I looked away as she continued to speak. One of her hands places itself onto my head. "What would I do if you were hurt by a thief?" She almost seemed to ask herself. "Anyways, stay close. When I find the thief that is dumb enough to steal from me, I'll make sure they don't do it again."
My eyes open wide as I stare at the ground. When she finds out, she'll be angry. I'll be locked up, but her hating me is even worse. She's the only person that has cared for me.
Ava gave me a confused look as I start crying. "Ellie? What's wrong? I'm not going to let you get hu..." She pauses, having moved close enough to see the bag behind my back. Ava was silent and I flinched when she raised her hand. I was expecting her to hit me, but instead she put it to my cheek. "That man is doing this to you, isn't he? Ellie, you are to stay here. I'm sending my guards."
I looked up at her and quickly shook my head. All that will accomplish is making them angrier at me. Slowly, I hand the bag back to her and run away. She screams my name and follows me.
As I'm running, my arm is grabbed and I'm pulled into an alley. Ethan pins me to wall, making me whimper lightly in pain. Ava runs by, still screaming for me. "Where is the money?" My eyes shift away from him. "You don't have it?!"
He slammed my head into the wall, warm blood dripping down my cheek along with tears. Ethan's eyes were full of rage as he pulled me towards him. Terrifying thoughts ran through my mind. Just what does he have planned for me? My look turned to confusion when he smiled, gently petting the other side of my head.
"Don't worry, Ellie. I'll pay the debt for you. Of course, I'm not going to do it for free." His hand moved to my right one. Ethan began to try and force my hand into his pants, but I kept resisting. "Come on, you don't really have much of a choice. If you don't make your payment soon, the boss will kill you."
For a moment, I hesitate, and he takes advantage of my weakness. Ethan shoves my hand in and made me feel him. I jerked and tried pulling my hand away only to discover how much stronger than me he is. Ava... help. I don't want to be dirtied by this man. Just as I was about to give in, a sword was placed at his throat.
"I knew you couldn't be trusted. Release Ellie and back away." Ava warned as we both looked at her. When Ethan released my hand, I quickly pulled away. Two knights that stood next to Ava chained Ethan's hands together. "Ellie, come here."
She held me close to her chest. I hid the hand he made me touch him with, starting to feel dirty and unpure. Ava's eyes wondered me examing the blood and the hand I hid.
"Let's get you taken care of." She grabbed my still clean hand, leading me to the castle as Ethan was dragged away. Ava brought me into a bathroom and took each hand in one of hers. I was stuck between her arms. "I know you think your dirty now, but you aren't. Now I'll wash him away. Okay?"
I nodded as she began to wash my hands and the blood. Once done she called a nurse in that bandaged my forehead. My cheeks burned hot red when Ava's lips placed themselves on my bandage.
"We should get you home. I'll make sure to..." Ava paused when I grabbed her with a shakey hand. "Do you want to stay the night?"
I slowly nodded before she led me to her bedroom. She grabbed some pajamas and handed them to me. After grabbing a pair for herself, she told me to get changed while she is in the bathroom.
The clothes are big on me, halfway hanging off one of my shoulders. After a few minutes Ava steps out of the bathroom. Her eyes wonder over to my figure placed next to the window. I'm curled up, examining the town surrounding the castle.
"Ellie, you can take my bed tonight. I'll stay up and protect you." She places a warm hand on my cheek. I shake my head and point to the bed. "You need sleep more than I do. Go ahead."
Nodding, I lay in the bed, not wanting to argue further. She sits in a chair next to the door as my eyes close. I've never been in such a comfortable bed. I practically fell asleep in an instant. And when I woke up, I felt amazing. It was the best sleep I ever had, but Ava wasn't in the bedroom.
Slowly, I leave the bedroom. A guard that stood by the door greets me. "Lady Ellie, the princess is meeting with the prisoner. Shall I take you to breakfast?" He kindly ask, making me jump. I shake my head and walk away. The guard follows quickly. "The princess asked me to keep an eye on you. I do hope you are okay with that."
