Chapter 16: Linus

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Norman was supposed to drive this train to safety. Now we were stuck on it with Dorian the traitor.

"Let's move up to the front car shall we?" He asked, indicating the tired state of Adeline and Mathew with a nod in their direction. It wasn't like I had a choice, but I was glad to give my friend a moment to mourn and rest.

The train was moving when Dorian opened the door to the car. He jumped to the next one opening its door as well. He stood there waiting for me to jump. I looked frantically at the moving ground beneath us. Dear lord, if Dorian wasn't going to kill me then the train was. I looked at the distance between the two cars. Any guard would jump this with ease, but I was petrified. Oh god.

"Is something the matter soldier?" Dorian asked from his car. I could see the corner of his lips twitch. Was he finding this a musing?

Get it together Liana! You're supposed to be a guard. Jump!

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes before jumping. I let out a small squeal as I travelled. I opened to my eyes to find myself safe in Dorian's arms. He caught me. I stared at him with wide eyes. Despite hating what he's done, I couldn't hate him. My body betrayed me as my heart raced and my skin tingled at his touch. I couldn't believe I was still in love with him. I don't think there's hopes for me to fall out of love.

"Are you okay?" He asked with a gleam in his eyes. I nodded my head before ripping my body away from his. I cleared my throat before going to sit in one of the seats. It wasn't long until Dorian plopped himself beside me.

"Forgive my forgetfulness, but what is your name soldier?" He asked and I could see amusement in his eyes. He couldn't know? Could my lack of facial hair give me away?

My name? My name? What on earth was my name? "Li... Linus."

Really Liana? Linus?

Dorian bit the inside of his cheek before looking at the side then back at me. "Linus, I see."

Distract him Liana!

"So- uh... What were you doing on the train this morning?" I asked remembering to keep my voice deep. Did it sound too forced?

"I was sent on a false errand by the vizier," he said before his face went dark. "However, I took advantage of the situation by getting reinforcements from other posts."

Wait-- what? What did this mean?

"Who-- What-- Why--" I started to stutter. What do I ask him? "What has been going on?"

"Some of my men were bribed with money and women, I was kept in the dark while officials were conspiring against the queen, I had a feeling something was wrong so I had begun to investigate but I was distracted, my mind was somewhere else. I still had some good loyal men, I sent some to free the girls in the castle and the rest to protect the queen but I was too late. Now, my men are to free the castle of the traitors, free the wronged girls, and protect our new queen whatever the cost," he explained. What? He was good? I don't understand. What could possibly distract him?

"What could possibly distract you captain?" I voiced my thoughts.

A half smile tugged on his lips. "I fell in love with a beautiful woman. Perfect couldn't even begin to describe her. The more I thought of her, the more I fell. The more I fell, the more I had to see her. The more I saw her, the more I knew there was no going back. She had become the only thing on my mind."

Oh. My. God.

Did- did I hear right? Was it me? Was it someone else? I felt a pang of jealousy at the thought. Please don't let it be someone else.

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