To Love Someone

chapter 35

Myrcella was gone, and part of him felt sad. Sad that he couldn't give her what she wanted, and that he couldn't be what she wanted him to be. She was his friend, no matter what.

He had offered her a lot of  money which she had refused. She said she was going to Wessex, and he had wished her good luck. He sighed and rubbed the bridge between his eyes. He couldn't love her the way she wanted him to. His heart belonged to another, his love was reserved for April.

Ian walked to the window and gazed out. It had finally stopped snowing some days ago, and it was fairly warm. He saw April leaving the orchid. She went there everyday, same time. He was happy that she had gotten over everything that had happened. Some of the color was returning to her cheeks. She looked alive once again. Maybe it was her visiting Arla that helped. But whatever it was, he was grateful. And though it felt like she had been avoiding him ever since she saw him and Myrcella in their passionate embrace, it did not matter. All that mattered was that she was alive and well.

He turned away from the window and took the letter he had received from Mercia just that day. The letter was from King Tudor. He was pleased that his daughter was alright, and he wanted to see her soon. He dropped the letter and slumped into his chair and closed his eyes. Ian just sat there not knowing how long he sat.

The doors suddenly burst open and Ryan ran in breathing heavily, "She is leaving."

Ian was instantly on his feet. "Who is leaving? Godammit, answer me man, who is leaving?"

"Queen Judith."

Ian sat back down, "I know. And you are telling me this because?"

Ryan glared at him, "Your wife is leaving with her," he said blankly.

"What!" Ian roared as he jumped to his feet. "Why the hell didn't you say so!" He ran out of the building and quickly saddled his horse.

"Idiot, I told you," Ryan mumbled as he followed Ian out.

Ian swung himself on his horse and galloped down the road nearly trampling people in his path. He could see the coach far away and crouched down low on his horse and urged it to go faster. His muscles were tensed as the coach came closer.

How could she be leaving when he saw her some minutes ago? Was she really going to leave like that? Without telling him? He ran ahead of the coach and blocked the road with his horse, making the coach jerk to a stop.

He jumped off the horse and stomped to them.

******

April sat opposite Judith in the coach.

"I can't wait to get home. I miss Andrew, even though I hate his mother," Judith said and April laughed.

"You aren't supposed to hate."

"Look who's talking," Judith remarked and they both laughed. It was nice to see April smiling once again. Happy, like she was before the ... unfortunate incident. The coach rocked them both and Judith looked out the window, "I'll miss Alba, it was ... a nice place."

"Nice? That's all you can say about it?" April asked outraged and Judith smiled. They heard hooves approaching, and the coach rolled to a sudden stop.

"Are we being hijacked?" Judith asked, her eyes wide.

April scoffed, "No. No one would dare with all the guards you have with you."

"Well then let's see what the hold up is," Judith said reaching for the door, but it swung open before she could touch it and she screamed and moved back. "Ian?"