His Girl

Chapter 21

The wind began to increase in velocity and decrease in temperature. It tore past my intoxicated body like a pack of rabid dogs, wanting to push me over and be unable to get back up again. I staggered along the now empty streets. It was dark. The only light came from the odd window, but even that was dim and murky from the grim coated glass. There was no where I could go and my drunken state of mind was too scared to go back into the castle that it made me continue to wander aimlessly around the barren streets. I found a slightly sheltered empty alleyway and snuggled up in the corner. I pressed my face against the harsh cold wall, the rot and dirt clinging to my face. However since I was so tired I fell asleep immediately, despite the horrific sleeping quarters.
*
I was woken up by the shouts and cries of hundreds of people in the Main Street only a few metres from where I had been sleeping. Carts, trailers and stalls littered the road, with hoards of people twisting between them. I stretched my arms out and stumbled up. My head was pounding and my body aching from the uncomfortable position I had slept in. I walked with my eyes partially open to the end of the alleyway. I had to figure out what I was going to do. Would it be safer to tell Jackson and Audric the truth? They could protect me then at least. But I haven't needed anyone's protection so far, I have been fine coping by myself, I don't need a prince to take care of me. Not even an irresistibly sexy future king? No, Jackson is too protective of me, he is just going to get hurt. Isn't it you who is going to get hurt when he marries his princess? Well hopefully I will end everything once I tell him the truth.
And with that I had made up my mind. I was feeling delicate from the night before but at least I had fun, until it got out of hand, instead of worrying whether he was going to find me or not. I decided that I had to face my demons if I wanted to stay in Lothelor. I had begun to fall in love with Lothelor, it's people, it's traditions,it's culture, all of it just seemed so homely. I feel safe here, safer than anywhere in my life. Plucking up my courage I headed towards the castle,ready to receive my fate.

I managed to get inside through one of the servants entrances, which seemed a shock to them as even though I was technically classed as a servant I wasn't exactly treated like one. I had to talk to Jackson before he gets to me first. It was still extremely early in the morning and the only people who seemed to be up were the servants who were setting the fires and a few early rising aristocrats. I managed to reach Jackson's bedroom after cautiously walking through every corridor, in case a certain man happened to be walking in them. I decided against knocking on the door and instead burst in.
The long thick heavy curtains were still drawn and Jackson looked fast asleep on his bed. My hood was still over my face and I slowly and silently turned to shut the door carefully behind me. Suddenly I felt a strong arm grasp me around the throat.
"What are you doing in my room." He demanded from behind me, he clearly hadn't recognised me. I struggled to breathe from his immensely tight grip.
"Answer me, or I will fetch the guards and you will be killed." I used both my hands to try and loosen myself from his grip.
"Ja-cks-o-n" I managed to croak out. He then turned me around sharply. The light was still gloomy but I could still make out his bright blue yet angry eyes. I let out a deep and sharp breathe once he had released me.
"Where on earth have you been?" He asked fuming
"You don't understand." I started
"Too right I don't." He said as he walked away from me with his hands running through his hair.
"I need to talk to you, your highness."
"Don't call me that!" He yelled
"I'm sorry." I whimpered. He is terrifying when he is mad. "I shouldn't have come back, it was a bad idea. I'm going now, it's for the best." I turned was about to go out of the door when I felt him grab my arm.
"You are not leaving me." He ordered.
"Just let go of me." I said, his grip on my arm was beginning to hurt. "I can't tell you, not now when you are too angry."
"Tell me what Tania?" He said thunderously "Of course I'm going to be angry. You just ran off for no reason. I thought you had been kidnapped, killed or worse, do you have any idea what that did to me?"
"I said I was sorry."
"Your reflex action is to run away, when your scared or what ever crazy thing goes through your mind. I care about you Tania, fuck I care about you more than I have for anyone. But what do you do, run away from me." I felt tears begin to sting my eyes, I couldn't tell him, not now, not ever. But it had to be done.
"I don't know what to do Jackson. If I tell you, you will hate me and if I don't, you are going to find out sooner or later." I said as tears began to fall down my face. Jackson's anger faded immediately when he saw me break down. Instead of grasping my arm he released me and pulled me up to his chest. I nestled my face against his chest. I had to tell him. After a few minutes I broke away,my tears had now stopped and I was ready.

"I had been on the run for a few months before I arrived here. I had no where to go you see, my father hated the idea that I was a girl and not a boy. He treated me like dirt and since my mother died when I was young he was my only family. He kept me far away from any men I case I 'fell in love'. He didn't believe in love and probably still doesn't. He only married my mother in hope for a son but once that didn't happen he gave up. My father doesn't think it's possible for a man to love me for me, he says I am too much like my mother, apparently too beautiful for any man to love me for who I am. Yet he was still terrified that I would find a man and we would try to overthrow him. I was never interested in that you see, all I wanted was a father, but he has not one loving bone in his body to care and to love his own daughter. I lived inside the walls for my childhood years, on my own, isolated with only the odd servant passing by. When I was a child I used to think that it was my fault, my father certainly made me think so, but as I grew up I began to see him for the cold hearted man he is. I ran away. My father thought that I if I ran away I would meet a man and then we would plot to kill him. I just wanted to get away to be free, free from him and free from regulations and..." Jackson listened intently throughout it and made understanding nods until my story was cut short. Audric burst through the doors, worry and annoyance written across his face.
"I tried to stop him, but he already knows about her." Audric said giving both of us an apologetic stare. Audric seemed out of breath as if he had been out running someone. The doors were suddenly pushed wider as an immaculately polished pair of boots stepped through the doorway. A man dressed in a black velvet jacket walked in. His hair was shiny and matched the darkness of his clothes. He was a handsome man with perfect features and pale skin. His beard was cut short but contrasted against his white skin. His deep dark eyes looked as if they were endless. He held himself in a way that immediately made you feel inferior and terrified. His mouth curled into a smirk and his eyes twinkled sadisticly.
"Well, hello daughter."

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Two updates in one day!! I felt bad about not updating...
So what do you think? Did you expect that... It's quite obvious who he is now,I think but tell me if I'm wrong (I hope some of you are still guessing)
Please vote, comment and follow.... I want to try and beat #132 on historical fiction and I would really appreciate it if you could make that happen

Till next time my lovelies
Beatoria