Take Me Away

Chapter 10

  "Excuse me, what?  I think I might be losing my hearing.  Did you just say bride??"

  He smiled.  "Yes.  Your hearing is just fine, butterfly."

  "Wha--"

  "Austeyn what happened to your face?!?"

  Uh oh.  The woman, who must be his mom, stepped around him and caught a glimpse of his bloody nose.  They look a lot worse than they usually are, but I think it actually might be broken. 

  I looked away sheepishly, a blush creeping up into my face.  He chuckled at my shyness.  "Like I said mother, just a misunderstanding.  I may have startled Aurick as she was sleeping.  She reacted the way anyone would.  I cannot say I'm not impressed with her fighting spirit."

  His praise made me blush even harder.

  "Well, if it did happen that way, I cannot fault her for reacting the way she did.  Shame on you for scaring the poor girl.  Now if you could stand up, I can properly meet her."

  I had completely forgotten he was straddling me, and apparently so had he.  He stood and offered me his hand, which I hesitantly took.  My 5'3" frame was nothing compared to either of them.  He was well over 6 foot and even as a woman she was probably close to that.  I've always been height challenged so this is nothing new.

  The woman before me was stunning.  You could definitely tell they were related.  She had the same dark locks, same complexion and build, but her eyes were a sage green color where his were a light grey-blue.  She was intimidating that's for sure.

  "Aurick, this is my mother, Queen Vorana."

  Well shit.  That's why she's so intimidating.  Double shit! I broke her son's nose!  I looked at him and he just gave me that shit eating grin of his.  I'm slowly learning to hate it.

  "Yes butterfly, that makes me a Prince."

  "I am so sorry for my outburst earlier!  And most likely breaking your son's nose!  Only because there's blood everywhere though, not because he didn't deserve it.  He totally did."  I shot him a glare and Queen Vorana bursts out laughing.

  "Any woman who can hold her own against any man is alright in my book, melamin.  Now how about we go get you cleaned up?  What do you think, Onora?"

  Only then did I notice a waif of a girl looking around the Queen's skirts.  She nodded and shyly hid behind the Queen.

  "This is my daughter, Princess Onora, Austeyn's younger sister.  She normally isn't this shy, are you pet?" 

  I could hear her giggle, but she stayed hidden.

  "Mother, I entrust her to your care then.  I'll see you later, Aurick." 

  The way my name rolls off his tongue gives me chills.  I nod and he turns away.

  "This way, dear."

  I can't really run away from the Queen.  Wouldn't want to be butchered or something.  So I decide to follow her.  She comes to a set of double doors.  "These will be your rooms for the time being."

  Holy crap!  These rooms are bigger than grandma's and my house combined!  I really am in a palace.  You might want to pick your jaw up off the floor, Aurick.  Probably not very ladylike to gawk.

  "This is beautiful." 

  "Yes, it is, isn't it?  There should be clothes in your wardrobe.  We had to guess about your size, but I think we did alright.  We can have them fitted specifically for you later.  First things first, a bath.  You can put your dirty things wherever and I'll pick something out for you.  Onora, be a good girl and help Lady Aurick."

  The little girl nodded and went to the fireplace to get some hot coals.  These she set under a tub full of water and within minutes it was starting to steam.  She dipped a finger in and looked expectantly at me.

  "It's ready?"

  She nods and turns around so I can undress.  I take off my clothes, folding them and putting them in a pile.  Ahhh this is so nice.  I could stay in here forever.  I look over at the girl.  She pulls a stool over and sits down, looking at me with large blue eyes.

  "You don't talk much do you?"

  Her eyes well up and she shakes her head.

  I quickly smile at her, holding my hands up, "It's okay, I don't mind.  Sometimes it's nice to sit in silence.  Gives you time to get your thoughts straightened out."

  The little girl was quiet for a few moments.  Then she spoke up in a timid voice. 

  "My older brother was killed.  We were really close, closer than Austeyn and I.  Even though we were furthest in age from each other.  Moleyn was the kindest, most gentle man.  He didn't deserve to be gutted like a fish.  So much pressure is put on royal men to be great warriors.  To be able to physically lead their armies and be able to fight alongside them.  If he wasn't royal he would still be alive.  If We weren't in this stupid war!"

  Without regard to modesty I got up out of my bath water and put my arms around her.  I wasn't really shy, and she didn't seem to mind.  Winding her thin arms around my neck she cried; cried out all of her anger, hate, depression, and sadness at the loss of her brother.  I just let her cry.  What else could I do? 

  When she was done she pulled away and dried her eyes.  Lucky, even bawling she still is pretty.  I'm the originator of the 'ugly cry.' 

  "I lost my mom when I was young, and I never knew my dad.  The difference is that I lost her before I even had a chance to know her.  You have many beautiful memories of your brother to remember him by."

  Her smile is brilliant.  "Yeah, you're right.  Thank you, Aurick.  I know why you were chosen for Austeyn now."