Nadine

51. Chains

I wake up to Mary getting my water ready. "Did you fun last night little miss?"

"I did Mary. I got to dance with someone else and I bought us each a human dress so we can out together and not stand out." I point to the bag. "I don't know if they'll fit, may have to alter them some. But I can't wait."

"Did you get more kisses?" She goes through the bag.

"No." I give her a sad face. "But it was fun to dance and shop anyway."

"What we putting on today, princess?"

"Nurse outfit. I want to ride around outside this morning."

She gets me all ready.

"Morning momma, daddy."

"Morning what are you off to do this morning my princess?"

"I'm going to ride Butter a bit. Maybe take a walk around the grounds. That's all."

"Did you have fun last night?"

"I did. I got to listen to music and see the stalls at a festival. It was very nice." I'm not saying anything about dancing near my dad.

"I'm happy you enjoyed yourself."

"Thank you momma, I'm going to get Butter now. Have a good day."

I run out to the barn. Zacier still isn't back. The horses are cared for and calm though. Guards must be doing it. I hop on Butter and take off. Not sure where I'm going first.

I ride around for a bit and find myself in the field where I was attacked. I sit on Butter and stare at the spot for a few minutes. I remember coming back and finding my rock. Then burying it. Then coming back and digging it up. You can't even tell there was ever an attack here. But there was. I feel tears falling out of my eyes. I'm alone. I take off the veil and wipe my eyes. I put the veil in my pocket. I know where I'm going now and I won't need it.

I run Butter straight for the water spot before the cave. "Something I have to do, Butter." I tie him up and go through the water.

"How did I fall so many times that night? It's not that bad."

I go to where we had the fire set up. I sit down on the spot where we slept. I slept so good that night, wrapped in his arms. Cuddled up with him. I felt so safe and warm. I miss that. Waking up in the morning and eating boar. Seeing his smile. Then I had to go and ruin everything forever. I wipe more tears off my face.

Then I rush around and get a little fire going. I take one of the sticks for light and I go into the cave.

I can tell it was cleaned out. The body is gone. But I was right. The chains are still here. Bolted into the rock.

I drop to my knees and cry. I reach out and touch them. They are only chains bolted to a rock. They are cold. It's not me that was chained up. Why did I get so scared of this? I let these stupid chains ruin everything. I ran so fast out of here last time. I was so scared. And they really are just chains. How did they scare me so much? And to make me afraid of one of the people I really care about. How much that must of hurt him. I start sobbing. Why? Why did that have to happen? I lay down beside the chains and cry for another hour.

Then I get up and go back to my fire.

Dipak, Gunner, and Tre are all standing there.

I try to think of something to say. But I don't care. I've been crying in a cave for an hour. I know this is bad. I'm not even going to try and lie.

Dipak is fighting tears. I can tell. I run to him and throw my arms around his waist. "I'm so sorry Dipak. I'm so sorry."

He wraps me up in those warm arms again and kisses the top of my head. "I'm not mad sweetheart." He pulls my chin up and looks in my eyes. "I never was."

I bury my face in his chest and keep crying. "But I ran from you."

He holds me tighter. "It didn't make it mad. It made me scared. I was never mad. Not even for 1 minute." He starts wiping the tears off my cheeks. "You going to be ok?"

I cry harder and hold him tighter.

He leans down and whispers in my ear. "We can talk more about this later." He picks me up with an arm under my knees and one behind my back. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and keep sobbing.

Between sobs I manage to get out. "Can I have the chains?"

He comes to a dead stop and I can tell they're looking at each other. I hear Gunner say, "She will come back for them if we don't."

I feel him sigh. "Yes, you can have the chains but they are bolted in. Maybe just a couple pieces of them. We'll come back and get them later."

I feel myself falling asleep. He's so warm and strong and I am so worn out from crying all that time.

I wake up on one of the couches in his office a couple hours later. I'm the only one here. I go out in the hallway and I'm the only one on the advisor floor. There are no guards at all here. I wonder where they all are.

I'll check daddy's office. I go up a flight of stairs and get announced immediately.

"Princess Nadine to see the King."

"Enter."

I think about it for a second and I have no idea why I'm here. That was a weird spot to wake up, I think. I guess I'll go in, say hi, then leave. I already got announced. It's not like I can run away.

They are all in the room again. I stare at them.

Daddy finally speaks. "Did you have fun last night, princess?"

"Yes I did. I got a new dress."

He smiles at me.

Dracul mumbles, "Probably pregnant already."

I see red.

I jump onto the conference table then to the floor in front of him. I grab him by the throat and launch him out the window.

"PRINCESS!" Daddy is mad.

"Advisor Frode, do not write that down." I point at him and he puts the pen down.

"Vampire King Miculai Sandu. I warned him last time if he does not treat me with respect, I will remove him... Well he is removed now."

"You can not hurt my advisors."

I get back on the conference table and go to my spot trying not to laugh. I jump off the table and sit in my seat. I give him my cutest girly smile. "Sorry daddy, my hand slipped."

My dad gives me a dirty look. "Your eyes are red. I know I'm talking to the dragon. You're not fooling anyone."

"So did you get my note?"

"What note?"

"The one I brought her here with last time Advisor Tre."

"Those beings?"

"Yes, Advisor Dipak. Those being are going to attack again. I lured her here with the sword while she was studying the papers. I can do that now. The merge is going well. Anyways, I was hoping you got the hint. I hope you know all about them."

"When will they attack?"

"Vampire King Miculai Sandu, they will attack when they want to." I laugh. "And not one minute before or after that sir. You got any food? I don't think we ate anything."

"No food. You're not staying. Give me back my daughter."

"Question."

"What princess?" Dipak asks.

"If I get pregnant in this body... What happens?"

My daddy's eyes turn red. "GIVE ME MY DAUGHTER NOW!"

I smirk. "Guess who can't command me anymore."

The boys all look between me and my dad both with red eyes. They seem to be frozen in fear.

I jump up on the table. I go to him very slowly pulling the veil off at the same time.

My dad's eyes drop the red. "Boys, defend my daughter. Defend the princess and future queen. Help her. She is still very young. Do not defend me against her. Those are my orders." He drops his ring on Frode's paper. "For her mate." He looks back up at me with tears on his face.

"Good call old man." I drop the veil on Tre's lap.

He looks into my eyes. "Do it."

I give him a girly laugh.

Everyone in the room is staring at me in shock and fear.

I pick up the ring. I kneel on the desk in front of my father and put it back on his finger.

"You're a good king Miculai Sandu. Stay that way awhile won't you? Vampire King Miculai Sandu. I vow not to take your life. I will follow your command until the princess comes of age and takes her mate. And even then, I will not take your life." I stand up and curtsy. "Boys, don't forget my chains."

I drop to the desk hard.