The stolen soul

Chapter six

Dila watched Damien lay kaliya down before turning to her. "I... I didn't..." His hand on her face cut her words off. This was the first time Damien raised his hand to a woman, and her at that. Did he hate her this much? Was he so much in love with the girl? He'd probably apologize to her later. Or not!

"How dare you?" His voice was suddenly ice cold. He looked like a demon awakened. How did she get to this side of him? "How dare you touch what belongs to me? How dare you!!?" Dila wanted to pass out. This level of humiliation; being slapped in front of the servants. And Kaliya 'belongs' to him? She couldn't raise her face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." "Quiet! Not one more word from you. If anything happens to that child, you'd rather wish you were dead. Tie her up." He turned to the guards. They quickly obeyed.

"Please your highness, punish me. I did an unforgivable sin. Please punish me." Damien stopped. "You think I'd let you go? Or whip you? Of course you deserve to die, but I won't have the joy of watching you suffer. You'll be here until she recovers and puts you in her state, I won't be satisfied." He walked away.

Dila couldn't believe it. She was going to be tied up until kaliya recovered and whipped her? She would never be able to walk with her head held high again. She'd been brutally disgraced. What would her life be if she survived? No she couldn't! She couldn't survive. She had to die here, else the shame would kill her afterwards. She had to make sure she died.

Damien had spent two hours cleaning her body. The royal family doctor was still yet to arrive and she was yet to wake up. He'd taken over from lady Luarine since she was barely alive herself. Though she'd insisted on staying with the child, he'd taken her back once she fell asleep. Now he had time to himself. He had time to think about everything.

He didn't regret anything but the fact that he'd allowed such a thing to happen to Kaliya. This one child that'd moved his inner self deeply, she was hurt because of him. He would never forgive himself. She looked so peaceful even in her subconscious state. He just felt sorry. Deeply sorry that he'd not gotten to her in time.

He rubbed her palms gently, watching her. The girl, she was just a child. Very young and fragile. Why did he bring her to the palace anyway? And why did it hurt him to let her leave? Her life outside was probably better off than what she went through in the palace. But for a truth,the moment he'd held her and put her on his horse, he just knew he couldn't let go.

She was young, but wise and strong. She had the guts to argue with whoever it was,at any time. Why did she suddenly change? The girl that slipped into his heart was one who argued with him all the time not caring what might happen to her. She was one who went out of her way to help anyone at any time. She was brave and had an answer for everything you said.

But now? She was suddenly reminded how weak and fragile she was. She must've realized she had no one to fight for her. What could he do? He'd let such a thing to happen to her. He didn't deserve mercy at all. And Dila! He was going to make her suffer, so much that she'd wish she were dead. She dared to hurt him to this extent. What kind of desperation enveloped her?

He reached out and touched her face. "I'm sorry kaliya. I couldn't protect you. You don't have to forgive me. You can punish me all you want. Please don't sleep too long. Please wake up soon." Then there was a knock. Damien turned. "You..! Why did you take so long?" The doctor bowed. "Forgive me your highness. There were some troubles." "Just make sure she is okay." He moved aside and stood to watch him.

A few minutes later, he sighed and turned to him. "Your highness, I believe she will be fine." Damien looked at his averting eyes. "Don't lie to me. If anything happens to her i won't forgive myself. Tell me everything. Now!" The doctor hesitated, scratching his brow. "Well, your highness, I really don't know. She seems to be stiff and not responding. I'm not sure what I should do." Damien sighed frustratedly. If kaliya died, he would never forgive himself.

"Doctor, you have to do something. I just... I can't lose that child. She's... Just do something. Okay? Anything. Quickly. Do something." "I can't do anything your highness. I've never seen something like this I can't even explain it. It now depends on her will to survive. " Damien was as angry as he was frustrated. He rubbed his head confused.

Her will to survive? She had to survive at all costs, but wasn't she already tired to live? Would she use the chance and die? No, he had to stop thinking nonsense. She was going to survive whether she liked it or not.

The doctor walked out, feeling both sorry for the prince and confused at the same time. Who was the girl that the prince was so worried about her? He knew the prince seldom cared for anyone. Why was he so worried about her? He walked into the court yard and met court lady Luarine. She looked very weak but stood firm and proud. He'd never seen such a strong woman before.

She walked up to him and bowed. "How is she?" She asked. The doctor was confused. Who was the girl really, that even this woman asked after her? He sighed. "I really don't know what to say, court lady. She seems to be alive but dead at the same time. Like I told his highness, it depends on her will to survive. I can't quite say." Lady Luarine nodded. "Then she will survive." The doctor couldn't help but ask her. "Who is the child really?" Lady Luarine looked at him. "Someone his highness would kill for." She said before walking away.