Fallen

Chapter Seven

   Gardenia ~ These romantic flowers are generally gifted to those experiencing a secret love.

   "...and there you have it." I say once I finished retelling my horrid memory. I wipe my cheeks for any remaining tears before leaning back on Maroon's chest," It has been awhile since I have had that nightmare though."

Maroon stayed silent.

" Maroon? Are you-"

Maroon embraced me in from behind, pushing me closer to his bare chest," Jasmine...I'm so sorry you had to go through that...." He said, laying his head on my shoulder," You of all people deserved better."

" I-It's fine Maroon...really." I reply, running my hand up and down Maroon's arm, to help sooth him," Let me get dressed and I'll-"

Once I stepped out of bed, a wave of nausea fell over me. I cupped my hand over my mouth while holding the blanket around me," Jasmine?"

"..M-Maroon...I-I don't feel-" I gagged, trying to hold back my vomit. I raced towards the bedroom corner, were a bucket stood ( in case of emergencies like this) and began to vomit," Aaagggghhh...." I groaned as I laid my head on the bucket's rim.

Maroon rushed to my side, my sheets covering his lower half," Are you alright? Feeling better?" He questioned in a concerned tone, rubbing my back soothingly to help calm me down.

I nodded weakly," Y-Yeah...I'm-" I felt the vomit start to come back up my throat, and I began to puke once more. Maroon stayed at my side, whispering soothing words as he continued to rub my back.

About five minutes later, my stomach be to feel better," M-Maroon..." I question, wondering if he was still there since he had stopped rubbing my back.

" Hmm?" He looked over at me, his hand now creasing up and down my spine," Are you feeling better princess?

I smiled weakly," Y-Yeah...much better...." I say," I-I should be feeling better tomorrow..."

Maroon smiled at me," Let's hope." He then picked me up off the floor, blankets and all, carrying me bridal-style back to bed," Now, let's get some sleep."

He laid me gently under the sheets before tucking himself in as well, snuggling up next to me. Maroon's warmth brought a certain comfort to me as I nuzzled my head into his warm, bare chest," Love you Maroon..."

The next morning, I expected to wake up in Maroon's arms. But when I went to roll over, I felt no one near," Maroon...?" I slowly sat up on my bed, wrapping some blanket around my bare body. I looked around the room and saw no trace of him. Fear shot through, but it quickly went away once I spotted a letter sitting on my nightstand. I crawled over on my bed and reached for it, snatching the letter off the nightstand and began to read:

My dearest, Jasmine,

I am sorry that I am not with you this morning. I overheard some maids talking this morning about how the king will be upping the guards around to palace. And I decided that it would be best if I laid low for at least a week or two, in order to protect you. I know this will be hard for both of us, but I will try to leave you a letter out in the garden every other day. I love you princess and I hope you feel better.

Love,

Maroon.

A light smile graced my lips as my fingers traced down the paper. A sudden pit grew inside me; even though Maroon hasn't even been gone for more than a day, I feel lonely without his presence.

I would have sulked in bed longer if it wasn't for the wave of nausea that crashed over me. I once again raced over towards my bucket and puked into it.