Ascendant

Chapter Four

A/N: This chapter is the one that contains the MATURE CONTENT that I warned about in the summary. Bet you're kinda wondering who it's about. 

Hope you like the chapter anyway!

The castle went on lockdown after I was attacked. King Antwon was adamant that he had nothing to do with my kidnapping and that I had been very kind to him since he arrived. I thought Scarlett believed him. I didn't discount the possibility that he could be manipulating her, however. Neither did William. Scarlett spent meals with William and Antwon, a situation that was rumored to be very tense.

After my own dinner I sat in my room writing more notes about both men by candlelight. My fireplace was lit and I was trying to relax myself. A guard knocked on my door,

"I'm very busy!" I said. William entered regardless.

"Where are my guards?" I asked. He shrugged,

"I may have told them I was taking over for now."

"I am actually doing important things," I told him. He chuckled, his eyes like storm clouds,

"How about a little break?"

"Perhaps," I said. I could not resist smiling. I briefly adjusted my blonde locks as we walked out of my chambers and down the hall, toward the stairs that gave access to the castle wall. I was about to turn the corner to walk past Scarlett's chambers when William put his arm out to stop me. He motioned for me to be quiet and this time I listened. I gingerly peeked around the wall. Scarlett was talking to Antwon outside her door,

"Why don't you come inside?" She asked, revealing her shoulders to him,

"We can drink some wine." Her tone was already slurred. She must have already had quite a bit of wine already. Antwon grabbed her face and smashed his lips against hers and she moaned loudly as they backed into her quarters and shut the door. I stared disgusted for a moment before looking up to analyze William's face for a reaction. He seemed more concerned than upset.

"Come on," he said, putting his hand gently on the small of my back to move me along. I relished the warmth of his touch. His hair was growing into his eyes but his stubble was rather clean shaven. I wondered why he did not choose to grow it out. I was not surprised by Scarlett's promiscuity. However, it did surprise me that she had chosen Antwon as her conquest. Perhaps William had continued to reject her advances.

I followed William eagerly up the stairs and onto the castle wall. The sky was cloudy, as it had been for days, and it was hard to see any stars, which was slightly disappointing.

"That is a shame," William whispered.

"The clouds? I like the rain," I admitted.

"I meant Scarlett sleeping with Antwon, but the clouds too," he said, laughing. I blushed,

"Perhaps that is why she believes him."

"That is very possible," he said. He leaned against the tall cement banister. He was wearing his navy leather armor with his dagger belt. I leaned on the one next to him, the banister was cold and I could feel it through my dress.

"Are you envious of him?" I asked.

"No," was all he said. I knew he would want me to drop the topic.

I crossed my arms in an effort to warm myself. William looked down at me,

"Ah, we should have grabbed your shawl." I nodded my agreement as he reached his arm around me, pressing me gently to his body. I could feel the sheath of his dagger against my hip. Even through the thick leather I could hear his heart beating, a steady and constant beat which refreshingly contradicted my rather erratic life. I could feel him looking at me and I looked up in an attempt to catch him. My eyes met his and they held me still. It looked like he wanted to say something. For a moment I thought he might kiss me right there, but then he turned to look at the sky again.