The Bloody Rose

Chapter Nine

"You look exhausted. Are you sure you want to go train?" Rhys asked me as I headed to the training room.

"Yeah," I nodded. I've only been Alexis's guard for a week but I swear this drains me more than fighting. I think it's because I'm around so many humans.

"I'll see you at dinner okay," Rhys was going on an assignment.

"See you," I smiled as he jogged down the stairs. I opened the door to the training room. I had asked Otis to meet me here so we could go over some hand-to-hand combat. I bunched my hair up into a messy bun. We started off light when the doors crashed open.

"Destiny! Come quickly!" Rhys gestured for me to follow him. I looked at Otis who shrugged. I dashed after Rhys.

"What's going on?" I asked him.

"You'll see," we came to a stop at the main doors of the palace. I came to a screeching stop and covered my mouth with my hands, muffling a strangled scream.

"Eve!" I ran to her side and knelt down besides her. I caressed her hair, tears forming in my eyes. She looked horrible. Blood covered her bodice and her pale complexion looked almost albino. "Who did this to you."

She opened her mouth as if to say something.

"Please tell me," I held onto her hand.

Her mouth formed words but no sound came out.

"Where's Gwen!" I shouted. Tears flowed openly from my eyes, dripping onto her blood-hardened dress. People rushed around us until finally Gwen was beside me. 

"Oh no," she muttered. She scooped Eve up in her arms and carried her towards the stairs. I followed her quickly as she took her up to a spare bedroom. 

"Is she going to be okay?" I asked Gwen.

"She'll be fine if I have anything to do with it," I said gruffly.

"What could've done this?" I watched as she tore part of Eve's dress to reveal the wound.

"Silver," she said softly.

"Silver! Who would do such a thing?" I exclaimed.

"Do you know who she was protecting?" she cleaned out the wound and bandaged it.

"No," I shook my head. Gwen hovered her hand over Eve's head and whispered some words under her breath. 

"She'll rest now. Don't worry," Gwen stood up, looking exhausted.

"Thank you," I breathed. Gwen left and I stayed with Eve. I don't know how long she was sleeping for. Rhys came in at around dinner time.

"Hey," he whispered.

"Hi," I replied. My voice sounded hoarse.

"How are you holding up?" he sat down besides me.

"I'm okay," I said.

"Is she going to be okay?" he asked.

"Gwen said she would be," I nodded.

"Are you going to stay here all night?" he took my hand in his. 

"Yeah. I don't want to leave her," I sighed.

"Make sure you get some sleep," he stood up and kissed my forehead. I felt my cheeks heat up. 

"I will," my voice was barely audible. A little while after he left I rested my head on the bed besides her. I let my eyes droop and I fell asleep. 

"Destiny," a hand stroked my hair, "Des."

"Hmm?" I picked up my head an blinked a couple times. Eve was looking at me with a smile speed across her face. I jerked myself up. "Eve!"