I swim from one shore and back. I shake off the water and dress myself.
'All this time I had feelings for a woman. I knew it, I did not want to be with a man.'
He walked back to the cottage to talk to this temptress. As he opens the door he sees all the furniture covered up. When he surched the house he could not find Eli anywhere. He ran to the stable and her horse was gone.
"Shit!!" he yelled then started looking for her tracks so he can find her.
After some looking he got his horse and followed the path made by this woman he wanted more then anything in this world.
He could tell she was riding fast so he just hoped he could keep sight of the trail as he tried to catch up.
♡♡♡◇◇◇♡♡♡ [Eli]
'Lighting flash through the sky and the thunder was deafening. I hear a child crying and I run through the forest. I fall and am covered in mud but I get up and keep running towards the sound of the child.
The night sky lights up again and I can see her but instead of tears the child is laughing like a crazy maniac.
I turn and someone grabs me and I scream. He drags me into a dank dark cave as the child laughs pointing at me.
I struggle and fight but can't break free. Then a voice rings through the air, "You will never be free Elizabeth You were born to help me rule." I struggle and turn to see my Uncle laughing at me. "You will serve me." I try to scream but no sound come from my throat.
Then I feel a warmth spread around me, "Your ok I've got you...your safe now." The darkness turns light and I open my eyes to find Max holding me and whispering in my ear.
"You were having a bad dream." Max said as I opened her eyes.
Tears fall down and he takes his thumb and wipes them away.
"I'll protect you, no more bad dreams." He smiles at me and I relax.
"Thank you." is all I can say.
He kisses my cheek and pulls me close and I drift back to a dreamless sleep.
♡♡♡◇◇◇♡♡♡[Max]
As I got near her she was thrashing around in a nightmare. I ran and scooped her up and pulled her close.
"Your ok I've got you...your safe now." I rocked her in my embrace and soon her eyes opened filled with tears.
"You were having a bad dream." I say as she opened her eyes.
Tears fall down her cheek and I takes my thumb and wipes them away.
"I'll protect you, no more bad dreams." She smiles at me and seems to relax.
"Thank you." she said
I kiss her cheek and pull her close as she drifts back to sleep. I sit there holding her and my heartbeat settles to a normal beat.
She sleeps till the sun comes back up in my arms and for the first time in my life I feel at peace.
"Hey beautiful, you alright now?" I say as she opens her eyes.
She shakes her head yes and I let her go. She stands up and looks around.
"Why did you come after me?" She asked.
"Why not, Just because you are not a boy it doesn't change the feelings I have. We need to find out what is between us."
She shook her head no and walked over to make a fire. "There can be nothing between us. You have a world to rule and I have a world to hide from."
"No, I won't let you leave me again until I know what this all means. I know you are the one I need to love." I get up and pull her to me again.
"So you will force me again to stay. Will it be the dungeon again if I say no?" She looked up into my face and my heart broke at the thought of losing her.
"No, I will not lock you up or force you; but I will beg you to stay and get to know me better."
When she said nothing, "I can protect you from the Duke and your Uncle. You can stop running for a while. Adam likes you and will help keep you safe. He would not give his husband cottage if he did not care."
◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇[Beth]
I closed my eyes and take a deep breath. I was tired of always being on the run. I did feel safe with Adam and him but could I really take a chance?
"If you promise me I can leave anytime I want then I'll stay for awhile." I tell him.
He smiles and pulls me close, "I promise."
When he finally lets go of me I make coffee and we talk a little.
"Is your name really Eli?" He asked.
"No, Elizabeth but my friends use to call me Beth." I say drinking coffee.
"Elizabeth, It suits you better then Eli. So who is this uncle you are running from?"
I take a deep breath and say, "You know him as the Duke of Ombridge."
"Oh, the man trying to take over our land. Then I definitely need to keep you out of his hands."
Silence falls over us as I pack up camp and get ready to head back to the Capital with Maximum.
As I watch him lead the way I take notice of his broad shoulder. He is a foot or more taller then me so it makes me wonder of his age.
"Can I ask you a question?" I ask.
"Ask away my lady." He smiles at me.
"How old are you?"
"I am 29 and you?" He asked.
"I turned 24 on the day we met. December 5th."
"Well happy late birthday. I will turn 30 on the 11 of July."
"Where are your family members?" I ask.
"Well My mother and father were both ambushed by the Duke's men ten years ago. I have one sister who has been sent overseas with her husband for safe keeping. Your Uncle would use her to get back at me."
"How did you and Adam become friends?"
"Well that is a funny story. I was 14 and decided to explore the woods near my home when I see boys in their late teens punching a small boy. He was in a ball taking the beating without a sound.
I yelled at the boys to leave him alone and they turned and chased me. The boy stood up and ran after them and just as the boys caught me and started beating me, the boy took a stick and frought them off. After that they ran and he came up to me with his hand out. 'Are you alright? Did they hurt you?'
I was stunned this small boy took a beating when he could of protected himself. He told me he had promised his teachers to only use his skill to protect other. Adam stayed by my side teaching me how to protect those around me. He said the Oracle told him to seek me and to stay by my side."