Crowns and Chains

Chapter Eleven: Piggyback Rides

Zaria Eloise

"Just get on." He states with an annoyed voice now. 

"But.." I trail off.

But I have never been that close to a man before.

"I can walk, I am fi-" I was cut off by his head whipping to me, sending me a death glare. 

"Miss Campbell, just get on. I won't let you walk. It's too risky. This is our best option." He says politely laced with annoyance.

"Err.." I get up slowly, holding onto the back of his arm for support; it was firm and muscular. I was up on my knees now; his back to me and I feel the dizziness comeback, my vision darkening at the corners. Blinking profusely, my vision returns back to normal. 

Unsure of what to do; I place my hands on his shoulders lightly, as if I was asking a silent question. 

"Uhm, do you mind carrying my bag for a bit?" He asks; shoving my heelsand the shirt I was laying on before, into his bag. 

"Not at all." I take his bag and put shrug it on; it was light, almost like it was empty, so I did not have any problem carrying it.

He will be carrying me, so I do not have the right to complain.

Returning my hands on his shoulders; he stiffens under my touch and I hold my breath. He takes a hold of my hands from his shoulders and pull softly, guiding my hands to basically hold on to him in a hug and I feel heat rising up to my cheeks.

Well, that is one way to get the blood to your head. 

Mr Wells gently guides my knees on his sides, securing my legs with his arms; he lifts me up with ease. I stare in awe at the new height, you could see much higher, and see much more. Although there was nothing much to see on this deserted road it was still an amazing experience. From this height I could see the city not too far from where we are.

His body was tense as he started walking indicating that he was just as uncomfortable with the close proximity as I am. I check the time, we should be able to reach the city at sunset. Deciding to break the silence I speak up after a few minutes.

"Mr Wells, are you going back to medical school?" I ask weakly from his back.

"Could you stop calling me that? Just call me Drake, formality isn't really necessary." He says in that same neutral tone of his.

"Then, Drake," I emphasize, trying out the word on my lips. "Are you going back to medical school? And please call me El-" I sneeze, the dust getting to me. 

"Elchie?" He gives a low chuckle, his body shaking slightly and he was not as tense anymore. I was surprised with his chuckle, I wish I could see his face. It was such a rare sound, it was beautiful.

"Excuse me, please call me Eloise." I state sheepishly at my display, smiling.

"Well, Elsie, to answer your question, I don't know." I flush at the nickname. 

"Elsie?" I ask; dropping the topic about his studies. I did not want to pry too much; afraid that he would put up his guards higher.

"Yea, Eloise is a bit of a mouthful." I feel him shrug and I laugh weakly.

"Fine, I shall allow it." I say grinning, mimicking my mother's tone. I was feeling much better than before, but my lips started to get dry and chappy. My palms are still pale and I still feel weak. I rack my brain for a reason as to why I almost fainted.

My pills.

I forgot to take them this morning, I was busy trying to convince Jon. 

I began to feel nervous if I was making someone at the palace worry about me right now. I left my phone in the car. Sighing, and too tired to think, I push the thoughts away.

"Why did you pick me up Elsie?" He asks after a few seconds of silence and I flush at the way he says the nickname he gave me. I was incredibly thankful that he can not see my face right now. 

"I wanted to see what you looked like as a free man." He stays silent at my reply. 

"Am I heavy?" I ask, breaking the silence again; getting nervous that I am beginning to be too heavy for him.

"Yes, my back's gonna break." He answers sarcastically and I huff. 

"Hey Drake?" 

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

----

After twenty minutes we finally reach the small town near the city. Drake never put me down, still carrying me, he heads to a small cafe. I began to question just how strong he really is. 

"You can put me down now." I say softly and he kneels down in front of the cafe. I let go of of him, and step down on the ground. 

My legs had pins and needles from not having to move them for twenty minutes. I thank him again and he nods, taking his bag from my shoulders and opens the cafe door for me. I thank him again for the gesture, incredibly surprised at how nice he was treating me now. 

"Pick a seat, I'll see you there." Drake states then heading off to the counter. 

I look around the small cafe, it was quaint with a cabin-like structure. Its walls were decorated with framed crosstitch masterpieces, with different pictures on them; from roses to landscapes to animals. I take a seat on the booths next to the window and sigh in relief as I sink into the comfy chair. 

Shortly after, Drake arrives and places a tall glass of water in front of me, then a delicious looking sandwich. He sits right across me and gestures to my food.

"Eat."