~~**~~
Ana woke up the next day with a throbbing headache, sweat droplets covering her body, sore muscles, dizziness and by the almighty was the sun disturbingly bright!
"Ugh...I swear I am never having another hangover." She groaned as she tried to roll over to her other side trying to keep the light out. Slowly she slipped back into the warmth dark embrace of sleep.
*Honk! Honk! Honk!*
" Ah!!" Ana fell of the bed yelling, her left arm breaking her fall but nothing severe in the case of it breaking. "Ugh...What the hell?" she managed to utter as she squinted trying to see who stood before her with a horn in hand.
Light.
'Seriously right now and he thinks its funny!'
"What the hell Light?!" she groaned grumpily as she tried to get up but fell back on her butt. She winced in pain. Light laughed and Ana shot him a glare as he assisted her up on the bed.
"Rise and shine beefcakes. We have training...now." He said as he gave off a wide and toothy grin.
'Ugh yeah that's right.'
"Why the hell are you yelling?" Ana groaned as she held her head.
"I'm not. Unless-"
"No. That's impossible...I drank something yesterday to prevent that."
Light's eyebrows creased as he knelt in front of her, "What did you drink?"
"I don't know. Some guy...gave me something to drink. Said it will hel-"
"Which guy?"
"The guy you left me to dance with."
"Well obviously, he lied." He touched her forehead and for the first time she didn't flinch away. The heat her body gave off was abnormal. Hangover's never ended up like this.
"Light...seriously I'm sorry but can we postpone it today please? I can't do it today, tell my father that." She forced her feet onto the bed and covered herself attempting to go back asleep.
"Of course, Lady Ana," Light said with a smirk and left the room.
Ana was about to plunge into nothingness once more when something and wet drenched her clothing and bed. "Ah!!!" Ana shrieked as she shot up wide awake. "What the f- Light what the hell!" she seemed more alive than ever. The cold water he'd managed to salvage from the pool a few minutes away from the castle seemed to do the trick.
"Light I swear I will beat the living crap outta you!" She struggled to get out of the bed as Light laughed uncontrollably.
"Oh come on Ana, how are you gonna do that? You can't even get out of bed!"
"Oh really!" She shot up from her bed and ran after Light. She tripped over the rug and Light burst out into a fit of laughter; after which he faked removing a tear from his eye. Ana growled and with new found determination, shot up and chased Light for a total of two minutes before she gave up. When Light stopped and faced Ana, he laughed again watching her pant for breath. Currently, Ana was supporting herself on the dresser close to the door and Light was near her bed. A good fifteen feel away.
"Woah we giving up already?" he mocked Ana with a pout, as he placed his hands on his hips.
"Shut up!" she glared at him as he laughed at her and she joined in.
He walked up to her with mischief in his eyes. "Come on Ana, you're alive and up. Get ready for training." He patted her on the shoulder.
She swatted his hand away and glared up at him as some of her hair partially clung to her face, whiles the other part formed a curtain over her eyes.
He laughed once more before turning around and heading for the door. "Ten minutes."
"Screw you!"
"Oh I know you'd love to," he turned around as he reached the door knob and sent her a wink.
"Ugh," Ana sent a pillow after him and he shut the door just in time. "Bastard," she muttered before she walked over to the bathroom with a wobble in her step.
After breakfast, Ana went to training with the book she found in the treasure chest from home. Her hair was styled in a plait and she wore a black vest, leather boots and pants with a side bag. After Ana's physical training which was hand to hand combat with Light, as well as sword lessons where she also fought against Light, she was sore. She thought she'd never be able to move again.
During her relaxation period she saw someone awfully familiar walking towards her.
It was Gray Hiroshi from last night and he was being ushered by a guard. All of a sudden, Ana felt a tingling sensation creep up from her feet and all the way to her neck. Images of their...intimacy flashed through her eyes and she blushed a deep red. She'd bet that her cheeks were on fire.
"My lady Ana," the guard said bowing. "Gray Hiroshi wished to see you."
"Thank you for bringing him to me," Ana sent the guard a gentle smile. He bowed again in response and left.
"Gray," Ana whispered as she struggled to get up. When she nearly lost balance, he held her by the
waist and brought her up; their bodies close to each other leaving no space between them.
