**DAPHNE**
“Who told you that Ash was a prince?” Petra’s gaze falls over me in disapproval, Dionie’s body tensing visibly. Shooting a glare at him in disbelief, she shakes her head in disappointment. “Really?”
Removing his helmet to hold at his side, he shakes out his heavy blond tresses. “I did not tell her. She figured it out.”
Petra hisses, “Everything?”
Catching my eye, he shakes his head no. “Some things are better left for Ash.”
With a roll of her eyes, Petra groans. “With your assistance, no doubt.”
Smiling at me, he gives a slight bow. “Ash made me promise before he left, to guard her life by any means necessary. It was necessary. I am at her service.”
Petra’s cold brown eyes angle toward me; a scowl ever present on her face. “Seems like a wasted effort.”
It was becoming very clear to me that finding Hayden in my bed chamber has upset her.
*But why though? Because of Ash?*
*She knows I have no control over what Prince Hayden does or does not do!*
*What is her problem?*
She was looking at me like I was an abomination. As if I’d been caught doing something abhorrently horrific. Stepping toward the two of them carefully, I attempted to diffuse her anger. “Hayden was here to make me an offer. I did not invite him, I never have. He barged in here. I thought he was you.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she says, “I can only imagine what manner of offer he presented.”
“Not that type of offer,” I say, but still she glares. “He is under the impression that I am pregnant with the king’s child.”
The air in the room seems to freeze. Silence, heavy and thick paints the walls with a dread of emotion. Dionie’s eyes, normally so full of joy, fall sad.
“Are y-you?” Dionie croaks out.
As Petra’s gaze softens, she hisses at him, “No.” Then, as if she is taking inventory of the last two weeks, her hands snap over her mouth. “But wait - you have been sick - you might be pregnant!” She stated as if it has only just dawned on her. “But - have you been with anyone other than-”
“Ash?” I finish for her. “No.”
Dionie tilts his head, seemingly confused. “But, that can’t be right - because - well, just-”
“Because Ash can’t have children,” Petra says flatly. “At least I don’t think he can.”
Her statement is shocking to say the least.
Whyever, would she think that Ash cannot have children?
“Well then maybe I’m not pregnant,” I say, knowing fully well that I am. “But I don’t see that fact making much difference. Hayden will still do as he pleases.”
Ever since Hayden presented it to me as a possibility, I have known. Something inside me was sure of it. But...
Petra’s eyes are wide with confusion as she locks gazes with Dionie who in turn clenches his teeth. Placing a hand over the hilt of his sword, he finds my eyes. “What did that bastard say to you? Did he threaten you? What did he say?” Then, slapping a palm to his forehead, he says, “I knew I should never have left here. I knew I should have sent Petra, but I did not want her to have to endure the attentions of the soldiers in the tavern.”
Petra’s head snaps toward him in shock. A deep red blush falling over her cheeks as she smiles. “I would have been fine. I know how to slink about without notice.”
“My lady, please,” Dionie pleads, determination in his gaze. “What did he say to you?”
Taking a deep breath, I tell him. “He told me to leave. To escape.”
“What?” Petra snaps. “No! If you leave, Hadimere will certainly hunt you down and behead you. When the king returns and he tells him you are with child, all will be well. If the king thinks you carry his heir, you will be safe.”
I shake my head at her, “No. Hayden will not allow it. He said, that if I stay, he will tell the king that the child belongs to another. If I stay, Hayden will claim that the child is his own.”
“The king would become enraged. He would take your head without question.” Dionie nods, replacing the helmet on his head and shoulders. “I’ll kill him. Then he won’t be saying anything.”
As he turns to leave, I have to shout, “No! The prince’s murder will only cause more trouble!”
Dionie freezes, spinning back around slowly. “So then, you want to leave. Either one is a death sentence.”
Shaking my head, I explain. As quickly as possible, I recount the events of everything that happened with Hayden before their arrival. Omitting the climb of dark energy - this I keep to myself, though I don’t know why.
When I am finished talking, Petra appears crestfallen. “And you think you can trust him? What’s to stop him from sending the king after you anyway?”
Wringing my hands, I begin to pace about the room. “No. I don’t think I can trust him, but I don’t see any real alternative. I have to leave.”
“Strange that he would ask you to take me with you,” Dionie says. “I wonder - could he know something - something about Ash?”
With a soft sigh, Petra turns to Dionie. “Go. You must send for Ash right away.”
With a stiff nod and a slight bow, Dionie exits the room. “I will return shortly,” he says, with his back to us, closing the door with a subtle thud.
My eyes seek out Petra’s. “So, you do know where he has gone.”
With a nod she opens the armoire. Throwing two cloaks and a good amount of clothing onto the bed she says, “Start packing.” Looking sadly about the room, she steps up to me and pulls me into her warm embrace. “I will go to the kitchens and prepare as much as I can for you and Dionie to take with you.”
“What? Wait a minute I-”
“The prince is not the only one with a cottage,” she says, cutting me off. “We won’t be sending you to his. Let that spoiled fool think you’re stupid enough to take refuge in his house. Ash has a place, deep in the Hadimere Forest. Near a certain place of eternal rest. You will go there instead.”
“The Hadimere Forest? But-”
“There are no buts!” Petra exclaims, grabbing my hands in hers and pulling me closer. “Ash will find you there. He will know what to do.”