Nikita
“She has not awakened yet, my dear. She will when she is ready. She still hit the ground. Thank goodness for that guard or she would have hit her head.” Isabella’s voice tripled and echoed as I tried to open my eyes.
“Yes. Samuel is our hero. Where is he?” Hilary asked as something pressed against my wrist, feeling for a pulse.
“I shall go fetch him for you, princess.” A door shut, the simple click making my head pound.
A few minutes later, another set of footsteps arrived.
“Do you need something, princess?” Samuel’s husky voice turned into thousands as everything spun.
“I just wanted to thank you again, Samuel. And do not give me that look. You really did save her life. You do not realize how fragile she is when she has a vision. A simple butterfly landing on her would nearly kill her. If she had hit her head, she would have died that day. You must understand how grateful I am. If you ever need a favor, you can come to me.”
“Princess, your father wishes to speak to you.” Isabella’s voice was so loud. It was making my head hurt. Why does she have to yell? We were in the same room.
“Stay with her Samuel. In case she wakes up.” Hilary called, again sending the sound louder than necessary.
“So, some first day. I know why June was exaggerating on watching you carefully now...you are a real handful, you know that? I had not even been here two hours and you almost died. I understand why my brother always acts so stressed. He had to deal with wild princesses that never knew when they were in danger. Just do me a favor. Do not walk into a werewolf den. I repeat, do not walk into a werewolf den.” He sighed and sat down on the bed as my eyes fluttered opened.
“I am not that stupid.” I whispered, staring at him.
He turned in shock, eyes widening. “What has taken you so long? We have been waiting for three days now.” He smiled and went to stand up but I grabbed his wrist and shook my head.
“Shh. Do not tell anyone yet.” I shook my head as my eyes started closing again.
“Goodnight princess.”
Hilary
“How is she?” father asked as I sat next to him.
“Her heart beats faintly but she will make it through somehow. She always has.” I felt tears well up, quickly blinking them away before he could see.
“I…I am sorry, Hilary. I never meant to hurt her. You know that right? You two girls are the only things that matter to me. If I ever lost either of you, I do not know what I would do. You with your kindness and Nikita with her fragileness. But both of you have your mother’s core of steel. Promise me you will never let anything happen to Nikita.” he whispered, tears actually running down his cheek.
I got out of my chair and into his lap, hugging him. “I promise, father. I will never let anything happen to her. I shall die before I let her get harmed.” I reassured, rocking us back and forth.
“Is this a bad time?” Nathaniel asked, walking over.
“No, not at all. Darling, go check on your sister.” Father patted my back, giving me a light shove as Nathaniel smiled.
I went upstairs, glaring at him. I went into Nikita’s room to find Samuel looking around the room.
“Hello hero.” I joked, walking over to her. No difference. And she was burning up. “You may leave if you wish. I will take care of her.” I offered, sitting next to her.
“I would rather stay if that is alright with you.” He looked down at Nikita, smiling. Oh no. I knew that look.
“Of course you may.”
Samuel
The sun had barely appeared in the sky when she awoke again. Hilary was sleeping on the other side of the bed.
“Good morning, princess.” I whispered, scooting closer.
“Hi. Thank you.” She smiled and reached her hand out to take mine.
“For what?” I asked, smiling back as I felt my heart race at her simple touch.
“Not telling her. I just...just need a bit more rest and I will be fine. Just…don’t…leave.” Her voice faded away as she fell slack again.
I sighed as I slumped into my chair. This was going to be a long day.
Her eyes finally flickered opened, this time staying that way.
“Are you up for good?” I asked, half asleep.
“Something is wrong. My vision…it is gone. I had it. It was important. It had to do with a knife a-an-and da-dad-daddy and someone…” she cried, sobbing into her pillow.
“It’s ok. The king is heavily guarded. No one shall hurt him. I am going to go get Hilary for you, ok?” I stood up, glancing down when she grabbed my wrist.
“Don’t. You have to help me up.” She gripped my arms and pulled herself up before I could do anything then raced out the door.
“Nikita!” I called, rushing after her.
“No, no, no. You are not allowed in there.” A guard grabbed Nikita by the waist and nearly tossed her back out of the room.
“That is my father in there! Now move out of the way, you stupid oaf!” she yelled, glaring at him. He shot back into the wall, shocking us all.
Nikita ran into the room, gasping. I covered her eyes and tugged her back out. “Are you ok?” I whispered, holding her as Isabella ran in the room. She shook her head, trembling.
“Samuel, get her out of here!” a guard yelled, holding back Hilary.
I slowly dragged a kicking and screaming Nikita back to her room.
“No! No! Take me back there! Let me go! You cannot do this. I am the soon queen of Alinity! I shall have your head on my wall!” she yelled as I slammed the door shut and locked it.
“I am sorry you had to see that but you need to calm down. Just lay back down and take another nap.” I grabbed her when she made another attempt for the door and set her on the bed, holding her there.
“What do you think you are doing? My father could be dead! You lied, you liar! You said he ‘heavily guarded’ and that he would not get hurt! Explain how he’s lying in that room with a knife in his heart. Explain!” she screamed, struggling. I eventually had to grab her wrists, sitting on the bed with her.
“It is ok. He will be ok.” I reassured, almost losing my grip. She stopped and blinked away tears, looking up at me with those big blue eyes.
“Promise?” she whispered, shaking.
I nodded and slowly released her, watching her.
“I want Hilary!” she yelled, folding her arms across her chest.
“Hilary is in her room.” I put my hands on my hips and gave her a look when she pouted.
“Will you stay with me then?” she asked, lying back down.
“Yes.” I reached for the chair when she shook her head. She patted the bed and let out a little sob as she wiped her tears away.
“And there goes my life.” I muttered, stretching out next to her.
She turned and hid her face in my chest. She started crying again, only quieter this time. I rubbed her back and looked up at the ceiling, worried.
Her fingers grabbed hold of my shirt, clinging to the fabric. “Samuel, can I ask you a question?” she murmured, eyes drooping eventually. I nodded slowly, looking down at her. “Why did you stay? I am glad you did but you did not have to. So, why did you?” she asked, meeting my gaze tiredly.
“Because you asked. A good guard always listens to his princess.”
