Chapter 38- Taken or Freed?

"Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs."

-William Shakespeare

Chapter 38

River's POV

I listened in as Anna and Melisa giggled lightly with one another, deep in conversation about something I was completely oblivious to. I'd lost my attention to the conversation long ago, leaving me as I was now, peering out the speckled side window, watching as dozens upon dozens of men ran back and forth, carrying heaps and heaps of objects.

What is going on?

I squinted my eyes, hoping perhaps to see what they were carrying better. But to no avail, I couldn't make out much through the dirt speckled glass. I sighed, pressing my hands to my face as my mind wandered.

The days here flew by with no trace of my discovery by anyone. The days and nights clashed into one in this dark abyss of a surrounding. Counting days has become near impossible. At this point, I had no idea how long we'd been here and it seemed as if no one bothered to keep track of the days down here, judging by the blank stares I'd get whenever I'd gain the courage to ask. They had large wax candles to keep track of meal times but date-wise they were completely blind. I couldn't understand why. Why would one not want to keep track of dates?

"Melisa?" I asked turning to her hunched over figure, whispering in Anna's ear.

She pulled from Anna with a raised bow, "Yes?"

"Why is it that there is no way of telling the date down here?"

Her mouth tightened, "There are rules down here. That is one of them. When you leave your life behind, you leave time as well."

"Why-"

"Why are you questioning our system so much?" Her voice raised accusingly, "That's about the third time you've asked that question."

"I just..." I stumbled over my words, "I was just curious about the date," I mumbled.

"Why?" Her eyes narrowed, "what are you counting towards?"

My freedom.

"His birthday is soon," Anna interrupted in her attempt to save me.

...What?

"Oh, really!" Melisa went from scowl-faced to excited in mere moments, "When?"

I froze.

"Umm..." February 21st.

"July 24th," Anna pushed out.

Melisa seemed to turn into a flurry of excitement as I sent Anna an alarmed expression to which she answered with wide eyes and a nervous smile.

July 24th was the day we were taken. It had already passed. Anna was so quick to immediately answer that she had probably just named the first date that popped into her head. The day we were taken.

Melisa, however, didn't seem to realize Anna's mishap, probably from her lack of knowledge of the actual date, and continued on in a flurry of excitement, speaking of cakes and candles as Anna and I attempted to play off nonchalance.

Thank goddess she had no idea what the actual date was or she would have caught us immediately in our act.

"I don't know when that actually is, but why don't we celebrate it the day after tomorrow?" Melisa asked, "After all, we need to give everyone a bit of a notice first, especially the kitchen."

"Umm..."

"That'd be great!" Anna chirped, "You'll come and visit me again in two days, River, won't you?"

"O-of course," I stumbled through my words.

Anna's brows pinched suddenly as if she was remembering an unpleasant thought, "Where have you been staying, River?"

She already knew I was staying with Parish and Emile. Did she think I may have moved after our last conversation?

"Oh..." I rubbed at my neck, "Umm, I've actually still been staying in..." My eyes suddenly locked on Melisa's wide ones. She thinks I'm a girl. I can't say I've been staying in Emile and Parish's room. "In a...hut around here."

Oh wow, great liar you are.

Melisa raised a brow in suspicion, mouth opening to speak as I felt a light tap on my lower back. I turned hastily, happy to gain some form of distraction from this conversation. My eyes scanned the around me in slight confusion until Anna pointed downwards to which I saw a small, curly-haired girl smiling toothily up at me.

"Yes?" I asked softly, bending down on one knee to see her.

"There's a man by the door."

I quirked a brow.

A man? Weren't men not allowed here...?

"He's asking for you." To this, I felt my hands began to clamp up. Was I caught already? Did someone figure out I wasn't a woman and called for a man to take me away?

Anna must have felt my tension because just as my body froze, I felt a calming hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently.

"Come," Anna stood up from the white mat, "let's go see who it is."

