Two Forbidden Sides (Sophitz)

~23~

As the sounds of gunshots and windows breaking filled the entire ballroom, guards quickly surrounded the four of us, creating a tight circle around us. They had guns, swords, and shields ready. I saw other groups of guards surrounding other nobles and the selected. I gripped Fitz's hand as my heart raced.

And it raced even more when I found that they were shooting arrows. An arrow only missed one of the guards by an inch. My heart thumped now, I could hear it.

"Grady, we need to head to the safe room, and everyone else." Edaline said, her voice quivering with panic. Fitz wrapped an arm around my waist, and I hugged him tightly.

"I know darling. Guards alert the others to head to the safe rooms immediately." They nodded, and while communicating with hand signals, the others understood where to go.

My heart dropped when I saw a guard fall to the ground with an arrow in his neck.

Right after we started to make our way out of the ballroom in a hurry. And we were the last group to go. I gripped Fitz's hand tighter when we saw lifeless guards on the ground, their blood painting the floor. I couldn't believe this was actually happening.

We've never had a rebel attack.

We found arrows continue to be shot across the halls, thankfully not hitting anyone. But as I looked back, the amount of guards fighting back increased, but I noticed a few extra guards on the ground, and my heart dropped all the way to the ground. It felt wrong to step in pools of their blood, and I honestly felt like I was going to be sick.

We safely made it to the safe room, 2 guards at each door, and the rest went to fight back. I took a seat on a cot, Fitz sitting next to me. He took my hand, rubbing my back. I rested my head on his shoulder, remembering all the dead guards on the ground, who tried to fight for our safety.

"We've never had a rebel attack." I whispered. "It was frightening." Fitz nodded his head.

"It was."

"Can you spend the night with me?" I asked.

"Of course."

"I just couldn't help but think if you or my parents got shot. That thought scared me even more. And the dead guards on the ground who risked their lives to try to protect us. They're gone. They probably had kids, a family who loved them dearly, and now..." Fitz gave me a side hug, and rubbed my arm.

"Sophie, we had shields protecting us. It couldn't have hit us." Fitz denied.

"But what if an arrow went between one of the guards and punctured your throat or neck that would've been terrible. Or with my parents." He kissed my cheek, resting his chin on the top of my head.

"Sweetheart, I told you we were protected. And we're in the safe room now. They're going to leave and we'll be safe again." I shook my head.

"Fitz we won't be. What if they fake leaving and randomly attack again, like when we're sleeping? Or what if they come tomorrow?"

"Princess, the guards are fighting back. The rebels will eventually give up, and leave. I'm sure they don't have enough stamina to fight for too long."

"But when they leave, they could start to make their weapons better and make themselves stronger so that we stand weak against them, and have no chance."

"Darling, is there a way I can comfort you without you turning it into a worse situation? Stop overthinking. I know it's traumatic, and I'm not saying it's not terrifying, because it is. But we're protected. We have guards all around the palace, and everyone has made it to the safe rooms. And when they leave, we'll make sure to improve our weapon systems and make the guards stronger too." I stayed silent.