Blind Betrayal

It was difficult to breathe. As if every admission of air was no longer a gift, but needed to be paid for in effort. The tree branches were armed with thorns, and they reached out their fingers to cease my movements. They ripped at my porcelain skin, and tore at the lace of my black dress. The roots mercilessly lifted from the shadows to sweep my bare feet out from under me. The ground like ice, cutting into the sensitive pads of my soles. I cursed under my breath as I landed on the cold forest floor, the rocks and dead earth tore into my palms at my futile attempt to stop my fall. The not so distant sound of an eerie howl made my throat tighten in fear. I swiftly stood to my feet, my legs shrieking in protest from the strain. Feral thoughts raced through my mind. Images that didn’t make sense. Why have I never done anything for myself? Why had my father kept me so sheltered from the outside world? It dawned on me then, that a simple task such as running for my life, was made more difficult because of it. Another howl but this time much closer. I wasn’t moving fast enough. My lungs burned in objection. At this rate I would die in a forest I didn’t know, and it would be because I was weak. Too weak to run, too weak to fight or defend. Too weak and pathetic. I fought back the wave of tears that threatened to sting my emerald hues as I quickly took in my hopeless environment. There was absolutely nowhere for me to hide. I darted to the base of a large white oak tree, the approaching darkness now making even my shadow barely visible on the rotting ground. I leaned into it as if attempting to blend into the bark, only for the ground to give way under my weight. Stunned, It took me a moment to realize what had happened. The roots of the tree had partially rotted away and it was due to cave in naturally. It had only been a matter of time, and in my case, a matter of sheer luck. Pain shot up my leg from my ankle into my knee but I clamped my hand over my rose tinted lips to silence myself. The monsters could not find me, not now when I had come so far. The sound of twigs cracking under the mass of something sent chills down my spine. Had they found me? Surely they would sniff me out and tear me to shreds, all I had do was stay silent. I waited for what seemed like an eternity as the sounds of the forest changed from twilight to nothing. Darkness fully fell on the forest bringing unfamiliar sounds. A strange thumping from what could only come from my confused imagination was the inside of the tree. Crickets, and insects crawling in the deep. The sound of an owl, and the squeak of a mouse becoming it’s meal. Had the Lycians given up and left thinking they would find me in the morning? Slowly I stood to my feet causing the throbbing pain in my ankle to return. I gritted my teeth to deny the pain as I still had much to do if I was to survive. I must push forward, nothing else mattered. Reaching for a low hanging root, I attempted to pull myself from this confinement before it snapped under my small frame. I cursed under my breath again as I landed firmly on my butt, at the base of the hole again. Standing once more, pain shot through my scalp as a hand suddenly descended into the hollow gripping tightly to my twenty-four carat curls and yanked me out of the hole with so much force I thought my scalp would go, but I would remain. I couldn’t stop the yell or horror and pain as I was dragged to face a beast of unimaginable proportions. Eyes met mine as a black glassy mirror of fury and flames. Putrid sap like saliva dripped from its jaws as it eased a slow growl deep within its chest. I struggled against its grip trying to find my footing but only the very tips of my bare toes touched the ground. I attempted to pull at its claws only for the monster to tighten its grip making yet more pain pour into my skull. It tossed her to the ground with such force it knocked the wind from her chest. My eyesight blurred as I attempted to look up at my attacker. Fear found its way into my mind making tears cloud my vision. I promised myself once, I would never cry again. If this was to be I last moment, I would die with my dignity intact. I steeled myself as I lay on the cold ground listening to this beast seem to speak in a language she didn’t recognize or understand. It even seemed to laugh as it gripped tightly to her shoulder digging its talons into her shoulder making her yell out. This reaction must have been amusing as it seemed to laugh again before tossing her aside like a rag doll. She rolled to a stop, deciding to stay still despite the pain. Maybe if she didn’t move, they would stop. The larger of the two Lycian looked over me slowly before giving some kind of barking command. A gleam of displeasure in its eyes. Maybe I just imagined it, because the look was gone before I could blink. It was a sharp one and it terrified me. Whatever he had said, he was serious. This was it. I would die. I slowly pushed myself up, golden curls spilling over my shoulders in a waterfall of strands. The