The Lost Princess

Chapter 15 || A Battle With Lucifer Himself

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Although I was exhausted from the day prior, sleep once again did not come easily to me. I listened to the men sleep and heard the soft sighs of Arabella. Thoughts racing in my mind preventing me from going off to the dreamful state. Soon the dark sky is taking on a lighter shade, and the stars are becoming harder to point out. The breeze shifted, and men began waking. It is safe to report that I slept as much as a new father would; none.

I watched as Arabella woke from her peaceful slumber without being awoken. She greeted the morning with a sweet smile playing on her lips. Stretching her arms into the morning sky, before meeting my gaze. "Good morn, Leathan," she addressed, her voice still facing the effects of a long rest.

"Good morn, Arabella," I replied my eyes painfully awake to greet the day.

We walked to Thomas for our morning broth, before helping the others pack, for our journey. 

"Lea," Aiden called, getting my attention instantly. When he was close enough to not be heard he whispered, "You look as though you had a battle with Lucifer himself."

I chuckled at my friends' words, "Aw, and here I was I believing I appeared as beautiful as Aphrodite, thank you for your words."

It was his turn to laugh, but I saw the underlining concern. "Careful, my friend," he warned before, walking over to his horse and mounting it quickly. I helped Arabella on to Fergus and followed.

"Leathan," Arabella whispered once we were well ahead.

"Yes?" I asked, worried by her tone of voice.

"I know you didn't sleep last night," she rushed out. "And you can't possibly expect to carry on with the day on less than an hour sleep from a little less than two days ago. You must sleep."

"Thank you for your concern, Princess, but I am not your concern," I said annoyed that she chose to mother me.

"You are choosing to become upset with me," she asked surprised. "I am simply looking out for your well-being, and I don't think it is wise for you, the men's leader, to go without sleep. It's bad for your health, and terribly destructive to your judgment."

"When did you become such an expert sleep," I shot back, still frustrated at being told what to do, although I knew, once again, that she was speaking truth.

"I read an awful lot. It's what you do when you're closed in by your parents," she replied with a bit of venom in her voice, but I could tell she was trying very hard to keep it out. I was shut up instantly. I had forgotten her upbringing. Although she was showered with riches, she was a prisoner in her own right, as the rest of us are. 

"My intent was not to upset you, Arabella," I finally stated.

"Nor was mine, but you really should sleep," she added.

"How?" Beginning to find the mere idea of sleep rather enticing. 

"The path is simply straight correct?" She asked and I nodded. "Then, lean on me, and I'll wake you when we are close that way your men won't know, and there is no reason to stop," I notice her smiling to herself for thinking up the plan.

"It's not proper," I say while thinking, how nice the idea sounds. I just need to voice it at least once.

"Leathan, it's also not proper to kidnap a woman, and it's not proper to sleep in the same bed as someone you are not wed too, but we've done those, so stop your protesting, and sleep," she finishes with a smirk, saying she knows she's right.

"You are a very infuriating woman, Arabella. Thank you," I whisper into her ear with sincerity, and see her body tense up instantly, before relaxing, a small giggle releasing from her lips. She adjusts herself, so her back is much closer to my chest and sits up straight.

I'm still hesitant to take her offer, but as the ride continues, and the gentle bounces proceeds, I find myself swaying closer to her waiting shoulder. Soon, I feel her pull my arms securely around her waist, and, taking the reigns out of my hands. Her soft hair brushes against my face, tickling my nose, as I catch her intoxicating scent of lavender. Why is it the one woman I must elude, is the only one to smell dangerously delicious? With that thought sleep consumes me.

"My son," my mother sighs, greeting me. "I have seen the future and you are not to fear, only to fight," she smiles, taking me comfortingly into her small arms. "I love you, my sweet boy." The image fades, and is replaced by Arabella lacing her fingers with my mine. I smile down at the picture.

"Leathan, thank you, for all you have done for me," she says, gripping tightly to my hand. I find my empty hand reaching over to caress her soft cheek. Arabella leans into the touch, closing her eyes, and a feeling of love washes over me. Suddenly, her eyes flash open, and the sickly blood runs down her chin, staining her dress, and forming a puddle on the floor. Her color drains and a lifeless, Arabella lays before me, wrapped in my arms, but soon she disappears. 

"No!" I call, as images of destruction, and despair from Erabilean flood pass me. Suddenly, I'm tied up on the post in front of my town, while Lucas, the town tax collector, is standing behind me. Whoosh! The pain shoots up my spine, as the tail scrapes through my skin. "Fighting is useless." Whoosh! Again and again.

"Leathan, wake up," I hear the gentle voice of Arabella breaking through all the pain. "Leathan."

I opened my eyes to see the sun high in the sky, and Arabella's worried gaze. "What's the matter?"

"Leathan, did you have a night terror?" She asked, worried lines forming on her brow.

"I don't believe so. I don't recall what I dreamed of," I lied, creating a small amount of distance between us. Of course, I remember. How could I forget?

She appears suspicious of me but shakes it off. "We are almost to town," she relays anxiety in her tone.

"Arabella, you have nothing to fear. The people are excited to see their future queen. They must only confirm you are real, and not a myth. Simple," I say cheerfully.

"Ha, is that all," she scuffs. "I just have to prove, I'm me."

"As I do recall, this was your plan."

"And a stupid plan it was. Why did you agree to it?"

"Because it is not a stupid plan, one must only be in your presence to realize you are the light the prophecy refers to," I said honestly, and it seemed to do the trick.

She smiled humbly, "Thank you, Leathan, for your kind words. You truly are a wonderful leader," she added, and I know my ears are taking on an unnatural shade of pink thanks to her compliment.

I shrug of her words as best I can, before we spot the sign welcoming us in.

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Hey, fellow bookworms! I hope you enjoyed getting a little more insight into the mind of Leathan. Feel free to leave a comment below, and if you liked the chapter, be sure to vote!  I update every Tuesday and Thursday. Thank you so much for reading, and all of your support! I'm amazed by how many people are taking to the book. I would have never thought this in my wildest dream, so thank you again!

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