A Blood Soaked Throne - Part Two

Ten - Alayah

I stir awake, not sure when I fell asleep in the first place. My head is resting comfortably on Damien's shoulder and a wave of embarrassment washes over me. I look up at him to see dark bags creating half moons under his eyes. The sunlight filtering in from the ceiling tells me he's been up all night. I pull away from him just enough that he realizes I'm no longer sleeping and he turns his attention to me. He looks exhausted.

"You need to get some rest Damien. You can't stay awake forever." He shakes his head, but the amount of effort he's putting into keeping his eyes open is obvious.

"It's too dangerous. We have no idea whether or not the guards have given up their search for the time being." He rests his head against the wall, fighting to remain conscious even as he talks to me.

"Just a few hours, I'll wake you immediately if I hear anything concerning. Please, if they do show up and you've wasted all of your energy trying to keep yourself awake there won't be much we can do to stop them." I don't want him to feel guilty, but if this is what it takes to get him to close his eyes for a few hours then it's worth it.

He stares at me for a minute, contemplating what I said before reluctantly nodding his head. He closes his eyes and shifts around against the wall trying to get comfortable. I'm sure he can sleep in practically any position given how much time he spent in the dungeon beneath the castle.

I dig around in the bag for the book I've barely managed to focus on these last few days and pat my hand on my lap.

"Lay down," I say, savoring the look of surprise he gives me. For a moment he just stares at me, unsure of what to do. I pat my legs again and an affectionate smile slips through the fatigue on his face.

He moves to lie on the dusty ground, his back supported by the partially empty backpack as he settles his head onto my thighs. Butterflies flutter in my stomach as he drifts into sleep almost immediately. I start to read, becoming increasingly distracted by the beauty of his features peeking just above the line of the book.

My mind wanders, thinking about our next steps. Damien said he was going to kill his father, but how? The supply of food we had is depleting quickly, and this basement isn't exactly the most ideal place for us to stay long term. How are we even going to get back to the castle without being captured? The thought of returning to the place I wanted so desperately to escape from makes my hands tremble.

The possibility that he may not succeed also darkens the corners of my mind. I don't want to think about it, but I have to prepare myself for a life forever chained for Bastian. Whatever punishment he deems suitable for this foolish escape will surely be enough to keep me complacent until he's grown tired of me.

While Damien sleeps peacefully in my lap the voice of the monster I'd been thinking about echoes in my head. The animosity I heard last time in his voice is gone, leaving behind an unfamiliar gentle tone.

I know you must be terrified. I understand the bond you formed with my naive son during those first few weeks and that his influence led you to follow him down this disobedient path. I have one final offer for you. If you return to the castle you will face the appropriate punishment for your disobedience. The public has been made aware of your escape and I will not allow my rule to be questioned by looking the other way to this disrespect. However, Damien's life will be spared. He will never be permitted within the grounds of the castle again, the two of you will have zero contact, but he will be alive. Think about it, if you refuse there will be no leniency given once I've found you.