I watched them go and when I turned around to leave, Bastian was watching me.
"You are laughing" he declared like it was something he needed to point out.
"Yes, Bastian. I laugh. I am capable"
I started walking away because I was still angry at him for involving sir Darken but I didn't make it far before I felt the urge to murder my closest ally.
"I have known you since we were fifteen in a foul smelling camp filled with the stench of death and blood, Abbott and I have never seen you smile. Are you sure you want to send her away?"
"My smile has nothing to do with Abby!" I snapped at him.
"I may be risking my neck here but it is not a coincidence that you are suddenly a smiling man five minutes after you were…" Bastain cleared his throat, I knew he saw me kiss Abby. "....five minutes after you were close with miss Spencer"
I moved closer to him like I wanted to tell him a secret and I might as well had ."Bastian…it is not what you think. Abby Spencer is…."
I wondered how I could explain it so that he would understand. How do I tell him what she means to me and why she has to stay as far away from me and my psychotic family. How do I tell him about this urge to protect her? How do I explain to Bastian that the kiss was a mistake…a big mistake that would never repeat itself.
I searched for words and I didn't find any, instead I exhaled.
"Abbott, we are no longer fifteen of age…battered and discarded. We made it out of Fort Enoch. We made something of ourselves, our names especially yours send fear into the hearts of our enemies. We are not the boys we used to be….you can allow yourself a moment of true happiness, my friend"
Fort Enoch - A place of terror and pain, Bastian hardly spoke of our time there and if he was, then he really was trying to make a point.
His point was wasted on me. He doesn't know Aldous Raven as much as I do and I wanted to explain it to him in a few words.
I could say to Bastian that I can't. I could tell him I have enough blood on my hand. I could tell him that people I care about, they get dead and they get dead fast. I could tell him that and more but I didn't.
It was my burden to bear….mine and not his.
"Get her home, Sir Bastian"
Bastian nodded. "I will see to it that she gets home"
I took a few minutes to inhale and exhale as Bastian left before I made my way to my quarters.
***
Abigail's POV
I tried to pay attention to the prince before me but my mind drifted at will and I couldn't do anything to stop it. I had flashes of second prince Abbott, I remembered the moment my hand touched the back of his neck and I remember the little moan he let out, that sound he made stayed with me, was it pain or was it pleasure just like I experienced.
I remember enough from mama's books I stole to know it could mean a host of confusing things, like the fact that his pupils were completely dilated when he looked at me again and with…lust in them.
It couldn't have been love like in my books because he threatened me mere seconds after, he threatened me even though my legs were still wrapped around his waist and his arms were firmly planted on my back for support. He threatened me and I believed his threats.
I would pack up and leave but Bluestone wasn't home anymore, it was a place filled with imprisoned loved ones and a noose for my neck. I was stuck between the proverbial devil and the deep blue sea or in my case a power hungry distant cousin.
I felt someone touch my hand and it made me jump just a little bit. When I looked up, a very worried Markle looked upon me with eyes that showed something Abbott Raven wasn't capable of showing - concern.
"Are you alright, milady?" Markle asked me.
Am I alright?!
Am i alright, really?!
Well, I am not.
How could I be? In a space of one two days I have experienced more horrors than my entire life on this earth!
In two days, I died... I lost both parents again, found a distant cousin I didn't know I had who moved into my home, took over my life and tried to bloody murder me! In one week, I went from a wife and baron's daughter to a possible orphan to a thief to a hunted fugitive!
In one week, i kissed two men…one an angel and the other a bloody demon from the pit of hell who made me feel things i had no right feeling.
Who made me feel safe and just as i lower my guard around him, he fucking threatened to make my life…a life that was barely holding together a living hell!
How am I supposed to be alright?!
"Everything will be alright, milady," Markle said when I didn't respond.
I shook my head.
"You don't know that, your highness"
"Yes, I do. I will protect you, Abigail, i swear this to you"
"Can you protect me against the second prince?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.
Markle sat upright instantly. I saw the look on his face and because I couldn't hold his gaze, I took time to look around. We were in the garden but this part had a man-made fountain and beautiful flowers. It was truly exquisite and we weren't alone. Sir George was standing a few feet away from us and so was Evie.
"Did he threaten you?" he asked me and leaned in closer.