The Badboy Prince Just Can't Resist

Chapter 48- And There Was Damien's  Realization

Annalise
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I took in a deep breath, licking my lips afterward. The shortage of water was causing my mouth to dry and my lips felt like they were about to crack. The small amount of oxygen in the cave caused a tightness in my chest.

I believe it had been about three days since I was in the cave, due to the sleep schedule I tried to place on myself. If I wanted to urinate, I had to sit over a bucket when a clan member would bring water. My uniform smelt like piss and sweat, I felt filthy.

The only tolerable experience I had since being held hostage was their cook. He had snuck into my "cell" and given me a full meal, feeding it to me.

He said he used to be in the kitchen staff for King Demotis, and wanted to pay his respects to me. He believed I should be treated better and promised to return with more food.

I felt as if I was going a little crazy, only having dark walls and shadows to view. I would hear echoes of the clan's men passing by, and I knew something was being planned for my transportation.

Being left with only my thoughts caused me to feel guilty. I wanted to console my mother, whom I knew was in a state of complete panic. I wanted to eat Maria's grits and not stale bread. I wanted to hear Hazalen's laugh, and was wondering what Henry chose to wear today. I wanted to thank Jack for protecting me, and applaud him on our teamwork. But most of all...

I wanted to be in Damien's arms.

Be called, "Sweetheart" or "sweet cheeks".

Watch as a smile on his face forms, and kiss him goodbye.

I understood the situation at hand, that I was probably never going to see my loved ones again. I was about to be transported for unknown reasons, and I was prepared for what was to come. I have to keep a level head at all times, or else I will never be able to return home.

Deltora was my home, Descuvi or not. Henry, Hazalen, mother, Maria, and Damien...

They were my home.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Damien

"This meeting we shall finally be able to plan a corse or action." I announced, rolling up my sleeves.

Everyone looked like shit. Though we eventually held smiles on our faces due to the news, our appearances were fragile.

Hazalen's eyes held dark circles, she obviously wasn't getting the appropriate amount of sleep. Henry arrived without a handkerchief today, so he used a napkin on the table as a replacement for the time being. Jack spoke less during our constant meetings, and Landon was constantly stressed with the control of the Knights' search.

Before the meeting, I took a quick glance in the mirror. My dull eyes were apparent- they looked lifeless and tired. The only thoughts I was able to conjure were of Annalise. Not only the of rescuing her, but how I took our memories for granted.

I worried she was already dead or if she was being tortured. I blamed myself, never listening to her small remarks about the safety of her and the kingdom. The thoughts haunt me, every mere second of the day that her life is in my hands. I'm the reason she was taken, and I'm the only force that can bring her back.

"Promise me you won't leave me. No matter what happens, you will keep fighting. Promise me you'll stay by my side. Please, for me."

I made her promise this to me in the hospital room, yet I was the one whom ended up breaking it. If I lost her the same way I lost my mom, I would never be the same. Annalise makes me feel centered, cherished, and balanced. Her smile could turn my whole day around, and her laugh had me hearing wedding bells. Her soul felt infused with mine, and loosing her meant loosing myself.