Hi all- sorry I've not updated sooner! I've spent days stuck in bed with sickness and I couldn't get up, let alone type out the next chapter. My body just wanted to sleep the whole time. On the mend now though, thankfully, but missed out on Valentines which is frustrating so off to celebrate today instead.

'You look pretty as always.' Zed said, breaking the silence between us as we walked along, avoiding the puddles and mud from the newly-fallen rain.

'Thank you.' I gave a half-smile but didn't glance his way. Instead, I tried to stop the fluttery feeling that came with compliments from Zed, along with the pink cheeks. He wasn't allowed to compliment me. Seb could all he wanted, but not Zed. Zed had lost that right a while ago.

'Did you have a nice time at the pub... other than the headache?' He wasn't going to give up.

'Is this your attempt at smalltalk?'

'Is it working?' He was smiling. That much was clear from his voice. A glance to my right showed that one of my security guards wasn't feeling it either. He rolled his eyes and I tried not to laugh.

'Not really.' I replied and my guard spluttered.

'I'm trying here Sky.' He sighed. 'One minute I feel like you're letting me be your friend and the next minute I'm stuck having a one-sided conversation, starting from the beginning again.' I looked at him and raised my eyebrows and he furrowed his. 'You're giving me whiplash.'

And then the heavens opened. I squealed as rain poured down the front of my chest, down my bra, as it soaked my dress and my denim jacket. 'Oh crap!' I squealed and Zed, my security and I turned our quick walk into a sprint up the path as the rain fell quickly, having appeared from nowhere. I groaned as I trod in a puddle I'd missed as the house came into view. I raced through the gate and to the front door, opening it carefully with the spare key Tina had given us. Then we stepped inside in the dry, all of our bodies leaving a puddle at our feet.

'I'll grab us some towels.' Zed said with a small smile as a few members of my security disappeared off to change out of their wet clothes. I slipped my feet out of my soaked shoes and put the poor things on the radiator in the hope that they might dry out. Welcome to May in Wales. Zed came back down the stairs, already in dry clothes and chucked me a towel.

I started drying myself out and shivered. 'It's supposed to be summer soon.'

'Not in the valleys.' He gave a playful smile. 'Cup of tea?'

I held my hand to my throbbing head. 'Please. I'll get dressed.'

'I'll find you some paracetmol.'

I wrapped myself in the warm towel, clearly fresh from the airing cupboard, and walked upstairs. I changed into my silk pyjama trousers and top, throwing on a loose, warm, off-shoulder jumper I had packed just incase, and I squeezed out my soaked hair until it had stopped dripping. The curls were going to dry wild now. I winced at my headache, which seemed to be making its way behind my eyes. Ouch. I heard my security walking about, chatting about their schedules and I slid past them, making my way back downstairs. Zed wasn't in the kitchen. He was already sat on the sofa, the television on with a Game of Thrones repeat playing, and two cups of tea were on the table. He ran a hand through his damp hair casually and then glanced up at me as he heard my footsteps. He gave a warm smile as I sat down beside him, careful to create some distance between us.

I carefully picked up the painkillers and took them with water, wincing at the horrible feeling as they travelled down my throat. Then, in silence, I picked up my mug of tea, enjoying the warming sensation on my cold hands. 'Thank you.' I said to Zed quietly and he adjusted his position on the sofa.

'You're welcome.' He replied, keeping his voice even. His eyes were trained on the television as the Red Wedding happened in front of us. I blinked, glancing away from the gore as Robb Stark was killed. I'd hated it when I'd first seen the episode; he was one of my favourites. I still hated it now. 'Don't like the blood?' Zed's voice had a hint of amusement in it and I knew he'd sensed my squirming.

'I know it's not real blood.' I replied, crossing my legs under myself. 'It's more the fact that Robb Stark was one of my favourite characters.'

'Because you fancy him?' He teased.

'Maybe.' A blush crept across my cheeks. 'But I liked his character too.'

