Mary was so scared she would die!, she shut her eyes, regretting, feeling bad for acting on impulse and trying to run away, she should have done better, thought with a level head, not one that was filled with anger for what was done to her, she played the scene that brought her to this point again in her head, if only....
When they returned, she retired to the chamber that she was thrown into earlier, but she called for Francis immediately, she was too excited he was going to honor their deal and give her back her properties, he won't go back on his word, he came to her, when they were inside her chamber she fidgeted, she didn't know how to ask for a maid, as she wanted to change her clothes as they were stained with blood, she always had someone to do that for her, so having to do it herself was a hassle, and practically impossible for her, but she had to think of important things first like her properties..
"You asked to see me?, Francis said and interrupted her thoughts bringing her back to the present, she nodded and cleared her throat.
"I.., I need my properties, and my father's house like you promised, she said and watched him raised his brow...
"I promised no such thing, he said with assertiveness that made Mary shake,
"You did, you said you would give me my house if those babarians really attached us, she said slowly.., and he laughed a hard brittle sound and Mary shivered, he was really a monster
"I said I would think about it, and now I would do that later, if that's all, then..., Francis finished and turned to leave..
"This isn't what I wanted to hear from you!, and of course I need to know if you will really think about it, Mary said in a frustrated tone,
"I just gave you my word, Francis replied
"And sorry to say but it counts for naught, she replied and he turned to her angrily
"Are you insulting my integrity? he asked with narrowed eyes, in a look that he knew no one could resist, or withstand, they always crumbled at that look, and she was no different, she shivered again, with fear in her eyes..
"I am just saying that I can't know if you are thinking on it or not, unless you give me a date when your answer would be ready, she replied agitatedly
"You can't make me tell you anything or do anything!, Francis replied furiously
"Then you are going back on your words!, she shouted back at him, then he turned to face her, with his dark green eyes getting darker with emotions, he looked so beautiful, so angry..., she thought to herself
"Okay, I will give you my answer, when we come back from the opening, because you are coming with me and if you refuse, I won't think on it, is that okay? he asked her, and she swallowed, this man was a difficult man to deal with, he had to be the most thick headed man she had ever met, she was not going to attend the open season, she thought,, but decided not to argue further or to push again, not when she needed a hot bath, and rich dinner, she would play safe...
"It is not okay with me, but I won't argue any more today, we are both tired and need some rest, I also need a hot bath, and food, and a maid to help me undress, she rushed through her wants not seeing the incredulous look on Francis face, he looked like he was in presence of a spoilt brat...
"Wow..., wow, why don't you ask for the whole world while at it, you need a maid?, Francis asked in a sarcastic voice, and saw her face flushed with embarrassment she looked away quickly, unable to bear the humiliation, she never had to beg for a warm bath before, she thought quietly then she turned away, not being able to look at him at that moment, and he didn't hesitate to leave immediately!, Mary was in shock, she knew she was likable, and she was told how beautiful she was by everyone, so they wanted to meet her, be her friend, help her, especially men, but not this monster, she had known him in forever, she had a song for him, but he decided to treat her like trash?, she looked at the door with a steely determination, she would leave, marrying James won't be such a bad idea, she was sure he wanted her for her powers as well, but she was also sure that he loved her, and would take care of her, at least she wouldn't have to beg for a hot bath!, she stood up and walked to the door, then rushed down to the stables, only then did she realize that this wasn't her home, and she had no horse, but she was determined to do this, so she entered and picked a stallion, it looked so peaceful and calm, but she later got to know, that just as his master it was deceitful, she mounted the horse and it refused to stay steady, it whined and jumped up and down, almost throwing her off, but her stubbornness didn't allow her let go, she would take this horse from him, something he cherished, she held on, kicking the horse to a run, and when it did it was running wildly, in panic, she knew it was dangerous, she could break her neck, but she refused to back down, she turned and saw his men chasing her, some aiming an arrow at her, so she bolted, now she had no choice but to escape with the stallion...
