As I let him go, I look up and tearfully ask, "Why did you do that, Phillip? You owe me nothing."
"Princess, I promised the Prince I would protect you." He smiles.
"You could have died. I'm not worth it..." I trail off.
"Princess, you're worth so much more than you know." As soon as he finishes, my heart begins beating faster and I realize how safe I feel with Phillip. He puts my life above his own. He puts everyone's lives above his. I have never known anyone that righteous.
"Please, Phillip. Call me Katia."
He smiles and moves towards the Prince to check him for injuries. I walk over to Alex and ask him if he is okay. He nods and slowly picks himself up. When I take a look at our group, I can see our numbers clearly. We have lost nine men in a matter of seconds.
"Everyone up quickly. We're going to head for tonight's camp at Seven Sisters Peaks." Sir Henry announces.
After three hours of hiking, we have made it to the site before night has fallen. The sky is painted blood red reminding me of the men we have lost.
As soon as we finish setting up camp and Sir Henry has made our meals, he hands everyone a drink.
"To Marcus, Samuel, Thomas, Robert, William, Benjamin, Matthew, Oscar and Jonathan" Sir Henry toasts.
We raise our glasses in unison and drink to our fallen friends. The drink is very strong but I manage to hold it down although I struggle. Alex catches me trying to swallow it down and laughs quietly to himself. I shoot him a playful glare and continue drinking.
One man begins playing an old violin while the others listen and a few dance. It's an old song from Auroria. I remember my mother used to sing it to me when I was a child while dancing in circles in my bed chambers.
I start humming the familiar tune while I continue to drink this strong elixir that's warming me up from the cold winds.
Suddenly a soft blanket is placed over my shoulders, and when I look up, I see Alex sit down beside me.
"You warm enough?" Alex asks with a smile.
"I'm fine." I smugly respond as I nudge the blanket off of me.
"You really don't like me, do you?" Alex inquires. I think the alcohol is getting to me because the words just spill out.
"You...you were always so mean to me...and then...oh all of sudden...NOW...you act all sweet and protective and whatnot...saying all of the right things...but guess what...doesn't make up for before, Mister Prince I-think-I'm-the-best-thing-to-ever-walk-this-world" I slur.
"Katia, oh Katia...keep trying to fight it," he smirks as he leans in inches away from my face and softly grabs my chin, "You think you want to stop...but trust me...you're going to give in because you know deep down. You want to. You need to."
He's so close to my face. I almost want to lean in closer....but I'm frozen. He waits a few seconds then gets up and walks away into his tent.
I continue to sit there listening to the music play lost in my thoughts. You don't want Alex. You hate him. He's a cocky prince. An arrogant...handsome...ugh be quiet, Katia. I pick myself up and I see Phillip staring at me. Phillip...sweet, strong, silent Phillip who risked his life for mine.
Phillip has not looked away nor have I. I smile at him and he smiles back. I slowly walk into my tent with that scarlet face I know oh so well and immediately pass out onto my bed of blankets.
