Sovereign Love | Reign (completed)

Chapter 15

The first three months of Marie's life went by so fast. A time that should have been filled with joy and love was instead filled with darkness and loneliness. Charles had become unusually posessive over Delara and their child, always wanting to know their whereabouts. At first she thought it was simply because she had just given birth and Marie was his one and, for the time being only, child. However, as time went on she became more suspicious and nervous at the true motive behind Charles's sudden peak of interest. His constant mood swings didn't help either. One moment he could be happily chatting with Delara at the dinner table, and the next he could be slamming plates across the walls.

On a cold winters night, when Delara was in the nursery putting Marie to bed, the door suddenly opened in a quick motion. She turned around, still cradling her sleepy three month old in her arms, and her jaw dropped at the sight before her.

"I dont have time to explain, we need to go now" the familiar stranger exclaimed.

He walked over to her and lightly grabbed her arm, motioning for her to follow him. Delara, still in shock, obeyed. As she followed him down the dimly lit hallway she could smell a mixture of greenery and cinnamon, a scent that was now nostalgic to her. She hadn't smelled that winsome smell in such a long time. Her mind was racing. Why was he back? Why did he seem so scared? Did he return because he simply missed her? No, that mustn't be it. He was ushering her away, in the middle of the night, with her baby. As they approached a door, at the end of a secret passageway in the castle, she realized what was happening. They were fleeing. Before they were to go any further, she needed answers.

"Where are you taking me? Whats wrong?" Delara asked , growing impatient and anxious.

"I told you, we have to go. I'll explain when were far enough away." He replied.

He tried to nudge her forward but the girl wouldn't oblige.

"Bash, i am the queen of two nations- you cant just whisk me away in the middle of the night and not tell me whats going on" Delara said.

"Fine... A soldier informed me a couple of days ago that Charles was planning on having you assassinated in a staged attempted coup" Bash explained.

Delara's heart dropped.

"What? Why?" She asked.

"Apparently its because he wants a male heir. But there's been talk... people are starting to think he's going mad" Bash explained.

"Anyways, we have to go, i have everything you and Marie need, we just need to get to the port and set sail for Spain, You'll be safe there, trust me. The king has assured it. He said he would welcome you but not if it seemed as though he orchestrated your escape. Now come on." Bash stated and pulled Delara along with him, and this time she went willingly.

They walked into a forest, until they reached two horses. One of them was mounted while the man on top of it was holding the reins of the other in attempt to keep it in its place. In front of the saddle on the empty horse was another saddle, although it seemed much smaller and firmer, with straps.

"Quickly, put the baby on the front saddle. I'll ride with her. You get on the other one, with Marco- he's a soldier from the Spanish Kings Army." Bash ordered.

"But, is it safe? She's barely three months old!" Delara asked worriedly.

"Do you trust me?" Bash asked.

Delara looked into his eyes for a couple of seconds. It amazed her at how the blue in them never seemed to dull, even at nightfall and while he was under extreme strain. The truth was, she trusted Bash with every inch of her being. She would do anything for him. Delara nodded and handed the baby over to Bash. He held her in one arm while he helped Delara mount her horse with his other arm. Briskly, he hopped onto his horse and secured Maria in the saddle, which now slightly resembled a bag. Bash then motioned for the soldier, named Marco, to urge his horse to move. Delara held on to Marco, and after a couple of seconds the four of them were galloping into the forest, fear urgency filling the atmosphere.