17 Andrei Ravenstiegn

When I woke up the room was full of the morning sun and I could hear birds chirping out the window. It felt so peaceful and I couldn't help but stretch in my bed and then curl up hugging a pillow. I laid there for a bit with my eyes closed and suddenly I couldn't help but think about Erevan.

I quickly popped up from the bed and looked around. He wasn't here. I felt my heart drop at that. I enjoyed spending the day with him yesterday, I wasn't going to deny that. Even though it wasn't a very happy moment I loved being there for him.

Crap...

I'm totally falling for him. I can't let that happen. Not here. Not ever again.

I got out of the bed and went to the mirror. I slapped my cheeks and then smiled at myself.

"Everything is going to be fine," I whispered to myself. I stood up and looked over at the dresser in the room. Erevan said he bought me some clothes and honestly I wanted to get out of this. But I also wanted a bath. I'm sure there was a way to get that here.

I went down to the keeper of the inn and again he greeted me with that kind smile of his.

"Excuse me, where can I take a bath?"

"I can draw one for you ma'am. We have a small building behind us for that. Give me one moment."

After he said that he placed down a cup he was cleaning and threw the towel over his shoulder. He went off and since I had to wait I walked over to a table and sat down. For the first time I took a good look around the room and noticed how rustic it looked. It really was like from those tv shows and books you'd find. No one was here since it was early in the morning.

Just as I thought that I heard someone coming down the stairs. I watched as whoever was hear walked down slowly as if they were still half asleep. As they were walking down I felt as if I recognized them. Once I saw their face I knew who it was.

It was that same guy.

He was just in some tight leather pants and a loose white shirt. He was wearing heavy black boots and his brown hair was messy as if he just woke up.

I felt myself freeze. He hadn't noticed I was there yet and I tried my best not to move or make any noise to alert him. But that wasn't much help.

"Ma'am, your bath is ready."

Right as the inn keeper said that the guy looked at me. I watched as a sly grin grew on his lips. I felt my skin crawl just like last night and I quickly got up from my seat. I walked to the inn keeper and grabbed the towel that was in his hand.

"Thank you. Let me grab my clothes first."

I went up the stairs trying not to move too quickly. I didn't hear any footsteps behind me and grabbed a random dress out of the dresser before heading back down. The man hadn't moved from his spot and even started talking to the inn keeper. His voice was deep and raspy like that night and I felt sick. Without hesitating I went through the door that the inn keeper went into to the room with the bath.

Once I was in the room and the door was closed behind me I let go of the air I was holding. I stayed there for a bit feeling my heart race. I felt sick. But I shook the feeling away and got into the bath.

When I finished I looked at myself in the dress I grabbed. It was another blue dress but a dark blue with white around the collar and hem. It had a little thing like a corset in the middle that was brown. It made my waist look smaller and I kind of liked that.

I slowly walked out of the door and noticed that the guy was gone. That's when I realized that I didn't know his name. I also didn't know if I wanted to know that or not. Honestly I think it'd be best I just keep ignoring him and move on with things.

Seeing that the cost was clear I started heading back up to my room. I felt better now that I had taken a bath and was in some new clothes.

As I was walking to my room I suddenly felt someone grab my arm and yank me over. I dropped my dress that I was holding in the process and next thing I knew I was up against the wall of someone's room. I tried struggling and started to yell when my mouth was covered. I looked up and saw that it was the same guy. My eyes went wide and I suddenly lost all the power in my body.

"That's a good girl. Don't make any sudden movements. One peep out of you and you won't be able to walk again, got it?"

I couldn't do anything. I was frozen. He removed his hand from my mouth and I didn't bother yelling. I was too scared to. He held both of my hands up above my head with one hand and soon his other went from my waist up and down to my legs. His had found its way under my dress and I let out a little sound at the feeling. He stopped and looked me dead in the eyes. I felt my body weaken even more at the look he was giving me. He moved his hand to grab my chin and turned my head to look at the side.

"I've never seen such beauty. Not from any human or elf. It would be such a shame if I couldn't have you all to myself."

He licked my cheek and I felt my whole body shiver at the feeling.

"You taste so sweet. I wonder what else I could get from this."

Suddenly a large vine came out of no where and grabbed his leg making him let go of me and drop to the floor. He cursed under his breath. I took the chance and ran off. I ran down the stairs and out of the inn. As I ran I bumped into someone I quickly looked up to say sorry only to see Erevan.

I felt the tears in my eyes and wrapped my arms around him pulling him into a tight hug.

"Erevan! I'm so glad you're here."

