Chapter 34 (Cora)

After the ceremony we were ushered into a small side building off the church. Maxi and Rupert awaited us inside both holding our prospective clothes. Rupert followed Ara into one room leaving Maxi to help me in another. She worked quickly to help me out my dress. She helped me throw on a puffed sleeve tunic and a pair of plain slacks that would be easy to travel in.

“Cora you were stunning up there my love, you looked so much like your mother.” She looked at me through the mirror we were standing in front of. “It was a shame they did such a small ceremony. I wish more people could have attended.” she chatted as she braided my hair.

“I couldn’t see much from the doorway, but I could see the way Tarak looked at you, my girl. He looks at you like the sun and moon rise and fall just for you.” she exaggerated. “And that kiss please tell me it was as delicious as it seemed.” she chuckled to herself as I turned red at the mention of that kiss.

“Maxi, I am glad I have you and Rupert here with me right now so I can say goodbye to you. I got to see my mother today, she seems to be doing better.” I talked to her reflection in the mirror as she continued to braid my hair.

“Me too my child, I will miss you so much. Even if you are not mine by blood I have always seen you as a daughter in my eyes." She hugged me from behind, after returning my mothers pendant to its rightful spot.

As we exited the small room, Rupert and Tarak were already waiting for us. Running up to Rupert I threw my hands around him, throwing him off guard. I never knew my real father, but Rupert had always treated me as one of his children.

“Good by your highness, I will miss you terribly.” he nuzzled his chin against the top of my head as he hugged me back. Not able to give me the goodbye he would have liked.

After saying my final goodbyes to them, Tarak took my hand guiding me towards the awaiting carriages; it was the same three he had pulled up in. I could see all of the knights had mounted their steads to make room for Mary and my luggage. I could also Tate bringing up the rear with some of the Andal knights.

Climbing into the first carriage, I found our carriage empty. As I got in and took a seat I could feel how plush the cushions were. Running my hand over the soft fabric loving the feeling of it on my palm. Tarak climbed in after me, he silently watched my hand as I ran it back and forth.

“Maxi and Roland prepared some snacks for us before we left. Why don’t you try eating something.” He suggested opening a basket that I had not seen him carrying before.

As he opened it he pulled out a small loaf of bread, some cheese and fresh fruit. Breaking off a piece of the bread and placing a small chunk of the cheese on top his hand came up as if to feed. Not sure what he was doing, I simply leaned forward wrapping my mouth around the delicious morsel. Slowly chewing I watched as he held his hand there in stunned silence.

“Princess this is going to be a long ride for me if you do things like that to me.” his voice low with warning.

I remained like that though, him breaking off pieces of bread and cheese to feed me mixing it up with blackberries every now and then. We didn't talk as we enjoyed the peaceful silence we had. By the time I had finished off the small meal I felt a little too full and sleep was calling my name. I was exhausted. Moving over to my side of the carriage, Tarak patted his shoulder gesturing for me to rest my head on him.

“Sleep my princess, when we wake we will be halfway to Andal.” He uttered. Draping the cloak he had on over me. His steady breathing lulled me into a deep sleep before I had time to protest against him.

I let my mind wander as I drifted off to sleep. If this was how a harbering of death treated the people in his life, I think I would be ok dying at the hands of this man. In the short amount of time I had been with Tarak I learned to lean on him and trust him. Something I had never done with anyone before.

I was jolted awake by the shaking of the carriage. Sitting up I was no longer leaning on Tarak instead I was lying flat across the entire bench. Tarak had just jumped out of the carriage, yelling something. As I came to my senses I could hear the sound of metal clanging against metal. Men shouting indistinctly in the background. Helena hopped into the carriage with me shutting the door behind us.

“Your Majesty, I need you to listen to me right now. I am going to need you to trust me so we can survive this.” She searched my face for confirmation. “Men started attacking us as soon as we crossed the border. They have already burned down two of the carriages; this is the last one. I need you to get out of the carriage and keep your head low. I want you to follow right behind me keeping your hand on my back so I know you are there. I will guard you with my life, but you need to trust in me.” she licked her lips, nervously I would freak out and throw a tantrum, like nobles would do.

Silently nodding, I wrapped myself tighter into Tarak’s cloak. Crouching down low, placing my hand on her back as she guided me out of the carriage. I could hear men screaming all around me and the roar of a fire seemed to drown out all other sound. We quickly made a beeline for the trees. My constant walks through the forest made it so much easier for me to keep up with her steady pace.

Helena began to slow as she believed we were out of the immediate danger. As we circled around a clearing trying to stay within the trees we could hear footsteps approaching us. Holding her finger to her lips to signal for me to stay silent. Placing me between herself and a tree, Helena pivoted so her back was towards me.

She took her stance as three men began to charge towards us. Too stunned to understand what was happening she quickly took care of the first man and was engaging with the second blocking him from getting to me. I saw the third, come around to flank Helena and help take her down.

Without really thinking about it, I ran towards the man that Helena had slain just a few minutes ago and grabbed hold of his sword. The two men had already dismissed me as an innocent damsel and focused slowly on Helena. Taking the sword and picking it up with all my might I charged towards the unsuspecting third man and plunged the sword into his side. I felt the sword connect with his body as he fell with a sickening thud. Helena finished off the last man quickly after that.

I had just killed someone. Coming to my side she grabbed the sword from me and threw it off to the side. Taking me by the shoulders she looked me over for any wounds, before yelling at me.

“Your highness, please promise me you will never do that again. I would have been fine. What if you had hurt yourself or worse what if he had noticed you coming and tried to stop you.” she pleaded with me trying to make me understand how dangerous I just acted.

At that moment, Tarak came trotting up to us to see the carnage all around us, with Helena still grabbing hold of me. Both of us on our knees. I stared up at him, he was covered in blood and my mind quickly came back to reality.

“Ara, I ki..I killed him” I looked over at the body whose life I had taken.

Gently shoving Helena out of the way he knelt down so we were face to face. His blood soaked hand came up to cup my cheek, wiping away the dirt and grim from my face.

“Aye, lass you did. You did a magnificent job. You protected yourself princess. I am so proud of you.” he hugged me, not angry at me for what I had just done.