Can you love me

n i g h t i n s h i n i n g a r m o u r

I was choking , gasping for last string of air. My eyes watered but there was nothing I could do. I was hopeless. I saw someone from my class, the girl Laura extend her hand with a concerned look on her face, I saw my parents, Luca who kept begging me with silent eyes to give them my hand and escape but I was too scared to accept the help and let out my hand for them to touch.

If this ends with me dying, I was ready. I gave up the struggle and the one having the choking hold over me hissed in mockery.

"Yes, that's right. Just give up and everything will be fine." The voice hissed and I felt dread crawl all over my body. I tried to see who it was but my eyes were blurry as I was being suffocated to death.

My hands gripped the dark smog ensnaring my neck and I heard a shriek as the form backed off. The hissing came out angry now and I felt some kind of poison burn my hands. I felt the liquid searing through my skin and a scream escaped my mouth , finally letting air to breathe in.

***

Like every other night I woke up but this time with a different kind of dream. I instantly looked at my hand. It was fine and it just turned out to be a nightmare. I was beaded with sweat and my heart beat was erratic. Something thing wet was on my cheek and I realised I had been crying.

This is the only time I cry, in my room where I am hidden from the eyes of other people. I got down from the bed and put on a woollen shrug before stepping out . The hallway was empty at three in the morning and all I could hear was insects. I walked noisily through the dark corridor and straight for the armoury.

I pulled out a sword and stepped outside in the forest area which is often used as practice arena. It is behind the armoury and it is not allowed for students to go there after dark but I didn't really care.

I focused all my energy and mind on killing off practice dummies kept all around the arena. I did everything from sword art to archery, boomerang and poison pin target practice and even worked with spears. I slashed almost every dummy ruthlessly letting out my pain through the only way I knew.

As I was about to turn and hit another one of those practice dummies , my sword hit another sword creating a loud clanging in the silence of the night. Shocked I saw a boy almost my age, with honey brown eyes and dark brown longish hair. He was striking, to say the least but the usual goosebumps I have around Jayden was missing.

His eyes analysed my stance , as did I and he step forward making another hit. He was not fighting with usual norms , he was agile, alert and professionally trained. He held the sword with both the hands and tried to slice me from the middle. I jumped back and got down on one knee, kicking one leg to hit his leg.

Everyone knew I played dirty when it comes to battle. My move surprised him as he fell back by the surprise attack on his leg.

Who the hell was this guy? And what was he doing at this time of night?

I was about to plunge my sword in his thigh but he was too quick and leaped forward on his foot blocking my attack. From then on we fought for too long , attacking and blocking. Suddenly I had an idea in mind when I realised that the guy was not trying to kill me.

I increased my speed of blocking and attacking him, my eyes on everything except his sword hilt where I was planning to hit. I didn't want to alert him. And when I saw a mini opportunity open up, I used the tip of my blade to tangle his sword hilt with my own.

As he registered what I did, I pulled out the sword with help of my blade and caught the second one in my hand leaving him weaponless.

He raised his hands in a peace gesture and I felt as if he let me win. Because he was an excellent fighter.

"I don't see why you need an Armour." He said in a really effective strong tone.

My mind kept reminding me about his absurdly good looks.

And then his words registered in my head. He was an Armour or for simple people, bodyguard.

I threw back my head in frustration and groaned loudly.

"Don't tell me my parents sent you?" That dumb Djinn had to attack in front of my mom.

"Yes , they did. And they say that djinn attack was not the only one, there might be more." His words surprised me.

"How old are you? Are you even good enough to guard me? As you can see, I can guard myself well."

"Your father appointed me and I am here to do the job no matter how skilled you are. And also to look after you when you walk all alone in a deserted forest." He was sassing me, the nerve of this guy.

"This is not happening," I said to myself wishing this was a joke or better , a dream.

"What did you even do that my dad allowed you?" I was curious since dad is hard to impress.

"I am a Golden Knight."

