Scarlette Fever

I awoke from the nightmare in fright, I was struggling in vain to remember. The only reason I knew it was a nightmare was my rapid heartbeat and the sweat that ran down my body. I threw my blanket off, the cold air hitting my naked, sweat covered body causing me to shiver from the onslaught, chill. The door opened revealing the blonde-haired, blue-eyed man. Upon seeing him wearing a smirk, with a lust-filled gaze directed at my exposed frame. I grabbed the blanket that had fallen on the floor, wrapping it tightly around. "For f**k's sake, when will you learn to knock?" I seethed out through my gritted teeth. Annoyance seeped through my tone, at his invasion of privacy. "When are you going to learn to sleep in a nightgown?" He countered back, leaning against the stone wall, crossing his arms still wearing that cheeky smile. "When I stop waking up in a pool of sweat," I sighed, looking at the damp bed before lazily looking back up at him, his smile long gone as he walked over grabbing the sheet, taking it off my bed. "Your father is requesting you in the council room," He carried the silk bundle of cloth out, leaving me to get dressed. The fur blanket pooled, dragging behind me as I walked to my closet, only dropping it when I closed the door behind me. I looked at my numerous gowns, finally deciding on a midnight black floor-length gown with a plunging neckline. After getting changed I walked over to my vanity. Grabbing my brush I ran it through my long raven hair, untangling the tough knots that had occurred while I was tossing and turning in my sleep. I closed my eyes tight, trying once again to remember to no avail, all I saw was black. I took a deep breath when nothing was happening. A sharp pain shot through in my temple, to the back of my skull. I touched the spot, making gentle circles, trying desperately to help ease the horrible pain. I continued rubbing it, while I made my way out of the bedroom When I opened my door I noticed a dark-haired man dressed in a guard uniform standing to the right of my door, he quickly looked at me before lowering his head. "Is this necessary?" I looked at him. "King's orders," He bluntly, replied. I did not respond and made my way to the council room, the guard trailing behind me, never taking his hand off the hilt of his sword. Curious as to why I had a guard detail now, I hastened my pace. When I reached the two grand doors I pushed them open with more force than necessary, making them slam against the wall. Six pairs of eyes shot my way as I looked at my father who seemed unbothered by my show, he kept his head down reading over some papers. "You sure do know how to make an entrance," A young councilman said, his tone laced with amusement. "I learned from the best, knocking is so overrated. Isn't that right, Slade?" I grinned widely when the amusement on his face turned into annoyance. "Would you like to fill me in as to why I have a guard escorting me around now?" I demanded of my father as I sat down in the chair on his left. I looked across from me, My father's advisor had a grim look on his face. I immediately turned my attention back to my father. He closed the book and looked at me his face hard, and emotionless. "The peace treaty did not go as planned," He paused for a few seconds to study my reaction. I learned from him to keep my emotions at bay when it comes to less than terrific news. "He made demands that we can not accept, primarily your hand in marriage," He shook his head in disgust. I felt my heart drop in my stomach and I knew there was something else he was not telling me. "Tell me, father, I can handle it," I confidently answered. Whatever it was I could handle it, there was no doubt in me about it. "When I declined. He threatened to have you one way or another. In ignorant temper, he revealed that we have a traitor. He knew the patrol routes and schedules around the castle, " I felt anger fill me, A traitor?! I stood up fast nearly making the chair fall to the floor, from the sudden motion. "That is impossible!" I bellowed, my voice echoed through the room. My body started uncontrollably shake. I glanced around the table and watched as every single council members' eyes turned electric blue, lightning bolts flashed and exploded in their irises. "Calm down" my father yelled at me, slamming his fist against the hardwood table leaving a dent. I took a deep breath to try to gain just a shred to hold onto. Sitting down, lowering my head, ashamed at my outburst. When I looked back up, the council's eyes turned back to their normal colors. My father let out a sigh, rubbing his temples in irritation. "I have sent our fastest Elite to go to swords academy and fetch Ryder, he should be here shortly," He wore a grim expression. I opened my mouth to protest when he raised his hand, successfully halting me from talking. "Very, well. I will be in the garden if you need me," I announced, walking out. I desperately needed fresh air. A traitor? How can this be? Our subjects have always been loyal! Okay, one problem at a time. Why Ryder? Out of everyone at Swords, he just had to send for him? I had just finished planting a rose Bush when the sound of footsteps alerted me of approaching guards and I stood up, squaring my shoulders as he approached. I took a moment to study him, the years made a difference. The boy I used to know has turned into a man, his dark short hair, and his piercing green eyes were the only thing that remained the same. I walked slowly over to him while he remained completely still. His eye's devoid of emotion as they looked past me, somewhere over my shoulder. Only when I raised my hand, placing it gently on his sharp, stubble covered jawline did he look down at me. I rubbed my thumb slowly over it. Sighing loudly before I quickly moved my hand back and slapped him across his face, the smack sounded through the garden. Nobody even took a breath at my insult, my guards tensing up. Readying themselves to draw their swords on the best fighter in all the regions.  