The Prince's Heart (Ziall, Niam)

Chapter 4

I was still shaking by the time we arrived at the castle. Zayn had to ride on the same horse as me, right behind me, so I can lean against his body and prevent falling to the ground or messing up the direction of Katy due to how my hands were shaking. The other horse was trailing after us silently.

"What happened?" Harry asked as Calum and Michael and Luke helped me get off the horse.

"I was gone for a while to get the horses and while I was gone, he was nearly harassed by a man. I took care of the man but I am still deeply sorry for my inefficiency to be with him at all times." Zayn bowed his head down in shame. I looked at Harry and before he could give Zayn a one hour lecture about being my personal knight, I cut him off. 

"It's my fault!" I spoke up. "I told him to get the horses because I was too lazy to walk back to where we left them. It's my entire fault, don't get mad at Zayn" I said while nodding gratefully at Calum who provided me with a mug of hot tea. 

Harry looked at Zayn and back at me, unsure of what to do. If it's truly might fault then he can't do anything since a slave can't punish a prince no matter how close they are. Thankfully, Harry's dilemma was disrupted by Ashton walking in my room, carrying a tray of sandwiches and pastries. 

"Your highness" Ashton bowed down and placed the tray on my bedside table. I nodded at him and began eating one of the sandwiches. My body has finally calmed down and with the help of food, I'll eventually forget the incident.

"Okay" Harry finally says. He looks around and says, "Okay, you may all leave now. As for you Zayn" Harry gives Zayn a look that I cannot decipher. "I need to have a word with you" 

I shoot Harry a look, telling him to go easy on Zayn and Harry merely nods in reassurance before leading everyone out the door and leaving me with my food.

I sighed and shivered. Gosh, I should thank Zayn for coming just at the right time. I don’t know what I would do if the man...violated me. I'd probably fall into a pit of despair and self-hatred. Speaking of Zayn, I should give him a gift that can serve as a welcoming gift AND a gift of gratitude. I wonder what I should give him. 

My doors suddenly burst open and in came Liam with Louis, Harry and Zayn behind him.

"Niall!" Liam exclaimed and before I could greet him back, he tackled me into my bed, making me drop the cupcake that I was holding onto the floor. Shame. I liked that cupcake. "Oh god, I was planning on a surprise visit then when I came in, the first thing Harry tells Louis who tells me is that you were nearly raped by a man" Liam says in-between kisses all over my face except my lips.

"I'm fine now, Liam" I smiled at him. "Zayn came to my rescue"

"Well Zayn shouldn't have left your side in the first place" Liam spat out, still on top of me, and from the corner of my eye I see Zayn flinch. "Where’s this Zayn fella?" Liam said.

Zayn raised his hand with a determined look on his face. Liam moved away from me and made his way towards Zayn. "Where were you when Niall was nearly harassed? Wait, scratch that. Where were you when Niall was harassed?"

"Liam" I said, standing up and grabbing his arm to stop him. "It's my fault, I told him to get the horses while I wait, okay? It's my entire fault. Leave Zayn alone. Get mad at me but not him! He's simply obeying my orders"

Liam shot Zayn a glare before wrapping me in his arms again. "Oh god, I don’t know what I would do if you got hurt" Liam whispers in my ear. "Fuck, I can't imagine anyone else but me touching you. Your body is mine to cherish and take care of" By this point, Liam was already crying on my shoulder. My heart wanted to burst.