I nodded, grateful for the company as I stood up and began to make my way to the door.

My eyes widened as I took in the small form by the door. I contemplated hiding when I saw the long scowl on his face, arms crossed in impatience as he stood by the entrance, standing on a single rock, but the second his eyes caught notice of me I had no choice but to continue walking closer to him.

"Goddess," Parish let out an exasperated breath as I reached the door post, "I should have known this would be the first place you'd go. Come," he reached a hand to me.

I swallowed thickly, unmoving.

A small brow raised as he eyed Anna behind me, "And you must be the friend," Parish gave her a once over. "A pleasure."

She nodded, eyes unwavering.

A hint of a quirked smile rose on the edge of his lips only to disappear the second his head turned back to me, "Come, River. I've allowed you to be here long enough."

Allowed?

"Unless you'd rather I announced your nonallowance for being here before dragging you out by your ass," he nodded to the onlookers behind me, "Your choice."

I turned from the wide-eyed women behind me back to him with an understanding nod.

"Okay," I swallowed thickly, peering back at Anna. Her head turned between Parish and me with a look of complete perplexion but didn't bother with any questions, after all, there was no way I'd be able to answer any of them with all the onlookers. She let out an unsettled sigh as she pulled me into a bone-crushing hug.

I felt her breath against my neck as she turned her lips to my ear "Whatever the hell is going on. You will tell me later. Just...be careful, okay?" She pulled away with a quirked smile, a nervous glint shining in her eyes.

I nodded, eyes slightly tearing up. I was being pulled from the only thing familiar down here. An abrupt throat clearing turned my attention back to an irritated Parish. He quirked a brow.

I unwrapped my arms from Anna's waist and walked through the threshold, sending a nervous smile to Anna as I followed Parish as he jumped from rock to rock, down the rocky path down the small hill.

I just reached the bottom when a loud shout resounded behind me.

"You better come back for your birthday party!"

I almost slapped a hand to my face as Parish sent me a quizzical look.

"I-I'll try!" I stuttered back to which Parish quirked a brow.

As we walked, I awaited the thousand questions I had been expecting but none came as he led me back to his room.

"Y-you're not going to ask me any questions?" I managed as he jumped onto his bed.

"Should I?"

I opened my mouth to answer but couldn't think of anything to answer to that so I closed my mouth, silence encasing the room as I peered down at my fingers, playing anxiously with one another.

"It doesn't matter. You wanted to see that girl. Right? That friend of yours?"

I looked up, nodding as I watched him make himself comfortable at the center of the bed.

"Come," he patted the spot beside him.

I made my way, silently, onto the bed, sitting up beside him as he sat up.

"We're moving."

I froze.

"Moving?"

"I did just say that," he laughed lightly, "An outside source sent a warning signal. A group of soldiers has been wandering far too close to our territory than what we're comfortable with. It's only a matter of time before they find the entrance."

Soldiers? Alastair's soldiers?

Realization dawned me. He was searching for me and he was getting close. Excitement welled in my stomach only to knot once I recalled his previous words. Moving.

What did that mean for me? For us? Was he going to bring us with them?

"Whether you come with us-"

The door flew up, revealing a furious-faced Emile. I'd never seen him so livid. My body tensed up as I backed slowly on the bed until I hit the hard outline of the bedframe. He looked as if he was out for blood and I didn't want to be anywhere near him when he decided to take the initiative of such a desire.

"They're here."

"What?" Parish sounded like he was choking, breath pulled forcefully from his lungs, as he jumped from the bed, almost tripping over himself in haste as he rushed out the door, Emile following close behind him, slamming the door behind him.

I sat, wide-eyed, peering at the door in complete silence.

...What just happened?

The door flew open only seconds later, Parish's pale face sticking in.

"Come, River."

I didn't bother asking any questions as I jumped from the bed and scurried after him.

