"Celia, as you might have noticed, Beatrix was a dear friend of mine from way before." He said and at the sound of her grandmother's name, Celia slightly twitched under his grip. "You might already know this, but I was tasked to take care of you if anything were to happen to her," Tom added and his voice got thicker and slightly rougher as he continued. "She always knew some things were dangerous but she never took heed of my warnings."
"Do you know..." Celia interrupted him without lifting her eyes from her lap. "Who those men were?"
"They were part of a secret group of assassins hired exclusively by the nobleman. I only heard of them before but their outfits were exactly as described by those lucky enough to witness them and live to tell the story."
"Why...?" She started asking but no other words were necessary. Tom couldn't look her in the eyes knowing he was part of her suffering but if she was to trust him, he would have to tell her this himself rather than let her find out from someone else.
"The King and Beatrix had a deal..." He started and tried to control his trembling voice when remembering the discussion he had with her grandmother before they came to the city. "There is a book that the King treasures most than anything called the Book of Knowledge. In there are several important names written, people that have the power to make or break the kingdom, and your name is clearly written side by side with that of the prince." He continued as he tightened the grip on her hands.
"What does that have to do with the killers?" Celia asked now fully concentrating on the discussion that took place in the small room.
"Your grandmother asked the King for you to be betrothed to the prince in exchange for her help in healing his recurrent disease," Tom explained and a small frown appeared as he remembered the King and his reluctance to promise this to Beatrix.
"Me? Why would she do that? I would never have left her just to stay in some boring old castle..."
"She must have known she didn't have much time left..." he continued, trying to ignore Celia's reddening eyes. He was looking straight forward above her head, clenching his teeth and becoming madder with every minute that passed. His own inability to keep safe the woman whom he owed so much to was what really drove him insane. If only he knew about the King's plans... if only he stayed at home... if only...
"Tom?" Celia interrupted his train of thoughts, as she noticed his expression grow darker each passing minute.
"I'm sorry..." A raspy voice made its way from Tom and Celia could barely distinguish the meaning as the tone he used was low and the words were slow to come out. "I should have paid more attention, I'm to blame for how things ended up." He continued without looking over at Celia. Standing quiet, she was trying to analyze the words and expressions hidden beneath Tom's stiff look. She finally broke his unwavering gaze towards the wall when she asked:
"What did the deal between the King and my grandmother have to do with those assassins?"
"I knew this could happen the moment I brought her back, and she knew it as well. The King wasn't one to easily give his blessing for a union he didn't have control over, but he was desperate and we thought it would work." Tom was now looking over at Celia with his eyes fixed on her little trembling figure. He knew she already figured out the reason these things happened, but he had to tell her everything... well, almost everything.
"And the King was against grandmother's wishes?" She asked as tears started welling at the corner of her eyes.
"He agreed at the beginning, but when I saw those assassins, I knew he had changed his mind."
"This is all my fault..." Celia whispered and her tears fell heavily, staining her cheeks and blurring her view.
"No, it's not your fault at all!" Tom hurriedly corrected her and grabbed her trembling shoulders, bringing her closer to him. It's all the King's fault, but don't worry, I'll let him have a taste of his own medicine," Tom tried to soothe her but the crying wouldn't stop. Regardless of the sting in his wound, he pulled her closer in an embrace and wrapping his arms around her, held her as close as he could. "It's all right, everything is going to be fine..." He repeated for her and for him, and the closeness of their skin, the warmth emanating from them and the sound of their heartbeats pulled them into a rhythmical, slow movement that seemed to soothe both their hearts.
They stood close in the embrace as time and place became long forgotten and Celia's tears, as well as Tom's wrath, melted into deep silence. They were both calmer than ever before, but unwilling to let the other go. The comfort they provided for each other was something they needed, not just in the middle of their overflowing feelings, but because of the many things that had happened to them in the last two days. Their closeness was what provided the break they desperately needed, a break from the truth, from their feelings of guilt, and most importantly, one that would let them process what had happened until that moment.
The silence was spread over the whole house and only the birds and insects outside of the cabin were heard from time to time, but the two remained in their very own bubble, indifferent to the noise outside. Tom's wound had started bleeding again and sleepiness was taking over his mind but he didn't want to break away from the spell surrounding them.
Lost in the comfort of their embrace, a strong knock on the door forced them back to reality. They looked at each other in surprise and with a deepened frown, Tom reached for his sword and placed a hesitant step forward, towards the front door. Quickly grabbing his shirt and buttoning it up over the now bleeding wound, he hid the sword behind the door and while trying his hardest to hold himself up, he opened the door just as the third knock was heard.