June Summerfield

Chapter 10

The next day, the two were awoken by the sound of knocking on the door. They both sat up, not ready for whatever the day had in store for them.

After a few seconds of silence, the door slowly opened, and Zoran walked in.

“Good morning, love birds,” he called, walking in and giving them the fakest smile June had ever seen.

“f**k off.” Montana rolled his eyes as he lay back down, ignoring Zoran’s presence.

“Uh uh uh, you gotta get up. King’s orders, he said as he pulled the covers down, disturbing Montana and filling him with rage.

Montana stood up and stared Zoran down, sending daggers with each second.

“The King wants to personally show both of you around the gardens today. He thinks being outside where the world isn’t s**t might be good for you two.” Zoran held Montana’s glare, almost snarling with his words.

“f**k what he thinks. I’m leaving today.” Montana said as his stare hardened.

“Sure you are, buddy.” Zoran was back to his annoying, joking self as he winked at Montana. June just sighed and rolled her eyes. She had no idea what Montana had meant, but she didn’t have a good feeling about today.

“Montana, if you return to your room, you will find your outfit for the day. June, they are bringing yours as we speak” he said. As if on cue, there was a knock on the door.

“That, my lady, is my cue to leave.” Zoran turned and let the two servants in, rushing out and closing the door behind him. Montana rolled his eyes and left to his room to get ready, making sure to give June a quick loving kiss before departing.

“Good morning, my lady.” they both said in unison as they brought her a soft silk pink gown, similar to the yellow one she wore before. June dragged herself out of bed with a heavy sigh and let them help her get dressed. Today, they braided her hair and did some simple makeup that brought some life to her pale face.

“King Maslin will come and get you when-” The door opened and in walked King Maslin, causing the servants to fall silent.

“Your majesty.” they both said with a bow as they left.

“You look wonderful.” he complimented her as he walked over to June. She stayed silent, her mouth in a straight line.

“Are you ready to walk the gardens with me today?” he held out his arm which she took, fighting back the tears in her eyes. They met Montana outside in the hallway and King Maslin led them outside through a back door.

June squinted at the bright sunlight as she stepped outside. Once her eyes adjusted, she saw what he meant by gardens. There must have been more than twenty flower beds, all holding different flowers and fruits that almost sparkled in the sunlight. Different trees were abundant, and a perfectly placed stone path twisted through it all. The pain in her chest lessened a bit as she took it all in, but it returned as soon as she remembered Montana.

“Listen, Your Majesty,” Montana started as they headed toward the path made of various pebbles. “This is all nice and all, but we should get back to our friends.” he insisted.

The king ignored him completely and kept walking, holding June close.

Montana felt heat instantly flow through his face and ears as a rage he had never experienced before took over. He hated being ignored, and after dealing with Zoran and having this so-called king come and try to steal his woman, he had had enough. He was leaving and he was taking June with him. Now.

He slowly pulled out a makeshift knife that he had made out of a razor and a piece of wood he had broken off the bookshelf in his room while he was getting ready.

Just as he intended to make his attack, guards appeared out of nowhere, surrounding them. Everyone but the king was surprised. Before Montana could do anything, he was stabbed through the gut with a sword, causing him to drop the knife and fall to his knees. June noticed a flash of anger cross the king’s face.

June watched as her one true love fell on the ground, slowly bleeding out. She pushed King Maslin away and ran to him, putting pressure on the wound. She started sobbing uncontrollably as he lay in the grass, gasping for air. She had no idea what was going on behind her, but she heard muffled yelling and commotion. All she could focus on was Montana.

“Stay with me Monty,” she begged through her tears.

He took all his strength and lifted a hand to hold her face one last time.

“June,” he started.

“Save your strength, you’re gonna be okay. You have to be.” she was practically screaming out into the void.

“June, I love you.” his body slowly fell limp and his chest stopped rising. June lost it and started screaming as she tried to bring life back to her lover.

He was gone.

She felt King Maslin gently take her arm and try to lead her back inside, but she fought to stay with Montana.

He used a little more force and got her up.

“Come on, let’s go inside,” he said with pain in his voice as he forced her back into the castle and some servants arrived to take care of the body.

“YOU KILLED HIM!” she screamed as King Maslin brought her into his room.

“June,”

“NO, GET AWAY FROM ME. I f*****g HATE YOU!” she screamed as she walked away from him, grabbing her hair as she sobbed and gasped for air.

“June, I told the guards not to do anything like that under any circumstance. They are being dealt with accordingly,” he said firmly, his heartbreaking watching her in so much pain. “I’m sorry. I honestly am. I never wanted that to happen.”

She continued to sob as he walked over and gently led her toward the bed.

“Why don’t you lay down?” he offered, pulling the blankets back for her. June just shook her head and slowly sat on the floor, tears still pouring out of her eyes and soaking her gown.

“Why didn’t you just let us leave?” she managed to get out, her voice breaking.

“I didn’t expect him to plan an attack, and I certainly didn’t expect my guards to so blatantly ignore my orders.” June noticed the anger in his final words. “I had planned for all three of us to live a good life here.” he sat on the ground next to her.

“Aren’t you a King? Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Work to do or something?” she spat in disgust as her makeup ran down her face and neck.

“You see, the beauty of being King is I can get people to do my work for me.” he tried to lighten the situation and bring her comfort. “For the next few days, I want you to stay in my room.”

“Who says I want anything to do with you?” she was ugly crying at this point, tears running everywhere and snot filling her nose.

“Well, I suppose you don’t have to. But I do think it would be best if you weren’t alone, at least for the next few days.” he offered, looking over at her with a softness in his eyes.

“Whatever. It doesn’t matter anymore. Nothing does.” She felt faint but couldn’t stop crying and gasping for air.

Slowly, everything went black.