When I woke up the next morning, it wasn't my head hurting any longer. It was the right side of my stomach and I wondered if I had slept in a weird position. I opened my eyes carefully and sucked in a breath so quickly that it almost made me cough. I'd fallen asleep on the sofa and my head was against Zed's chest as he snored softly beside me, clearly still fast asleep. His hand was gently on my waist and I frowned at myself for letting myself fall asleep. With him. Daylight was creeping through the window as I slipped out of Zed's grasp and stood up, wincing as I'd done so. Did I have a stitch? Or maybe I was hungry? I went into the kitchen and grabbed myself a banana, forcing it down despite not wanting to. My stomach churned as I finished it and I frowned. I felt sick. Stupid stomach. I was falling apart at the seams.

The air as I opened the french doors was cool and fresh and I sucked in the salty sea breeze as I stepped outside the door, folding my arms across my chest. I walked across the grass in my shoes, still damp from the night before, trying to stand upright, but the pain in my stomach wasn't allowing me to do so. I was walking like a little old lady. I sighed as I reached the edge of the garden and looked out at the bay, the waves crashing wildly against the sand, clues of another storm coming.

'Sky.'

I swallowed as I felt bile creeping up. I hoped I'd been imagining the voice, but a quick turn in the face of the wooded part of the garden showed I was wrong. 'What are you doing here?'

A smile crept across Ezra's face. A wicked smile. 'I came to see you of course.' I stook a step backwards and my eyes flicked to the house but I couldn't see my security. 'Scream and I'll shoot.' I spotted the gun, at his side, probably not visible in the heavy vegetation from the house.

'Are you ever going to leave me alone?' Tears brimmed in my eyes and they stung.

'You ran away.' He said, his voice smooth. 'It's your fault I'm here.'

'I didn't want to marry you.' I frowned. 'I still don't. I'm seventeen.'

'But you'd marry Prince Sebastien of course.'

I tensed at the way he said my boyfriend's name. 'Leave him out of this. He's not here.'

'I know, your saviour seems preoccupied so this seemed like the ideal time to pay a visit.'

I took another step back as he reached towards me and my foot slipped into a rabbit hole. I winced at the pain. 'I'll call my security.'

Ezra's eyes flicked towards the house. 'I don't think you'd do that because if you did then I'd have to hurt your friends.'

I bit my lip, enough that it was bleeding, as my heart thudded in my chest. 'Just take me. Take me but don't hurt them.'

'That can be arranged, princess.' His voice was bitter and he grabbed my arm, pulling me towards him. His breath smelt like cigarettes and maybe even alcohol as he breathed on my face and then his mouth was on mine. I squirmed, pushing him away and he chuckled as he held me tight, pulling me after him, sticking to the hedgerow so that we were more hidden.

'Let go of her.' A voice growled and I realised suddenly we were no longer alone.

Zed, get out of here, he has a gun. I pleaded in my head as my eyes flickered to Zed's direction. His face was angry, his fists clenched. I'd not seen him look like that before.

'I said let go of her!' Zed's voice made me flinch.

Ezra laughed as he held the gun against my hip. 'Oh your highness, you do seem to have a lot of male attention, don't you?' His smirk was clear, even though he stood behind me, holding me up like a shield. 'Go inside boy, you're in danger out here.' Ezra's breath stung my cheek as he spoke, his lips purposefully moving against my skin, making the sick-feeling I was experiencing even worse.

Zed please, get out of here. I pleaded again but he seemed to be ignoring me.

'Let the princess go.' Zed seemed to just be repeating himself now and I wondered if he was secretly afraid, if he didn't know what else to say.

'What are you going to do exactly?' Ezra asked, curious. Nothing happened for a moment and then everything moved quickly. Zed lunged towards Ezra, reaching for the gun and a gunshot went off and I cried out as I landed on the ground. Zed was punching Ezra. In the nose, probably breaking it. The gun laid on the floor and I picked it up, holding it now in protection of myself as the two fought. My security didn't hesitate. They came racing outside, all armed, and they were calling out things into headpieces as they came and intervened. Ezra was cuffed, so very quickly, and then I saw the blood on Zed's arm. He winced in pain, holding it, as one of my security guards spoke to him, another coming over to me and taking the gun from my hand, trying to check I was okay. My stomach throbbed and then I was violently sick.

