What She Did

Chapter Thirteen

Shae had been wondering what she was supposed to do for the past half hour. She had woken up to find Skiel sleeping on her left hand and it was getting really numb. 

His hair was soft. 

"Hey Skiel." Shae whispered. 

Shae wondered if she should take it as an opportunity to run. She attempted to get up, but one of her elbows buckled under pressure and she landed back on the bed.

He was stirring.

Shae bit her lip and looked around wildly. Skiel's sword. Using her right hand, she grabbed the hilt. 

"..Shae?"

She used the sword as a walking stick, adding pressure to support her frame. Once she was steadied, she unsheathed it and pointed it with admonition at Skiel.

His head was still buried in the sheets.

"Wake up." Shae tried to sound menacing as she winced in pain from her prior injury.

He sat up immediately in alarm, his tousled hair falling over dark eyebags. Then his expression softened.

"Hey you're not well. Don't play with the sword." He smiled. 

Shae drew closer.

"Skiel. I'm not the same anymore," She placed the side of the sword on his hair. "It's been two years and I've changed."

His countenance turned expressionless.

It was almost scary.

"Shae."

He bent his head down a little, before using a finger to raise the tip of the sword. Then he grabbed it and started moving towards Shae.

The distance his hand moved left a trail of red stain.

He only stopped before his face was a couple inches away from her. 

He smiled lightly as he placed the other hand over her eyes.

"Close them."

"No one will hurt you. No one here hates you." He continued.

Something warm and wet got into contact with his hand. Skiel immediately removed it.

"Lies." Her face reflected scorn. 

"No-" Skiel's tone hinted exasperation.

"Lukas raped your sister. Because I used her name." Shae spilled. "Now let me go."

She darted into the familiar hallways of the guest quarters. She found the hall enveloped with raging fires. They had started that attack.

Heading back to the room, she grabbed Skiel's arm and led him out.

"What are you doing-" He seemed a little crazed as he scanned his surroundings.

"Get out now. Backdoor. Take two lefts." Shae articulated. 

"You-"

"I won't be hurt."

"No-"

"Your sister is two rooms to the right of mine!"

A fiery pillar conveniently dropped down, separating them. She couldn't see Skiel but she knew he would be heading to save Sadie.

She located the main exit. She walked towards it. Slowly. Her white gown had already turned into a frock smudged with soot.

She deeply inhaled as she reached the outside fresh air.

Her army was there, loading flaming balls of something she didn't know, continuously hurling them at the building.

She sauntered towards the leader, who bowed to her as she gave her orders.

"Capture all Chryso and Vince royalty."