Unforeseen
1381 Words
✶Elizabeth's POV✶
I'd been training for days. Day and Night, a never ending repetitive circle of waking up, eating, training, eating , over and over.
Aiwin and Yvette have been with me, helping, fixing my flaws and crafting me into a warrior.And then at night, I'll be with Thea, talking to her about everything and anything.
"Liz, you good?"
I look over at Aiwin. "Sorry, just got trapped in my thoughts."
He smiles. "Better be good ones. Now, fire."
I turn my focus back to my bow and I aim at the target sixty feet away. Right when I release the string, Aiwin comes and attempts to trip me and the sudden movement has me moving, and so does my aim as it flies past a target.
"What was that for? You made me shoot a dead arrow!"
Aiwin crosses his arms, a smirk showing. "In battle, things are happening all around you. You need to be able to adapt. Aim while watching, sensing your own surroundings."
I stare at Aiwin and I notice his muscles and how they flex when he crosses his arms, his tanned skin, was his eyes always that green?
"Liz, are you even listening? Or are you just staring?"
I snap out of my thoughts, slightly shaking my head as I load my bow. "Yeah, I'm listening."
Aiwin's eyes narrow and I turn away thinking that him just looking at me will reveal my thoughts.
What is happening to me?
I load my bow, pull back the string, aim, and-
My back slams into the ground again but this time in annoyance I kick out with my own feet and Aiwin trips falling on top of me.
His arms fall on either side of me and he holds himself up above me.
My heart beats. Fast. I hope he can't hear.
I should move. He should move. Why aren't we moving?
But Aiwin stares at me before a slight smirk forms. "Now, Liz, if you really wanted me on top of you, you could ha a just asked."
My cheeks burn and I suddenly push him off. "Oh come on, Aiwin."
He puts his hands up defensively, a laugh escaping his lips. "Just a joke."
I narrow my eyes towards him but as I turn to pick up my bow, butterflies make me uneasy, my blood feels like it's running fast.
Why, why, why? Why do I feel like this.
I look over my shoulder at him. We share a bond yes, but he's my protector, a friend, I couldn't-no- it's not possible.
"Liz, are you okay?"
I pick up my bow fast and laugh. "Yeah I'm all good. Just tired."
Aiwin nods and I know just by looking at him he doesn't believe me. "Alright. Well, we can finish. We'll start again tomorrow."
I nod, leaving as fast as I can. I need to talk to Thea. I need to tell someone about this.
I run back to the palace on my own trying to create as much distance between Aiwin and me. Why am I feeling . . . This?
He's my friend. Just a friend, my protector.
I think of him, his dimples when he smiles, the way his eyes remind me or forests, how he protects me. How he helped me when Ameria held me captive, how she ruined me and despite all else, when I wanted to die, give up, he gave me hope.
The light in darkness.
I run into someone, slamming into them hard and I trip over my feet.
The person reaches out and steadies me and I immediately start my chorus of apologies.
"It's alright."
I look at the person, well what they wear. His face is completely covered by a cloak but I recognize his voice.
"Kalan?"
He takes me by the arm and pulls me into an aisle before pulling down his cloak.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with guards or something?"
Kalan smirks. "I could ask the same to you. I thought you were training with my brother."
My face must have revealed something because he gives me a side look. "What's wrong?"
I drag a hand down my face. "It's- it's nothing."
He slightly tips his head to the side. "Did Aiwin do something?"
"No." I almost shout.
His eyes narrow and I swallow hard.
"Something most definitely happened." He says entertained. He moves closer to me and I feel the wall hit my back.
"Nothing happened."
"Would you lie to a king?"
My eyes widen. "No!"
He moves closer. "Then tell me the truth, Liz."
"I-I-"
How does one even talk about this?
"Liz? Kalan?"
I turn to the voice, Kalan backs away and I feel all my tension deplete.
"Aiwin?"
He moves towards us and Kalan puts on a smile.
"Ah, brother, so nice of you to join us!"
He looks at me up and down, checking if I'm okay before looking at Kalan.
"And what exactly am I joining?"
"A good old discussion. I ran into Liz while checking out the village."
Aiwin raises a brow before shaking his head. "Scouting the villages without your guards again? You know how dangerous that is."
"Yes, well, sometimes a King would like some alone time."
"Right."
Aiwin looks at me and I feel the butterflies rise.
"You okay, Liz?"
I nod, not trusting myself to speak.
"You left pretty quick so I wanted to see if you were okay."
Kalan shifts. "Oh did she now?"
Aiwin nods. "I'm heading back to the palace. Liz, you coming?"
I open my mouth but Kalan cuts me off. "Actually, I'm giving her a tour. She'll be back in the evening."
Aiwin looks surprised and a little disappointed. "Oh. Alright then. I'll get out of your hair."
I watch him walk away and my heart sinks.
I turn to Kalan who has a very excited smile on his face.
"Oh, you and I will be having a very interesting conversation."
I can feel the colour drain from my face. Maybe I should have gone with Aiwin because right now, Kalan is acting like a teenage girl who loves gossip.
✶✶✶
I sit on my bed after the long day, despite Kalan continuously pushing me to say something I didn't. I couldn't. This feeling inside is something I can't describe.
Something similar to Jason.
I shake my head and a knock comes at my door. I think it's Thea so I tell them to come in but who opens the door makes my heart beat fast.
"Aiwin, what are you doing here?"
He stands at the door in black armour, he crossbow strapped across his back.
"Where are you going?"
"I've decided to go back into the royal guard. Yvette is Captain so I decided I would go back now that I'm here. I'm doing a night shift."
"Oh," I say while standing. "That's amazing, Aiwin. I'm glad you're getting back into things."
"Yeah, well, with him training your alphas, he needed someone trustworthy to help him in the guard. Nothing like your own blood helping you out."
I smile and admire the black leather and straps and his weapons. He really is a warrior.
"Are you okay? You seem . . . Off."
I shake my head. "No, just haven't gotten much sleep and I think I may be losing my mind slightly."
His eyes soften and lifts up my chin slightly so he can examine my eyes. "I can have someone make something for you to sleep better."
"No, it's okay. I'd rather try on my own."
His hand falls to my shoulder gently and his fingers caress the length of my arm.
I shiver and despite what I feel, I back away pretending I'm heading to sit on my bed.
"I should get bed now," I state.
"Okay, get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."
I nod, my back still to him. "Yes, tomorrow."
I hear the door shut and I fall to my knees, tears flowing down my face.
Why? Because I love Jason, my mate, and I've done everything to try and save him. But I'm also falling in love with Aiwin, my protector.
And I don't know how to stop it.
✶✶✶
- Writer
