The Prophecy

Chapter 14

Josie's POV: I stood in front of my sister protectively as I noticed Hope walking through the door. "Lizzie, I got you a...", she trailed off as she looked into my eyes. "You...", she growled out before her eyes fell onto Lizzie as they widened in what looked like horror. Why would she be horrified? With all the time Lizzie and I spent here, I haven't seen her show one emotion other than annoyance and anger. I watched her gaze darken as she stared back up at me, and slowly closed the bedroom door. "Whatever you have to do, make it quick", she told me firmly.

"Whatever I have to do? Is this some kind of joke or something", I asked her.

"You people took everything from me", she shouted, causing me to flinch as I practically felt Lizzie shaking behind me. "You sent Landon into the castle all those years ago. You had him get me to open up to him. To love him", she shouted as her eyes filled with tears. "And when he killed my mother, I blamed myself for years! I promised myself not to open up to anyone else, and when I do...", she said, choking on her words. "You come in here again and kill my father", she yelled. "And if that wasn't enough, you people are attempting to get rid of my future wife", she said as her face reddened. 

"N-no, you have it all wrong", I said hastily. "W-we aren't...I mean, I didn't...", I stuttered, causing her to frown. "I wasn't here last night. I was down at the party", I explained. "And Lizzie and I have known each other for years. I would never do anything to hurt her", I explained, watching her face closely. "I had nothing to do with any of that. I just found out about the king seconds ago", I exclaimed.

"Then why is she on the floor", she asked. "Why are you here", she demanded as I watched her face harden.

"Because with everything going on, I was scared that you were gonna come after us-Lizzie", I quickly corrected, causing her to look me over suspiciously. 

"Get out", she told me. "If you mean us no harm then get out", she glared, causing me to look back at Lizzie. "Now", she shouted.

"Jo, please...", Lizzie said, looking toward the door. Nodding silently, I bowed my head and quickly left the room as she slammed it behind me.

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Hope's POV: Slamming the door shut, I put the tray down before walking forward to help Lizzie up only for her to flinch away from me, causing me to back away guiltily. "Look, Lizzie. I really am sorry about what I said last night", I told her, causing tears to fill her eyes. 

"Why did you say all those things", she asked me.

"Because...I was afraid", I admitted, watching her shoulders relax. "I was having so much fun last night. I hadn't had that much fun since before my mother died. I just didn't want to make the same mistake again. I didn't want to lose anymore of my family", I explained. "I'm afraid of letting you in. Of getting close to you, and getting my heart broken all over again", I said, sitting down on the floor beside her.

 "But what I said...I was trying to push you away", I sighed. "And I know that it doesn't excuse me for what I done, but I never should've left you like that", I said, looking into her eyes. "I don't know. Maybe if I would've stayed then they never would've gotten to you", I apologized. "You don't have to forgive me, but all I ask is that you let me help you", I pleaded.

"I forgive you", she smiled slightly, causing my eyes to light up.

"Really", I asked.

"Yes", she said, holding out her hand for me to help her up. Smiling happily, I got to my feet and helped her back into bed before changing all her bandages as she watched me curiously. "Where did you learn to do all this", she asked me.

"Well, with a family like mine, you always had someone coming home covered in blood", I chuckled.

"We needed you in our village then. Josie and I always came home with injuries", she said darkly, causing me to look over at her curiously. 

"You never talk about your Kingdom", I pointed out.

"You haven't told me much about yours either", she threw back, causing me to smile.

"Okay, so maybe we haven't talked at all, but at least I know your name right", I joked, watching her eyes dim.

"Yeah...right", she agreed before falling silent. 

"All done", I announced, before bring her the tray of food. "I'm sorry if it's a little cold. I could go have the servants make you something else if you'd like", I suggested.

"No, this is good", she nodded picking up the mug of water. "Hope...thanks", she told me with a small smile.

"For what", I asked with an amused smile.

"For giving me all I could ever wish for", she answered, causing me to raise an eyebrow. 

"Assassins, darkness, and a near death experience? You're welcome", I said almost as a question before she looked away from me.

"Thank you, but I think I'm quite done", she told me, pushing the tray back.

"But you only drank a sip of water. Lizzie, I haven't seen you eat since the other day", I frowned.

"I want to be alone", she told me.

"What? Are you still angry at me? Did I do something else-"

"Hope, please just go", she told me.

Nodding, I picked up the tray before walking out the door. Maybe she's just overwhelmed. It isn't me right? Shaking the thoughts from my head, I turned the corner promising myself to check in on her later.

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Penelope's POV: I sighed in relief as my shift finally ended. Finally I can take Pedro away from all this death and grief. I grunted as someone bumped into me, causing my hands to shoot out to keep them from falling over. "Are you okay, Miss", I asked before smiling in amusement when I noticed who it was. "Jojo? Trying to fall for me already", I asked her. "I never expected you would try to take me down with you", I winked, causing her cheeks to redden.

"Uh...no", she said uncomfortably. "I actually wanted to ask you a question", she admitted, looking down slightly. 

Frowning, I put my finger under her chin and gently lifted her head up. "What is it", I asked her softly. 

"Lizzie...I heard....Hope-"

"Breathe, Jojo", I instructed.

"I was wondering if I could stay at your place again tonight", she admitted.

"You can stay with us whenever you need", I told her softly, watching tears fill her eyes. 

"Thank you. I'll pay you back. I promise", she told me.

"I already told you that you don't have to give me anything", I said. "You helped me with my brother, and gave me this months rent. It's the least I could do", I explained as she gave me a watery smile. "Now come on. Pedro gets testy when he gets hungry", I said, watching her smile.