BORDER

Chapter Eight

NERISSA

Staring at the male before me, I clench my jaw. Who did he think he is? A brooding asshole, that's definitely what. I have never really experienced anger but here I am, burning with a fury that can not be tamed. He isn't even kind enough to share a jacket. My teeth chatter as I gaze at the marks on his chest. I can see has a whole bunch of them and I would call them cool if they weren't on such a cold and selfish person.

I hate him.

I hate him more than I hate anything else in my life. That isn't saying much but that's beside the point.

I am tired of walking with no purpose. I am hungry, tired, and I think I am experiencing the first headache I have ever had. I know he knows where he is going but in all honesty, I have no idea how. We did not even stop for provision and the no conversation is killing me. I am a sociable person, a good conversation is almost as fulfilling as eating a piece of cake.

He is so distant and there is nothing I can possibly do. Am I going to force him to open up to me? Absolutely not. He will do it eventually. There is not enough pride and ego in the world that can make a male be silent for seven days. It is not that I want to talk to him but there is no other choice. I doubt the rocks on the ground hold very interesting conversations but maybe at this point its like talking to a rock anyways. Or a boulder, more like it, the fallen is huge.

I feel a cough come up my throat and I cover my mouth as it explodes from me, sharply. I squint at my hand before wiggling my germ infested hand in front of me. My tan seems lighter and it is a little concerning. Maybe that's because there is no real light down here? I hope so. I'll get it back eventually when I get out of here. That is the plan.

There is nothing stopping me from going home. No man, no woman, no thing. I am going home.

Away from this mess. This is not my problem. I have people relying on me, my own people to worry about. This is out of my power. I feel a tough wind go up against my lungs.

I begin coughing once more.

"You know, I don't understand why you're so miserable," I explain to him. "You have everything you could possibly want, Grump." He stops dead in his tracks and I stop. He clenches his hands at his side.

"I have everything I want?"

"Well, yeah. Do you not see the castle you resign in?!" I answer. "You could be pathetic like everyone else out there but here you stand."

His eyes blaze, "Be careful, princess, you are saying a lot and I am itching to cut out your pretty little tongue."

"You should definitely work on your anger issues too because I think you're jus-"

"I gave you a fair warning. I don't need an angel's opinion on me!"

"Well someone oughta tell you fallen about yourselves, especially you! You cruel, selfish, little-"

He charges toward me and pushes me up against the hard rock of the side of the mountain. His obsidian dagger stings as he places it right up against my throat. His arm to the right of me, guarding my head in, blocking me from any sense of escape.

"Keep my people's name out of your mouth. If you have an opinion on an issue you cannot solve, swallow it down and drown in it. You do not disrespect them or me. They have a heartbeat! There are children on these streets, you have seen them. Unless you and your golden locks, that are probably worth thousands for just a few strands, want to actually help them instead of giving my people criticism about something we can't change, I highly suggest you keep your fucking mouth shut so your head doesn't roll off this mountain right here, right now."