Unmasked

Chapter 14

-unedited-

Chapter 14:

"Mary," I hear Harriet's voice my I choose to ignore it.

It's too early in the morning, even earlier than when I would usually wake when I'm "healthy" but Harriet whispers my name again and this time I open my eyes to find her head hovering above me.

"There's someone here to see you."

"Who?" I rub my eyes.

"Michael."

~*~

"He's at the kitchens back door," Harriet whispers back to me as she leads me through the still dark hallways. The sun has not risen, it's either way too late at night or way too early, no one can tell, Harriet is relying on her already adjusted eyes and memory to travel.

When we finally turn I the real door open and I see him behind the screen door and I smile, Harriet releases my hand and I go to hug him. I almost forgot he was back.

Guilt fills my stomach.

"What are you doing here?" I ask him as soon as I step outside with him. I look back to see Harriet quietly shutting the door leaving it open just a crack so I can go back in at any time.

I can barley make out his feature but I know it's him yet this time he seems to be wearing a strange but familiar uniform.

"Mary?" He says making me lose my train of thought.

I look up to his eyes, "yes?"

"I'm here to ask you about the night at the ball,"

I stiffened, is that all he came here for?

Even in the dark he must have seen my expression and quickly added, "oh no, you're not in trouble or anything. I just need to speak to you about it and- oh where are my manners? Hello, Mary."

I smiled a little bit. He remembered his manners yet I didn't even greet him.

"Hello, Michael."

"Ah, yes, so where was I? Oh yes, the ball, I'm here to ask you about the man you were dancing with."

"You saw him?" For some reason, a mixture of hope and shock filled within me. I must have believed he really did disappear after I lost him.

"I guess you can say I know him,"

Now it was shock and nervousness that filled me.

"Really?"

"Yes,"

I looked down. He said I wasn't in trouble, so why do I feel like I am?

"Do you realize that you danced with the Prince, Mary?"

"I-"

"Look at me when you answer," he didn't say it harshly, but the fact that he didn't made it even more intense.

I looked up to him, and nodded.

"Mary! Do you not realize the situation that you have created!" Michael tried to tell me in a hushed tone, but instead came out as uneven and frustrated.

"W-what problem did I create?"

"Mary, he's looking for you, but not you, he's looking for Melisadane!"

"What?" He looking for me?

"Yes, he has men searching the entire place! Mary, do you realize how much trouble you'll be in if he succeeds in finding you?"

"I-" yes, yes I do, but part of me wants him to find me. I'm beginning to realize I'd rather be thrown away in jail than continue living bed ridden or as nothing more than a slave.