Francis ran to the stables, and saw his the stallion his father gifted him when it was just a pony, he hadn't touched it since his father's death, and gave a strict warning for no one to ever ride on its back, the old boy looked at him, and he touched it's nose, rubbing it..., "I need you now, I know we haven't seen much of each other, but I need you now..., he whispered then he brought it out of the stall,
"My lord we don't have the time for such romance, Theo said in an agitated voice,
"Theo, you saw?, Francis asked him..
"Aye my lord, so let's make our way there now, cutting past the woods, we may meet them on time, he said and Francis stared in admiration for his abilities, and nodded mounting his horse, they bolted out of the castle...
Mary was scared, why were they hunting her?, was it because of a mere horse? or did the Duke ask them to kill her so no one would fight for her properties, or drag them with him, that bastard!, she thought, and they were getting too close, an arrow flew past her ears and she screamed, forgetting all the training that ladies were not supposed to scream like that, she was still managing to hold on, how was she going to dodge arrows as well, she wasn't a magician.., she looked up and saw that they were headed for a cliff, she was paralysed with fear, surely this beast wouldn't want to kill both of them, it would stop, she tried to rein him in, but he ignored her Command, she closed her eyes, as they approached the cliff, the men chasing her stopped and were shouting at her to stop the horse from going any further, but she couldn't do anything.., she was going to die like this, she closed her eyes and saw her mother, her father, and honestly, Francis.., she was ready, she thought, then suddenly, she heard a long whistle. it sounds like a command, and just like magic the horse stopped, she still couldn't open her eyes, or believe that she was safe, she sat still her eyes still closed, till she felt herself being lifted, then she opened her eyes and saw Francis, she clung to him so tight, it was hard for him to breathe, she held his neck shaking....
Francis held her, and was surprised to see her holding on to him, she was so mad at him moments ago that she wanted to escape, even it it meant her death, now she was all about him?, he was scared too, the stallion was so close to killing her, and also him!, he wanted to shake her for being so careless, but instead, he held her as she clung to him, she stayed that way for a while..., Theo watched them hold each other that way for a while then he smiled and left them, he rode to the men dispersing them, he issued a strong warning for such never to happen again, and he followed them back to the castle, his friend was in for it, just like he is, to his Naya, he thought and smiled wryly, it's going to be interesting...
"You shouldn't do something like this again, you could have died!, Francis chastised her, and she nodded..
"You should remain at Edinburgh till you figure out what's next for you to do, okay?, Francis said and still shaky she looked at him..
"You don't treat me like a guest, she said and Francis sighed, she was still making demands at a time like this, he couldn't understand women!
"I will do better, Francis said reluctantly...
"I am surprised you came and saved me, why did you save me?, if you didn't and I died here it wouldn't have been your fault, and you would have had everything you wanted without anyone to fight you.. , so why did you save me, Mary asked with surprise in her face..,
Francis stared at her, maybe she didn't know, maybe she was really innocent, but would telling her be the right thing?, wouldn't she use it against him?, Nay, he couldn't tell her yet, not when he had no solution, after meeting with the herb queen and a solution is found, then, he would tell her the problem, and demand to be set free, he thought quietly..
"It couldn't be that you have fallen for me have you?, Mary asked, masking the hope she felt in her voice and Francis laughed..
"Fallen for you?" of course not, I am just doing what is right, and that's it, so please can we return to the castle, he asked Mary and she nodded in embarrassment, he cheeks looking flushed...
"It's for the best you have no feelings for me, as I have none for you, she said in a hard voice, and walked to the other stallion he brought, then remembering what happened earlier, she paused and looked at him,
"Can I ride this one?is it gentle?, she asked him, and he laughed,
"Yes you can, he is going to be good to you.., she eyed him and mounted the horse carefully, she had to get away from this monster she thought as she kicked the horse to a start and rode home....