Feeling Rejected
A/N: I know it's finally a long lost update! Hope you guys enjoy and forgive me for being lost to the realm of boys and work and family drama.
Artemis's POV
I sleepily blinked and looked around sitting up. I grabbed my head as the room swam.
"You're awake! Oh Princesa! I was so worried for you," a voice sounded from the door of the room. I groggily glanced that way and blinked confusedly at Jaren.
"What's going on? Last thing I truly remember is falling asleep in the snow..."I rasped out. Jaren rushed forward and sat beside me on the bed supporting me as I began to sway dizzily. I leaned wearily into his chest and smiled weakly as he held a goblet of water to my lips.
I drank with his assistance as he began to speak," I found you nearly frozen. The only reason you survived that night was because of the ice dragon that found you. Ice dragons were thought to be extinct,but somehow one found you,Princesa. Thank the God and Goddess that he did find you,beautiful one. We all worried for you. You've been sleeping for a week. King Jareth graciously allowed me to continue in your care,but has stated you are welcome in his castle and kingdom whenever you wish to return if you wish so. The Princess Alex,with the escort of Prince Celos, has been in to see you many times and is expected tomorrow. I shall alert her you are awake today though if you wish to see her sooner. Her Highness Queen Sarah has visited you as well. She wishes to give you and Princess Alex lessons on etiquette of royalty as soon as you are well. Oh Princesa,I'm so glad you are well!" Jaren leaned down and kissed me softly before pulling back.
"I apologize,my Princesa. I could not contain my joy at seeing your beautiful eyes open and knowing that you are well,"Jaren bowed his head and moved to move away from me but I stopped him with a hand on his chest.
"Sessisalian?"I asked softly my voice quivering. Jaren bowed his head before replying, "The prince has been with Lady Kristella of late and checked up on you only once,Princesa."
I hung my head and bit my lip as hard as my little strength would allow holding back my tears. Jaren slid his hand under my chin lifting my face gently as he would handle a newborn bird to force me to look into his eyes.
"My lady,I apologize. I wish I had better news for you,but I can not bring myself to lie to such a beautiful woman,"Jaren softly said his other arm gently hugging me against him as a small sob escaped me. I buried my face into his chest and clung to him as my broken heart shattered even further. I don't know how or why I had fallen for Sessisalian so quickly or hard,but I couldn't handle his betrayal of my feelings. I thought he felt for me as I feel so strongly for him. Jaren holds me as I cry myself back into the deep abyss of sleep.
Sessisalian's POV
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair as I stared out into the Labyrinth. Artemis had been found by Lord Jaren but told him she didn't wish to see me ever again before falling unconscious. I had been to see her once with my brother and Alex,but every other time I had seen my gorgegous love had been in secret. I snuck into her room in the light of the moon she loved so dearly and out as the sun rose almost every night. I knew she hated me for Kristella's actions,but I could not help but love her still. She is my true mate and the missing piece of my heart and soul. I will never love another. I will always do for her from a distance so that she may always be safe but I won't be going against her wishes. My brother had been in earlier to tell me that Artemis had briefly awoken. I knew I should not go to her,but I must see her tonight to know she is alright.
Jaren's POV
I knew that Prince Sessisalian had been sneaking into the castle every night to see Artemis,but tonight when she was awake again I had to make sure he would never speak to her. I had to keep him from explaining or else I would lose the chance to claim the power Artemis held. I grinned as I noticed the prince's magical signature lingering out on the balcony of her room. Show time.
"Artemis,I've come to visit you once more before bed. I wished to check on you and make sure you are not in need of anything,"I said softly as I entered her room. She startled looking up from the book she had been reading.
"Oh,thank you,my lord,but I do not need anything. I appreciate you checking on me and all your kindness though,"Artemis replied. I slowly moved to sit on side of her bed and smiled softly at her.
"My Princesa,are you sure you need of nothing? Perhaps a bedtime story if you've been reduced to reading The Tale of Des and Chika,"I questioned. She blushed pushing the childish book under her pillow.
"I do so love to read myself to sleep. My momma used to read me to bed as a child. I know it's childish to call her momma still,but I just wasn't raised to be royalty. I don't know how I'm gonna handle bein a real princess. I'm so worried. I've already messed up by running off over being hurt by someone who was only toying with me. I don't understand what he got out of hurting me like this. I wish it didn't hurt. I just want to go back to being happy hyper me. I mean,yea I was ignored a lot and treated like a child,but at least then my heart wasn't shattered. Did you know elves have the most fragile heart of all? I've been researching my bloodlines and all of them are very emotional. I was damned to always be hurt by people from birth. Jarebear says that my heritage is a blessing,but it's a curse!" Artemis rambled. A vase of lilies burst and the fire in the fireplace flared as tears slipped from her eyes. I take advantage of her weakness and slip behind her pulling her into my arms. She clings to me burying her face in my chest sobbing as I stroke her hair. I laugh internally at the trust she places too easily in me.
