Present Day
Fire roaring, people screaming, a girl staring into her parent's eyes as they slowly, miserably, burned to death.
Jesika woke up with a start, panting, and in a cold sweat. She wiped her forehead, trying to catch a deep breath. Once she was able to get her breathing under control, she slowly stood. She made her way across her room to her closet, pulling out her favorite tunic and her fur coat. She quickly changed, then grabbed her belt with the quiver attached to it and her bow and arrows.
She then quietly left her room, walking until she found the large castle field. She approached one of the targets for shooting practice. She stood several feet away from it and readied her aim. She shot at it repeatedly with her bow as she continued to step farther away from it, always getting dead center. Her jaw was clenched, her heart aching the way it had for years.
Suddenly she heard leaves crunching behind her. She turned and shot swiftly, narrowly missing her friend and bodyguard, Darryn. He deftly dodged it, letting out a relieved breath, before giving Jesika a wary grin.
"It's a good thing my reflexes are at least ALMOST as fast as yours," he said, straightening.
Jesika sighed, her body relaxing at the sight of him. "Don't creep up on someone like that this late at night," she replied, going to retrieve her arrows.
"And what are you doing up this late at night?" he asked.
She stood and looked at him once she had picked up her last arrow. "What does it look like? I was doing target practice."
Darryn nodded, stepping closer. He leveled a knowing gaze at her that always made her squirm. "Couldn't sleep?" he asked gently.
Jesika averted her gaze, her cheeks coloring. "Maybe."
"Another nightmare?"
Jesika grunted, looking at him once again. She crossed her arms, giving him a warning glare. "I don't want to talk about it, Darryn."
He stared silently at her for a moment, then sighed, shrugging. "Alright. Then we won't. But you really should try and get some sleep."
Jesika shook her head. "You know I can't," she said, lowering her voice.
He looked at her, his expression pained. Hesitantly, he spoke: "Then I'll stay with you until you do."
Jesika's face started burning like the fire from her dream. She lowered her gaze in hopes he wouldn't notice. "Are you sure—"
"Anything for my future queen," he quickly said.
She nodded, still not able to look at him. He reached out his hand, but she ignored it, starting back.
"Thanks, but I know my own way back, if you don't mind. Don't need you to guide me."
He chuckled quietly behind her as he began to follow her. "Of course, Your Highness."
***
Darryn groaned and leaned his head back against the princess' wall. He sat across the room from where she lay in a shallow sleep. Being with her like this, late at night, brought back so many memories. Painful, confusing, frustrating memories. It was going to be a long night.
***
The next day, Darryn was in the field, sparring with his childhood friend, Aquila. She was one of the best soldiers in the army, second only to Jesika when it came to the female soldiers. To make matters worse, she knew every single one of his weak spots.
