Nikita
I opened my eyes, looking into a black shirt. I tilted my head back to see Samuel sleeping, his head turned away.
I silently sat up and looked around, panicking. My biggest concern was if daddy was ok. Did he make it through the night? I knew I would never be able to slip past Samuel.
I bit my lip as my eyes locked on a bracelet. I grabbed a washcloth I found on my nightstand and used the two to chain one of his hands to the bed. He’d break it in a second but it would still make him pause.
I dashed to the door.
“Nikita!” he yelled, going to sit up. By the time he’d gotten out of the bracelet, I was in daddy’s room.
He was on the bed, breathing. I ran over to him, tears springing into my eyes.
“Nikita.” Samuel sighed, coming in as I sank down next to the bed. I looked up at him, tears resurfacing. “I am so sorry. Please do not make this more difficult than needed.” He held out his hand, smiling sadly.
“Can I just have a few minutes with him? I promise I will be good.” I let him pull me up then turned for my father. “Sorry, daddy. I was too weak and fragile and it nearly killed you. I won’t make that mistake again.” I promised, kissing his forehead. Then I let Samuel lead me out.
“Do you want something to eat?” he asked, looking down at our intertwined fingers and hesitantly pulling his hand away.
“No. I want Hilary.” I paused by her door and pushed it open.
“Ah, there you are. What are you doing?” Nathaniel asked, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from the room.
“What are you doing?” I parroted, whining in his grip.
“I think we should go. Hilary is in the kitchen, Nikita.” Samuel lightly tugged me away from Nathaniel, starting down the stairs.
“I am not done with her yet. I need to know what the exact date of the wedding is.” Nathaniel followed us.
I spun around, gasping. “My father is nearly dead and you are thinking about the stupid wedding?!” I shouted, slapping him.
“Nikita.” Samuel reached for me just as Nathaniel grabbed my arms tightly, probably drawing blood.
“You do not touch me! Ever! You hear me? I am the future king of Alinity and you are not allowed to lay a single finger on me or I will have you hung!”
I whimpered in his grip, almost inaudibly. Samuel heard it though.
“You are breaching your rights. Let her go.” he warned, a low growl in his voice.
“And if I don’t?” Nathaniel challenged, digging his fingers in deeper.
“Then I have the right to kill you for harming the princess. You are not king yet.” Samuel pulled me away from Nathaniel, wrapping his arm around my waist and half pushing me behind him. I stared at him in fascination.
“When I am king, the first person I am getting rid of is you.” Nathaniel stormed up the stairs, snarling.
I smiled into Samuel’s shoulder, playing with my hair.
“Are you alright? Did he hurt you?” he asked, tilting my chin up and examining every inch of my body, twisting me this way and that.
“I am fine. Maybe a few bruises on my arm but nothing I cannot handle. Thank you.” I whispered, reaching up to kiss his cheek. I stayed on my toes, looking into his eyes.
“It is my job, princess. Do you still want to see Hilary?” he asked, hesitantly stroking a lock of my hair away from my face.
I closed my eyes and leaned in.
“Did someone say my name?” Hilary asked, clearing her throat. I turned to see her with her hands on her hips, smiling knowingly as I blushed.
“Hilly.” I walked down the rest of the stairs and into her arms.
“Come. You have not eaten yet. And you can tell me why you and Samuel, the guard and not the man you are to wed, were holding hands.” she whispered to me, pulling me into the kitchen.
Samuel followed closely. I took the banana bread from June with a smile. She set a plate of eggs and toast in front of me, kissing my head as she placed a tall pitcher of water with ice and three cups down on the table.
“Samuel would you like some eggs and toast or are you hungry for something else?” June asked, smiling.
“Eggs will be fine.” He sat next to me, glancing at the staircase as Nathaniel came downstairs.
Samuel growled low in his throat. Nathaniel walked passed us, into another room.
In between bites, I told Hilary of Samuel’s dramatic rescue.
“Yes, our Samuel sure likes saving you. Twice in one week.” Hilary laughed, winking.
My eyes widened as I shook my head. Samuel and I? No. That’s forbidden.
“It is my job.” he reminded us, giving us a look as he saw our little silent conversation.
She was quietly insisting I liked him and I was denying it.
“So Samuel. Do you have a wife? Any children?” Hilary asked, looking at me directly as she said it.
“Um, I have been training to be a knight since I was could walk. I devoted most of my time to that. I am therefore single.” He shrugged and glanced at her weirdly, spotting her little hints.
“Do you want to have a wife and children?” Hilary jumped as I kicked her leg under the table. She simply crossed it over the other and ignored me as Samuel stuttered.
“Um…sure. One day. Why do you ask, if you do not mind telling me?” He followed her gaze to me then his eyes widened and he looked away awkwardly.
“Don’t mind my sister. She is nothing but lonely so she likes to pressure other people to marry so she can feel satisfied.” I snapped at her, glaring.
“Not true. Do you feel you are ready for a relationship?” Hilary turned to Samuel, smiling.
“You do not have to answer that. Hilary. Stop.” I whispered, pleading with my eyes. Now she decides to be ruthless.
“Do not pay any attention to my sibling. Are you ready or not?” Hilary repeated, leaning forward.
“I-I-I-I do-don’t know. Um…next question?” he stammered, panicking.
“Ok then. If you had a child what gender would you want it to be?”
Samuel
“I am so sorry, Samuel.” She sat on the bed, eyes wide.
I straightened with a jerk as she went blank, slumping forward. I caught her before she could fall.
“What do you see?” I asked, kneeling in front of her and supporting her.
“Nathaniel. I’m kissing him. Only…he is holding a dagger against my back.” she whispered, shaking her head. Then she jumped and tears formed in her distant eyes. She started trembling.
“What happened?” I gasped as she dropped forward, eyes shutting.
“He killed me.” Her eyes flickered back open as she slowly sat up.
“I will not let that happen.” I promised, taking her hands in mine.
She looked down into my eyes, smiling. “I know you will do everything in your power to save me. The future is not set in stone. Under my circumstances, I dearly hope mine can be changed.”
Quick Author's Note:
How do you guys like the story so far? Should I put up more tonight?
