His Girl

Chapter 27

High hopes of bravery were quickly extinguished by the fiery downpour of black rain. We clambered up the perilous rocky cliff face. I followed Lydiea's lead as she knew far better than I the way to get to the castle without being noticed. The gathering clouds thundered above us and seemed to engulf any glimmer of light into its darkness. I decided to ignore my surroundings and focus on the climb ahead, we were still along way off. Lydiea had told me about the battle but due to the storm the only thing I could hear was the constant drumming of the rain against the stone. The thought of Jackson fighting for me sent butterflies in my stomach, not only out of flattery but also because I was extremely afraid for him.

We were only one hundred metres away from the castle when I heard the fighting. Swords were clanging against each other as I heard the loud boom as catapults were being released and the deadly silence of the arrows as they soared over head then plunged into the oblivious soldiers. I kept going I couldn't give up now. My hands were cut all over and my blood was being constantly washed away by the water in such a way that it looked like I hadn't been cut at all. My body was aching all over, but I ignored it and kept moving upwards. The armour that I was wearing pulled me down and it took every ounce of strength to haul myself up after Lydiea.

After a lot more painful metres we reached the castle war. Although I couldn't see it, the magnitude of the battle was evident. I could now hear the shouts of the commanders as they ordered their flanks of soldiers to fire or hold back. I felt tears in my eyes. I couldn't let all these men die because of me. Lydiea glanced at me and instantly understood what I was feeling. She led me around to a back entrance as more tears fell down my eyes. The castle was eerily quiet. Then I remembered that my father and all his advisors went to an outbuilding whenever we had battles as my father never liked to get his hands dirty. All the servants were most likely hiding in the kitchen or in the cellars, away from all the action. The soldiers were stationed on the battlements so I saw none of the men who were putting their lives at risk for me. As I ran through the castle I caught glimpses of the mayhem and horror of what was happening outside. I saw men lying dead, twisted in all manner of positions. Some of them were dismembered while others there was only parts of them remaining. I raced up the main grand stairs up to the first floor. Across from the steps lay the main balcony where my father made all his speeches. I rushed over to it, Lydiea following close behind me. I pushed open the heavy oak doors and strode confidently onto the balcony. I stood there for a few seconds as no one noticed that I was there, they were too busy trying to not get killed. Just as I saw a man about to get beheaded by someone who was running up to him from behind I yelled the loudest I have ever shouted.
"STOP THIS RIGHT NOW." It took a few moments for my words to register but then every man stopped and stared up at me in confusion. I took a deep breath, I had to stop these men from fighting, fighting for me.
"I will not allow you all to continue killing each other simply because of me. It is my fault that you are all in this position. My father, he is a greedy man." I looked cautiously over to one of the generals who was standing on the battlements nearby, who luckily seemed to agree with me. "He isn't fighting because he wants to protect me, but because he wants Lothelor. This war is not about love but about power." The men looked to their generals to see what they should do but they still didn't look convinced. "I will one day be the Queen of Nagoria, whether my father likes the idea or not. I do not wish for our two nations to be at war with one and other. What will we gain from this battle? Glory? But glory from what? From killing other men, other fathers, other brothers, other sons. I do not believe war is the answer. Are you willing to risk your lives for a man who is currently having a feast far away from here?" I said as I addressed the men who were fighting for my father. "I know that I would rather die than allow any more blood to be spilled."

"I certainly wouldn't rather that." A familiar voice sounded from behind me. I gasped in realisation as I turned to see Jackson looking as handsome as ever. His armour glimmered and was still shiny despite having been in battle only a few minutes ago. He gave me that swoon worthy smirk and I ran up to him and wrapped my arms tightly around him. I nestled my head against his chest.
"I am never letting you go again." He said into my ear. My heart skipped a beat. I looked deep into his gorgeous eyes. He grabbed my hands in his. "I should have said this before. I love you Tania Conor." He said looking at me like I was the only girl in the world. He let go of my hands and pulled my face to his. After a few seconds of just looking into my eyes he crashed his lips onto mine. The soldiers below us cheered but Jackson ignored them as he moved his lips against mine almost hungrily. I parted my lips slightly allowing his tongue entrance, he gladly took it and our kiss became even more passionate. As it got more heated I began to feel a little self conscious that we were kissing like this in front of thousands of strangers. I pushed him away from me and he pouted playfully and whispered in my ear. "God how I have missed you, if I wasn't so afraid of loosing you again I would have taken you to a bedroom and made you feel amazing." I shivered at his words.
"Why did you do this Jackson?" I asked almost accusingly,
"I couldn't let my girl get taken away from me and be forced to get married some creep now could I."
"There is always another way Jackson."
"Come on Tania, you and I know too well that your father isn't going to just hand you over to me."
"He wanted this, he wanted you to get so angry that you would start a war. I'm not worth all these men dying Jackson. Plus how did your father agree to this anyway."
"Tania, I would give up everything and anything for you. I don't care about the consequences as long as I have you, and I am never letting you go. My father saw how angry I was and wanted to get back at your father anyway."
"My father won't ever let me go with you. He can't stand to see me happy."
"Then come with me now, we can run together."
"That's not going to solve anything. Our two kingdoms will still be at war. We have to reason with him. I will give up my crown, he can then pass it on to who ever he wants."
"I can't let you do that Tania, Nagoria is rightfully yours."
"Jackson I hate everything about this Kingdom. I love the people don't get me wrong but the way it's run just makes me so angry. My father doesn't give a toss about who gets hurt, as long as he gets more power he is a happy man. I would rather be with you, Nagoria has done nothing but hurt me and the advisors will not be happy with a Queen who wants peace, they want a King who craves war."
Jackson nodded but said nothing. I knew I couldn't ask him to give up his crown for me, he loved Lothelor with all his heart and he felt it was his duty to be its next king.
"Right lets go and sort this out with the big guy." He said finally as he snaked his arm around my waist.

