Kingdom of Ash

I want nothing more than to kiss you

The morning sunshine gently nudges me awake, it's warm rays filtering through the curtains and casting a golden glow over my face. I turn around trying to avoid the sun's brightness, I sink further into the silky sheets beneath me, I start to let the sweet call of slumber take over....Silk? 

I jolt up then wince in pain, that was stupid, when going to clutch my side I find my raggedy shirt has been replaced by soft white cotton bandaging. My clothes are gone, I'm wearing a loose fitting nightgown that hasn't been done up all the way. I look around and find that the room I am in is bathed in the warm, gentle light filtering through ornate, floor-to-ceiling curtains. The bed I'm in, draped in silk sheets that shimmer like moonlight on water, invites me to linger in it's embrace. Plush, embroidered pillows frame the headboard, which is carved with intricate patterns. The air is fragrant with the scent of fresh flowers arranged in a grand vase on a polished mahogany nightstand. Lavish tapestries adorn the walls, while a magnificent chandelier overhead casts a soft, sparkling light across the room. The silk sheets caress my body with their smooth, cool touch, offering an unparalleled level of comfort. As my eyes dart across the room soaking it all in, they fall upon the door, and the golden royal crest that adorns it.

A shiver runs up my spine as realization sets in, I'm in the King's castle. The place I've been running from for the past year. Running endlessly to never have to set foot here again, yet I find myself wearing palace clothing, in a luxurious room, right under the king's nose.

What the fuck happened ?

I try to recall how I got here, I know not willingly. I start to remember the ambush, Theo and Ava escaping, being injured and....Ezra. My blood starts to boil, I clench the sheets beneath me so hard I might rip holes right through the oh so expensive material. He brought me back here, of all places. I rip the sheets off and am met with my thigh wrapped in the same bandaging that is on my side. The only bright side to this is that I still have all my appendages. I go to move and low aching meets me instead, enough to make me lightheaded. Pushing through it I manage to move to the edge of the bed and stand, I'm wobbly but I manage to stand upright.

I go to take my first step and collapse, dead weight hitting the floor. Not very smart of me to take a step with the shitty burned leg. The aching is now feeling all too similar to the pain I felt in the woods. Looking down, I'm met with spots of blood soaking through my thigh, and chest. I try to get up with the other leg, but the pain in my chest slumps me back down to the ground. Dozens of thoughts begin to barrage my mind, each one vying for dominance, but overshadowing them all is a burning fury at my confinement to this room, to this palace. My breathing grows ragged, each inhale and exhale sharp with the intensity of my anger. Rage bubbles up in my chest, a seething force that clouds my thoughts and distorts my vision. Unable to contain it any longer, I slam my fist against the ground with a resounding thud and let out a primal scream, the sound echoing off the walls.

The door swings open, I look up and my eyes meet a pair of familiar brown ones. Concern floods them, a furrowed brow and frown plastered on his face. This is his fault. Ezra walks over and kneels beside me, he reaches for my hand and I snatch them away from reach. I can see it hurt him, but I don't care, I wish I could do worse.

"Let me help you back up, please. " His voice sounds sweet and concerned, with an undertone that's almost convincingly soothing. Each word is carefully measured, imbued with a warmth that contrasts sharply with the tension of the moment, making it clear that his intent is to calm, even if the sincerity of his tone might be in question.

"Why did you bring me here?" I question pointedly.

"You passed out, and I couldn't control the bleeding. You shouldn't have pulled whatever was in there out." He gestured to my chest, again, he tried to reach for my hands. Again, I pushed away from him.