would not be healed. I had to stay here for his safety.
“This is the happiest I have been in a long time,” I admitted, for it was the truth, staring at my friends.
Kathlyn’s face dropped, as did Hector’s. They were expecting me to beg for them to get my parents, to save me, to do
something. Part of me did miss home, but the other part of me knew I would be trapped in a marriage of abuse. I needed to
spread my wings, and this was the only place I’d be able to do that.
“See, your princess is doing well. You may now run back to your lands and tell your dearest king.”
He waved his hand and the barrier that kept them from moving came down. Kathlyn didn’t move, but Hector did. Rushing
towards me, he took me into a hug. The room started to shake, shattering the glasses as they fell off a nearby table.
“I will only ask this once. Remove. Your. Hands. FromMYfiancé.NOW. Or I will remove them for you.”
Nicholas’s threat echoed through the room, shaking it once again. Hector removed them slowly, looking at me with worry in
his eyes and then up at Nicholas. Hector lowered himself into a bow before me.
“Hector, please stand. It is alright,” I spoke softly to him. Turning and looking at Nicholas with anger I spoke to him, “It is
fine! He will not harm me.” I pulled my friend back up and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “I am fine,” I whispered to him as
he was pulled back by a guard. Kathlyn still didn’t move, fear keeping her in her spot.
“Kathlyn, you can go. I will be alright,” I assured her as I stepped in front of her, placing my hands on her shoulders.
She looked at me with tears shining in her eyes, lost for words. Breaking down and sobbing uncontrollably, her whole body
shook in tremors until I held her tightly against my chest. Looking at Hector over her shoulder, I found him staring at me,
confused.
“Remove her from the princess,” Nicholas ordered. The guard’s hand rose to grab Kathlyn and I shoved him away before
he managed to touch her.
“No! This woman is like a sister to me, and you will do no such thing.”
The guard retreated looking at me then at Nicholas with fear in his eyes. He would most likely be punished if he didn’t
follow orders, or was forceful towards me. Nicholas nodded his head and the guard stepped away.
“Whatever is the matter, Kath?”
She continued to sob until I peeled her off me and held her head in my hands. Forcing her to look at me as she shook with
each cry, I gently wiped her tears away even as more fell.
“I’m so sorry, your highness, I should have spoken up sooner. I should have told his majesty what was happening.”
My brows joined as I became confused, unsure of what she was talking about.
“I should have said something when they proposed your marriage.” She forced herself to stop crying, her breathing still
erratic, causing her words to come out in small bursts. “I knew, I knew what he was doing, but he said he’d slaughter my family