We passed a hurry of men, each carrying bundles upon bundles of things and placing them in large, metal carts. I watched in complete awe as the metal carts hauled down a metal track, through a small cave-like exit. Some containing objects, others carrying actual people. Women sat in some, arms wrapped around small crying children as the men pulled at a large wheel, pushing the carts out in great haste, sweat dripping down their faces as Emile barked orders.

"What's going on...?" I whispered to Parish as he watched Emile, a lip pulled painfully between his teeth.

He turned to me, "They must have found the entrance quicker than we could have been informed. They're coming. We need to be out of here before..." he trailed off, biting at his fingers.

I watched as women upon women were ushered onto the carts and a sudden fear hit me. Did they put Anna on yet?

I pushed past Parish to the carts, searching as nerves welled in the pit of my stomach. My eyes searched. What if they already sent her cart?

I turned to a nearby man ushering the women on, "Do you know if the patients from the women's area were put on yet?"

He raised a brow, "the sick always go on last. If you're looking for a patient, they should be at the end of the line," he pointed to a line of women, one by one being ushered onto the cart as others played anxiously with their hands and talked in hushed whispers.

I ran down the line, breath quickening as my heart thumped erratically in my chest.

"River?" A voice called out.

I turned to a pale-faced Melisa, sweat shone on her forehead in obvious anxiety as her eyes widened.

"Why aren't you in line?" She breathed.

"I'm looking for Anna," I tried to catch my breath, hands resting on my knees as my eyes continued to search down the line.

She nodded and pointed down the line, "I think I saw her and the rest of the patients being escorted to the back."

"Thank you," I breathed, though the knowledge was already apparent to me.

I let out a thankful breath as my eyes locked on a tense Anna. She seemed just as confused as I was as her eyes searched around her, brows pulled together.

"Anna," I called.

Her eyes turned to me, face softening as I pulled her into a hug.

"Thank goddess," I gasped, "I thought they had already put you on one of the carts."

"Carts?" She pulled away just enough to sent me a quizzical look.

"They didn't tell you why they brought you here?"

She shook her head.

"They're moving," her eyes widened. I pulled closer to whisper in her ear. "Parish said that a group of soldiers was hovering too close to the entrance, but then they had found it quicker than they expected. They're coming." I pulled away to watch her expression.

Her eyes brightened, "Do you think..." she pulled me closer, lowering her voice, "It's Beatrice and His Majesty?"

I nodded.

I thought her face would break into two from the wide smile that broke across her face. She choked slightly, tears welling in her eyes, "I might get to see my mate again," she breathed through a choked sob.

"The only problem is," Anna sucked in a breath as I continued, "we can't get on those carts before they come."

She nodded, peering up the line and then back at me.

"There's a rather long way to go."

I nodded in agreement, "but still..."

"We can't be too optimistic," she finished for me.

I sighed, peered behind me as a pair of eyes dug into my back.

I flinched as my eyes met Emile's dark ones, but as quickly as I met his gaze it had disappeared as Parish pulled at his shirt, turning his attention elsewhere.

He can't possibly know. He's too far away to hear our conversation. Not to mention we were whispering. Maybe he just dislikes me. I wouldn't be surprised, his lover did bring me back to their bedroom without even bothering to inform him.

My nerves spiked as the line moved quickly, men packing more women onto carts than seemed comfortable as the tension build. Emile's eyes seemed to calm down from earlier, going from livid to an unsettling calm black.

Anna and I were growing far too close to the carts moment by moment and my mind was beginning to turn in a terrified hurry, trying to search for any and all possible solutions, from disappearing behind a boulder and just hoping to not be found to just simply making a run for it. Each seeming more and more unrealistic than the last.

"Ladies?" A deep voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up. Blood draining from my face when a large cart laid before us. We were the last in line.

No. No. No. How had the line moved so quickly?

My head spun, breath thickening. I felt my stomach churn.

He's coming. He's coming. If I get on he may never be able to find me again.

I fell to the floor, my vision turning hazy as nausea welled in the base of my stomach.

