The Perfect Kingdom

Chapter 8

Jessica's eyes struggled to open, but she felt calmer once she took in the light of the morning sun. Despite what seemed like overwhelming odds, the next day still came. She felt someone holding on to her and turned to see Gwen, whose arm was wrapped protectively around her waist. She could see red hair behind Gwen and sighed with relief. She did something worthwhile the previous night. She managed to save someone's life.

She looked around the room and locked eyes with Shane, who was staring at her with unwavering green eyes as he sat at the desk. He had dark bags under his eyes and he looked tired. She remembered his last words to her and then gently extricated herself from Gwen. She stood up from the bed and walked towards him. She stopped a few steps before him, taking in the sight of his face with a smile.

"Good morning, Shane," she breathed out, hoping that he wasn't part of her imagination. He was all she could think of the previous night. She had wished he could be with her, then he really did appear to save her, and now he was right in front of her.

Shane continued to look at her as though he was questioning her existence as well, before he launched himself forward and embraced her tightly.

"You're safe, Jessica..." he whispered, his voice cracking with fear and longing.

"Shane..." she replied, tears threatening to fall.

His arms were tight around her, but it was comfortable: he was warm, he was safety. She felt herself melt in his arms as she pressed her forehead against his shoulder and allowed her legs to slacken. Shane obliged and carried her weight for her.

"You're safe..." he repeated, as if to assure himself. "I was so worried about you."

"I was so scared..." Jessica whimpered. "It... It was so real. I thought..."

"I know, I can't even begin to imagine how it must have felt for you," Shane sympathised

With that, Jessica knew he completely understood and allowed herself to give in to her emotions. The tears fell freely as she cried into his chest. Shane gently brushed her hair back from her face and patted her back soothingly.

"You're safe now. I will never let you be in such a situation again," Shane promised, his voice breaking with gentle sobs.

She felt as if she emptied her tear ducts after crying until there was nothing left but hitched breaths. She eventually calmed down and managed to breath slowly, though her eyes were red and her face wet. Shane gave a small chuckle at her appearance and broke away from her momentarily to reach for a towel before re-joining her and wiping her face clean.

"There, it pains me to see a lady cry, especially one as beautiful as you," Shane smiled.

"Thanks, Shane," Jessica whispered, grateful for everything.

He threw the towel aside and picked her up by her knees and back in a cradle before sitting down at the chair and placing her on his lap. He gave her a comforting smile and looked pleadingly in her eyes.

"Tell me what happened, please?"

Jessica's mind recollected the entire night's events and her body tensed from the trauma. Shane took her hands and comfortingly rubbed them.

"Please, Jessica. You'll feel better talking about it instead of keeping it all inside."

She looked into his beautiful green eyes that held peace and serenity and knew he was speaking the truth.

"Everything?"

"Everything," Shane nodded. "Start from when Maven took you away."

Jessica took a deep breath.