A Place Beyond All Kingdoms

A New Deal

Chapter 15

Jasmine:

Betrayal, very simple, common thoughts. But, you never see it coming, even when others do. You tell yourself that the person is wrong, because you refuse to believe anyone would do that to you.

We refuse it... because people really don't want the truth. People are afraid of everything. Some would rather die then face the whole truth.

And I'd be a lier to say I that I had no weird feeling of him. That I ignored bluntly, like a dumb bitch!

I feel like an idiot, and whose to say, I'm not an idiot. I should have shut up, never mentioned it. But, I was so convinced he was a good person, that I needed more people to make this stupid journey.

I should have went alone. By myself then I wouldn't feel so ignorant, and played. I wouldn't feel so guilty for everything I did to those people.

But, it wasn't just the betrayal of him that hurts. It's what I allowed myself to do, and tro feel about that boy.

Even when no one was around and watching, I still acted like we were together. Yes, when we were alone it was still kisses and hugs and being together.

And no. It wasn't all fake. Because when no one else was around, that's when the "real stuff" came out. That's when the kisses started to feel real on both my part and his.

And I was convinced that I was actually with him. That he was mine and I was his. Yes, I dumbly fell in love with a trader.

And yes, I did really kiss him, and confess how I must be falling in love with him. All he did was smile and kiss me harder!

Now, I'm not saying I regreat everything. Because he told me he loved me too. And it was convincing. And I asked myself how can a girl fall in love with a complete stranger in a week!

And I told myself, that it must be what Snow and Flame has. Something real, true love... but now I see that I was wrong and played for a fool. I now know that it was the entire, "being desired" factor that got me.

That's why I convinced myself. The first boy who comes in and black mails me for a kiss, I start to convince myself I'm developing feelings for him.

I couldn't be more stupid than I am now. No, than I was then because now, I'm not going to that again.

I'll kill myself before opening up my heart again. And right now, in this exact moment, it doesn't seem so hard. It may be my anger that's driving me. Or the pain. but, I feel it may be something more... the truth.

I follow the guard into a square room, the mouth of the room guarded by hard steel bars. He slides the bars open and shoves me inside. He slams the bars shut, locks them.

I sit on the itchy looking bed. Blood trickles down my forehead. And into my eye. With the sleeve of my black shirt I try and wipe it out.

I hear footsteps coming down the hall toward me. There's a mirror right across from my bed. I'm cut up, on my forehead, several times on my chest, my eyes are blood shot.

I barley recognize myself. Someone stops right behind the bars. I look up to see a handsome, Fire Boy. With fire blond hair and red eyes...

He's muscular, and tan. Gorgeous.... I look at him, sympathy in my eyes.

Trader.... Suddenly the sympathy is gone, and anger rages through me. I jump towards the bars. Angrily grabbing the collar of his shirt and tugging.

He slams against the bars of the cell. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I came to apologize."

"Oh. For what? Betraying me and your brother and everyone who wanted to leave, for that BITCH? Or breaking my heart? Because you did both of those."

"Both of those."

"Oh yeah, and for getting me killed! So, tell me," I let him go, "what do you plan on doing once I'm executed. I assume the same you did when your fiancé started to stab me and beat me."

He looks down. "I'm so sorry. You broke my heart too."

"Really? How so?" My tone is flat and cold.

"I have feelings for you too, you know."

I laugh. "Sure you did."

I go to the bed and lie down.

"Please, don't be mad at me-"

"NOT BE MAD AT YOU? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You're NOTHING but a trader."

"I'm not a trader-"

"What is it? What did you get?"

"I was in love with Rosemary. I was trying to become king!"

"To be king... bullshit! I can't believe I ever, ever wanted you. You're nothing to me. I don't need you."

"I hated all the people in my kingdom, and she came to visit her sister, and I work in the castle and I met her..."

I clap my hands together. "Good job, I bet your mom is real proud of you. You fell in love with a royal bitch. Hope you have a happy wedding."

"I'm not marrying her."

I raise an eyebrow. "Why not? I thought that's what you wanted to do. That's what all of this was for. Wasn't it? Or do just hate me that much?"

"I don't hate you."

I snort. "Yeah right."

"I'm not marrying her... I'll get you out..."

"Why? Huh, why aren't you marrying her?"

He looks up and meets my eyes. He takes in a deep breath. "New deal."

I get up and walk back toward the bars, I stop right across from him. And wrap my hands around to bars. We're only a couple inches apart. "And what's that?"

"If I get you out of here, and we make it to the Land of Enchantment. You have to marry me."

I snort. "That'll be the day."

His tone darkens. "You don't think I can do it?"

I laugh. "I know you can't do it."

"What me. I'll make this right, I'll get your where you belong. And anyone else you want to go with you. And then, you'll be mine."

"Don't count on it. I doubt you'll do anything you say you will."

He grabs me by the collar and pushes me against the bars. My face bulging out right down the middle. "Watch me. " He presses his lips against mine, for at least a minute.

He let's me go. And walks out. I press my lips together, trying so hard not to like the fact that he just kissed me. Trying so hard not to want him to come back open the bars, and take off his clothes.

But, honestly, I can't help but want him to take off mine too. Ugh. Why are you so weak?

More footsteps, I look up hopeful. When Rosemary walks in front of the bars.

She snickers, angrily at me. "That will be the last time you kiss my king. I promise you that."

The blade in her hand gleaming. She unlocks the bars and opens them. She walks in and walks toward me. Pointing the blade at me, when she reaches me she thrusts outward, that's when the pain starts.