Picking Petals:

Chapter 5: A Violet Haze

"She's waking up," a heard a hushed voice above me but the lights were too bright, it took a couple of seconds to realize who was speaking. At the end of my bed was the Prince, staring at me as if I was an intruder. I looked to my left and watched Berella rush to my side, she looked like she hadn't slept in days. Her usual glowing skin was drained of all color and her eyes were bloodshot.

  "You're alive," I muttered in satisfaction. My memory was still struggling to keep up but i did remember saving his royal ass.

   "So are you," but there was no humor in his voice.

   "She didn't meant that, she's sorry your highnes," Berella stuttured. "She has a bad sense of humor," Berella said apologetically.

   "Dont apologize," I said in disgust.

   "Nadia," she scolded me. "Do you know who that is?"

   "I'm well aware. How long have I been out?" I asked trying to sit up but instead winced in pain as my body failed me.

   "Only a day," the Prince said. "You know what you did was stupid. right?"

  "Um, I think you owe me a thank you, I saved your life," I reminded him.

   His violet eyes swelled with irritation, "I had it, I was fine," he snapped.

   "I don't mean to be rude Prince Rone but she just woke up, we shouldn't be arguing with her. She still needs to rest," Berella scolded looking up at the Prince.

   He looked at Berella and then back at me, "When she gets better the Queen would like to talk to her."

   A lump formed in my throat, "Why?" I asked. "I can speak to her now," I said trying to sit up, even though it felt like a dagger twisting inside of my stomach. I checked and my wounds were visibly healed my body still felt sore and weak.

   Berella put a hand on my shoulder, "You really shouldn't be getting up," she argued. "You used a lot of magic last night."

   "Berella please stop," I knew she meant well but if anything, she was stressing me out even more. "I'm fine, I promise," I assured her.

   Rone had a sly smirk on his face, "You're a tough one, aren't you?"

   I picked up my sword and put it behind my back and looked up at the smug prince. "If I wasn't there you would be Demon food," I said pushing past him.

   "Where do you think you're going? That's not the way to the Queen's study," Rone said, an amusing look forming in his eyes.

I stopped in my tracks and moved aside so he could lead the way, "I'll see you tonight," I said giving Berellas hand a small squeeze.

   I followed Rone down the hallway, leaving Berella alone in the room alone. I couldn't believe I had just slept in a palace, I didn't get to see much but it was a room fit for a princess. The sheets were the softest of fabric and the chandeliers were just as big as the ballrooms.

"I don't believe we got to speak last night but you looked beautiful." Prince Rone didn't look to bad himself last night but i liked what he wore today much better. The long black coat he wore made him look older unlike his royal attire. I studied the prince, he walked with a certain grace, his steps not making a sound in these echoing halls. I couldn't say the same for myself. The prince wa probably raised in all things edicate and mannerism. "Ive never seen you out of your Trax attire.

   I frowned, "We've never met?"

   "True, I probably sound like a creep, but as a little boy I would always run off to watch the recruits train. My mother never let me beyond those walls and I wasn't allowed to join the Trax so I taught myself by watching you guys. I would watch you take anyone down, big, small, girl, boy. I've even once seen you fight a grown man. I'm sure he was humiliated."