Fall Into You

13

you have a place in my heart no one else could ever have

It had only been maybe fifteen to twenty minutes since Matthias had passed out before the moving of the lock on the other side woke him up. His head shot up quickly, his body tensing as he felt the weight of another human on him.

Remembering that Nicollette had fallen asleep against him, he relaxed. He couldn't help the smile that covered his features as he looked down at the girl, only getting a look at the top of her head because of the angle she was in.

The door opening took his attention away from Nicollette and toward the door, where Malia looked inside with a confused and shocked expression. " Prince Matthias, wha-"

"Thank god," Matthias mumbled, cutting her off. "We've been locked in here for hours, days maybe."

The shock fell from Malia's face, "That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

Matthias began to shrug, but the weight on his shoulder reminded him that Nicollette was there. "Here, come help me get her up. She's asleep." He began to shift, pulling the hoodie from her body.

"What even happened?" Malia softly asked, obliging. She walked over and took the hoodie as Matthias held it out, watching as he gently moved from under the sleeping girl.

"Someone decided to play a cruel prank, is all." Matthias simply explained, crouching on his feet. He put one arm under Nicollette's knees, the other on her back before lifting her swiftly.

Nicollette shifted lightly, and Matthias glanced at Malia with wide eyes. "Is- is she waking up?" He softly asked, blinking quickly.

"I don't know, is she not supposed to?!" Malia began to panic.

"I just-" Matthias stopped, "I think if she wakes like this she'll kill me. And you, for letting it happen, you know."

Malia rolled her eyes, "Should I request Charles or someone to bring her home?"

"No," Matthias quickly spoke, shaking his head. "I'll just- It's okay."

Malia stared at the Prince for a second. It seemed as if he was telling himself that more than her, and she couldn't help the small smile that began to cover her features. She watched how gentle and soft he was with Nicollette, something that was rare to see from the boy. 

"What?" Matthias asked as he began to move toward the door.

"Oh, nothing." Malia quickly denied, her smile growing bigger. She just followed Matthias out of the store room, watching as he began to make his way up the stairs.

He was careful, walking extra slow as to not wake her up. It was a wonder she'd stayed asleep, but anyone could tell just by a good look at her face that she'd been tired.

"She's been through a lot, you know." Malia softly spoke up, catching Matthias' attention.

He side-glanced at her as they walked side-by-side toward Matthias' bedroom, the servant looking at the ground as they walked. "Yeah?" He asked, taking a quick glance at Nicollette.

"It's kind of sad to be at their house all the time." Malia admitted, "Since Queen Carolyn appointed me to help at the Terilow house, I've witnessed a lot. Her parents can be so... mean."

"Mean?" Matthias stopped, looking at her. "They're- they're mean to her?"

"Not horribly, no." Malia shook her head. She stepped forward, sending a quick look to Matthias before pointing at the doorknob. He nodded and she opened the door, stepping to the side so he could walk in.