The Unloved Princess

Chapter 7

Rain is drizzling down, and you can pick up the thunder in the distance behind the trees. I’m wandering through the thick, dense woods when I come to a clearing. Fields of wild flowers flow through the open meadow then I hear it Athena Athena I will find you, my little Athena just wait and see. I start running when the realization hits me because I know that voice, it belongs to my brother. I felt like I’m running for miles when nothing around me is moving, looking down I realize my legs are moving, but I’m not. It’s like I’m suck in place and there is nothing I can do. Looking all around, I spot him behind the big oak tree with a sinister smile. Fear consumes me and I start to shout when I notice he’s racing in my direction because I can’t move. I keep fighting the imaginary boundary around me, struggling to get my body to go. Then I felt it, his arms are wrapped around my waist, and he throws me down. Now, my little Athena, let’s finish what I started at home and make you mine. Letting out an ear-piercing scream, I finally hear it’s. 

Athena Athena baby, please wake up no one is going to hurt you I have you. 

Opening my eyes, I realize I’m not with Ezra, I’m with Asher in his arms on his bed and I just let the tears fall. 

Oh my goodness it was just a dream, it wasn’t real, I was so afraid he was going to hurt me again. 

Not realizing I spoke it out loud causing Asher to ask me Who Athena who was seeking to hurt you it was just a dream your safe I promise now that I have you I won’t let you go. 

Somehow when he repeated it, I could tell he was saying the truth, and it wasn’t a lie just to hold me here, so I told him everything from my parents and sister to what they made the kingdoms people do and even what Ezra sought to do before Nikolaus saved me. He never butted in and let me complete my whole rant before he stated anything, and for that, I was grateful. When I was done I looked up in Asher’s eyes and so many emotions were on display, from sadness to anger and completely furious, I assume I even saw a tear run down his cheek. Backing away from him a little because I feared what he would do, I didn’t know if he was angry at them or me. Asher reaches out his hand, making me flinch away faster. 

Sighing, he calmly says shh, shh Athena, I’m not furious at you, I’m sorry if I startled you. I don’t guess I could ever be distraught at you, and I don’t even realize why, because I barely know you. I’m frantic with that so-called family of yours, and they will pay for everything that they have indeed done to wrong you, I promise you that baby. That is not how a family is supposed to treat one another, let alone what your brother tried to do, I’m thankful for Nikolaus. 

Do you know where he is now? 

Feeling a calmness wash over me, I sigh in content because his words made me feel better and was eve seeking out for my friend that he doesn’t indeed know.  

No, I don’t know where he is they banished him the day before you can and got me I have no clue where he could be now. 

Oh! okay, I’ll send out a search party for him, my men are the best and they're sure to find him. 

Really, you would do that for someone like me. 

Chuckling, he expresses of course I want you to be happy and not have any regrets, why do you think I’m some kind of monster or something? 

Looking down quickly at my hands, I whisper, yeah, I kind of did after hearing what everyone had to say about you. 

He chuckles again and says, yes I can definitely be a ruthless dragon, but only to individuals that deserve it. The people in my kingdom are well taken care of, and I bet will have nice things to add to back my statement up if you don’t believe me. I start blushing when he raises my chin to kiss my nose. 

Thank you, Asher, I hear myself saying. You're welcome my love now let’s get back to sleep it’s just past two, and we have a busy day ahead of us my dear. Laying down, I finally fall back to slumber in Asher’s arms feeling a bit more relaxed than when I got here. 

Wake up sleepy head, it’s time to start the day you can’t slumber forever. 

Groaning I open my eyes and come face to face with Asher making me jump up in the bed and in the process heading his forehead. 

Ouch! what was that for he replies while rubbing his forehead. 

Sorry, you scared me, how is your head I ask while holding my own. 

It’s fine dear I’m a tuff dragon how’s yours? Making me laugh, I answered back I’m okay I’ve had worse. 

Asher tells me to get ready for the day and find him in the dining chamber for breakfast, and he walks out the door, giving me my privacy. 

After freshening myself up a bit, I try locating the dining chamber and I get completely lost. Running into the guard I meet yesterday that, I found out his name is Grant. 

I add a silent prayer before asking him where the dining hall is. Laughing, he says follow me how are you fitting in so far, I know it’s only been a night, but I wanted to make sure. 

Grant, honestly it’s okay I’m actually surprised at how lovely the place is and how kind Asher is to me. Causing Grant to chuckle again saying what did you think he would lock you away and eat you. 

Laughing a bit I said, oh no, I just heard several stories about how he is, that is all. No worries, miss like you said, you heard stories and that’s all that they are the longer your here the more you’ll understand how big Sir Asher’s heart truly is but let’s keep that between us Grants says in a hushed tone. 

Okay, I won’t tell a soul now where is the dining room I’m starving I say while giggling. Come on, we are almost there, no worries you’ll have your belly full in no time. We move up on two golden very tall doors when Grant pushes them open revealing a massive very full dining hall, making me cower behind Grant.

 I see Asher at the head table, as he stands up and makes his way to my side in no time. 

Whispering in my ear it’s okay I’m here with you, these are our people they mean you no harm, and he takes my hand and leads me to the head of the dinner table next to his chair. 

Pulling my chair out like a gentleman, making me blush, everyone is staring, and I take a seat. I hear a throat clear behind me, making people stop gawking and go back to eating and chatting. Feeling my anxiety come down a few notches I can finally breathe and Asher waste no time in filling my plate up. My eyes fly wide looking at the amount of food on my plate. 

Asher says eat your so skinny. 

Picking up my fork and knife, I slowly cut the chicken and place it in my mouth, causing a small moan to escape between my lips and Asher laughs. It’s good, ain’t it he asks? 

It is delicious thank you! I say. 

No need to thank me dear everyone deserves to eat ya know. Making me smile and shake my head a bit. 

Only being able to eat a small portion of what was on my plate due to not eating properly I sit back and watch everyone around me communicating, laughing and all around having a good time bringing a smile to my face without even realizing it. Feeling a tap on my shoulder I turn slightly to my left I see a beautiful young woman about my age with blonde curly hair, blue eyes, and tanned skin. I wave with a small hello to be polite. 

She catches me off gaurd saying how beautiful I am and how she loves my green eyes. I blush a bit making her chuckle and lean over giving me a hug, surprising me even more and driving me stiff. Relaxing a moment later I return the hug and lean back, she introduces herself. 

Hi my name is April, and its such a pleasure to meet you, I heard the King was getting a bride, but I didn’t think she would be as a beautiful as you. 

Thank you, I’m Athena, it’s a joy to meet you as well, I assure her with a beam. 

I’m also the young woman who’s going to help you with the preparation for yours and Kings wedding I’m so excited, April squeals making me tense a little. 

Oh! Okay, great I can’t wait, but I’m a little nervous I say honestly. It’s perfectly fine, that is why I’m here she says with a laugh making me laugh. Maybe being here isn’t as bad as I first thought, and I’ve already made two friends, Grant and now April.