forest went dead silent as I watched the two Lycian lumber off into the forest, leaving me alone once again. It didn’t make sense. Why ruthlessly hunt me down only to leave me breathing. My vision blurred and blinked black. I was at my limit. Time passed. I didn’t know how long, I lost track of time. A set of gentle hands lifted my chin. At first this sudden touch startled me and my Instinct was to start fighting again, but a deep reassuring voice met my ears and reached out catching my hands. “I have you now. You're safe” As if these words lured me into the depths to knock on death's door, the world went black. **************************************** Sunlight so bright it burned my eyes under my eyelids. I attempted to lift them without success as if they were painted in lead. Hours seem to pass trying to open my eyes. A faint touch at the back of my neck made soft sounds escape my lips which came with an answer I didn’t hear. Cool water washed over my mouth and I tried my best to swallow which was not an easy task. The taste was amazing. The most wonderful flavor I have ever tasted washed over my tongue, my voice cracked in protest when it ceased to flow. This came with another answer I didn’t catch which was frustrating. Just staying awake was bothersome in itself so I allowed the pull of sleep push me back in the deep. ****************************************** The next thing I remember was the tantalizing feel of soft rabbit fur under my slender fingertips. This wasn’t my bed, this wasn’t my home. It smelled of the wild, untamed and free. Why hadn’t I noticed it before? My eyelids fluttered open to the scene of swaying pine tree limbs over a cascade of twinkling starlight. I attempted to sit up but my weight was just to much to lift. As if I had gained steel stones pressing down on my chest. An ache in my shoulder made me flinch and had me reaching to find the source. “I wouldn’t get up if I were you.” For some reason the masculine voice should have been from a stranger but it seemed deeply similar as if I had known them my entire life. My voice cracked and felt just as sluggish. “W-where..” I heard heavy foot fall approach my bedside, the light ease of a heavy body sit next to me. That same gentle touch as light as feathers brushed at the nape of my neck and lifted with ease. Cool water touched my lips. I choked in the attempt to swallow as much as I could as quickly as possible. “Easy does it, do you think you can sit up.” I nod lightly before I feel myself floating upwards to lean into a heap of pillows. This gave me a chance to get a better look at my caregiver as the cup was once again lifted so that I could drink. My savior kept his face turned to the side. Dark ebony strands of hair covered his eyes so it was difficult to make them out but they were glossed over as if empty. Deep pools of blue water of a deep lake. I frowned slightly as I drank my fill and the cup was taken away and set aside. I cleared my voice as best I could before croaking my words at a near whisper of what I couldn’t muster. “Y-you saved..me?” He seemed to grow nervous reaching to lay my delicate frame back down into the bed. “I found you near death in the middle of the woods not far from a carriage..” He trailed off as if testing his next words in his mind before speaking again in hushed tones. “Where you traveling with a man and a women of high station? I’m assuming you were considering your state of dress was of the same class.” He paused at the word “was” and I understood then why he seemed nervous. I waited a moment before answering feeling sadness threatening a stark of pain. “They were my parents.” He nodded lightly turning away to attend to other things. I wasn’t sure how I should feel at the sudden withdraw, but I didn’t blame him. I had no reason to expect him to be sympathetic for people he didn’t know. Later in the day as the sun neared the tops of the trees he brought me a bowl of broth that smelled of meat and wild herbs. I attempted to insist that I could feed myself but he simply sat there in silence, calmly keeping his features turned from mine until I submitted to the spoon held out for me. I felt full quickly even though I had only finished less than half of what was offered and as he placed the wooden bowl aside I couldn’t help but start asking questions that I probably had no business asking. “Why won’t you look at me?” His shoulders visibly tensed at the question and the silence that settled was deafening. It was as if the entire forest wanted to know the answer. “Difficult to look at someone when your blind.” At first the answer didn’t quite register. Then other questions eased into my thoughts. I felt the blush rising on my cheeks as I slid my hand over my slender frame. “How long have I been here, and how am I clean?” He offered a soft chuckle not expecting this reaction. The sudden humor making me more flushed. “Well obviously I washed you in the river and removed the rags that might have been considered finery at one point.” Another chuckle as if mocking me before he