Fallen

Chapter Thirty-Two

Hayden

Breakfast went well.  I spoke when I was spoken to, and answered as politely and vaguely as I could.  The Queen seemed to enjoy my company, the King was as stiff and unwelcoming as always.

Afterwards, Isaac and I had to stay out in the hallway because apparently people actually wanted to meet me.  I forced myself to smile, as I met all kinds of Fallen.  My favorite was a family of three.  The parents immediately started a conversation, while their kids clung to their legs.  I bent down to talk to them, bored from the conversation.  The little girl, probably around the age of seven, looked at me with wide curious eyes.

"Hi, I'm Hayden," I say with a slight smile.

"I'm Amelia," she says shyly.  I sit on the ground and pat the space next to me, offering for her to come over.  Reluctantly she obliges.  "What's wrong with your hair?" Amelia asks curiously.

I just smile, "Well you see, I'm not like you.  My daddy wasn't a Fallen Angel."

"Why not?"

"That's a good question.  Do you want to see it?"

Amelia nods, apparently awestruck by the idea of hair not being black.  Slowly, I reach up to my hair and unpin it all, letting it fall into slight waves around my shoulders from the braids.

"Can I play with it?" She asks.

"Of course," I say, turning so my back was to her.  I could feel her start to mess with it.

"It's really pretty," she croons. 

"Thank you, but I can guarantee that yours is ten times prettier."  I pay my lap motioning for her to sit in the ruffles of my dress.  "Can I play with yours?"

Amelia nods eagerly and sits down.  I could feel people's eyes begin to wonder our way in curiosity, but I ignored them and started French braiding her hair into pigtail braids.  I used the pins that were in my hair to keep the braids together.  Eventually her parents called her away, and I stand up on my own.

Isaac has a huge grin on his face.  He suddenly takes my arm and begins to escort me back to my room.  Apparently our socializing time was over.

"The people love you," he whispers enthusiastically.

"Is that good?"

"That's great," he says as we arrive by my room.  "I will return shortly."

I nod and leave to go inside, only to find Lilly standing there waiting for me.  Then I remembered my meeting with Colton.  I didn't want her here for that.

"Lilly, you may be dismissed if you want.  I should be fine between now and lunch."

"Are you sure, Hayden?"

"Absolutely," I say with my best smile.

And with a quick curtsy, she scurries out of the room.  I would have to tell her that she honestly didn't need to do that.

Shortly after she leaves, there is a soft knock on my door. I can't help myself, I jump up and rush over to answer the door.

"You summoned me my Lady," Colton says. His voice was emotionless, and it felt like a punch in the gut.

"Um, yes. Please come in," I reply.

I tried to keep my emotions in check, but to be honest, that is probably the hardest thing I have had to do all day.

I feel my gaze drift down to the bruise on his jaw, and I feel myself soften a little. Did he deserve it? Yes, but that didn't stop the guilt slowly creeping up in my chest. I step towards him, reaching my hand gently to touch his jaw.

"They could kill me for being here," he says in a harsh whisper.

"I wouldn't let them," I reply, tearing my hand away. As much as it pained me to see him, it would pain me even more to know that he was dead. "Why did you do it?"

"It was my job," he replies calmly. I try and search his face for any sign of emotion, but I got nothing.

"That's not a good enough excuse," I resist the urge to touch my necklace for comfort. "Didn't you feel anything for me?"

Colton winced, like struck a nerve. I didn't stand down. Colton doesn't respond.

"Do you like him?"

I feel like punching him again. Of course I didn't like Isaac! I just met him! And I still couldn't help but associate him with the death of my parents.

I clench my jaw and shake my head, "You're a coward. And you may leave now."

I turn away from him, feeling tears threatening to fall down my face. I wasn't going to let him see me cry.

"Hey," he says, but before he can continue an extremely loud siren goes off.

"What the hell is that?" I ask, wiping my eyes before spinning back around to face Colton. All of the color seemed to have drained from his face.

"I should have known they would come," he mutters. "Hayden, we have to get you down to the Royal families chamber. You'll be safe there."

"Safe from who? Colton, who is coming?"

He looks me in the eyes, "I'm sorry Hayden, I can't tell you."

"Fine then, I will find out myself." I could feel my stubbornness returning as I kicked off my shoes and was put the door before he could say anything. Whoever was breaking into this place had to be better than who was in here.

I race around the corner, and that's when I see them. They were running straight towards me as well. Ashton was in the lead with Ryder and Mia right behind him.

I speed up, joy coursing through every part of my body. I don't think I have ever been so happy. I jump into Ashton's arms, I can tell he is slightly caught off guard by my sudden enthusiasm. I pull away from him and turn towards Ryder, pulling him into a hug too. His lopsided innocent grin never looked better than it did right now.

"Nice haircut," he jokes with me and I jokingly shove him slightly.

Then it was Mia. I never thought I would be happier to see her face. She shyly smiles at me and I hug her.

"We should keep moving," Ashton speaks up. "They could be right behind us."

And then more guilt washed over me. I hadn't been exactly the best of friends with these guys since I got here, and now they were saving me. What kind of a friend was I?

We all turn to continue down the corridor, but standing there in our way was Colton. He must have followed me here. I reach up to my necklace, but instead of going to it for comfort, I tear it off my neck and drop it to the ground making sure he sees it.

Ashton stands in front of us all defensively.

"Just give me Hayden and you all can leave," Colton says hesitantly. Slowly, a large group of guards come up behind him, I notice Isaac among them. The Fallen Prince steps forward with a confused look  on his face.

"Hayden, what are you doing?" He asks, not bothering to hide the little bit of hurt in his eyes.

"Let us leave, and we won't have to kill all of you," Ashton mentions calmly. Fighting Ashton was much different than school Ashton.

Isaac ignores him. "Go," he mouths at me.

Before any fighting starts, I lean towards Mia and whisper "up." Then I step forward and start my act.