Color of Roses

Traitor!

Chapter 23

We returned that evening without any contact with Alyn. I was disappointed but I wasn't about to give up hope. I knew what I wanted to say once I saw him. I had returned to my duties the following day with Giles teaching me lessons as usual. During my free hours, I spent time in the stables brushing my mare or riding her with Elias' supervision. Whenever my eyes glanced at Alyn's empty horse station I felt a pang of sadness each time.

A week had nearly passed and Alyn still hadn't returned. Leo and I crossed paths occasionally and neither of us had anything to share.

Giles paces the room we're in lecturing me about the royal family lineage and traditions I wasn't aware of. I try my best to focus but all I can think about is Alyn.

"I don't know what's gotten into you lately, Aria. You need to put your personal life aside and focus on your role as the princess. You should really consider finding yourself a husband soon," Giles slams the book he's been reading from shut and I wince at his stern voice.

"I'm sorry," I murmur. I honestly thought I found someone to marry but I just don't know anymore.

Giles sighs and sits across from me at the small desk. "This isn't about Alyn, is it?"

I start to open my mouth but I'm unsure of what to say. I begin to put words together when the door bursts open and Elias has a grim look on his face. "We need to get Aria to her room! There's been a sighting of men jumping the walls. We think they're from Stein."

Giles grabs my arm and we rush out of the room and down to my bedroom. He shoves me inside and a startled Nico and maids rush over to tend to me. "What's going on?" They all ask.

I face them all and look just as confused as they are. "I heard something about men jumping our walls. That's all I know. I want you all to head back to your rooms and lock them," I order and the maids nod their heads before leaving. Elias stands at the door discussing a few things with a few of the other guards. I guess he'll be playing the role of captain for now.

Nico stands beside me, his face calm and alert. "I'm not leaving you," he says in a hushed tone.

I smile softly at him. "You're brave," I whisper.

A loud sound startles us and I see some guards run down the hall and the clashing sounds of metal ring through the doorway. The door is slammed shut tightly and Elias forces the lock and slides a dresser behind it.

"What's happening?" I yell over the noises outside. A loud banging against the door makes me jump and Elias backs away and stands next to Nico and I. "Stay behind me," Elias says in a low growl. Manly voices yell out my name. My body shakes in fear and my heart races in my chest. Nico grabs my hand and holds it gently in his as a means to calm me down.

"Nico, get Aria out of here now!" Elias barks and Nico looks surprised. "Where am I supposed to take her? Those men could be anywhere," he argues. Elias pushes the both of us near my balcony and looks around to check for Stein's men. "Climb down the ivy and make your way to the stables. Get her on a horse and ride to the next town over. Stay there until I or Giles comes for you. Understand?" Elias says his eyes looking at me. He places a soft hand on my head and pats it lightly. "Keep yourself safe for Alyn, got it?"

A flicker of a smile plays at his lips before he returns to the door. Nico doesn't waste any time and we're climbing down the ivy. It's thick enough to hold us and my fingers grip the steady vine as we descend to the earth 20 feet below us. Halfway down, I hear the sound of the door breaking and Elias' war cry. We move faster down the vines and take off at full speed to the stables.

Nico pulls at my wrist and I stumble as I try to keep up with his quick pace. "Hurry," he calls out to me and I force my feet to move faster. As we near the stables two men I've never seen before exit a corridor from the castle and chase after us. We reach the stables and I begin saddling my horse when the men arrive.

"You're not going anywhere, princess," one of them says with a smile fit for a thief who just found a hidden room full of gold. "Don't make this harder than it has to be. We won't hurt you if you just listen and come with us."

"What do you want with me," I shout. The horses neigh and start to panic at our loud voices.

"It's not what we want. It's what King Byron wants. We're just here to deliver you to him nice and easy."

"Like hell I'll make it easy," I spit and throw my saddle at the men knocking one over. I run to the other entryway that leads to the small, grassy arena. I've barely made it out when I feel a force pull me back and I realize I've been caught. I turn to fight the person who's gotten a hold on me but when I see Nico's face I freeze.

"Nico? Let me go, we need to get out of here!"

He looks at me with apologetic eyes and the words that come out of his mouth surprise me. "I'm not letting you go anywhere. I'm taking you to Stein."