I don't remember anything after that. I was sure I passed out. Either from the pain, from the shock or from throwing up. But when I woke up, I could hear a bleeping sound of machines and opening my eyes confirmed it; I was in a private room in a hospital. The white walls, the smell of antisceptic made it clear. And the worried Sally and Simon sat beside me made it even clearer.

'Oh sweetie, you're awake.' Sally sounded relieved as she squeezed my hand, where a tube stuck into it, attached to a drip.

I went to move but my stomach hurt and I winced. 'What happened?'

'Do you remember anything?' Simon asked, concern etched into his forehead.

'Yeah... Ezra turned up.' I frowned. 'And my security cuffed him and Zed... oh god, Zed... is he...' A tear rolled down my cheek. 'Is he okay?'

'He's in the room next door.' Sally gave a small smile. 'He was shot, sweetie.'

I winced. 'This is all my fault.' Another tear rolled down my cheek as I felt bile rising again. 'Is he... is he going to be okay?'

'It was just his arm, he was very lucky. Apparently he just wanted to keep you safe.' Simon replied. 'Your father... the King... went to see him and he said that he didn't care that he got shot, he just wanted to save you.'

'My father has been here?'

Sally nodded. 'He got you the private room and one for Zed too. He'll be back soon.' I tried to sit up but Sally stopped me. 'Sweetie, you can't move just yet. You've had an operation?'

'An operation?' Had I heard her right?

'Your appendix ruptured.' Simon explained. 'Were you feeling unwell at all?'

'My stomach hurt and it hurt to walk.' I replied, numbly as it sank in.

Simon gave a small smile. 'Luckily they got it before it had spread too much. But it can be so much worse, life-threatening.' He squeezed my free hand. 'It's lucky your guards brought you here to get checked over. He said you were sick all over your kidnapper's feet. Nice work kiddo.'

I gave a small smile at that and I carefully lifted my pyjama top, revealing a white dressing on the bottom right of my stomach. 'Is it going to scar?'

Sally sighed. 'Sweetie, I think that's the least of our worries. Now get some rest.'

I drifted in and out of consciousness for the next twenty-four ours, the anaesthetic still in my system and making me sleepy. Every few hours my drip would start bleeping and a nurse would come and change it, and then there were the regular doctor check-ups, checking my heart rate and checking that I wasn't in any avoidable pain. Sally and Simon stayed for most of that time, never leaving my side as the nurses brought them sandwiches and cups of tea. The King and Queen had dropped by once to check everything was okay and then they had gone. When I woke up the following day, Sally and Simon weren't there but my brother was instead.

'Hello sis.' He said as I opened my eyes and found him sat beside me with a huge bunch of flowers and a big teddy bear. 'How are you feeling?'

'I've been better.' I replied, feeling a little groggy. I stretched out my back and it clicked, making me wince.

My brother put the flowers into a vase beside my bed and then passed me the teddy. It had a jumper with the royal crest on it. 'I think we might have to revoke your title.' He told me. 'I'm not sure you're allowed to be royalty if you're missing an appendix.'

'Very funny.' I rolled my eyes and he smiled, a warm smile.

'It's good to know that even when you're in a hospital bed, I can still annoy you.' He shifted his position on the chair and smiled as he reached for his cup of tea. 'You've made the news again and there are hundreds of 'get well' flowers outside of the palace for you.'

'Goodness, really?'

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and revealed a picture; bouquets of every colour, shape and size were outside the palace, sure enough, and there seemed to be messages and cards too. 'More popular than you thought.'

'Yeah.' I gave a small smile, still in shock. My mind slipped to the room next door. 'How's Zed?'

'I think he's doing okay. A bit grumpy though from what the nurses have said.'

'He's always grumpy.' I gave a soft laugh and winced. 'Okay so laughing isn't going to happen anytime soon.'

'Apparently you have stitches externally but also inside your intestines. Who knew appendixes were such a pain?' Phillip said and I shuddered at the thought of having stitches on my insides too. Ew.

'I want to see him.'

'Who?'

'Zed, you idiot.'

He gave a cheeky smile. 'I knew who you were talking about. I was winding you up. Oh sis, you're an easy target.' He sipped at his tea, watching me with an amused expression. 'I'm afraid you're not really supposed to leave your bed.'