"f**k! How did you manage that with your age?" I asked walking with him through the forest now.

"I am here to guard you and not share my life story."

"Agreed." We started walking quietly till we reach the dorms.

He extended his hand and said, "I will carry that sword, you can go back to your room."

As always my body reacted and pulled my hands in haste. His eyebrow shot up in surprise at my reaction.

"No need. Now listen here Armour, make this clear, you stay an arm's length from me." I said coldly and he nodded in agreement.

But the question was clear in his eyes for my coldness and sharp reaction.

***

It was awkward walking in the class with a handsome boy next you who refused to sit or even acknowledge rest of the population. Girls in the class with staring like an awestruck fool but no one dared to question him. Firstly he was my bodyguard and secondly he himself was too stoic to approach.

But all that doesn't fit well with Wallace.

Like always he made his way to me, now all girls' attention scattered to two gorgeous boys in the room. At that moment I wished I was normal and I had a friend to talk about two hot boys in my class.

But what good can wishing do?

"Who the hell is this?" Jayden asked as he sat beside me.

I couldn't stop but cringe each time he was close but my heart beat has different ideas.

"Armour."

"You need an Armour?" He had the look of surprise.

"Well, after the day of attack my parents thinks so."

"Anyway, next week is our first assignment for Silver Knightship." He had me intrigued at his but I kept my mouth shut.

I didn't want to talk to him more and give him the wrong idea.

"Frozen, don't freeze me out. I am really good at breaking walls." He seemed to understand what I was doing.

He leaned in and a sword was placed quietly between us by my Armour who by the way refuse to tell me his name, says it too personal.

"Stay away from her." He said in a grave tone.

And Jayden glared at him. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't enjoying this.

"I am not hurting her Armour," Jayden said through gritted teeth.

"Is there a problem, Annalise?" The Myths about monsters teacher said.

"Not with me." But I give a look of suggestion towards the two guys beside me.

Teacher eyed them evilly and they both relaxed, well as relaxed as boys could be.

After a while, Jayden leaned in and whispered making my skin tingle with goosebumps again.

"Frozen, do you know how to dance?"

My mind went in a shocked state. I don't attend dances, like ever. I mean you need to use hands to hold your partner. Not unless I want to kill my dance partner, I don't dance. The first person to die was my butler who wanted to teach me to dance for fun. He was more like a father to me than my own father was.

He died right in front of my eyes with I was four, crumbled to ashes.

I blinked back the tears and avoided his question.

"There is a blessing ceremony. Golden Knights will be giving us something for the blessing for our training and stuff. And obviously, there will be a dance."

"Why are you telling me all this s**t, Wallace?"

"AH, so you are angry." Of course, he would know. I called him Wallace when I am angry.

"Because I want to take you to that dance."

"Never in a million years can you ask me to dance." This time, I gave him my lethal glare.

My response didn't surprise him but he gave me a sly smile as if he knew I was rejecting his offer. Little did he know, dancing with me was actually fatal.

Suddenly he lifted his hand and his fingers gently brushed off a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I should have his hand away, I should have shrieked in fear but I just held my breath and let him do that. I don't want to melt but right now looking his intense grey eyes I didn't remember that.

"You know I can take any girl to dance, but I only want you there." He whispered.

I forgot I was in a class and that I had an Armour who looked uncomfortable.

"I don't care if you are a stubborn or bad dancer or a bloody monster in disguise, you are my very own riddle to solve."

I found my power to speak with great difficulty and said, "I know guys like you. Just show interest till girl is a challenge and when she says yes, they are worthless."

He chuckled slowly at my words.

His hands dropped from my hair and I let myself breath again. He looked straight at the teacher who was busy dictating some notes.

"I only wish you were a mere challenge. But go tell my heart that." He said more to himself like it was a thought that kept him awake at night.

With no other person to look at , I looked up at my Armour who shot me a dry look. Such is the times when I wish I can use my curse to kill myself and don't suffer from emotional turmoil.