

Letting my foot dangle out the window I spared one last glance towards the chamber door before I took the next step down the trellis.

The damp vines sent shivers up my spine as I slowly climbed down the long trellis towards the wet ground below.

Trying to be silent I quickly made my way halfway down as I lost my foot hold as my body went stiff.

I felt my body make a loud thud in the garden below as all the air in my lungs vanished.

Grabbing at my throat, I layed there for what seemed like an eternity trying to get my lungs to work again.

Finally one I could breathe properly I found I had re-opened the wounds on my knucks and cursed under my breath as I stumped to my feet.

A swift scent filled the air around me as I felt his presence near me. I turned around so fast that it made my head spin.

I lost my footing as I tired and fell into Leo's warm embrace.

"Is it so hard to ask you to stay in your room?" Leo asked, causing a grunt to expel from my lips as I pushed away from his warm touch.

"I need a moment in the fresh air." I protested as I began to step away from the large man at my back.

"I actually need to forget all that has happened and just go back to before. When I was a clueless idiot that followed you into danger."

I paused as I turned around to face him.

"Do you still trust me?" He asked with an eyebrow raised.

I let out a sigh of frustration as I watched him turn and walk towards the stables.

"Where are you......" My question halted as he spun around and shielded my body in his as he held his hand against my shivering lips.

I heard footsteps approaching but disappeared into a nearby house.

"Why are you hiding from your own people?" I whispered as he slowly let go of my body and began to walk towards the stables.

"Sometimes even a soon to be King needs his privacy." Leo said in a husky whisper as he disappeared into the dark stable.

As I walked into the dark space I noticed a small lantern burning near Finley as the horse looked at me with gladness.

"Why does he have a saddle on his back?" I asked, turning my attention to Leo, who was tightening his own saddle to his large stead.

"Do you trust me?" Leo asked as he threw his leg over and gracefully sat atop of his horse.

"Well for a matter of fact I don't. However I need to be away from this large prison so I will trust."

I said as I not so gracefully threw my leg over and barely made it on Finley's back.