A nurse walked into the room to change my drip. She did so quietly, her eyes flicking to my brother every now and again like she wanted to eat him up. I wasn't surprised. I had this from Tina on a regular basis. 'How are you feeling your highness?' She asked me as she moved to plump up my pillows.

'I'm okay.' I shrugged. 'Can I go and see my friend nextdoor?'

'I'm afraid you're not able to walk. It's going to be a while before we can let you do that. We don't want you tearing your stitches.' She replied and I sighed.

'Please?' I did my best puppy-dog eyes. 'It's his fault I'm here. He tried to save me and I need to see him.'

She gave me a sympathetic look. 'I'll go and see if we can put you in a wheelchair.'

As the door closed, my brother rolled his eyes at me. 'Did you really just pull Puss-in-Boots eyes on somebody?'

I gave a smile and nodded. 'The advantage of big, blue eyes.' He rolled his eyes again and I frowned at him. 'Don't give me that. I've seen you flirt your way into getting what you want. You're a charmer and you use that to your advantage.'

He shrugged. 'Might as well.'

The nurse returned after a few minutes with a wheelchair and she and Phillip helped me into my dressing gown and then into the chair. Then the nurse sorted out my drip, so that it could come with me, and Phillip carefully wheeled me out of the room, past my security guards, through the busy corridor and to the room next door. He knocked first and then opened it, wheeling me in. Zed sat up in his bed, wearing a sling on his left arm as he carefully spooned food into his mouth with the other. His television was on, but Karla Benedict sat beside him, watching her son. Her head turned to face me as we entered the room and Zed's eyes met mine, his mouth dropping in surprise.

'Hello Sky.' Karla said warmly to me. 'Hello Phillip.'

'Hello.' My brother and I chorused in response as he parked my wheelchair beside Zed's bed.

'You're looking well.' Karla told me. 'A little thin, but you seem to have colour in your cheeks.' She turned to my brother. 'Shall we leave them to it and get a cup of tea?'

'Sounds like a good idea.' Phillip nodded and the two of them left the room.

Zed's eyes bored into mine and I looked into my lap, nervously, unsure of what to say. Thankfully, he spoke first. 'How are you?'

'A little sore and tired but I suppose that's to be expected.' I replied, the nervousness clear in my voice. 'How's your arm?'

He shrugged. 'It'll be fine. I don't still need to be here. They removed the gunshot, there's a bit of nerve damage but not much. I should be home now.'

'They're probably checking there's no infection.' I told him as I looked up at him. 'It was a crazy thing to do, Zed. Dive towards a man with a gun.'

'I couldn't let him take you.' His eyes met mine again and a pink aura surrounded him, one that I was confused about. 'I had to do something.'

'But you're lucky it was just the arm.' I continued. 'If it had been your chest then you could have...' My voice trailed off as sadness filled my mind.

'If it happened again, I'd still do the same. You're important to me Sky and I want to keep you safe.' His voice was sincere and I knew he meant it. 'Your father has been to visit me a few times.'

'Oh?' That was surprising. He hated Zed. He'd made that much clear many times.

'He said I was very courageous. He spoke about knighting me.'

'Knighting you?' So Zed would be a 'sir' aged seventeen. I blinked in surprise.

'He thinks I should be rewarded for my bravery, for saving you.' He gave a small smile. 'I'm not sure I fit in with Sir Ian McKellan or Sir Alan Sugar though.' I gave a soft chuckle at that. 'And I told him that I'd rather be allowed to see you and be your friend. That being a 'sir' would be great but I value your friendship more.' I didn't know what to say. I simply just looked at him. 'So... I'm not banned from meeting up with you anymore. That's good right?'

'You could have died and all you can say is that it's good because now we're allowed to hang out?' I blinked as I looked at him in disbelief.

He gave a crooked smile. 'I like to see the silver-lining.'

'Apparently so.' I shook my head and then glanced at his arm. 'Does it hurt?'

'Not too much.' He replied. 'I'm on painkillers for it though and the doctors say that it should be fine for tour in four weeks time.'

