Chapter 38

Mmmmh.... I woke up feeling extremely comfortable that I didn't want to move. With my eyes closed I wondered where I was. Why was it so comfortable? Did I die and go to heaven? That must be it. There's no way I survived getting tortured for that long. I was a woman after all. I'm not saying that the male gender would have survived but I'm hinting towards that.

Men have trained to go to war, so obviously their pain tolerance would be higher unlike mine. I have endured emotional pain, this I knew how to get over ,but physical pain was something else. Physical pain was new territory for me. Feeling uncomfortable from staying in one position, I tried turning over to lay on my left side.

I should have stayed put. Moving a single inch was like I ignited the pain that ran through my body. My body was on fire. I couldn't find any particular position that felt comfortable except lying on my stomach.

My hands reached out the wide bed and my fingers ran through the silk sheets. I was definitely dead, that I could confirm. Otherwise what would I be doing laying on silk sheets. I wasn't rich or anything. I could barely feed myself. So the options were :I was either dead or I was married to a rich man, which was very unlikely.

From what I could recall I was in a cell in the dungeon. My last memory was seeing the King before I passed out. If I was dead I could finally get some much needed rest. I could finally live a carefree existence with the angels. Would I even get into heaven? I haven't committed many sins but I wasn't a saint either.

" I can see you are awake Nalani" a familiar voice said.

I knew it. Aargh, it was too good to be true. Death was so far away from me. It seems like death takes a vacation whenever it was time to take me away. Why? Why was I still here? I didn't want to be here anymore.... I was tired of this existence.

" I can hear your regret from here" he muttered

Should I acknowledge his presence or should I avoid him? I didn't want to open my eyes and confirm the inevitable. I was alive and still kicking. I think I was being punished for a past life mistake ,otherwise why was everything bad happening to me.

Losing my parents was not enough, I had to work in the castle where I was easily used as a scapegoat. When does enough mean enough. I was angry at everyone. My mother for bringing me into this horrible world. My dad dying for a man who didn't care for his well being. Sir Carl for bringing me into this hellhole and the King for liking me.

Since I was born the only time I was happy was during my childhood. After that everything was hell on earth. Haven't I gone through enough? Haven't I suffered through enough tribulations. When will I be allowed to rest. When will I be able to put my feet up and do nothing without something bad happening.

" Nalani open your eyes!" He ordered this time closer to me.

The King. This man was always around to ruin my happiness. What did I even see in him to fancy him as I do?

I opened my eyes and found him staring at me. He didn't look away and neither did I . His eyes were filled with worry and for a second I wondered if he was worried for me. But .....that only happens in books. I knew he liked me. I probably entertained him and that was why he kept me around. But loving me was a bit too far fetched.

His eyes mirrored his feelings. Not only was he worried he was also scared. I really wanted to believe it but I couldn't. I couldn't allow myself to like him. Who was I kidding, I already liked him. I just....I wanted to keep it to myself. What I didn't know was , my face always showed what I was thinking and feeling. I wondered if he could see through me.

When did these feelings develop? I didn't have a particular time I could point out and say, it started here. Maybe it was a collection of moments between us that grew to the feelings we had. He was a good man , when you got to know him . However I was still skeptical as a child of a man who was called a traitor.

What if I got closer to him and I ended up as my father? I didn't want it to come to this but it was a thought that has always been in my mind. No ...he was not his father. He was better. He wanted to improve his people's lives. I have seen how passionate he was when it came to his work. Even though he had so many enemies he was trying his best.

" Don't be scared. No one will take you away from me" he growled and took me in his arms.

His arms were so tight as if I would be snatched away. His chin rested in the crook of my neck as he took me in. In his arms I felt safe. Like no one could hurt me. I felt treasured by him. He held me so carefully like I was the most important thing to him. I have never wished for something so badly in my life. To be held by him forever.

I wished he would hold me like this forever and never let go. One hand went to my hair ,he stroked my curly hair. I knew my hair was a mess. I haven't combed it since I was arrested. I haven't bathed either, did I smell? Oh my god, I was smelly.

" Your highness, I'm not in the best position..." I started wiggling

" Don't move" he ordered.

My body stopped dead on its track as it obeyed his command. I stayed in his arms as he continued to stroke my hair. Why was he behaving like this?

" I thought I lost you" he whispered