Burden Ridge

Punishment

"What is wrong with you, Ayeth?!" Jaymes screams immediately as we get to my room, he didn't care that the forest boy was sitting down on my bed. "You are just so ready to get yourself killed, just to prove a point!" Jaymes' words hurt, as though he stabbed me with the dagger that he holds. Tears flooded my eyes like a dam exploding. The room seemed to spin, and now that I sat on the dressing bench, I realized how bad my feet hurt. James continued to rant, despite my sobs and cries. The world could be crashing around me, and I wouldn't care less. I'd let the world devour me until there was nothing left.

I have never done well with stress, it started when my father was executed in Odelia for attempting to spill poison in the Queen's glass. Then, my mother,three days later. She was found with an arrow in her skull, and in her lap was nothing but an unidentified human heart and the Burden Ridge dagger.

"Ayeth, are you even listening to me?!" James screams, louder this time. He is coming near me and I flinch, closing my eyes and protecting myself with my arms shielding my face. It goes quiet for a moment and I move my arms to see Jaymes' expression grew softer. "Jesus, Ayeth, I'm not going to hurt you." He says rubbing his hand over his face and sitting next to me. He pulls my arms down and kisses the top of my head. I let my body go limp in his arms and I sit there, waiting for Jaymes' next words.

"So this is awkward," The woodland man announces. I look at him and he puts his hands up defensively "Sorry." he says and looks at the floor. His hair falls down into his defeated face.

I let out a long sigh, and stand up, wincing at my foot, and lift that one up, keeping weight off it. The man from the woods offered his hand and gave me a slight smile. I reached behind me and grabbed Jaymes'.

"What's your name?" I ask, and his head perks up.

"Dane, My lady," He says with a small smirk. "And, it is to my understanding, you're Princess Ayeth," Dane says walking near me, Jaymes tenses up and stands in front of me.

"I think it is best for you to get cleaned up," Jaymes ushers Dane to find a maid, to get him cleaned. "And for you, my girl, to rest." I look at him and give him a slight glare.

"Get Meriall." Dane gave me a strange look and looked to Jaymes.

"I'll get her," He says standing up and walking near my door, "If you touch her, I'll kill you." And with that, he left.

Dane scooted closer and gave me a sour look. His hair falling in his face. His build was strong and I couldn't help but stare at the muscles that barely where hidden by his uniform.

"What?" I ask as he looks at my foot, which now the bandages are falling off.

"Well, I guess, just, thank you," He awkwardly laughed a little "You really-"

"Princess!" Meriall calls, opening the door and running in, to my side. "Dear, you look exhausted." Meriall purses her lips and glances at Dane, making a little shriek she backed away. He hands fly up and she looks at him the most disgusted look I have ever seen.

"Hey." Dane calmly greets as Meriall looks between myself and Jaymes.

I felt my consciousness come back first, so I didn't open my eyes. I can hear them talking about Dane as though he isn't even a person.

"-Do you think we can trust him?"

"No, I am afraid not, not till we know his motive." I hear Meriall say.

"What about, Ayeth, you know she won't allow anything to happen to him," I opened my eyes slightly, to see them both sitting down on the dressing bench, Jaymes' hands clasped together, and his dark hair covering his grey eyes. Meriall now looked older than ever, her white hair sat in a ball at the top of her head and her aging really started to show. "She has too big of a heart." I watch Meriall nod in agreement.

"Poor girl," she said standing up and coming closer near me. I shut my eyes as she brushes her hand on my hair. "Been through so much, in the past four days."

"What are we going to do about that boy?" Jaymes questions, his voice sounding exhausted, I know how bad these past two days have been for me, so it must be the same for him.

"I would like the Princess to have a say in the matter," She sighed "I best leave. I will watch over the boy." I hear the clicking of Meriall's heels leaving the room, and shutting the door behind her. Then, Jaymes gets up and walks toward me. I close my eyes all the way as he sits on the corner of my bed. He traces his finger along my cheek and I hear his voice break.

"What are we gonna do?" He questions to no one in particular but himself. 

Hello, Author here. Um....Thank you for 100 reads! Holy crap, I never thought we'd get here. Thank you! Thanks for reading!

Happy Reading everyone -MayaEverlast