Bent But Not Broken

The sound of battle woke me so loud for a moment I thought they may just be outside my door. Throwing the covers off I rolled silently off the bed. My feet hit the floor silently as I reached for the Elvish blades under my pillow. Securing the blades on the belt at my waist. I pulled them from their sheets the bright light burst them. Not waiting for my eyes to adjust to the light I ran from my room. If someone had been watching they would've said I was flying my feet so silent and quick on the rough stone of the castle floor. The moon glowed bright shining through the windows I passed as I made my way up. The sounds of battle seemed to follow me. Reaching the upper rooms of the castle where most of the royal family stayed I paused in front of the door where I knew my half-sister lay sleeping. Turning away from the door my back against it I waited. Having been trained from a young age that my only purpose was to ensure that the heir to the throne was protected. I was expendable I was to protect the heir even at the cost of my own life. In comparison, I'm inferior after all who would think to compare a blond-haired blue-eyed beauty to a blue-skinned black-haired half-human half-elf. Shaking both from fear and anticipation I almost didn't notice when the elf appeared in the window. Opposite from where I stood in the narrow hallway. Even in the dull light of the Moon, it was obvious what was his skin as sapphires and his black hair blew around his face. Although I couldn't see his eyes, I didn't have to I could feel where his gaze landed. He looked me up and down a trail of heat burned through me as he took in my appearance. He spoke first his voice as smooth as silk. "So Soren was right." c*****g his head to the side moonlight streamed across his face and as he grinned at me his canines were visible. Jumping down from the window he walked slowly as if afraid if he moved too quickly I would startle and run. Watching him approach all my training went out the window. Everything about not letting the enemy get close. Everything that the soldiers had taught me about elves. It all went out the window as he drew close our eyes locked. The sound of the guards' shouts and feet on the stairs hit me like a bucket of cold water. His face was so close to mine his hand hesitated a mere inch from my face. My senses came back to me all at once. I was all too aware of not only how close he was. It wasn't how close he was that startled but that I didn't mind him being there. He was the first to move to turn away from me to face the staircase where the sound of the guards grew even closer. Moving on instinct I moved quickly the only thing I could think of taking the hilt of my blade and crashing on the head. The only thing I could think was if my father found out I hesitated and let this man this elf get so close to my half-sister then the consequences would be dire for me. His body hit the floor just as Gareth the head of my father's guard burst through the opening followed by the rest of his men. Stopping by the door Gareth stood there looking from me to the elf now unconscious on the floor. I tried not to look guilty as he took in the scene in front of him. Gareth was tall with brown hair and blue eyes that made women swoon when he looked at them. Well everyone except me that is. Growing up Gareth was the son of my father's army commander. Even at a young age, he seemed determined to make my life a living hell. First by taunting me by pulling my hair and calling me names. Then as we got older he tried to seduce me claiming I might as well since I was too ugly no one else would want me. After I said no time and time again he didn't ask anymore. Whenever he could get me alone he would force me to touch him or he would touch me. I fought at first by bitting kicking or screaming but each time the punishment for defying him was worse than the last. The first time I had tried he had slammed my head hard enough against the stone wall I saw stars. The last time I had tried he broke my arm. He had gotten so close to getting what he wanted that day, but he was called away at the last second. Leaving me bruised and bloody on the floor my clothes torn away from me leaving me almost completely naked. That had been almost a month ago and thanks to my elf side I healed my physical injuries. Since that happened somehow I managed to avoid Gareth. I spent most of my time training with the other soldiers and hiding out in the stables on the west side of the castle. But standing there I knew I couldn't avoid him much longer and as he spoke fear rolled down my spine like a cold chill. "Good job Anethra" he grinned as he said my name emphasizing each syllable as he spoke. Most in the castle call me Anna as my father hated the name my mother had given me. Not sparing his men a glance his eyes never left mine as they gathered up the elf and disappeared into the stairwell. "I'll make sure to let the king know that all that extra training has paid off." Smiling he looks me up and down pausing as he looks at different areas of my body. My thoughts and fear must have shown on my face because his eyes seemed to shine in the dark of the halfway. Letting out a laugh Gareth turned disappearing down the spiral staircase after his men.