The Assassin's Heart

Awakening

Revekah POV:

My eyes shoot open and I have no idea where I am. That termite stabbed me too many times then he yelled at me then he tried to pick me up. Oh yeah, that's right I stood up and- arrg! I fainted!? What is wrong with me? He could have killed me right there; anyone could have told him about the rebels! I have to get out of here!

As I try to sit up strong hands I hadn't seen before firmly push me back, careful to avoid my bad shoulder. I turn to see a gentle faced lady all in white smiling sweetly at me. Too sweetly. Sickly sweet.

"What's your name darling?" she says in a sickly sweet voice to match her smile.

My name. My name! What do I tell her? My name is so well known, I'll be arrested or killed in a heartbeat!

Right at that moment a loud commotion comes from the door and the termite enters with more people in white at his heels. Thank the stones I'm saved from that dilemma!

"The patient is awake, sir," the lady in white says, loosing all of her sweetness in replace for a bitter aftertaste.

Patient not prisoner. Interesting. So they don't know who I am but they're suspicious otherwise the first thing she asked me would not have been "what's your name?" What exactly did he tell them? I'd better get my story straight.

The termite leader walks briskly to my bedside and all heads turned to look at the two of us. "If you would please leave me alone with the patient." The bitter sweet lady almost made an objection but was silenced with a look I couldn't quite see.

They all left, though hesitantly, leaving me all alone with my assailant. I have no idea what he's gonna do. He must still want to know about the rebels. I don't even know if wants to help or hurt us.

He take a step towards me so he's standing right over me and reaches toward my bad shoulder, gently moving the pristine sheet to look at the clean white bandaging around my chest and one of my shoulders.

I stare at him watching, waiting for him to make a move to hurt me or threaten me into telling him my secrets, but he instead gently inspects my bandage, careful not to move he sheet. I realize I am only wrapped in bandages with loose men's trousers to cover my legs.

I flinch from his fingers as they touch my bandages, making him decide to end his little examination and sit next to the bed. He opens his mouth to speak and I brace myself again for his words while I'm in such a weak state.

"So tell me about those rebels of yours." His voice takes me off guard as I again realize how silky smooth it is. Well no harm can come from giving him information everyone knows.

"Well tha Contregem are a group of rebels fightin' 'gainst th'emperor and it's said they 'ave insiders among th' noble an' elites." I look at him to make sure he won't interrupt then I go on. "Their purpose is ter overthrow th'emperor by gainin' the whole kingdom's support and have been growin' since 'fore I was born. Five years 'go they had a plan to assassinate the emperor an' recently we-I m- they uh..." I trail off as I realize I may have said to much.

"What!?" He shouts. I flinch as he stands and seeing my face, he sits back apologetically and collects himself for a second. "Five years ago they tried or had plans to assassinate the emperor?" Even after a moment his voice is strained and desperate, so he must really want my information... That could be valuable leverage. I am trapped in a castle, lying in a bed, practically helpless, having a normal conversation with my captor.

"Yah, I'll tell ya but ya gotta get me outta here. No one knows who I am do they?"

"No, but you're not going anywhere until you vindicate yourself."

Great. That gadfly! He thinks he's so smart using those stinking long words.

"That means to prove yourself innocent."

"I know what that means!" I didn't. And it's not like he could keep me here anyway. Besides I was innocent. In this regard at least..."Fine," I say, "I'll prove I'm innocent of killing your parents." (Notice I specified.)

"Ok so go ahead."

"Well first get me clothes."

~

That termite comes back with a huge bundle of clothes, mostly dresses and dumps them on my bed. Ok um no. I don't wear dresses and I definitely don't wear frilly dresses with bows that probably cost a fortune that was worn by some ancient princess years ago. Just no.

"Um no. I don' wear dresses."

"Arg fine," he grumbles, "It was worth a try." I almost laugh at that. He knew I'd hate them and he still brought them. Sounds like something I would do.

A moment later he's back with another pile of clothes, noticably browner and definitely more my style.

"Danks."

"What?" Oh right.

"It means thank ya."

"Whateva." Is he mocking me? "Change," he says as he finally leaves.

~

"Come. You can tell me everything in the library." Ugh I hate that cocky schmuck! He just orders me around like he could trounce me. Ok...Well I mean, sure....he kinda did.....But that's beside the point! This termite was acting all uptight and mean when I agreed to give him info! Like, what?! I'll show that scoundrel.

"Okay." Yup. That's it. That's all I say. Great. I am such a coward. But what can I say!? He knows who I am and he's already beat me in a fight. And believe me that's no easy feat.

As soon as I step in the library, he slams the door, spins on me-nearly knocking me off my feet in surprise-and glares at me. Woah. Up till now he's​ had a blank expression and all of the sudden his face is stormy and dark. He'd actually be quite handsome if he wasn't such a gadfly-termite-scoundrel.

"Speak," his angry voice makes me jump out of my scrutiny. Great he's really scary when he's mad. No, no, no! I am not scared of him! He's just a little intimidating... kinda.

"Woah, woah! Calm yaself down! I'll tell ya ever'thing I know."

Here goes nothing...