'That's good.' I nodded. I wouldn't forgive myself if Seven Minutes in Heaven had to pull out of their first UK Headline tour because of me.

'I have to go back to school on Monday though.' He made a face and my eyes flicked to the clock in his room; Tuesday. 'You've got out of that a bit longer. Nice work.' His smile was playful.

'No exercise for six weeks apparently and no stairs for three.' I wrinkled my nose. 'Kinda hard when my room in the palace is on first floor.'

'I could carry you?' He suggested.

'You'd drop me.'

'Never.'

Hospital was boring and I hated it. I would visit Zed, watch television, read books and I even found myself doing schoolwork because I was just fed up. Zed was released from hospital on the Wednesday, but I found myself in there until the Sunday, when they finally decided I could go back to the palace. I was carried up the stairs, but thankfully everything I needed could be brought to me. By Sunday, I was okay to walk to the toilets and it was even alright to walk to the library for a change of scenery, but I still wasn't supposed to walk for long and everyone knew that. Everyone fussed. Guards I'd never seen before would offer to get my my wheelchair. Maids I'd never seen would offer to get me a cup of tea or help me get down a book. I was being completely smothered.

On Monday, a letter arrived for me and I knew straight away who it was from. I ran my hands over the handwriting and sighed, wishing the person I really needed would come and see me.

My dear Sky,

I feel completely terrible after hearing what happened with Ezra. I hate myself for not being there to protect you and to keep you safe and then to hear that you are now in hospital having had a serious operation. My heart aches and I feel great sadness. I have requested a day's absence but as of yet, they will not allow it so I am so sorry for that. All I want is to wrap you in my arms and hold you tight and kiss you and tell you everything will be okay. Because it will.

I know it doesn't feel like it, even I've doubted it, what with everything awful that has happened in the month and a half I've been on this boat. And there's still another four and a half months to go. But I know you're a brave and strong young woman and I know you're going to be fine.

How is your stomach now? Is it hurting?

I really hope to hear from you soon and just know you are in my thoughts,

Seb xxx

I wanted to be in his arms too, kissing him. It didn't matter that the guards were everywhere in the palace. I still didn't feel safe and I often woke from nightmares in the middle of the night, swearing I could see Ezra's face somewhere in my room. He was locked up, under interrogation and not set to be released for a very long time. But somehow that did not make me feel any better. And then there was the fact that Seb wasn't going to return for four and a half months yet. A lot could change in that time. Would he still want to be with me when he saw the scar hidden by the dressing on my stomach? His scars just disappeared without a trace, he could heal, but what about my marks? My wounds? I put down the letter and curled up on the sofa, finding myself crying.

Seb,

You have no idea how much I wish you were here too. It's so hard not seeing you. I want you to tell me everything's going to be okay, to wrap me in your arms and keep me safe. I keep seeing him, every night in my dreams and then I feel like he's watching me in everything I do. I don't like it, Seb. I know Ezra is locked up but I think he's going to haunt me forever.

My stomach still hurts, only when I walk and I'm sat or lying in a certain way but it's getting better. The dressing comes off today and I'm dreading it. I don't want to see it.

Speak soon,

Sky xxx

The doctor carefully pulled back the white bandage and I winced at the feeling, like I was being waxed. The bandage revealed what I'd been dreading; the red and purple line. It will get smaller, he told me. Don't scratch it, he'd said. It's starting to heal well. I looked at it, mutely, and frowned. It had nothing to do with Ezra, but it was going to forever be a reminder of that day. The day he could have killed me. The day he could have killed Zed. The day he could have won.

Tina, Zoe and Lucy visited me on Friday night, armed with food and goodies for a sleepover. I'd tried to enjoy it, I really had, but my sleep had become irregular and I was tired and anxious. I'd had to give the police new statements about Ezra that day, so the sleepover was the worst timing, and the girls tried really hard, I know they did, but it didn't change anything. Ezra was like a disease, a terminal illness. Once he was there, once he'd made contact, you couldn't get rid of him.

'Your highness, you have a visitor.' Hannah told me on Sunday morning. From the place I was sat on my bed, I could see the rain hammering against the window. Another cold and wet day reflecting exactly how I was feeling. 'He's waiting in the library.'

