A Mother's Embrace
1444 Words
As I walked beside Ryker, my heart raced with unease, though there was no reason for me to feel this way. We had just dismissed Lacy to inform her family of the news, and he seemed unconcerned about finding another chaperone. I tucked my hand into the crook of his elbow, his warmth radiating against my skin as we navigated the winding halls and climbed the staircase.
When we reached my door, I paused, noting the emptiness of the corridor. Usually, there were guards stationed nearby—at least three, watching over me like vigilant sentinels. Furrowing my brows, I scanned the vicinity, the dread wrapping around me like a cloak.
"What is it? I can feel you tensing," Ryker murmured, his voice soft yet intense.
"It's just..." I shook my head, struggling to articulate my growing anxiety. "I usually have guards, but there’s no one here. It feels… wrong."
Ryker stepped closer, pressing my back against the cool wall. His body heat surged against me, and my senses tingled with an unfamiliar intensity. I felt his arm slide across my hips, and an unexpected longing welled up inside me.
"Do not move from this spot," he whispered, his breath brushing against my ear, almost imperceptible.
Before I could respond, he jerked the door open, stepping into the darkness beyond. Suddenly, chaos erupted—shouting, snarling, and the thud of fists striking flesh. Fear clawed at my insides as panic surged through me. I quickly glanced around, eyes landing on a ceramic vase atop a nearby table. Grabbing it in desperation, I held it like a weapon.
Then, a bloodied figure burst from the shadows. Without thinking, I swung the vase with every ounce of strength I had, watching as the man crumpled to the floor. My heart thundered in my chest, the shock echoing in my ears.
"Aloura!" Ryker's voice pulled me from my daze, and I turned to see him stepping back into the hall, sword drawn. His gaze swept over me, assessing. "Nice hit," he remarked, glancing down at the unconscious man sprawled at my feet.
"I—who...?" My mind raced, adrenaline still coursing through me.
Ryker enveloped me in his arms, grounding me as I trembled. Footsteps echoed down the corridor, and I recognized the three men from dinner; they approached, hands poised on their swords, and I instinctively tensed, still clutching the remnants of the shattered vase.
"Calm down, these are my men," Ryker reassured me, his grip firm and unwavering.
"Majesty," one of the men greeted.
"I've dealt with them. And this last one, she managed to knock out," Ryker stated with a hint of pride as he gestured to the fallen assailant.
His soldiers shared curious glances. One began to bind the unconscious man with a leather cord. “I want a team of men with her from here on out,” Ryker snapped. “If she’s not with me, she’s under guard. Damned Amoridia and its lax military."
"f*****g kingdom full of soft people," another muttered. “Explains why he was so willing to let the butcher marry his daughter.”
His companion elbowed him sharply. “Don’t disrespect our future queen’s family, ya eejit,” he scolded in an accent that tugged at my memory, something familiar from my old world.
“Enough,” Ryker barked, the authority in his tone silencing them. “Take Aloura to my quarters. She can prepare there, and send Killian to the king to inform him I'll stay with Drax in case the fool wakes.”
Ryker leaned down, inhaling, pulling me close as if to steady himself. “My men will protect you,” he assured, his voice low and sincere. “Please let them escort you to my rooms. I’ll send Lacy as soon as she’s found.”
Nodding, I allowed the two men to guide me away from the remnants of chaos that still lingered in the air. I drifted along, not paying attention as we reached a large door, which swung open to reveal a lavish room. Opulent furnishings adorned the space, echoing a comfort I had yet to truly embrace.
From the main room, four doors branched out, and as one soldier opened a door to a bedroom, I felt a small thrill of privacy—a precious commodity tonight.
"You’ll have your privacy here, princess. When your girl comes to ready you, I’ll have Karianna join you," the Irish-accented soldier explained.
I nodded, flopping onto the plush couch, still trying to grasp the reality that there were men out there, waiting to ambush me in my own room.
A sudden bang jolted me upright, and my nerves flared anew. One of the soldiers opened the door cautiously; the other took his position in front of me, hand poised on his sword.
"Is the princess here?" I heard Andromeda’s soothing voice from beyond the threshold.
"Who are you?" the second soldier growled, suspicious.
"That’s Andi, let her in, please," I called out, my voice firm despite the tremor of fear within.
"Not sure—boss said to let the maid in; this ain't the girl," he retorted.
“She's that girl’s mother and she’s in my service," I snapped, slipping into a commanding tone I hadn’t known I possessed.
The soldier seemed to register my insistence and finally opened the door, allowing Andromeda to rush inside.
She enveloped me in a motherly embrace, her hands gripping my shoulders as she pulled back. “Are you well? My vision was slow today—I didn’t see until too late. I found His Majesty Ryker in your room; he sent me here.”
I nodded, my chest tight with anxiety. "I'm unharmed. Ryker... is he alright? I didn't think to check if he was injured," I replied, my voice wavering as a sob threatened to escape.
"He was fine, dear girl—livid, but fine,” she assured, patting my back gently.
A wave of relief washed over me, even as fresh tears formed. "Why would they try to kill me?" I whispered into her shoulder, seeking comfort.
“You are the key to the first massive kingdom. Your child will be the successor to vast lands and wealth. If there is no you, there is no union child.” Her voice remained steady, soothing my frayed nerves. “They tried to assassinate your mother twice before she wed your father.”
“Who?” Curiosity sparked within me, and I could feel the heaviness of history pressing upon us.
“Don’t know; we never figured that out.”
I took a steadying breath, finding solace in the fact my mother had faced a similar fate. If she had survived, so could I.
“Did Lacy find you before all this happened?” I asked, eager to change the subject before darkness descended again.
“No,” Andi replied, seemingly grasping my need to push forward.
“Ryker made your family an offer to retain your services and come with us.”
“Did he now?” Andi’s brow arched, a grin spreading across her face. “Did it involve by pain of death?”
I couldn’t help but laugh, relief mingling with the remnants of fear. “No, he’s really not such a tyrant. A lot is just rumor. He offered shops, two houses, and a workspace.”
“Well, my, that is a generous offer,” she mused. “One Lacy will take to her father because she knows I would have packed everyone up regardless. I made a vow to your mother to watch over you, and I’ll take it to my grave. It’s why my husband has never accepted the king’s offers to become his smithy.”
“Really? So you’ll come, then?” I could feel excitement bubbling within me.
“Yes, dear, of course,” Andi nodded, her smile warm and reassuring.
“Now, all I need to figure out is what to wear to get married in tonight.”
“Tonight? That’s awfully quick,” Andi observed. “But I know where your mother’s wedding dress is kept. I can fetch it.”
“Really?” The thought of donning my mother's gown filled me with a hopeful thrill.
“Yes, we can make a couple of easy adjustments, perhaps add a bit to make it special for your day. It wouldn’t take much; you’re about the same size,” she offered sweetly.
“Thank you!” I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around her once more, my heart swelling with gratitude.
And suddenly, despite the tumult of the evening, I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me
- Writer
