Can you love me

Surrounded

I didn't know until this moment that my mother loved me this much. She hurried next to my side and looked at me with worry.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

I shook my head in a no.

And then she faintly smiled at Armour, "Thank you for guarding her."

He bowed curtly.

Her hands brushed my hair as she patted my head and even in that moment I felt happy. The scene around was brutal. Several civilians were dead and blood was splattered on the street. Many of them were people I knew, I saw due to meetings in our family. Killing governmental officials was daring and whoever did this was declaring a clear war.

My dad was with the group of Golden Knights discussing something. He looks calms but right now there was a frown edged on his brows. Suddenly the Golden knight straightened and shot a salute in my direction. I felt awkward for a moment before I realised that the salute was intended towards Armour who nodded casually.

I was impressed. Even though he was someone golden knights respected, he was guarding me right now.

My mother signalled for him to leave us alone for a moment as we walked to the position where the mark was made. I gasped as soon as I saw the wall with the mark painted in red. I didn't want to think it was blood because that would be kind of terrifying.

"Paint." My mom clarified probably half terrified herself.

It was the same mark I had on my back. Only I and my mother knew about this mark. How come it was here like a war symbol?

"You knew this would." I wanted to ask it like a question but I said it like a fact.

That is the only reason she sent a bodyguard to someone like me who can protect herself well.

Her silence just answered my question.

"What does this mean?" I asked getting slightly worried now.

"Announcement for revenge." My mother's quiet voice worried me even more.

I waited for her to elaborate on what she said just now. After just standing there for a while she said, "The curse didn't happen because we killed someone Annalise. The curse happened because you were born with this."

She pointed at the mark and this new piece of revelation shocked me.

"This mark had symbolised darkness since ages and when we saw it on you, we were worried. You were born with a touch to kill. As soon as you were born the Serpent-queen died not because we killed her, it just happened." I was not cursed , I was born with this darkness in me.

"They are searching for me?" I asked my mother not trying to choke with emotion right now.

"No, this means they are coming for you."

***

A week passed silently and I hid like a coward. Celine was being put to work to give us some idea of the future while I witnessed Jayden most of the time next to her. Armour was silent again but his gestures sometimes surprised me like he was next to me when I had the nightmare. He silently allowed me to vent out my frustration even guarding me in middle of the night.

Blade was arriving in order to be next to his sister who was now an eye candy for the entire male population. She was super friendly and beautiful and no matter how hard anyone tries you can't hate her.

But what annoyed me the most was Celine's presence in the class so that she does not miss out on her studies and Jayden next to her. My nightmares, on the other hand, got worse as I felt myself choking to death and lot of hissing sound.

The shock happened with one morning I woke up and Armour was not around. Without even looking for some note or anything I rushed to Principal's office. I barged in and as usual the old man looked displeased.

"Learn some manners, Ms Curtin."

"Where is my armour?" I ignored his scolding and asked.

"He has been called for immediate duty due to some other attacks. He will be back tonight." Before he could say other things I walked out and I heard him yell something behind me.

I got back to my room and found a note next to my wardrobe feeling stupid.

Gone for work, will be back tonight. Please stay alive till then. – There was something about the note that made me smile.

***

It felt awkward in the class without armour without me and I felt uncomfortable and fidgety. I saw Jayden looking at me again and again but I ignored to acknowledge it since I despised him right now for sending out mixed signals.

Suddenly as if God never wants me to have a day without a handsome guy, Blade entered the class. He smiled at his sister but instead of sitting next to her and kicking away Jayden he walked and sat next to me. Prince was a feared person because he was known to be cold. And his entrance just created a pin drop silence in the room.

"You okay?" He asked in a whisper and I felt a little awkward.

I nodded.

He nodded back and sat down comfortably looking at things in his book.

"Why are you here?" I asked obviously curious.

"Serpent King is back." His words just shattered something inside me.

My parents are known because they helped in killing Serpent Queen which I recently found out was not true.

"And he wants revenge on me, how cliché." I tried to look brave and cool.

"I don't think so." Blade looked at me carefully.

Did he know that I was the cursed girl? Royalty can get me killed if they wanted.

"Then what does Serpent King wants?" I asked and saw pity crossed his eyes.

"Apparently, the next heir to his throne." His words shocked me, enough to stop my breath.

He was not serious, he can't be.

"Heir?" I played curious when actually I was terrified.

"Serpents perish fast without their mate and since the queen died he has been weak but now he wants someone to take over. He must be dying and now his sleeping army is back in action."

"You are here to keep an eye on me then?" I sounded a little harsh and I didn't care.

He was my childhood friend, he was supposed to trust me more. But then again, even I wasn't sure of myself.

His hand reached out to hold mine and I pulled back harshly. He looked surprised by my gesture. Where is Armour when you need him?

"Your sister needs you, can I exchange the seats," Jayden asked in a courteous manner but his looks said he was here to guard my secret from Blade.

Blade looked at me for a while and then got up but before leaving he said, "I am here to be the best friend I couldn't be before."

***

"How come every other guy flocks around you?" Jayden suddenly said in a harsh tone.

"How come you flock around every single girl in our academy?" I retorted and realised my mistake.

I just showed my emotions.

Jayden caught on and smiled a sly smile, "You are jealous, Frozen?"

Am I? No, No, I can't be. Celine was normal while I was probably darker than I could imagine.

"Are you ready for visual battles?" I tried to change the topic.

"I am not falling for this, are you jealous?" He was very persistent.

"I can't be. I can't even hold hands with someone and I don't know what kind of person I really am." I failed to hide the pain in my voice.

Jayden was just staring at me in a way that made me a little bashful.

"What?" I asked when he kept staring for a while and I saw emotions unfurl in his eyes.

He sighed and shook his head as if I was a hopeless case and stepped closer.

I didn't back down now even though I was nervous as hell. I was not the weak kind so I stared at him eye to eye which did strange things to my heart and mind. And he bent down pecking me on the forehead and as always I would have jumped back in surprise but this time, Jayden stepped back.

"What are you doing Frozen?" He said in a serious accusing tone.

"What am I doing?"

He frowned and looked defeated and then he pointed at his head, "you are creating a havoc in here."