continued. “I hate to break it to you but your dress is ruined.” I was covering my face in embarrassment before I realized but then a sense of comfort followed. He’s blind so he hasn’t seen much. My voice cracked with effort as I laughed then coughed with the strain. Then shame followed as I realized I shouldn’t make jokes about someone else’s condition, much less about a man who managed to save my life despite it. It was as if he read my mind because he quickly stood to his feet. “You should get some more rest. Once you are strong enough to ride a horse, I will take you home.” He paused a moment c*****g his head slightly to the side as if contemplating something. “Where do you live?” I was aware that at some point this would be discussed but I wasn’t expecting the abrupt question. I pondered weather is would be a good idea to tell him but I didn’t exactly have a choice. If I wanted to get home I had to trust him. “My name is Clara Lux Mortem of the kingdom of Dranstrad, and future queen to its throne. So I suppose if you are feeling still more generous you could take me to the palace, and I will offer you a reward.” He stood perfectly still for a very long moment before he moved an inch. His features expressionless as he spoke. “Get some rest. It isn’t a long journey. Only half a day from here, but you must be able to ride a horse.” I was stunned. He had no reaction to the reality that he stood in the presence of royal blood. My ego was slightly bruised at the thought and it made me question his motives. My eyes were growing heavy again as if I had reached my limit for the day yet I was able to muster enough strength to ask my final question. “There..must be something you want..” My vision blurred, the shape of his silhouette forming in the corner of my heavy lids. His voice at barely a whisper that I barely remember if he actually spoke or if I had already started dreaming. “I don’t want your money. I want something else..” **************************************** I lost track of time as I slowly healed. Sometimes he spoke, other times he was silent. I found myself able to walk with help after sometime. Bringing me to the stream to bathe in the ice chill of the river. It didn’t bother me much because my skin felt trapped under the rabbit fur blanket. I wasn’t accustomed to staying in bed for such long periods of time. He handed me a bar of soap. A luxury not found often inside lower class people’s pockets because of the high cost. The bar smelled of lavender and grain. Very expensive soap at that. I watched him closely as I lathered up my strains of golden curls drifting in shimmering streams behind me. He sat on the bank of the river. His head tilted slightly to the side again and I realized that rather then seeing me, he was listening to my every move. I also realized how awkward this could be if he was a man with his sight. Having to watch a naked women bathe I’m sure would delight any man, but wouldn’t be so in my eyes. I dipped down into the water to allow the slow flow wash the soap from my hair before carefully finding my footing to shore. His head turned slightly to follow my movements, tracing them by sound alone. I found this fascinating as I wrapped the cloth around myself found draped over a nearby tree branch. Yet all the while watching his reactions which were few and far between. Most of the time he was as still as a marble statue and it prompted more questions. I clinched my jaw landing on the thought that is would be rude to ask. As if he had read my mind, he answered anyways. The less I move, the more I can hear.” I hadn’t asked yet he had already known. I glanced around as if a witch or warlock would pop out of the tree line any moment with some kind of magic that would explain it. “Can you read my mind?” He laughed as he dropped the bar of soap into a leather pouch and tossed it into a larger leather bag filled with various things. “No, but you got really still. You were mirroring me.” He points up to his head, “It’s reading people.” I nodded slowly sort of understanding. The gleam of the hilt of a blade caught the light and I froze in place in fear. As if he could feel the wave of change in the air settle he quickly trailed his fingers over the edge of the bag to find the leather cord and pulled it tightly closed. “This blade is not meant for your..beautiful skin.” I raised an eye brow at him as the tension left my frame. A mischievous grin spreading across my face along with fresh flush. “And how exactly would you know that I’m beautiful? For all you know, I have the face of a hag, and the body of a wild boar.” I lightly picked up the linen shirt freshly washed and hung to dry in the bright spring sun before pulling it over my head. I opened my eyes to him face to face. I barely had time to react as he quickly grabbed hold of my arm and pulled me against his frame and his hand firmly cupped over my mouth. There was no fighting back. Under the thin clothing he wore, I could feel the wall of muscle. Unrelenting strength I couldn’t dream of matching. Fear