I carefully got off the bed and I got changed quickly after Hannah selected me a comfy leggings and baggy top to wear. I tamed my hair and applied a bit of make-up, before pausing in the doorway. 'Hannah?'

'Yes your highness.'

'Thank you for everything you do for me. Especially over the last week.' I smiled a big, thankful smile and she almost blushed.

'It's a honor serving you, your highness.' She replied formally, but the twinkle in her eyes showed me that she meant it. She led me carefully down the hall, not minding about my slowness or small steps and she held open the door for me. In the library sat Zed, in jeans and a hoodie, his hair messy and sticking up in different directions as he ran his hand through it. It was damp, clearly from the awful weather. 'I'll bring you some drinks.' Hannah said and then she disappeared.

'Hey.' Zed stood up when he saw me and I walked over carefully to him, sitting down on the sofa. He sank down beside me. 'How are you?'

'Getting there.' I replied with a small smile. I put my feet up on the table and let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. Zed's eyes flickered to my feet, my fluffy striped socks, and he smiled a playful smile.

'Are you allowed to put your feet on the table in a palace?' He teased.

'Only if you don't tell my father or Lady Clarence.' I replied. 'If you did that, I might just have to kill you.' He smiled, leaning against the back of the sofa and draping his arm comfortably across the top of it. 'How's your first week back been?' I asked.

'Okay.' He shrugged. 'Wouldn't have minded not going in though. So many assignments going on. Speaking of which.' He reached for his backpack and pulled out a folder. 'I bring you work. In case you're really bored or something. It was part of the deal with your dad; I'm allowed to hang around if I don't affect your studies so here I am, encouraging your studies.'

I laughed, taking the folder from him and placing it on the table. 'Thanks, I think?'

'If you get any of it done I can take it in for you if you want.' He said, running a hand through his hair. Something that I'd started to realise was a nervous gesture of sorts. 'So what have you been up to this week?'

'Besides lying around, being carried up the stairs and trying not to open my stitches?' I stretched my hands out in front of me. 'I've played a bit of music and I've read a lot.'

'Wild life you lead.' He teased as Hannah appeared with a tray containing biscuits, sandwiches, other nibbles and tea as well as jugs of water. She placed it down carefully and I excused her with a thank you. 'Have you been writing?'

'More like learning covers. I'm not feeling very inspired.' I admitted. 'What about you?'

'My arm is still a little achy after too much guitar but it's getting there.'

I wasn't sure what made me say it, but I slipped out before I could help myself. 'Can I see?' I'd not seen a bullet wound. Seb's had healed almost instantly.

'Sure.' He shrugged out of his hoodie and there, on his bicep, was a red and pink scar. It wasn't circular, like I had thought it might have been, but instead it was like a splatter-mark, an unusual shape with small stitches evident in the skin. I reached out and gently touched it, surprised that Zed didn't wince.

'Does it hurt?'

'Not on the skin but it's more an internal kind of ache, you know? From where it hit the muscles and nerves.'

I nodded as I ran my fingers across it, aware that Zed's eyes were watching me with an intense expression. 'I'm sorry.'

'For what?'

'For this. It's permanent.' I moved my fingers away, snatching back my finger as I frowned.

'Everyone has scars.' He shrugged and I wanted to correct him, but I didn't. 'Scars make us who we are and this one reminds me that I saved you.'

'Scars look awful.' I frowned as I thought of my own pink line, the one that stared at me every morning when I had a shower. 'Especially on a girl.'

'Scars are beautiful.' He placed his hand gently under my chin, forcing me to look at him. 'They show what you've been through and how strong you are for surviving.' I sighed and his eyes softened. 'Come on, let's see yours.'

Blood rose to my cheeks and I blushed. 'No, I hate it.'

'Sky.'

'No.' I folded my arms across my chest and his hands moved to my waist, tickling me. I tried to resist and I tried to swat his hands away but I giggled at the tickling sensation, unable to stop myself. I laughed and I didn't even realise that Zed had pulled up my jumper to reveal my tummy until I felt the cool air on it. I blushed as I took a deep breath, calming myself. I looked down at the scar on my stomach that he was looking at and I frowned. 'See, it's hideous.'