He looked into her green eyes with a boyish grin and she thought she'd melt. 'Fuck, Ana. Keep it together.' Gray rubbed his thumb on Ana's cheek, leaving her t blush looking away as she shied from his nearness.
He chuckled and brought his hands securely into his pockets. "How's my Orchid."
She smiled slowly as the memory of last night in the garden with the orchid came up. It slowly morphed into a chuckle as she grimaces, "Not so good. Had a hangover and it took a toll on me. Now my body is way more sore than it was this morning because of training but otherwise, I'm good. What about you?"
"I'm perfectly fine-relieved actually, since I was told that you weren't available." He said with a pout and Ana chuckled. "Lucky me when I spotted you on my way out," he sighed as he looked into her eyes deeply and placed a stray strand behind Ana's ear. Ana's breathing changed as heat pooled her insides and he continued to speak as if in a daze, "I got to see your breathtaking face and I just could not pass up the chance of hearing your voice again."
"Oh," Ana said breathlessly and he shook his head and laughed at himself.
"I know that was so corny of me but-"
Ana laughed as her cheeks turned redder and he joined in. Light happened to be walking by looking for Ana, when he heard the most beautiful sound since- He couldn't help but follow it and found Ana and a man standing and talking whilst laughing. He had no idea she had such a beautiful...well she always had one but...this laugh sounded more authentic than the others she'd gave off. She sounded, bubbly and smitten.
Intrigued by the man, he walked closer to them keeping in the shadows so as to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Thank's for coming to see me again."
"I said I would didn't I. Who wouldn't want to see a beauty like you?"
Light scoffed as he watched them begin to walk as they held hands. His skin began to boil and his face turned red with anger as he formed a fist. He realized it was the guy from last night. The one who he let dance with Ana and also the one who 'allegedly' gave her something to stop with getting a hangover. For all he knew, he could've given her something else...some kinda potion to enchant her or to drug her given that her brother was kidnapped yesterday. This guy might have had something to do with it.
"Damn you look feisty in your outfit...to be honest it's so turning me on" he whispered into her ear purring and Ana punched him playfully.
"Gray! Stop it...there are guards." She cautioned him as she looked around them. Gray wrapped a hand around her waist pulling her closer.
"So?"
When she looked back at him, he was an inch away from his lips. "So they might tell my father."
"Haha, no they won't. I'm sure if you say something to them they won't-"
"Ha!" Ana looked at him astonished and play-punched him again. "You are so bad."
"Hmmm, she thinks I'm bad," he spoke softly and seductively as he leaned in and kissed her. It started of slow and sweet and then built into a fiery and needy one. His hands walking from her waist to down her thighs and then they did the unexpected. He slid them around and grabbed her butt, squeezing. Ana yelped and he brought his arms back around her waist intent on hugging her tightly; whilst hers traveled up his broad shoulders.
"So this is why you never bothered to look for me when I supposedly disappeared." Light stood before them glaring at Ana, arms crossed.
"Light!..Uh th-this is Gray. Gray this is my bodyguard...Light."
"Personal bodyguard, meaning I'm to watch you at all times but when I finished talking to Gart, you had disappeared... only to find you here."
"Hey man, nice to meet you." Gray extended his hand to Light but Light didn't budge. He only glared at Gray and spoke.
"Let me make something abundantly clear so nothing is read wrongly. I don't trust you and for all I know, whatever you gave Ana yesterday could have done a lot worse. If it were up to me, you would have left already but because I respect Ana, I'm going to let you stay."
"I-"
"If you break her heart, I'll break your neck understood?"
Gray looked at him in shock and withdrew his hand. He slowly turned to Ana, "Is this how personal bodyguards usually are?"
"No it's not. He's just...on edge because of what happened yesterday."
"What happened yesterday?" Gray asked as he turned to look at an emotionless Light.
"My brother was kidnapped."
"Oh shit, I'm so sorry to-"
"For all I know you could have been involved," Light interrupted.
Gray laughed dryly and turned to Light, "I assure bodyguard...I had nothing to do with it. Why would I hurt Lady Ana in such a way?"
"I don't know you tell me."
Gray took as step forward, as the air around them sparked, "All because I gave her something I thought would help her with a hangover?"
Light took a step forward and squinted his eyes at Gray, "This morning she was as hot as a volcano with sweat practically covering her body when I came to wake her up. These are uncommon signs of a hangover minus the common ones, so yes. It's all because you gave her something to drink."