The thought, the idea of never seeing him again; I felt like I was going to puke my guts out.

"You need to get on," the man's voice rang through the haze as Anna brought a hand to my forehead.

"River when was the last time you ate?"

Last time I ate...?

I tried to imagine but even the thought of food was already causing bile to burn up my throat in a wave of head-spinning malaise.

"Just pick him up and put him in the cart if he doesn't have the strength to get up."

No. No. No.

I felt a pair of arms wrap around my shaking form as I was lifted from the ground.

"No!" I screamed, thrashing against a pair of calloused hands.

"Oof!" A strangled breath hit my face as I felt myself fall hard onto the cold, solid ground.

An electric cuurent of pain ran up my spine in a stabbing-like agony as I let out a pain-filled whimper. My head spun, bile rising in my throat, threatening to spill in a sickening, acidic fountain. My vision spotted, breath quickening as Anna's nervous voice closed in beside me. Her warm pair of hands pulled me into her soft lap, arms wrapping protectively around me. I could barely made out the sound of Anna's heightening voice as my sight went from slightly spotted to dark, clouded stars by the corners of my vision.

A flurry of havoc filled the dim cave as dark, unfamiliar figures arose from ahead. Emile lifted Parish into his arms as he shoved the rest of the men into the carts. Through all the haze I could see his figure approaching us, trying to grab for us. A deep growl bursted from my throat as I took the form of a feral wolf.

Don't touch me.

He backed away, eyes darkening as he turned to the fuzzy men and then back at me before jumping into the cart after his men.

A relieved breath escaped Anna as she tightened her arms around me. We watched through paranoid eyes, eyes locked on moving carts, too afraid to break contact. I felt a shiver run down my spine as Emile's eyes trained on me, frozen on mine, unwavering, until he was no longer visible.

The ground shook as the men grew closer and closer.

"They might think we're rebels," Anna let out a nervous breath.

If it's not Alastair as we were hoping for we could be killed.

It's a possibility. They might think we're rebels.

I should have been terrified of the idea but I was far too worn out to express any care. I was tired, my head was spinning, and I was mere minutes from passing out. Anna held me to her chest as I grunted in pure exhaustion.

"Don't pass out on me, River," she shook me anxiously.

"I won't," I mumbled beneath my breath, eyelids growing heavier by the minute.

"You can't," she wiped her shirt on my sweaty forehead, "you hit your head. It's too dangerous."

I nodded only to hiss in pain.

"Shh," she cooed, "don't move."

I let out a sigh, resting my head against her warm chest.

"You there!" A man's voice shouted in our direction.

The clambering of feet grew closer and closer as my breath grew shallower and shallower.

"Don't touch them. They could be the missing mates of Lady Beatrice and His Majesty," one called out as the rest surrounded us.

The sound of heavy breathing and sheathing of swords filled my ears as I let out a choked breath. Absolute silence suddenly filled the cave until all that could be heard was the sound of a single man, walking with such power that even I could feel the tangible pull. The pull to submit.

"Your Majesty," a chorus ensued.

Alastair...?

I turned my head slightly, hissing as the pain hit again. A choked sob escaped my throat as my eyes landed on a familiar hazel pair. I could barely make out his form through all the haze and dots but those eyes hazel eyes, my hazel eyes, those were his. No one had such powerful, tender eyes. His. Only his.

Alastair.

He rushed past his men as his eyes locked on me. I had never seen him in such a distressed state, hair strewn across his shoulder as his eyes blazed brilliantly. He was beautiful. More beautiful than ever.

He pushed past men, mouth gaped as he breathed heavily.

"River," he choked as he dropped to the floor beside me. Tears welled like wrenched crystals in his deep hazel eyes as he reached out to me.

His hands are shaking.

He seemed almost afraid to touch me. Like I might break.

"River?" He choked.

I let out a small whimper, body hurting far too much to make out any coherent words.