rolled over me in waves for an instant before he spoke in hushed tones almost to light to hear. “Someone is coming..” My wild emerald eyes flashed confusion for an moment before I quickly nodded and he sprung into action. He shoved my back lightly into a nearby tree pushing his body into mine, then went still as stone again. His grip loosed as I complied following his lead to stay as still as he. Not long after the sound of men’s voices drifted in our direction. It had taken sometime before they came close enough for me to hear. Breaking branches under horse hooves, the heavy clank of armor and sword. I closed my eyes tightly as if I could disappear into the bark of the tree. The sound began to grow fainter yet we remained fixed as if frozen in time. The feel of his warmth seeped through the steady pressure of his chest and the thin fabric of the linen. An odd feeling began to settle in my chest and delivered a lazy heat to spread from the contact. His body suddenly became rigid and he slowly tilted his head to the side leaning forward. His face brushing through my hair as the wind caught it making him flinch. A long moment passed what seemed like hours before he abruptly pulled away nearly making me stumble forward into the ground. I barely managed to catch my footing at the last minute gripping tightly to a low hanging branch. Rage rose and I wasn’t able to stop the next words spilling forth from my mouth. “What is your problem exactly? Do I disgust you?” I clamped my hand over my rose tinted lips at the thoughtless question. Why should I care if he isn’t attracted to me. He couldn’t see me anyways so why does it matter? He shook his head as he began to fold blankets and other items placing them into bags he intended to strap on to the horses backs. “You must be a fool if you think I’m not attracted to you.” He spat his words filled with venom. I laughed at the sudden change in demeanor which only seemed to piss him off further. At this point the smart thing would have been to be silent and help him pack but I had lost all reason with anger. “Absolutely, said the man who just pulled away from me as if I had plague!” At this he stood to his full height. A tower of pure confidence and silence was upon me. I attempted to back up but my feet caught an upturned stick and I felt myself falling. His hand quickly grabbed my arm bringing me balance but at the same time lifted my stomach into my throat. “First of all, you WILL lower your voice unless you want the cut throats of men that just passed us to come back” He clinched his jaw, muscle flexing with the grit. “I imagine they would hold you down under this tree and take turns with you.” I was shocked into silence, my lips parting to argue but came up with nothing. “Second of all, what makes you think I’m so honorable. Did it ever occur to you that I might be one of those cut throats.” Fear began to consume me as his grip grew tighter bouldering on pain. I attempted to pull away but he held fast before yanking me into his chest. His lips were on mine before I could protest. Liquid heat poured into my frame making my legs give. His arm wrapped swiftly around my waist as his tongue urged my lips apart. My brain screamed to fight him, to make him stop but my body would not comply. I allowed him access, the heat intensities to the point of seer madness as his tongue explored the confines of my mouth. Liquid heat instantly pooled between my legs makes me groin with need. He took a deep breath taking in my scent before pulling away. His steps unsteady as he slowly walked away back to his task leaving me panting. “I will take you to the palace, I will gather my reward.” He paused a moment as he picked up the last few remaining possessions scattered around a now dead campfire. “You can go back to your privileges and pampered life, and I will will go back to mine.” He slung the now filled bag over his shoulder as I traced my now swollen lips with my shaking fingertips. He began to tie the last bag before he spoke in a threatening tone. “Let that me a warning. If the scent of your arousal reaches this nose again, I will not stop.” I swallowed heavily at his words and straightened my frame lifting my chin up in defiance. “Don’t worry, it won’t. I can promise you that.” *************************************** The sun barely began to set over the walls of shimmering stone casting tones of orange as we reached the heavy oak castle gates. A shout of surprise was heard from the guard tower before the urgent ringing of bells followed and the gate began to slowly ascend. We were greeted with surprised faces. Some crying joy that the lady had returned. “Your highness, we thought you were dead!” I smiled brightly in the thought that my people had mourned my absence as we passed into the courtyard and I dismounted with help from the nearest knight. The realization that I didn’t know my rescuers name until I attempted to address the crowd that formed. He spoke before I was able to respond. “I am Marcus, a simple tradesman and I have brought you your lady from