Gray was about to answer when Ana hastily stepped in between them. "Okay calm down guys. No
need to get all ape-like."
"Ape-like, you say?" Light said as he pierced her eyes with his searing glare. "Something could have happened to you, Ana. You could have died and do you know who will be responsible?"
Ana stared at him in shock surprised at his lack of control.
"Me. I'm the one who will be responsible, so pardon me if I'm trying to save my life by saving yours."
He looked to Gray and they both continued to glare at each other, "So forgive me for stating my
thoughts on the matter. You can clearly protect your inexperienced self.
Silence rung in the air with Gray and Light glaring at each and Ana glaring at Light.
"Apologize." Ana said with clenched teeth. "To Gray."
"I will not."
"Why are you making this so difficult Light? Just apologize and go. I'll meet you in a few minutes."
"No. I'm not doing either."
Ana scoffed and took a step towards him when a hand on her shoulder stopped her. "I-It's okay Ana. I have to go now anyways. I'll see you later okay?" By that time, Ana had turned to face Gray and he kissed her cheek swiftly and walked briskly to the gate. She watched him in shock and regret. As he exited the gate she returned her attention to Light enraged.
"Light what the hell was that!?" She asked as he began to walk away.
"What the hell was what?"
" You know what I'm talking about Light, don't play games. Why'd you have to be so--"
"So what? So mean! So forward!?" he turned to face Ana, his jaw clenched. "Ana you barely even know the guy! Yet you let him touch you--kiss you like you'll have been in love since the beginning of time! And look who wants to preach about being mean...what you did to Lila wasn't mean? You know I don't get you Ana. You were furious that I hooked up with Lila, but here you are, ready to strip off your clothes in front of the guards so he can get in your knickers.
"Light, you being my personal bodyguard makes this is none of your business! This is differe--"
"What the hell is different about that Ana! You know what, I can't stand here and listen to this bull crap. You persecute me for a reason you had no idea about and then you do worse than me! And you know what!? It is different! At least the girl I was fucking, I knew her since I was twelve! I would not just let some random girl into my bed and have the pleasure of having me ride her!
"And do you know what's more bull crap? The fact that I'm just the guard and it's none of my business, but what I do is all your business. Like you have the right to be judge and jury -seriously Ana, I don't get you.That makes me wonder about the night you were 'allegedly' raped. You sure you weren't enjoying? Acting all broken and shit so you could get attention from your dad because your mom died?"
Within three seconds, a loud sound echoed in the silence and one of the guards twitched. Light's face was now on a side as a hand print was printed on his cheek and he clenched his jaw. From the moment the last word left his mouth, she could not hold in the urge to slap him. "How fucking dare you!" Tears were threatening to pool her eyes but she would not give him the satisfaction of crying in front of him. The son of a bitch had done it. He'd gone and really done it this time. "You don't know shit about that night! How it felt. How he treated me. I was man handled beyond the meaning of the name itself-there's no word that could ever describe how he abused me.
"I get that I have some judgmental and hypocritical issues and that," Ana said as she took a step towards him pointing at him, "that I can deal with...but when you put in me being raped and tying it down to wanting attention is taking it a bit too mother fucking far. I've said it before and I'll say it again. You don't know shit about me and you won't know how I felt to be treated the way I was on the night my mother died. So you better hold your tongue before I cut it off for you, understood?"
Light faced her and saw how badly he had hurt her and the image of her laughing genuinely a few minutes ago resurfaced. Gray managed to bring out a true laugh and all he was able to bring out was pure rage, sadness and unexplainable hurt. It was written all over her face. He sighed. "You're right and I'm so-"
"Fuck you," she whispered ever so softly, "and get the hell out of my sight."
Light hesitated, "I'll wait for you at our next lesson."
"GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY SIGHT!"
"Your wish," he bowed and turned around to leave. The sound of his boots coming into contact was the only thing that could be heard in the deadly silence. He'd made up his mind and he would keep it that way. If he could not get along with Ana and with the possibility of her being hurt under his protection, then he'd leave. He'd go to the General, resign and set off for Ustedrias. Better off fighting there than staying here and causing more trouble.
