alive ↠ hs

.31

Harry's POV

I watched as James practically dragged Saige from my room, my shirt clinging to her body.

After she left, I stayed sitting in the spot he left me, thinking of a solution to our problem. Trying to think of a way to save us. Saige and I both thought that James was bluffing, just scaring her in an attempt to try to control her.

If there's something him and I both know is that you can't control Saige Frey.

I wanted to be with her, I wanted to comfort her, I wanted to live out my days by her side. But I didn't want to put her in danger.

After I showered and picked Saige's dress off the floor, I glanced out the window, finding James standing in front of the building before coming inside.

I heard his footsteps near as he knocked on the door. I hesitantly opened it, only enough for me to meet his eyes. 

"May I come in?"

"I don't see why I should let you in."

He laughed, the sound echoing down the hallway. He suddenly shoved opened the door, making me stumble backwards. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

"Now Harry, you've been here a while, you know how it works here," he said to me. "You know what happens when someone disobeys my orders."

I crossed my arms over my chest, not looking at him. "You know that Saige won't carry on whatever you think you're doing here."

He smiled at me, making my stomach flip. "She's everything you can't control."

James laughed again, the sound making me shiver. "She will obey me. You don't have to worry about that."

I rolled my eyes, looking down at my feet. 

"One thing you have to worry about is her well-being."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"A little shock to that pretty little head of hers, she won't even remember your name, much less what you two share," he said to me. "I told Saige to stay away from you, she didn't listen, now, it's your chance to listen. Stay away from her or I'll kill her friend and make sure she never recognizes your face again. Your choice, Soldier."

My mouth nearly fell  open in shock as I met his eyes, balling my hands into fists. "You're an asshole."

He set a hand on my shoulder as I tensed. "I'm just making sure that my people survive, you know what that's like, yeah?"

"Yeah." I huffed as he exited.

I couldn't let him hurt Saige, much less turn her into someone like him. I had to get her out of here. It would be easier to get her out than let her go through this torture.

Asher would help me. Some of the servants will help. I could get her out of here. I could do it.

Saige's POV

Asher held me tightly in his arms as I cried softly, my face digging into his chest.

"What did he say?" Asher asked me softly, his fingers threading through my hair.

I sniffled, sitting up. "He say if he caught Harry and I together, he'd kill him."

"Why does it matter whether you're with Harry or not?" Asher asked. "You don't need to marry someone to lead."

"I don't understand, if they need me to be utterly in love with whoever their successor is, why can't Harry be the prince?"

Asher shrugged. "What are we going to do?"

"They had cameras outside, aiming into his apartment," I said quietly to him. "They're probably watching us."

Asher's face paled as he looked around the room. "Does that mean they've seen me naked?"

I laughed, shoving him with my elbow. He smiled, wrapping an arm around me as he kissed my head.

Later that day, I ran into Harry by the town hall. Literally ran into him. Again.

His hands held my arms, keeping me from falling. I pulled a smile, "we have got to stop meeting like this."

His smiled dropped as I looked up at him, struggling to see his beautiful clover eyes. Something was wrong.

"Harry?" I asked as he looked away from me. "What is it?"

He looked up at me, biting his lip. "I think we should stop seeing other, for real this time."

My heart fell to my feet as my breath caught in my throat. "What?"

His hands fell to his side as he looked away from me. "It would be for the best. You should marry Jay."

"Harry, whatever you're thinking, it's n-"

"No, Saige, I'm serious," he spoke harshly to me. "I can't get into any more trouble because of you."

I took a step back as my face became wet with tears. "How could you do this?"

Harry didn't say something, he just ran a hand through his hair. "You told me you loved me, was that a lie?"

He looked up at me, his usual love-filled eyes now void of emotion, possessing a darker color. "I don't love you. I didn't love you. I won't love you."

I nearly collapsed at his words. I nodded. "Okay, yeah, I get it."

I turned around and quickly moved away from him, needing space to breathe. As I rounded a corner, I pressed me back against the wall, tears engulfing me.

Harry's POV

As I reached the stairs to my apartment, my knees gave out under the heavy weight. Probably the heavy weight of my heart.

I can't believe I said that to her. I can't believe I did that. I shouldn't have done that. I turned around, heading back down the stairs with the goal to apologize and explain to her what James made me do.

I stopped. I couldn't. I had to protect her. This is how I protect her. Even if it means breaking her heart. Even if it means breaking mine.

I sat on the stairs, my fingers tightly knotted in my hair as sobs racked my body.