Heart Of Embers (Slow Updates)

Chapter 2

They walked together in silence, not once meeting each other's eyes. Amethyst was in the lead, back straight, chin high, and she walked confidently despite the pain in her legs from walking on such hard ground. Truthfully, she didn't even know where she was going, but she wouldn't talk to Aelix.

"Princess."

She ignored him and kept on walking.

"Princess."

She didn't turn back or stop.

"Princess."

"What?!" she snapped.

"The way to the castle isn't from here. We shouldn't head straight, but go left. I'll lead. You follow me." He said, as he walked past her, but she caught the glance he gave her. She gritted her teeth. Damn him for being so handsome.

She followed him, a deep frown set between her eyebrows. Who does he think he is, talking to the princess, the heir of the throne now that she thought about it, and ordering her around? He was a nobody, but a fool. He had the audacity to kidnap her too. She was boiling more and more with anger as she went on.

Deep in her thoughts, she walked into something hard. Snapping her eyes to the wall of stone she just walked into, she came face to face with the black collar of a tunic. Her purple orbs -hence the name- made their way upward, meeting blue ones reflecting her anger.

"We are here. Do you wish to enter from the back door or to make a big entrance?"

"Back door. I want to change first." She replied.

He nodded slightly, turned around, and started walking again. She sighed through her nose, clenching her fists, and followed him, not emotionally ready to face what's coming.

What would the villagers' reaction be? Would they be happy to see her alive? What is going to happen to the kingdom? And most importantly, what is she going to do without her parents, now that they are dead?

Many questions raced inside her head. She didn't even notice she was walking now on soft grass. She looked around her; she was indeed back in the castle's gardens. She remembered the path they took, the path leading to the secret door. The gardens looked like they always did, the grass neatly trimmed, bushes surrounding them and flowers scattered everywhere. Yet, the mood was eerie, and dark. Amethyst had goosebumps forming on her arms. There was something wrong, and she didn't like the feeling.

She frowned, noticing no guards were around this part of the garden. The gardens were the most guarded since they had direct access to the woods, and therefore anyone could break into the castle.

They stopped at a wall of stone. She looked left and right, searching for the door, not finding it.

"Where is the door?" Amethyst asked, confused.

"Right here." Replied Aelix, coldly.

"But, it's just a wa-"she stopped talking, suddenly realizing everything. It was a secret passage, of course it would have to be hidden from other's eyes. But why would there be a secret passage in the first place?

"After you, princess." Aelix said holding the door open for her.

She stepped in, the heat welcoming her. She marched the familiar steps to her chambers. The hallways were empty, no guards, nor servants were seen, making the princess more intrigued. She opened her room's doors, feeling relieved to finally be home. Her room was exactly as she left it, except the bed was made. Her servants must have cleaned it. She heard her door close, so she turned around, only to find Aelix leaning his back on the wall, facing her. She glared at him, hating his presence.