I arrived at the castle gate at sunset, tired and tattered. The guards at the gate had taken notice of me few meters away, riding Darcy as if I was being chased and had hurried towards me to make sure everything was alright.
"My Lady! Are you alright?" Asked one of the guards as he helped me down.
"Let's take her to the physician immediately, she's in urgent need of treatment" said the other.
I chuckled at their urgency. Callum, Alek & Oliver. The only three men who had no fear of what or who l was, they were the only human beings including Serena that treated me like a human as well. "I'm fine, Olly". I said sheepishly.
"You're not fine, My lady, you're covered in blood stains." Alek uttered as he pointed to my blood coated clothes. "Don't tell me you went fighting all by yourself? I shall kill whoever did this to you and they wi-"
I cut him short and a smirk ran across my lips as l spoke, "Shush and worry not". I leaned away from Callum's grip and began walking slowly away from the gate but Callum noticed my weakness and trailed behind, eventually sweeping me off my feet and into his arms, "I'll take you to your chambers".
"Let me down, Callum" I said authoritatively as I wiggled my legs. He smiles and looks at me as he walked on, "That doesn't work with me, Alora". He was right. He never did once treat me like a princess or saw me as a deadly being. He took me like an equal and treated me like a sister. But not once did l ever open up to him about my matters and he clearly understood - which was why I tolerated him - even with my cold demeanor, he still treated me with warmth. The reason? I'm yet to know myself.
We approached my chambers and Callum kicked open the door. Nora, who was down the hallway, noticed us and came to us quickly. Callum laid me on the bed and turned to Nora, "Prepare her bath and some food immediately". Nora nodded and left us alone.
Infuriated with his actions, l stood up and threw a slight punch across his face, "Don't ever go against my orders". Callum let out a laugh and looked straight into my eyes. I crossed my arms across my chest and raised an eyebrow demanding an explanation, "What?". "You're cute, Lory" he said with a sardonic smile.
"Stop calling me that!". I hated that name. It was quite annoying and it made me impulsive. He'd called me that ever since we were kids and used it to tease me at every chance he got. I rolled my eyes at him and brushed my shoulders against his intending to leave.
He pulled me back by my arm and pushed me gently against the wall as he pinned me to the wall by my arm, "Make me.." he said as a smirk appeared on his lips.
"Move aside" I said.
"Mm..or what?"
Callum was the only man who dared to act in such manner with me and he knew better not to. I released my arm from his grip and intended to strike but he caught both my arms and turned me around with my arms behind and leaning against him. I tried moving my arms but his grip was firm "Try again, Lass". Lass? Lory? This man was getting on my nerves now. I raised my left foot up his centre and kicked his balls, "Oof!" He groaned as he released his grip on my arms. l grabbed a pocket knife from the table and clasped his collar in my left arm pulling him a bit closer with the other hand pressing the knife on his throat. "You were saying?" I chuckled as he groaned in pain.
Callum and l were too busy with our mini episodes that we didn't take notice of Serena who had been standing at the door and staring at us, "How very intriguing" she said as she approached us with a clap and a smile.
I set him free from my grip and turned to Serena as l cleared my throat, "He was just leaving". I glared at Callum for him to take the hint and leave us. He nodded, "I'll leave you be" he said as he left. Serena laughed and said with a loud voice, "Bye!"
"What are you doing here, Serena?"
"Here to see you of course, l saw Callum bringing you in covered with blood stains. You okay? What happened??"
"I'm fine, l went hunting". I looked over at her and noticed the bandage around her head this time "You..you okay?"
She placed a finger on the bandage and chuckled wryly, "Oh this, it's nothing, I'm fine".
I nodded and began removing my article clothing. I felt Serena gaze over my body from a distance as l went on to question her, "What?"
"Your wounds, they're all healed up. No scars." She fixates her gaze on my bare back.
I wrapped a towel around myself and spoke harshly "Shouldn't be new to you. I need to have my bath now Serena, you may leave".
She nods obediently but l could see the disappointment in her facial expression, she wanted to stay and chat more but l wasn't up for that, not now or anytime soon.