He brushed the pad of his fingers against my cheek as I peered up at him, tears trailing down my face as I nuzzled my nose against his gentle fingers.

He choked as he continued to gently brush his fingers down my face.

"Can I lift him?" He turned to Anna.

"Just...be careful," she made out as she wiped her hands across her tear-stained face.

He nodded as he carefully wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me to his chest. His nose brushed gently across my cheek as he cradled me to his chest. I purred, nuzzling against his firm chest, feeling his fingers run light patterns across my waistline.

Anna trailed by our side silently, deep in thought, as Alastair held me securely to his chest. I could barely believe this was happening. That Alastair had finally found me. That I was by his side again. I sniffled against his neck, lips brushing lightly by his collar line as he swept his fingers gently against my side, breathing in my scent with a purr of his own as his men led the way out of the dark cave that had held me captive for far too long.

I squeezed my eyes shut as unfamiliar rays of sunlight hit me. I held tightly to Alastair's velvet jacket, head tucked securely into the crook of his neck as I waited out the foreign light. I felt a familiar darkness filling my vision as fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks.

Don't keep your eyes closed.

I cracked my eyes open, squeezing Alastair's arm tightly. He flinched, peering down at me nervously.

"What's wrong, love? Are you in pain?" His eyes searched my face, fingers brushing lightly through my hair as his other arm held me securely to him.

"I-I'm tired," I managed through choked sounds.

"So sleep, love."

"He can't," Anna jumped in, "He was dropped and hit his head. He shouldn't sleep for a couple hours. Don't want him dying on us."

To that, Alastair growled.

"Anna!" A feminine voice shouted.

I looked up just long enough to see Anna burst into tears and run into Beatrice's waiting arms. They both hugged tightly, sobbing onto one another as all the soldiers watched through frightened gazes.

Men and crying women. Not a good combination.

Alastair didn't seem as fazed as his men as walked into the estate, making a bee-line for the stairs. I let out a light giggle as he set me gently on the plush bed and crawled on top of me.

"Don't forget I'm injured," I mustered through soft laughter as he kissed every inch of skin he could reach.

"And I'm taking care of you," he lifted his face long enough to send me a playful wink before continuing his assault.

I laughed only hissing moments later when I moved in a direction that my body didn't approve of.

"Where are you hurt?" Alastair asked softly, lips trailing down my throat, taking with it any pain I was previously feeling.

I had come up with a reply but with his lips on my skin, the words were long forgotten. I had almost forgotten how amazing his lips felt on me. Like magical beings, sweeping ever so slightly against my heated skin, igniting me.

And to think I almost lost this. Lost him.

I choked as tears began to well in my eyes again. Alastair sensed my sadness as he rose back on his hands, hovering above me with tender eyes.

"Don't cry, my love," he brushed his fingers lightly under my eyes as he lowered himself and pressed his lips softly to mine.

I brushed my fingers through his silky strands as our lips locked together like two pieces to a perfect puzzle. Our lips brushed softly against one another as we lost ourselves in a tender intimacy that we had lost for far too long. His fingers pressed against my waist, fingers pressing lightly as his lips spread mine in an urgent manner. His tongue breached through my playful lips, brushing lightly against my own in a manner that caused my legs to go weak. I let out a soft sigh, breathing through my nose as I allowed him to take control, too weak to bother teasing him for it.

He smiled playfully against my lips, "Well, that was easy."

"Shut it," I grumbled.

He laughed softly, kissing me with such care that one would think it was my mouth that was injured and not my head.

"Never again," Alastair growled against my lips.

"What?" I gasped as his teeth brushed ever so slightly against my bottom lip before pulling away.

"You're never leaving my side ever again," his eyes glowed with uncontained furry.

I felt myself slightly stiffen, "Wasn't planning on it," I managed as I lifted myself slightly and connected my lips with his again.

Instead of dwelling on his words, I lost myself in a haze of pleasure, allowing his soft, careful lips my full attention.

Everything is finally okay again.