"My Princesa, as the Prince has hurt you,I never will. You're the ruler of my heart and I fell for you the first time I laid eyes upon you.. I've held back but I can no longer. Please allow me to be the one to erase the pain Prince Sessisalian has inflicted upon you. I want to heal your heart,sweetness,"I softly whisper into her ear just loud enough for the spying prince to hear. She looks up at me and I capture her in a deep kiss holding her cheek in my palm and my other arm around her. I keep the kiss going until I feel the prince leave. She did not respond at all to it,but I couldn't let him see that.
"You're very sweet,my lord,but my heart is still to fragile. I also doubt that it will forget Sessisalian that quickly.. I need time more than anything. I ain't gonna lie or play a game with anyone as he did me. I like you as a friend and it might be more if I wasn't so broken. I can't. If need be,I will go back to the goblin kingdom if you don't want me around seein' as I can't give you what you want from me,"Artemis said looking down tears falling. I can see how it would hurt her to be that near to Sessisalian. I can't let him have the chance to wiggle back into her heart while she's weak though. I must keep her near to manipulate her!
"My Princesa,ruler of my heart, I will wait for a chance to be with you until Ragnarok comes and beyond,so long as I wait until you are ready to consider me. Stay with me. We can do things however you like. But I beg of you,my lady, please allow me your courting rights so that I may keep others from bothering you while you heal. By allowing me your courting rights, I will be seen as your beau and I will be able to reject any offers from other suitors. We will be,to be using an Aboveground term, boyfriend and girlfriend if that helps you to understand,"I beseech her. Artemis looks up at me and nods.
"Thank you,my lord for everything... I wish to retire now,"she softly requests. I nod and hug her kissing her cheek before tucking her in and leaving her room. I whistle as I head down to my ritual room. Time to make a love potion that will make her fall so subtly she'll never realize it isn't real!
Sessisalian's POV
I can't believe Kristella's actions hurt Artemis so badly that she wandered until she almost lost her life. I haven't stopped crying since I heard her telling Jaren how heartbroken she is. I wanted nothing more than to explain and apologize. I couldn't stay when he confessed his love and kissed her though. The kiss lasted long enough for me to know I've lost her to him. I can't handle that. I've been in the training room fighting magic dummies and breaking things ever since I returned. I want to hurt things as badly as I hurt. I can't lose my wild princess. My elf mustang. I can't! I fall slowly to my knees blood streaming from the wounds the dummies inflicted and I sway weakly before passing out magically,emotionally,and physically exhausted.
Alex's POV
I'm so glad they found Temmy... I can't believe I almost lost my sister of the heart! Celos has supported me so much during this time and I've become so close to him...I've even begun to fall in love with him. I will have to tell him soon. I know he has feelings for me,but I've been trying to deny mine for him since the beginning. I can no longer do so. I only pray he won't hurt me like Sess did Artemis. I know he didn't mean to and that he doesn't want Kristella,but he should have found Temmy faster. He should have never let her leave the castle. He was only trying to give her space but damnit he should have immediately made it clear to her that he wanted only her! He may love my bestie,but he doesn't know her completely yet as I do. He was close to knowing her that well. She had told me that she had even shared with him her suicidal history. She had told him almost everything of our lives Aboveground. I think I may try to get her to speak to him when I visit her tomorrow. Lord Jaren had sent word she had awakened today,but I was busy hearing issues of my new kingdom with Jareth. I also wanted her to have a day to recover some before I berated her and hugged her stuffing out. Jaren likes Temmy,but something about him doesn't feel right. I'm afraid he will only try to use my sister of the heart. I'll get to the bottom of it before I let him hurt her though. Her heart is too gentle to be treated so badly by men. Receta Cev almost broke my sister's spirit and heart so completely that there was no coming back and I will not let that happen again!
A/N: So,enough drama? It's a small taste of how everyone is feeling before we get into the action! Read and please review! I need the boost. I'm so sorry I've been swamped at work,but The Salvage Store kind of dominates your life,especially as an assistant manager. Thank you all so much for sticking with my story though. It's like my child. One of many. Love you all and thanks!