Ana stood there as she watched his retreating figure and the tears just oozed out of her eyes. She'd wiped them furiously as a means to make it end but it would not. He had no right. No damn right to talk to her like that, making assumptions. He had no idea what went on in that room and she would rather all her limbs be cut off than admitting that she liked it. Any woman should not like to experience what she did.
As she kept her eyes on his still visible form, Ana heard something whizz in the air and when she turned around, it lodged itself in her side. A hot substance slowly began to seep through her side and when she looked down she saw the arrow. Something else oozed out of her and it looked dark green mixed with purple and she screamed.
"Lady Ana!" The guards yelled as half of them ran in her direction and the other half split into two groups. One to look for who sent it and the others went to warn the inhabitants.
When Light heard Ana's scream, he turned around and horror haunted his face. "Ana!" he yelled and began running towards her as she did to him, completely ignoring the other guards who were rushing to her.
Arrows flew in the air whizzing past her hair, taking men down who were blocking her off.
"Ana! Ana run faster!" One of them said before an arrow lodged itself through the entrance of his mother and the head sticking out through the back. Ana tried to run faster but she felt another arrow hit her hamstrings. "Ah!!!" she yelled, just before she fell to the ground, Light caught her and she looked at him dully.
"Ana.... Ana?" he kept tapping her face.
"Light...I can't feel my legs. I can't fell anything." her voice cried horror and blood began oozing from her mouth slowly.
"Guards! Guards!" But when he looked up, they were all dead. "Shit!" He grabbed Ana and ran into the castle; the blood from her wounds left trails behind to their location. As he entered, he heard the cries and screams of his fellow colleagues as they were slaughtered. Lucky enough he managed to find an empty room and lay her there.
He had to find help and he had to inform the General. When he was sure that Ana was hell in the hay, he ran out in search of Anadron making sure he kept away from the fight. When arrived, he pushed the door open to reveal men scampering around him arming themselves whilst Zapphira and Packron stood beside him planning a defense against the ambush. His sudden entry disturbed them.
"Light thank God. Whe- where's Ana?" Anadron asked worriedly as he walked across the table to him.
"She's safe in an empty room, no one will find her. I'm afraid she's hurt General. A wound to the side and hamstrings. There's some purple and green substance oozing from the wound as well and she's slowly bleeding from the mouth."
Anadron placed his hand on Light's shoulder and looked at him dead serious. "Light, I trust you with my daughter's life. My son is already kidnapped and I've lost the love of my life. Ana is all I have left at the moment, I want you to take care of her. Take her and leave Zappirenos-"
"But sir---"
"No time for buts Light! This is serious. I'm afraid I can't send any medic with you. All of them are dead and the only one we have is in critical condition so take her and some supplies, to tend her wound and leave Zappirenos for the city of Ustedrias and find Ur. He will help you in all ways possible that he can manage."
"But General.... what about you-what about Zappirenos. We can't just up and leave."
"Yes you can! Now take my daughter and get the hell out of here. I'll join you in a few days I just have to deal with the crisis here, I promise. Now go. Hurry!"
Light ran out of the room and got a few supplies from the storage room and rushed back to Ana as quickly as possible. When he reached the room, he saw a man walking towards Ana with a dagger in his hand. Light swiftly reached in his boot and flung it at the man. It missed and lodged itself in the cabinet behind the vermin. When he shot a glance at Ana, she was getting pale and loosing a lot of blood. "Shit!"
He ran towards the man, dropped the supplies and jumped on the man. With Light now straddling the man, he grabbed the man's throat and ripped it from place. Then he shoved his hand in his chest and ripped out the heart and flung it across the room. The life slowly slipped away from the man Light was cradling and when he looked down, he found the dagger lodged in his side.
Wasting now time, Light ripped it out and got off of the man. He walked over to Ana and carried her to the stables using a secret passage way and placed her inside the carriage, along with eh supplies. He paid no attention to the sting of his wound as Ana's life was more important than his. He burst through the wooden doors of the stables with the horses neighing and headed straight into the woods. No sooner had he done that than it began to rain heavily. His vision was being blurred but her refused to fuss over it. He had to keep going. For his sake and hers.
"Please Ana. Hang in there, I can't loose you too damn it I swore to protect you." As he was engulfed by the dark and safety of the woods, a few arrows whizzed past them hitting the barks of trees.