harm.” He said this as he dismounted from the horse. “Well you must be very tired, the both of ya.” My handmaiden stepped in taking my hand. “You’ll be needing a bath right away.” She glided me away only pausing to ask a quick question. “What of the gentleman your lady?” I gave a soft nod in his direction. “Make sure Marcus is given one of the best rooms in the house, and whatever he requires to feel welcome. I wish to speak to him tomorrow morning.” Marcus shook his head in objection pausing when he realized she had addressed him by this name. “I am sorry but I would prefer to get payment and be gone.” She wasn’t hoping to pull the boss card so soon but she wasn’t going to let him slip away so easily. “I forbid it. As I said. I wish to speak to you in the morning. I am offering you generous accommodations. I have much worse if you fail to comply.” A slow grin crosses his features before giving a chuckle. “Now you talk big.” I was shocked at his boldness but I gave a sigh. “Please.” He didn’t give it much thought as if he was just toying with her or just wanted to see what her reaction would be. “Okay, I will stay.” Flush rose in my cheeks. My hand maid giving a muffled giggle. “It’s not like I was begging you to stay, I just want to speak to you.” The arrogant grin was still present. “Whatever you say princess.” He brushed past her headed to the door. “Well he seems nice.” I scuff at my hand maid as I follow behind him. “Sometimes I wonder if my best friend should be on my side.” The hand maid gave another giggle. “But he’s so cute.” This made me laugh. “Behave” After taking a bath, having my wounds tended to which were healing quickly, and resting in a wood and fur lined rocking chair. A warm meal in my lap I sat by the fireplace eating cheese, grapes, potatoes, and fowl from a hunt. I thought carefully to myself wondering what sort of reward would I offer him. I settled on a horse of his choosing from the stables, some gold and food obviously. Normally station at the castle would be preferable. It put a head over a mans head, food, and a way to make an income to build a house. Possibly some land. For saving a royals life this would be a generous gift. However at his reaction, to simply stay the night, the lesser of the two would have to do. I sighed as I set my tray aside and picked up my candle stick to set on my side table. A knock came at the door so faint I thought I had imagined it. Again a knock, I was sure this time. I picked up the candle stick again slowly walking to the door holding it up in front of me. No one should be knocking on my door. Not at this hour. Should I answer it? My hand hesitated at the handle before the knock sounded again but a little bit louder. I whisper into the crack of the door. “Who is it?” “It’s me.” Marcus? What of earth was he at my door at this hour. I quickly up bolts the door and let him in before closing it behind him only to give his a light shove. “What are you doing here, what if someone sees you here? “I wanted to say goodbye before I left.” I wasn’t prepared for that answer. Why was he leaving in the middle of the night. I glance over at the window to no visible light. It would be hours before dawn. “Why are you leaving now.” He didn’t answer right away but sighed lightly. “Can we sit down to talk? I have something I need to tell you.” I was visibly confused. What could he possibly tell me that would make him want to leave like this? We both sat down in opposite chairs by the fireplace. Her half eaten meal getting cold. “I still need to pay you for your kindness.” He said nothing for a long moment as if he were contemplating how to phrase his next words. “Your not going to like what I have to say.” I took a deep breath my curiosity peeked. “For gods sakes man your in a ladies room in the dead of night which would ruin me, say what you need to say” He stood back up pacing. “Someone is trying to kill you.” I was more confused then before. “No, monsters tried to kill me then left me alive and you saved me. I’ve already been attacked.” He stood his head frustrated. “Please listen, you life is still in danger.” I frowl my eyebrows at him as a unpleasant though crossed my mind. “How do you know this? He pauses his pacing as if that was the exact question he had been waiting for. He drags his hands roughly through his ebony hair before letting it drop like a stone. “I know because I was one of the people hired to kill you.” A tradesman stood before me, not a mercenary. Not a tradesman but a trader. One responsible for my parents deaths. The thought of losing them hadn’t really sank in yet. The events that lead after had all been to sudden, hurt and confused. My voice cracked as I spoke next. “Your telling me, your were hired to murder me. Me and my parents?” I was visually shaken because the chair creaked as my fingers dug into the wood of the chair and my knuckles turned white. “Why did you save me? I attempted to keep my voice steady even as a tear fell from my eye. He huffed his frame locked in place. “I couldn’t let them kill you.”