Flawed

Chapter Fourteen

Ashes was dead in the afternoon, the rain kept falling down hard on the ground. A woman was making lunch for Halford and his friends; Orion and his friends were hungry and excited for food.

All except for Blair who couldn't stop thinking of the homeless people on the street. Halford ate his food, but stopped as he had become aware of her reticent behavior.

"You, okay, Blair?" he asked, swallowing his food.

"I'm fine. I just can't eat." she muttered, keeping her eyes out at a window.

Orion's overprotective demeanor had become one of worry. He took her arm and gently pulled her to him.

"You need to eat Blair. You were eating fine last night. What's on your mind?" he said, growing at her.

Blair shook her head and smiled.

"Really I'm fine. I just really want to go back outside. If I could." she announced, slipping off the stool.

Jessie and Johnny jumped out of their seats.

"Can we go with you, Blair?" they were ready to grab her hand. She stepped away from them and frowned.

"I'm sorry, children. I need to be alone for a little bit. I promise I'll be back soon though okay?" she answered, with a huge smile on her face. "I promise we can play in the puddles when I come back okay?"

The children smiled and sat back at the table, eating their sandwiches. Orion watched Blair as she stepped out of the tavern. Abe and Halford also did the same.

Was it something I said earlier? Orion thought, as he took a sip from his tea.

"I should go look after her." Aldrich proposed, taking his cane.

"I don't think so, if anyone it should be Orion." Halford rebuked, pointing to Orion as he sipped his tea.

Abe and Orion was shocked by his answer. Orion raised an eyebrow at his fast response, he thought he would say so himself.

"No. Nobody should go with her. If she wants to be alone let her. She's an adult." his voice sounded with uncertainty. He had to let her go sometimes though, she had make her own choices in life.

Abe and Halford understood and continued eating, while Aldrich was noticeably annoyed. Aldrich was the one to bring them here safely and he deserved Blair, not this stupid metal wannabe prince.

"I'm stepping out for a smoke, you guys eat." Aldrich pulled out a pipe from his coat and limped out of Ashes.

Abe gave Aldrich a suspicious look. What was he up too? Why had he become so distant with them?

"She's got a lot on her mind, huh?" Halford looked at Orion.

"Yes, she does. She came here to get away from her old life. She doesn't ever want to go back either. Her mother hates her and her people don't respect her. The only people who cared about her was hs, her royal servants till the end. This is Jessie and Johnny, Abe's been watching them for all their lives, teaching them about life. I'm her father and I can't even tell her that." Orion unfolded, as his eyes watered from the pain that Blair had to deal with.

The secret that everyone was hiding from Blair was absolutely true. There was no doubt that this man was Blair's father.

"Look, I have a lot of rooms in the castle. You should all come there and stay with me. You can reassure her that she has nothing to worry about. From what I've seen of her, she's a strong willed woman. She's stubborn and she can hit pretty damn hard." Halford said.

"You sure do change your mind about Blair alot. Do you actually like her or not?" Abe replied, squinting his eyes at him.

Halford couldn't believe what he heard. Blair couldn't have the same feelings for him, she was just far too distinctive and radiant. It gave his chest butterflies, he smiled at Abe the best he could and nodded his head.