The Hunted Princess

TRUTH

Without a word, Eion motions me to follow him and I can't help but do so meekly.

After all, not only did I break my word, but I also put myself in terrible danger.

Both my parents and all of my tutors would be furious.

Still, Eion remained stubbornly silent on the way back, likely fuming. The only time he stopped was to leave his enormous sword by the entrance since it would be a hassle to get it through the door.

I didn't dare utter a single sound until we were back inside the cabin, where Eion pulled a seat from the table and pointed at me to sit on it.

"I'm sorry," I uttered as he kneeled beside me and opened a satchel from where he got an ointment that smelled much like the one from the abbey. His eyes met mine pointedly, but he remained silent as his hands pulled the cape from over my shoulders, exposing my bandaged front to him.

Without a visible reaction, he surveyed the damage I had done to myself before dipping his fingers in the salve and carefully applying it to my skin.

I hissed and even cried out as his fingers prodded the puckered flesh under my ribcage.

"The stitches hold, miraculously." He grumbled, his eyes lifting to mine again and staying there despite my own darted away.

"Princess..." His gruff voice made me cringe when I saw his arm rise. I closed my eyes in fright, preparing for the punishment I knew was coming.

Then, the unexpected happened.

His hand landed tenderly over my head, caressing it as if he were dealing with a small, frightened animal.

Surprised, my eyes opened and flew to his face.

Contrary to all I had ever known, he smiled gently at me.

"You're safe now." He said in a voice so full of relief and mercy that I couldn't help the tears that escaped my eyes.

Before I knew what was going on, my head was on his shoulder, and I was bawling like a baby.

"It's alright." He repeated over his breath, almost as if he could scarcely believe it.

I have no recollection of how long we stayed like that. All I know is that in the presence of this man, I barely know, I found a peace I've never known. As such, I don't resist when he lifts me in his arms to take me to bed, only clinging to his neck like a lifeline.

My eyes close as he lays me on the bed, expecting him to climb on it with me, but instead I get tucked into the covers, and I open my eyes to look at him.

"Rest now and regain your strength. We will talk in the morning."

My hand makes an abortive motion toward his retreating back, but I catch myself and pull it back, not wanting to appear needy or clingy, a feature that I always associate with the weak woman I always refused to be.

When he finally leaves the room, leaving me well off alone, I can't help but chuckle and look down derisively at my naked front.

"Even half naked, I'm not even worthy of a second look...?"

I sigh, before shaking my head and covering my head with the blankets, trying hard to find some solace in sleep... however elusive it proved to be.

—

The next morning, I was feeling much better both physically and mentally, and upon rising, I knew that Eion ignoring me yesterday had been the right choice.

Exhaustion and adrenaline had been dictating my actions and thoughts, not reason.

I stretched my arms above my head carefully, before stretching my neck, and in doing so I noticed something that hadn't been there last night. In front of the bed, there was a chair with a set of plain clothes. A long-sleeved white blouse and a green skirt that should cover everything up to my ankles.