The Other Ones

Chapter 13

A prince.... Dustin was a prince. But how could that be? He had told me he was a warrior and an assassin.... Though as Dustin tried to protest, his cousin, whom I still could not see, repeated what he had said. My grip on the covers tightened a little as I pulled them up a little more, Dustin trying to keep his cousin, whoever he was, from seeing me.
Dustin stumbled back as the man pushed him out of his way. I widened my eyes as a man with a well trimmed beard came in. He wore the clothes of a noble. I blinked and blushed as his gaze swept over to me. His gaze was penetrating..... I had almost forgotten Den was still on my neck as it sparked at the man. The man simply took a step back and let his gaze fall from me to the floor where my pants and our shirts were on the floor. He turned on Dustin who was about to grab him. "Of all the fine women here you have a COMMONER?!" He snapped, wagging a finger in Dustin's face.
I frowned, Den sparking more. "I am NOT a commoner you piece of horse meat!" I snapped, guessing that was just a petty insult.. But no matter... Dustin shot me a 'be quiet or die' look at me as his cousin turned his head to look at me. The man narrowed his eyes at me. "Do you even know who I am? Who is this runt?" He asked me, approaching me slowly. I pulled the covers up a little more as he approached, all menacing. I lifted my chin a little though, just showing how stubborn I was. "I don't give a damn as to who you are. You just look like a fucking jerk to me. And as to Dust-" I get cut off as I was hit across the face, I heard Dustin shout at the man with fury. "Don't you dare touch her again you swine! You hear me?!" Dustin roared, pulling him away from me with fury. The man pushed Dustin away from him. "You may be a prince, but that gives you no right to be sleeping with a whore! Know your shame!" The man roared back.
While his back was turned I slipped out of bed quickly and pulled on my clothes before he could turn around again. Den sparked greatly, and shot some electricity at the man who turned and got hit in the arm with it. "I am no whore.... I am far from that." I said, my voice steely. The man opened his mouth to say something but closed it as Den sparked once more. I lift my chin a little and then walk out of the cabin swiftly, closing the door a bit loudly. There were two horses outside now, and they snorted as I spooked them. I simply kept walking past them.
I heard Dustin hurry out and come after me. "Roe! Roe wait, I can explain!" He called to me, I kept walking though, heading away from the cabin. My cheek hurt from where Dustin's cousin had hit me. I got stopped and I whirled around, a fist hitting Dustin's chest once. "Unhand me! And I don't want any explaining from you!" I snapped, looking into his face. He held me to him now, ignoring the shouts from his cousin for the time being. "Well I don't care if you don't want to hear me out, Roe!" Dustin argued back.
I tried to pull away but he kept me still. I looked away as I finally gave up struggling. "Why didn't you ever tell me Dustin....? Why did you keep this to yourself?" I asked, looking at him now. Dustin looked back at me silent for a moment before speaking. "I did it only to escape doing my duties... I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to treat me any different.... I still love you Roe, I would die for you... Please, forgive me." He said, his eyes showing hurt. I bit my lower lip, not sure how to reply. His cousin shouted once more that I was just a filthy commoner. I clenched my teeth and pushed myself away from Dustin and backed away.
I looked right at Dustin's cousin with fury in my eyes. "Do not call me a commoner you wretched excuse for a man!" I snapped. I then stopped, glaring at both of those nobles now. "Swiftarrow!!" I called suddenly, the man narrowed his eyes and then paled as Swiftarrow cantered to me. "I-I am most definitely sorry, ma'am... I... I didn't know.... Y-you looked just like a c-commoner that I thought...." The man stuttered, obviously frightened. I just frown at him and then turn around to get on Swiftarrow. I felt Dustin grab my arm to keep me from getting on. "Don't go.... You and I both know I won't treat you any different than that of which I already do. You can just ignore my cousin...." He said, trying to calm me down. I spun around and slapped him across the face. He just blinked and then frowned, he lifted a hand to slap me back but I grabbed it and put my face close to his. "We are even now..."
I turn away from Dustin and patted Swiftarrow before walking back to the cabin, ignoring Dustin's cousin completely. I entered the cabin, soon followed by the two nobles. I crawled back into the bed, not bothering to take my clothes off. I threw the covers over me and had my back face them as the door clicked shut. "Cousin.... I think it be wise to let her have the bed.... I think it appropriate to not sleep with her from here on...." I heard the man say. I rolled my eyes and pulled Den off, tossing it over my shoulder. Den turned into its wolf form. "I shall keep watch for Master." Den informed them as it padded to the door. Dustin completely ignored it. "Garrod, I will not just be cast aside from my Roe because you think it be APPROPRIATE that I not sleep with her! This would not be our first night, nor do I plan it to be our last." Dustin told him, sounding just like a prince with authority. I said nothing and pretended to sleep as I continued to listen.
Dustin lowered his voice, as if not wanting to wake me or let me hear. I was wide awake and I heard them both perfectly clear. "Garrod.... I love her... I have never felt this way around the other women of the court.... I want her for as long as I live..." Dustin told his cousin in a low voice. I heard the reply from Garrod. "You can't love someone like her... Pick the Duchess whose father is far rich! Anyone but that woman in that bed." He said, I could just imagine him pointing at me with that finger of his..... Den said nothing through it all. I heard Dustin say something back before coming over to the bed. I scooted over to give him some room, and I could just imagine a look of guilt for finding out that I heard.
I kept my back to him as he got in beside me. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close to him. I didn't resist, though I knew I could've. He whispered into my ear softly. "I'm sorry you had to hear that... But please remember..... I wouldn't choose any women here over you..." With that he kissed my cheek and I closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep.