Still Nikita's POV
“So do we still need to travel to the different villages?” Samuel asked as he strapped on the case.
“Yes. I need time away from the castle or I will go insane. What is that?” I pointed to smoke in the air nearby a tent.
“Probably someone overcooked their food.” Samuel wrapped his hands around my waist to lift me onto my white horse. I crossed my legs and shifted more onto the saddle as the smoke came closer. I gasped as people started attacking the guards.
“Go!” Someone slapped my horse, making it run as fast as it could.
“Wait. Stop.” I tried tugging at the reins, ducking down to avoid the wind. It made no difference. I turned in time to see the sword raise for a killing blow. I hid my face in my arm, unsure of who it was. What if I was right and Samuel had just been murdered?
“Stop!” I screamed after an hour of the horse simply galloping wildly. It jerked to a stop, sending me flying off the saddle. I looked up and panted as the horse walked over and nudged me with its nose. “I need…to rest.” I felt my head droop and eventually things started blurring and echoing.
I saw feet walk up slowly before everything went black.
Eric
“Stay still, you fool.” I pushed him down again, continuing to clean out his wound with a damp cloth.
“She has not moved.”
“She will. Stop moving or it this will hurt a lot more.”
She moaned and mumbled about her head hurting, covering her eyes.
“Ah, there you are. You have been out cold for nearly an entire evening’s time. Water?” I offered, holding the canteen out to her.
She sipped at it, looking around, obviously confused. “What happened? Why am I here?” she asked, sitting up.
“Well, you hit your head, princess. Pretty hard judging by the wound on your head. We think you fell off your horse. She came up to the town without a rider and then reports came in of a girl lying on the ground about three miles in.” I explained, stirring the soup.
“Are you alright, princess?” the boy asked, sitting next to her.
“Where is Samuel?” She looked up at him innocently then to me when he didn’t answer.
“Uh, do not worry about that now. You should rest, Nikki. We have all had a long day.” I gestured to one of the tents, holding the flap open for her.
“Where is Samuel?” she repeated, glaring now.
I sighed and threw my hands up. “Fine. He is still in the town.”
“Then bring him here. It is not that hard to assume I would want him here, is it?”
“That is not an easy task at the moment, my darling. He is wounded. An arrow struck him in the chest, near his heart. Healers are working on him but we do not know if he will make it or not.” I cleared my throat and peeked up at her, my heart breaking when I saw the look in her eyes.
“Take me to him.” she demanded, standing up.
“No. You are wounded as well. You are staying here.” I folded my arms across my chest and shook my head when she started for her horse.
“I am your soon queen. When I say to do something, you do it without hesitation. Take. Me. To. Him.” She waited by her horse, hands on her hips.
I stared at her in shock, eyes wide. “What happened to you?”
“They wanted me to be a queen. I am simply obeying my father. Now, where is he?”
I hoisted her onto Leara, biting my lip nervously. I grabbed the reins and started leading them toward the town, gesturing at her to pull the hood of her cloak up. She did, immediately hiding her face. A few locks of blond hair peeked out, landing near her stomach. I brought them to the tent where Samuel was being kept and helped her off the horse.
She turned to me, giving me a serious stare when I smiled.
“Wait here for me. Make sure no one enters or overhears. You know the price if you let me down.”
Nikita
“Leave. All of you.” I commanded at the healers, trying to avoid looking at Samuel.
“We have been ordered by the king’s men to heal this man. We are doing so.”
“Well now you are ordered by the king’s daughter to leave.” I brushed my hood down, revealing my face.
They all gasped and bowed. “I beg your forgiveness, my lady. We shall leave now.” They all hurried out, heads down.
I finally glanced down at him, gasping. His entire chest was wrapped, a red stain on the bandage. His shirt was on the floor next to his bed. I sat down near him, feeling tears well up in my eyes. I leaned forward to whisper into his ear.
“You cannot leave me, Samuel. I need you. More than you know.” I pulled back, taking his hand in both of mine. He made no movement, remaining a statue except for his chest moving with his labored breathing. I closed my eyes as I kissed his cheek, hearing my tears fall into his bandage. I felt his fingers tighten in mine. I jerked upright, staring down at him.
“Nikita.” he whispered, his eyes slowly opening.
“Oh Samuel.” Without thinking, I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around him.
He groaned and I immediately jumped back, apologizing.
“It’s fine. I have to tell you something. I don’t think I’m going to last long. But before I do go, you need to know that I love-” I broke him by shaking my head and covering his mouth.
“Don’t you dare talk like that. You are not dying on me. You have been through so much worse than an arrow, Samuel.”
“Even if I live, I will always have the shame of knowing I was a fool yesterday. I should have paid attention. I could have stopped the attack if I had simply opened my eyes.” He balled his hands into a fist, pausing when I opened them up.
“Everyone makes mistakes. You have a choice of staying in the past with yours or moving on and living your life. You have realized your mistake. Are you going to forgive yourself or dwell on things that could have been but will never be?”
“You truly are becoming a queen.” he muttered, smiling a crooked smile. His eyes started drooping as his breath slowed.
“No. Samuel, stay with me.” I cradled his face in my hands, moving onto the bed. His hand came up to wrap around mine as his eyes shut. “Samuel! You cannot do this to me. Not now.” I felt tears roll down my cheeks endlessly as his chest froze. I let out a sob as I slumped against him, letting my trembling hands fall onto his chest. “You can’t leave me. I need you here.” I whispered, voice breaking as I looked up at him. “I need you with me. I need you.”
