- Alistair hates us and will mistreat Annabel. I'm sure it'll make her life a living hell. - I paused by closing my eyes. - I understand hell very well to know what I'm saying and I don't want that for Annabel.
My mother gave me a cold laugh.
- And whose fault is that? - she turned to me and picking up my chin spoke between her teeth. - If I hadn't screwed up, who knows, today I wouldn't marry you both? One with each prince. Instead, I'm just marrying Annabel and you...
She squeezed my chin harder and turned my head from side to side as if evaluating me.
- You're nothing but a worthless dead weight that I'll have to carry for the rest of my life. - she laughed coldly. - Maybe I can sell her as a slave?
- Hey, Mom! - Annabel's voice echoed.
I gave my mother's hand a kick and she walked away. Tears of hatred appeared in my eyes.
- You're a monster! - I cried. - I hate her with all my might! One day you'll regret everything you've done.
- So be it! - she shrugged her shoulders. - You must prepare yourselves, for the journey is long.
- I'm not going anywhere! - said without blinking.
- Try to disobey me again, Aideen! - she took a break. - Try it!
She slammed the door behind her, leaving the room silent for a few moments.
- I hate you! - I screamed breaking the deadly silence that followed for minutes. Annabel ran to support me when I fell on the floor.
- Shiii! - she whispered hugging me. - Stay calm! Don't cry, my doll! I'm here!
Annabel had a thing for saying that I looked like a little porcelain doll because of my pale, light skin. I hated the way my mother treated me and it was time to put an end to it. I decided it would be better to try to survive on my own than to languish little by little, next to a despicable woman. I was just hoping Annabel would come along with me.
- I'll run away! - he said to the cries. - Come with me!
- No, my sister! I'll stay here and guarantee your escape! - she smiled. - Someone must do what she wants or there will be consequences. She doesn't care about you and she won't miss you.
- Yes, but I'll feel yours!
- And I'm yours, beautiful doll!
We hugged and cried for hours on end. All the pain in my broken heart was being put out and I hoped it would be the last time. A long time ago I faced the pains of a past that insisted on staying alive in my mind. Thanks to my mother, who did the impossible so I wouldn't forget. She decided that I would live this way until the end of my life to pay for a plan that had gone wrong. At first the isolation seemed dark and dark, as well as the reason why I had that fortune. He was afraid of the people and the evil they carried within them. I've seen enough for someone so young.
- I'm tired! - he said, drying his tears. - I'll get some sleep before I leave.
- You haven't slept again? - Annabel asked by standing up. I did it with my head and walked to bed. - My sister, you can't live awake. You barely feed and you'll get sick like this.
- What can I do about it? - I asked in a voice full of despair. - Every time I close my eyes, horrible things come up. I'd rather stay awake than have to deal with the shadows.
Annabel smiled with sadness.
- I wanted to see her smile like she used to. - said she helping me to lie down and then, as if I were a baby, covered me by kissing my forehead. - Now go to sleep and rest. Everything will be fine when you wake up.
I doubted a lot about it, but I was too tired to have spent another night in the clear because of the nightmares. It didn't take much effort to get to sleep, but it soon fell into another one of his dark dreams. Annabel's voice echoed in my mind giving me strength. The reminder that everything would be fine when I woke up, made the bad dreams go away and so I slept a heavy sleep.
Chapter 03
Alistair
The night was already falling, but the rain had already stopped. The sky was still laden with dark clouds and a storm broke out. I closed my eyes as I felt the cold wind blow on my face. I had left the castle to ride a little and clear my head, but it didn't do much good. The whinnying of a horse made me open my eyes and look in the direction from which the noise came. I recognized Bruce's black stallion and breathed deeply. I'd been riding for two hours and certainly my mother was worried. Especially after the
