Duchess of Hope

Take Me Away

~~~~~Rebecca~~~~~~

                The night after the Royal family left, Rebecca found herself blissfully alone in her chambers. As a soft breeze blew in through her open window, she considered what she could do herself about her situation. Placing a hand on a decorative box her mother gave her as a child, she carefully lifted the lid. Lying on the cushioned, red velvet middle of the box was a decorative dagger. Her mother had been a warrior priestess from a tribe long ago but had fallen in love with her father and they married. A watery smile lifted her lips before her gaze fell to her lap.

                Sighing softly, she closed the box as a soft knock fell on her door. She shifted the box back to its resting place right as the door opened, revealing Sebastian. His brow raised, clearly displaying that he had seen the box and knew what it was. Shaking her head as her eyes closed, she did her best to clear any concern he held. The thought had entered Rebecca’s mind that maybe she should take her own life, but part of her felt… saddened by the prospect. Maybe she still hoped, in vain, that she could get out of the marriage to Aaron, however impossible that seemed.

“Becca…” He murmured, walking over to her. “Tell me you’re not…”

“No. Well… I have considered it…” Rebecca replied carefully, unable to ever truly lie to him. “Haha, turns out I’m much weaker than I thought if I’m considering suicide before I even marry the man.”

                Instead of responding, Sebastian walked over to her and pulled her to a stand, directly into his arms. This was the only place in the world Rebecca felt like she belonged. As he stroked her back, the way he always had when she cried when she was young, the tears came back, and unable to hold back any longer, she began sobbing. She barely noticed when he grasped her legs and carried her over to the couch. Why did she have to suffer like this? She felt torn between taking her life and living on to make her family happy, even though they did not seem to care if she was.

“I hate to see you like this, Becca.” Sebastian carefully stroked her cheek as the tears poured down it.

~~~~~Sebastian~~~~~

                What he had said was true. Ever since they were children, he had always felt her pain as though it were his own. As he sank onto the sofa to the left of her bed, he held her close in his lap. Each small cry Rebecca released made him wince. A gentle breeze brushed across him, blowing in from the open window. Turning his gaze to the darkened world outside, part of him had hoped this would last forever. Having her in his arms made him feel happy, although she felt so very thin and sad. He hated this as much as she did. Maybe even more.

                As he waited for her sobs to subside, he stroked her back gently as he looked around her bedchamber. Even though she had wealth thanks to her parents, she had never been one to care about material goods, unless they were gifts from people she cared for. Using his free hand, he ran it through his own hair, trying to reground himself so that he could properly communicate his thoughts. Should he mention his plans now, or wait? If he told her now, could she keep it a secret? He doubted that, even though he was desperate to help her feel better. What surprised him was when he heard her small voice barely above a whisper.

“Please take me away from here…” It was as though she were talking to the Gods, begging for a release that she was sure to never receive if she remained. “I want to be free of this responsibility.”

                Her begging voice was close to leaving him undone, more so than her tears. Sebastian had already been making plans, but he did not want to tell her until he set everything in stone. He was not one to enjoy going without a plan. He was doing his best to plot their course until they were safely away from Rel. There was no true guarantee that they could escape, but he had to save her from this mess. It was the first time she had ever asked him for anything, so he felt more determined to take her away from here and the future she would face should he not.

                Rebecca’s body felt soft and warm where it touched his, but her head tucked comfortably under his chin, her fists clinging tightly to his robes. Slowly, her sobs slowed until her breathing became deep and even. She had fallen asleep, gripping onto him as though he were a lifeline. It was a good thing her parents had already retired for the evening. Sighing softly, he shifted until they were resting against the seat of the couch. The least he could do–for now–was let her get a good night’s rest that she had not had in a while. He relaxed into the sofa, intent on staying for as long as she slept.

~~~~~Rebecca~~~~~~

                Shifting slightly, Rebecca found herself surprised to feel something hard beneath her. Opening her eyes took a lot of effort, but when she did, her breath caught in her throat. Sebastian was lying beneath her, arms wrapped snuggly around her waist. He felt warm, safe to her, and she wished she could stay like this forever. She had not fallen asleep like this since she was a child, but now… she was a woman. Looking at his face as he slept, she thought–for the first time–that he was not truly her brother. That he did not HAVE to look after her like this.

                It was an obvious truth, but one she often forgot. Watching as he breathed in and out evenly, he did not even shift. Doing her best to remain quiet, she looked over his features, from his full lips to his dark hair, trying to recall when he had grown so handsome. Sebastian was only a year older than her but seemed to act like a younger brother for her sake. As she kept watching over him, he opened his mouth several times before her name slipped from his lips, startling her from her thoughts. What could he possibly be dreaming of that involved her?

                Rebecca could not help but smile softly at him and gently ran her fingertips along his cheek, her touch feather light, as she did not want to wake him. When he was sleeping, Sebastian looked less worried and more relaxed. His arms tightened around her waist slightly as a soft sigh left his lips. It appeared she would not be freeing herself from his grasp soon, so she simply rested her head back on his chest. Listening to his rhythmic heartbeat, she soon dozed off again, feeling as though her stresses were far away. Maybe tonight she could sleep without waking.