'No it's not.' He said softly. 'It's a beautiful battle wound, reminding you that you are strong.' His eyes flicked up to meet mine. 'And you are strong Sky Bright. The strongest girl I know. Don't forget it.'

I pulled my jumper back down and carefully sat up, reaching for my tea. 'Tea?'

'Sure.' He smiled. 'And maybe a song?'

'A song?'

'Yeah. Show me what you've been learning.'

I moved to sit by the piano, carefully sitting myself down on the chair I'd put there instead of a stool, as it was more supportive. Zed perched on the stool beside me, looking thoughtful as I lifted the lid and played the opening chords.

He smiled. 'You don't strike me as a Justin Bieber kind of girl.'

'I always surprise people.'

'Yeah you do.' He nodded in agreement as I continued to play. 'May I?'

'Go ahead.'

'You gotta go and get angry at all of my honesty

You know I try but I don't do too well with apologies

I hope I don't run out of time. Could someone call a referee?

'Cause I just need one more shot at forgiveness.'

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, not sure I could face him looking at me with the intense expression he seemed to use so well, the one that made girls fall to their feet. 'I know you know that I made those mistakes maybe once or twice

And by once or twice I mean maybe a couple of hundred times

So let me, oh, let me redeem, oh, redeem, oh, myself tonight

'Cause I just need one more shot, second chances.'

'Is it too late now to say sorry?' I opened my eyes at Zed's voice as it harmonised with mine. ''Cause I'm missing more than just your body.'

'Is it too late now to say sorry?

Yeah, I know-oh-oh, that I let you down

Is it too late to say I'm sorry now?' The way Zed sang it to me was like he meant the lyrics and it left me feeling flushed and agitated.

Thankfully, he suggested we have lunch and watch some Game of Thrones, which was fine by me, so we munched on the food Hannah had brought up and the chocolates and popcorn Zed had brough with him as a secret stash and we headed to the land of Westeros.

Zed.

I wasn't good at being sneaky. I wasn't good at being subtle. But I tried to be and every now and then I'd glance away from Daenerys or Tyrion and look at Sky as she watched the programme, completely engrossed in it as she nibbled on popcorn. I wanted to wrap my arm around her, especially because she'd taken to sitting with a hand over her scar, as if protecting herself from it or even shielding it from me. But I couldn't reach out and hold her like I wanted, how I once had before. Because now there was Prince Sebastien on the scene, even if he hadn't been there for her like I had the past two weeks. She still had another four weeks before she could step back into school and I knew that I was going to make more of an effort. Care for her, love her, make her smile, make her confidence return.

I glanced over at Sky again and realised she'd fallen asleep. Eyes closed as her breath gently moved her chest up and down, she looked like an angel. She was so beautiful, so perfect, so fragile, but she couldn't see that. My heart fluttered at the sight and I smiled a lopsided smile. It was getting late. It was no wonder she was asleep. But her neck wasn't going to thank her for sleeping on the sofa when she woke up in the morning.

Carefully, I scooped her up in my arms, her head falling gently against my chest as she continued to sleep. I carried her to the door, opening it as carefully as I could, and I carried her past the guards, who nodded at me. I carried her across the hallway, to her room, where one of her maids, Hannah, stood.

She opened the door for me. 'Is she okay?'

'Just really tired.' I replied in a whisper as I walked towards her bed, Hannah following me.

'She's hardly slept since it happened.' Hannah replied. 'Almost every night she wakes up screaming and crying.'

My heart ached at the sound of that. 'Nightmares?'

She nodded. 'Sometimes she thinks she seems him in here too.' I placed Sky onto the bed carefully and pulled the duvet over her, sighing. 'Are you staying here tonight, Mr Benedict? It's awfully late to be heading home and I can put you in the guest room opposite.'

I wanted to. I wanted to stay in the palace where I could keep her safe, protect her from her dreams. I wanted to climb into her bed beside her and be her dreamcatcher. But I knew I had school tomorrow and I needed decent grades to get out of doing assignments whilst on tour. 'I have to go, but thank you.' I said to Hannah with a small smile. 'Will you tell her I said goodbye?'

'Of course.'