Royal Misfits

Chapter Sixteen - Aftershock

Lizetta's POV

The culprits had all been rounded up and Amelia was safe, but everything was ruined. Tate and I arrived just in time to see a man try to take Amelia away, luckily Ethan fought him off and saved her. As the guards took the intruders away, Tate turned to me, "You stay with your sister, I'm going to go with the guards and help out with the prisoners. Okay?" I nodded and he smiled, placing a soft kiss on my forehead before joining the guards. I ran over to my father and Amelia and wrapped my arms around her. She was sobbing into my father's coat, his eyes met mine and he nodded, "Stay with her. I need to see to the prisoners." He got up slowly, letting Amelia lean on me instead and he left. I looked up at our mother, she was already consoling the guests, trying to calm them down. It was if it hadn't happened to her, she seemed completely unaffected by what happened. I pushed her out of my mind and looked down at Amelia, I stroked her head slowly and whispered, "Everything is going to be okay, Amelia. I'm so sorry this happened, but I'll never let anyone hurt you." She continued to cry. The stares from the guests were beginning to bother me, I nudged Amelia slowly. "Hey.", I said, "Do you want to get out of here?" She nodded, sniffing away her tears. I helped her to her feet slowly and walked out of the ballroom with her. As we walked around the familiar corridor leading to the residential wing, an unfamiliar figure lunged out at us, dagger in hand. Amelia and I froze and looked around, we were alone.

The masked figure stepped towards us and we stepped back. He grew tired of simply moving around and lunged for us, I pulled Amelia out of the way and ran. We ran towards our bedrooms, but the assailant was faster than us in ballgowns. He stepped on Amelia's train and tripped her. She went down, pulling me down with her. As I tried to get up, I saw Amelia being yanked to her feet by her hair. She screamed in pain, kicking her legs as she tried to get him off her. I kicked off my shoes and lunged for them as I rose to my feet. I knocked them both to the ground and the dagger flew out of his hands, I lay on top of them gasping for breath. Amelia was knocked unconscious and the attacker was trying to get us off, rage built up inside me as I pounded my jeweled fists painfully into his head, drawing blood. I didn't stop until I realised the man wasn't moving anymore. I sat up in shock and gazed at his bloody face. I quickly pulled Amelia away from him and onto my lap, I took one more glance at him, focusing on his chest. He was still breathing. I held Amelia close and broke down, hot tears running down my cheeks. I gripped her tighter and sobbed louder, my blood stained hands leaving bloody handprints on her arms.

Tate's POV

When I got back to the ballroom, Lizetta and Amelia were gone. I was told they simply retreated to their rooms, but after no word from Lizetta for over two hours, I began to worry. I decided to pay a visit to Lizetta's room, incase I was needed. I walked along the corridor from the ballroom leading to the residential wing, lost in the thought of tonight's events. Not only the attack, but also the moment I shared with Lizetta before it happened. With the memory of her eyes gazing at me and the warmth of her skin against mine occupying my attention, I almost missed the fact that she was right in front of me on the ground. I had stopped walking abruptly and took in the sight before me, Lizetta was seated on the ground, holding an unconscious Amelia with another unconscious person lying on the ground where a pool of blood surrounded him. I almost immediately recovered from the shock and rushed to her side. I knelt down next to her, took her face in my hands and turned her to face me. "Lizetta, are you okay?", I asked, gazing at her mascara strewn face. She nodded slowly and tried to speak, but nothing came out. I pulled her close to my chest and kissed her hair, "You don't have to say anything, I'm here now. You're safe. I'll never leave you alone again, Lizetta. I love you.", at that I felt tears fall down my face and quickly wiped them away. I helped her to her feet and took Amelia in my arms, she stirred a bit before falling back into unconsciousness. With Lizetta walking quietly beside me, I carried Amelia to her room, where Lizetta and I alerted the doctor, Ethan and her parents to the situation. Needless to say, they all rushed over to Amelia's room, and as much as I was worried for her, I couldn't help but notice how traumatised Lizetta was and wonder what exactly happened. Her hands were bloody and bruised. As soon as Ethan got there she got up from Amelia's side and left, without saying anything. I rushed out after her to see her running towards her room and I immediately gave chase after her.

I arrived at her door shortly after she burst through it and slammed it shut behind her. I knocked softly and called out to her and she opened it, looking at me as if she were terrified of me. I took a small step forward and she flinched back, but she didn't take her eyes off me. I put my hands up slowly and walked into her room and backed away from her. She closed the door and continued to stare at me. I took a deep breath and smiled at her, "Liz, I'm not going to hurt you. You know that, right?" She nodded and looked at the floor, no, she was looking at her hands. I pointed at her hands, "Is that your blood?" She shook her head, "No, it's the guy's who attacked us." She looked up at me, eyes wide, "I was so scared, Tate. He had a knife. He had Amelia in his arms, I didn't know what to do! I panicked and now, Amelia must have a concussion because of me." She hung her head again and I stepped towards her, she didn't move this time. She allowed me to draw her close in my arms, "You saved her life, no matter what you did. You saved her, she's alive because you acted, Liz." She nodded slowly in agreement. She drew away and looked up at me, "Tate." I smiled, "Yes?" She blushed, "I love you, too." My smile broadened and I held her tightly, until she complained about me squeezing too much. I let her go with a laugh and she smiled back, "Would you stay here with me tonight? I don't want to be alone tonight." I nodded and kissed her forehead, "I told you I'd never leave you alone, didn't I?"