I'm sorry for my lateness

Chapter 6 pt 2

Sitting across from Kite, I listen to the plans for the morrow. Only my body is here but as usual my mind is a thousand miles or feet away with Hal. I'm reminded of the kiss we shared only moments ago and I'm daydreaming like a silly school girl. I must have this goofy expression on my face because Kite begins to stare at me strangely.

"Is everything all right?" the dark-haired man eyes me rather suspiciously. Crap… Amelia focus! Here I am making a fool of myself and I'm supposed to be talking about the ritual and what to expect. I haven't remembered one word the Prince even said.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I'm out of sorts this morning," I cough in embarrassment. I was more than out of sorts but he didn't need to know that of course. If he knew about Hal and I he would most likely judge the both of us harshly. The whole servant mistress thing didn't sit well with many people.

Kite's gaze doesn't slide from mine and I feel like he can read my mind as his expression turns thoughtful. I try my best not to squirm under his long stare. FInally, he breaks his perusal. "Everything is final then." a smile lights up the Prince's face, a signal for the both of us to stand and say our farewells. It's always custom for the Queen to stand up first which I do. I'm as polite as a Queen can be but I really can't wait to get back to my chambers. I know Hal might not be there when I get back but it's all the same to me. I definitely don't want to be seen by Silvio so he can ask me how my dreams were last night.

The thought causes me to shiver as I travel through the endless halls. Turning every few seconds to make sure the fiery haired demon isn't on my heels. I'm ever so thankful to see my bedchamber door which I fling open in relief. Exhaling I shut the door but the figure behind the door drags a scream from me and I stumble back in horror, crashing into my door. "What are you doing in my room?"

An awful grin lights his face. "To finish what I started." Silvio closes me in and I know there is no escape.

No… I need more time. I can't die yet! It was like fate decided to play with me. His words held power to hold me in place but he needn't bother. It was like someone flipped a switch as my body seemed to lose all of its strength, slipping to the floor at the demon's feet. Those pesky side effects couldn't have come at a worse time… "No. Not now," I whisper to myself, my view constructed by Silvio's boots but I cannot move away.

A boot taps my cheek. "Well well, what's all this?" he's already suspected I'm having side effects but now he truly knows my secret. I am done for. I'm hauled to my feet and shoved against the wall, held up my his body. I glare into those yellow eyes. The urge to spit in his face is tempting but I refrain. I will be a proper Queen in front of him. I refuse to stoop as low as him. Absolutely refuse!

The man looks like a cat who ate the canary and perhaps he has- the canary being me caught in the cat's claws. Threatened to be ripped to bits.

"I've been waiting for you to get back," Silvio's breath against my face makes me shiver in fear.

I shut my eyes waiting for the pain as his face gets unbearably close as I wait for the moment part of my soul is taken.

Silvio yanks my hair, forcing my head to line up with his. Fire lights a fiery path across my mouth. I scream as that horrible rip singes my chest and steals the air from my lungs. Black spots dance behind my eyes as I fight consciousness.

"What are you doing?!" the voice that growls behind us sounds nothing like Hal, his voice laced with venom. I've never heard him so angry.

Silvio tears away from me, annoyance plastered across his face. "The bunny decided to join us." his hand still in my hair; with his other hand he grabs my throat. His eyes are no longer on me but Hal as he squeezes.

I cough as my windpipe is threatened to be crushed.

"Look at the horror on her face. It's so beautiful... doesn't it make your blood boil?" I knew the man was full blown crazy, but this was past crazy. What sick enjoyment did he get from goading Hal like this? Silvio's dagger like claws dig into my throat with a vengeance. I turn my eyes away from Silvio to stare at the wall. I don't want to see either man's expression when they see the painful tears trying to fall down my cheeks. That doesn't stop the groan of pain which is all it takes for Hal to spring into action.

Silvio is shoved back from me hard and at first I think Hal's magical strength shocked the demon. He hits the wall with a thump and I'm left on the floor but not for long.

Hal lifts my limp form from the floor, placing me down on my bed before turning back to the seething red headed demon on the floor. His glare could kill. A soft hand settles over my head and I savor the gentle touch while it lasts before coldness of Hal's absence replaces the warmth. I don't want him to fight Silvio but there's stopping him in my state. Even if I wasn't stuck with being paralyzed, my butler is in a rage that not even I can calm I have never seen him so livid before. I watch as Hal tries to pin Silvio against the wall but he's quicker than the beastskin and swerves away at the last minute.

"Sorry, little bunny. I don't have time to fight little you." with a cynical grin he's gone from the room. A transportation spell… Hal's fingers rake the empty air. The growl that rips from his throat makes me shiver. His anger boiling to the point that he trembles from it.

"Hal?" he turns to me, the angry lines smoothing as his eyes meet mine. His ruby eyes lose their harshness as they take me in. His eyes roam my limp form, searching for any injuries Silvio possibly inflicted. He sits down on the bed beside me, not saying a word. He places his hand back into my hair, fingers sinking into my mussed tresses. Trailing down my hair and stopping at my neck. The soft touch of his fingertips forces a shiver out of me as they run across the marks Silvio left behind. A deep frown transforms Hal's face once more.

"I'll be all right." I try to reassure. His eyes slid back to mine.

"He can't keep doing this to you. He knows your weakness, and he's using it against you. It can't continue." his fist clenches. "His game has changed. Silvio is tired of small tastes. He now wants all of your soul." Hal sounds desperate.

The feeling is trying to come back in my hands and arms and I make an effort to sit up, feeling useless in my current state.

Knowing what I was trying to do, Hal helps me prop up and I lean against his chest for support. Soaking into his warmth my thoughts and feelings seem to mute though I'm well aware of the danger he speaks, but he makes me feel safe from all the many things out to harm me.

However, Hal's next words shatter my safety bubble or warmth and I'm dossed with ice.

His arms tighten around me betraying his real feelings on the matter. "You're out of time, My Queen. You must choose a prince to be your partner this week. It's the only way to be rid of your side effects and Silvio will be able to take your soul. You'll be powerful enough to stop him-"

He might as well have ripped my heart from my chest with those words. "No!" I interrupt him before he can even finish. I thought we had discussed me not wanting to pick a prince. Didn't he know the only one I ever wanted was him? " How could I do that? How could y—you suggest that?"

I can feel his arms tensing. This is hard for him but I can't by any circumstances be understanding in this matter. I don't want anyone but him and that's final.

"It would be in your best interests to choose a prince. They have more power than a common beastskin such as me. You'd be safer," his own words are half hearted. My safety being more important to him than his own happiness. This was Hal...selfless and thoughtful to the very end.

I don't want anyone but you and I think it's time to stop using titles," I admonish him and it doesn't pass my notice how flustered he looks. Ears flopping down to his head.

"Amelia." It's funny how a person can forget to breathe in an instant when someone says their name. I find myself trying to remember how breathing works. I can only hope my face isn't purple from the mix of red embarrassment and blue from lack of oxygen. I almost want to hide my face but think better of it, choosing instead to stare up at Hal's conflicted face. It hurts to watch him war with himself between what he longs to do and what he thinks is the right thing to do. And if he refuses to accept 'my proposal' I will not order it as Queen for him to accept. I will never use my station against Hal. I absolutely refuse to do so. If he decides he doesn't want to be my partner, I'll choose one of the princes. Silently I hope he accepts because I know I will die inside if he refuses. I adore every part about him.

Hal touches my cheek, opening his mouth to give me the answer that will define our fate.