I quickly picked up the sides of my gown and took off running. I looked down at my black dress, fading into a dirty white dress.   Flashback 5 years ago. 'Scarlett! Where are you?' The frantic feminine voice called out. 'Come here this instance! This, not a game!' She screamed louder. 'There you are, you gave me a fright' the woman said with a relieved sigh. The small smile on the older ladies face turned downwards into a frown when I emerged fully from the treeline. 'What in the world happened to your dress?!' The woman exasperated. throwing her arms up in the air with disappointment. I looked down at my once white dress now covered in splashes of dirt and grass. 'I found a pretty flower for the garden' I shyly held up the beautiful yellow flower. Pride flowed through me at being able to find such a beautiful flower.  'That is a weed, it has no place in the royal garden' she snatched it out of hand. Throwing it on the ground, stomping on it with the heel of her shoe, the pretty flower petals broke apart and flew away in the cold breeze that swept through. I wrapped my arms around myself, watching them fly away in the wind. 'Go get changed then meet your father in the training arena' She said with a look of disapproval she eyed my dress. 'Yes, Miss Penny' I meekly replied, casting my eyes down at my stained dress, heading inside to change. The sounds of clanging swords could be heard long before the Elites came in view. I squeezed my way through a few, apologizing as I made way to my father, who was standing with his back to me. When I stopped beside him, I looked at where he was staring so intensely. Gasping in shock as I saw a boy not older than me by a few years fighting three Elites. 'Father, stop this' I pleaded, worried about the boy. He is going to die! Why would my father pin THREE of our best warriors against him? My father ignored me, never taking his eyes off the boy. The boy was effortlessly blocking the attacks of the swords. He was fast, very fast but he did not see the fourth Elite creeping upon him. 'Watch out!' I screamed snapping the boy's attention to me. I ran as fast as I could, managing to reach him as the Elites sword slashed through the air where he was just standing. 'What the-! Get off of me' the boy pushed me roughly away. 'A simple thank you would have been appropriate' I glared at him as I stood up. Wiping down my now dirty and wrinkled green dress. Miss. Penny is going to have me scrubbing her chamber pot! 'I had it under control' he glared back at me. 'Yeah, that looked like you did from where I was standing' I said sarcastically, crossing my arms. 'Scarlett, this is Ryder' my father walked up to us, as the boy stood up. Never taking his glare off of me. End of flashback. The sounds of fastly approaching footsteps made my heart race more. I tried to even out my breathing, but it seemed the more I tried, the more uneven my breathing becomes. The bark of the tree rubbed harshly against my back as I peeked around the tree when the footsteps stopped. There was nobody that I could see, just endless trees in full blossom. I let out a sigh, turning back around I let out a scream as Ryder appeared right in front of me. I tried to run past him, he grabbed my arm halting me. 'Let go of me!' I demanded. He obeyed my order. Once again, I took off running. I ran through the courtyard and straight to the castle door. I flung it open, looking over my shoulder, not seeing him. I was not looking ahead of me and ran straight into something. 'Ouch,' I exclaimed as I fell backward landing with a thud on my butt. I heard muffled laughter, looking up at the Slade who was trying and failing to keep his laughter in. 'Are you okay, princess?' He asked with a chuckle, sticking his hand out to me. I slapped it away, standing up on my own. 'Not funny' I seethed out rubbing my sore butt. 'Of course, it was' He chuckled more. I heard the door open behind me and watched the amusement being wiped off of Slade's face. Yep, Bud. He is here. I did not bother to look back as I made my way up the staircase dragging my hand along the sapphire banister. I kicked off my high heels and sat on my bed when I entered my room. I took my sore foot in my hand, massaging it. In hindsight, it was probably not a good idea to run in heels. My door creaking open caught my attention as Ryder entered, I smiled when I saw the red handprint on the side of his face. 'Does it tickle?' I asked with a grin. 'Oh, come on you deserve a lot worse' I said when he did not reply. He just continued to stare at me, hardly even blinking. 'Are you a mute now?' Annoyance dripping through my tone at being ignored. I left my room hastily, walking down the hall, flinging a door open but the dark-colored room was empty. Knowing where he would be, I made my way to the library and when I entered I saw Slade sitting on one of the wine-red couches, a book in his hands. I stormed over, snatching the book out of his hands causing him to sigh in annoyance and look up at me. 'He's mute' I yelled, pointing at Ryder who was standing beside the door. 'Is that true?' Slade raised an eyebrow at him. 'No, She is just being annoying. So I am ignoring her' Ryder smirked, causing my mouth to gape open. Can I have him thrown in the dungeon now?