The Other Princess(First of the Pawn Series)

10 Journey

They had carried me back to the palace, my Ladies were waiting at the entry to take me away, or as they say. I didn't wake until the king came up to me in their arms.

"YOU LITTLE BRAT!" He stormed at me, my head pounded as he yelled, "I have giving you everything and this is how you repay me!?" My legs dropped under me, the Ladies struggled to keep me standing up.

"NO MORE FREEDOM UNTILL WE LEAVE!" He turned to leave, but called back a last few words. "We leave in TWO DAY'S!"

I still hadn't gotten enough oxygen to my head, again she fainted. This time she didn't wake you till midday the next morning.

Wearily she opened her eyes, the bright sunlight shining into the room made her wince. I yawned and stretched, many joints popped as she did. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she saw someone sleeping on the chair next to the bed.

Jaden. Again. I hated how familiar this was, me bummed and bruised, him asleep in the chair beside me. Waiting. Again I find my self looking at his features, tousled dull gold brown hair, slightly stubbled jaw. His arms crossed over his chest and long legs out.

"Jaden." I said quietly, but his eyes fluttered open quickly.

"Bethany, I'm so sorry," He apologized, "I-I didn't know there were going after you. I thought-"

"Jaden, it isn't your fault." I said trying to calm Jaden down as he ran his hand through his hair. "I chose to follow the plan." My words were lost to him.

"Bethany it was my plan, I didn't want someone to die for no reason..." I laid a hand on his shoulder, not sure what to do next.

"I knew that it was a risk, but I went any way, neither of us knew the king would find out. When he would have seen me gone, he would have sent his guards after me anyway." His eye brows pulled togeather and his brow creased with uneasiness. There was little I could do to comfort him.

"I don't blame Kate or you." He looked at me with relief, a small smile came but worry was still in his eyes.

"You one of the most loving person I know, an angel in all of this." I didn't know what to say, but I didn't really agree with Jaden, I have changed a lot. "You don't deserve to die for the king's wicked plans. You, of all people, should return to your home." Home. I remember what I called home all my life. Grandfather, I still wonder what came of him.

Beth felt as if she would never see her guardian again, who has taken care of him all these years? Is he still alive? Some days I would drown myself in these questions, none could be answered.

Jaden stood up and held my hand in both of his solid ones. "You don't have to do this, you can say no." I brought back my hand and stood in front of him.

"To the King?" His mouth opened, but nothing came out but a sigh, he knew there was nothing he, Kate or I could do to stop this.

"Tell me," I asks, "do I look as beautiful as I sleep as you look handsome?" The words used by him that first night so long ago. He smiles as he remembers and replies as I did.

"No, you droll."

I didn't eat the morning meal, for I was sleeping, and I didn't go down to the dinning hall for the midday meal either. Someone knocked on the wooden door then slid a plate of food underneath. It was filled with thick broth and rice, the smell was almost intoxicatingly rich and spicy.

I didn't eat from the tray, I went to the desk and stared out of the window. The clouds rolled and grayed, but didn't burst, just darken at the approaching storm. As the sun slipped even farther away another pair of feet walked up to the door. Beth heard the person knee down to retrieve the plate. A heavy sigh came when they noticed it was yet full, but slid another one under again.