*
We walked together out of the castle. I looked around me to see where Lydiea had gone, she had disappeared. I shrugged, I would find her later. It was strange how different it felt to be beside him. I felt so completely at ease and safe, which was the complete opposite of how I had felt only a few days ago. I took a deep breath as I began to get worried about what my father might have planned for us, more importantly him.
"What's wrong?" He said looking at me in concern.
"I'm just nervous that's all."
"Don't worry I will look after you, I won't let them hurt you." He reassured but I couldn't help but let out a low laugh.
"It's not me I'm worried about, it's you. My father won't kill me yet, but he will kill you if he thinks that's the only way for the war to continue. Just promise me that you won't make him angry."
"He forced you to marry Romero, I am not promising anything." He said looking ahead. I knew what happened when Jackson got angry, and it never ended well.
"Jackson please don't make matters worse, my father knows how to make you angry and he will use your anger against yourself, trust me I know. Just stay calm and ignore his taunting."
Jackson didn't reply but I noticed that his jaw tensed. We had now reached the door leading out into the castle grounds. I wasn't worried about meeting any guards as they were probably recovering from the battle and if they did show up I know they wouldn't stand a chance against Jackson. I led the way across the grass to a building of which candle light was pouring out of. It was evident that my father had not received news of the stopping of the battle otherwise they would not be sounding so merry.

We reached the door and I gave a reassuring look to Jackson who then squeezed my hand. He pushed open the door and stepped through it pulling me alongside him. Everyone in the door stopped and turned to look at us. I noticed my father, who was sat at the far end of the room, raise his eyebrow in amusement. He then stood up and let out a sigh.
"So the love birds have found their way back to each other." He smirked and several of his old friends chuckled beside him.
"I stopped it." I said confidently and clearly.
"Stopped what?" He snapped back.
"The battle, the war, what ever you had planned, I have put an end to it. I am not going to allow for men to die just because you won't let me marry Jackson. You cannot force me to love Romero, and it certainly isn't worth starting a war because of it." I said seriously. My father burst out into laughter.
"Sweet heart, the world doesn't revolve around you and your love life you know. Your little romance was merely the catalyst to start the war which I have planned for decades. You know that I won't allow you to marry your Prince Charming, it's not going to happen princess, you will do as I say, and if you disobey then you will pay the price."
"Don't talk to her like that. She is a lady not a slave." Jackson said protectively.
"Yes and I'm her father and don't get involved this is between me and her." He said glaring at both of us.
"I will give up the crown." I stated. My father's eyes gleamed momentarily but then went back to their deep blackness.
"Fine, give it up. It won't change a thing, you will still marry Romero, as I will make him my next King." The whole room erupted in cheering as those sat near to Romero slapped him on the back in congratulations.
"Please father, just let me go. You and I both know that we were never a family, I was always the daughter you wished were a son. You have no room in your power hungry heart to love, so that's why you don't understand my position. Instead of embracing my love for Jackson you choose to hurt me in every way possible, it's almost as if you are punishing me for falling in love with the future king of the kingdom you so de sparely want." I cried.
"I will not let you force her to marry Romero." Jackson shouted as my father made his way closer to us. He wound his way through the men like a snake slithering up to its prey.
"Well sonny, what are you going to do about it?" My father said with his face close to Jackson's, intimidating him. I saw a burst of anger flash through his eyes as he unsheathed his sword from his belt.

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I love Jackson so so so so so much! Who is with me? Big drama is going on currently aaahhh I'm so excited. I told you there would be Jackson Tania action, literally me favourite couple of all time. This chapter was quite a long one so enjoy.
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Till next time my lovelies

Beatoria xxx