He had no time to process what was going on because the guy had followed me out into the open. He was rubbing his head as he growled. He caught sight of me and I quickly hid behind Erevan feeling myself shake. Erevan connected the dots and glared at the man.

"What did you do."

"None of your damn business. Now give her to me nice and slowly or there will be trouble."

I got closer to Erevan and held onto him tightly.

"Alright so asking nicely doesn't work. Your her servant, right?" He pulled out a pouch and threw it to Erevan. "There's at least 2,500 gold coins in that. Take it."

Erevan kicked it away.

The man laughed and rubbed his chin.

"You're stubborn. I like that but now's not the time."

He rested his hand on what looked like a sword. I didn't notice that before. I did however notice that a crowd had started to form. People were whispering and I tried my best to ignore them. I looked at Erevan and got worried. He doesn't have anything on him. At least I don't think so.

"Alright. Let's fight for her."

I jumped as he said that and tugged on Erevan.

"You don't have to do that. I know I've been a pain for you just take the money and let me go."

I was shaking as I said that and I couldn't even convince myself that I was ok with this. He looked back at me and smiled.

"I'm not giving you up."

Just then he ran up to the guy and there was a clash and a ringing sound. The guy had his sword out and Erevan held what looked like a short sword.

"I didn't see that under your cloak. Sadly, I'm not as weak as you think."

Erevan grit his teeth and went charging back. There was so much happening and all I could see was the swords swinging and colliding. Erevan let out a little yelp of pain and I took a step forward as if to go to him.

"Don't! I'll be fine. Run to the room and get out stuff. Find Ebony in the stable at the farm down the road and run!"

"Don't ignore me!"

The man charged and Erevan was pierced through his stomach. He was still looking back at me when it happened and I watched as the life drained out of his eyes.

"No!"

I started to run to him when he yelled out again.

"I said stay back!"

He stood up as he held his wound and stared at the man before him. His legs shook as he was in pain but he was determined to give his life up for this.

"Wow you really are stubborn. I never knew anyone could stand against me for this long, I Andrei Ravenstiegn, the great."

Once he said his name Erevan perked up.

"So that's who you are. I knew I wasn't wrong."

"What's that you rat?"

Erevan charged at him again. Andrei thrusted his sword but Erevan dodged it in time. All his strike ended up doing was rip his cloak off. Everyone gasped when they saw his ear. Andrei started laughing hysterically.

"You're nothing but an elf! Absolutely disgusting."

Erevan spit out some blood and laughed a little himself. Andrei stopped laugh and took a closer look at him.

"Wait a second. I know you."

"Took you long enough."

Erevan went charging again and there was another bit of swords swinging and colliding. I fell down to my knees in shock and I couldn't help but watch. I know he told me to get our things and run with Ebony but I couldn't move.

"You're that brat from the forest." As Andrei said that he looked over at me with such hatred. "You had her the whole time didn't you?"

"That's none of your damn business!"

Erevan cut Andrei's face and kicked his legs making him fall back in pain.

"The king won't like that. Are you trying to start another war?"

Erevan scoffed and was about to strike again. I looked at the ground and the piles of blood. I knew it was mostly Erevan's and I couldn't take it anymore.

"Stop!"

I screamed it at the top of my lungs. Next thing I know there are vines out wrapped around Andrei. They were think and still had thorns on him so every time he struggled he got cut. Erevan saw that he couldn't move and fell down to the floor. I ran up to him and held him as he breathed heavily sucking in through his teeth from all the pain.

"It's going to be ok. I'll heal you."

Erevan placed a hand on my cheek and smiled. I felt the blood on his hand from holding his wound. "You idiot," is all he said before passing out. His hand slipped off of me and his blood stayed on me.

I listened ad Andrei struggled. The vines got tighter as he did. I gently put Erevan down and got up only to look him in the eyes. I pushed my hand forward and suddenly there was a vine around his throat getting tighter nd tighter. His hands were held back and he couldn't do anything. He could speak out but his eyes were begging for me to stop. He was pleading with every bit of him. It was like I could read his mind.

I let go and made the vines all let go of him and he fell to the ground coughing and gasping for air.

I walked up to him and stepped on his hand.

"I'll let you live but if you ever try coming for us again, I'll kill you."

I've never said something so serious as this. But I meant it. I was so mad nothing else was running through my head but to kill him.

Andrei just glared at me. Of course he still had the nerve to do that. But I ignored him and went to go get Erevan. I couldn't pic him up by myself so I looked around to see if anyone would help. Everyone look terrified though and I know it was mostly because of me. But he was losing blood fast and I had to do something.

I heard something coming toward us. It sounded like horses. And a lot of them. The crowd seemed to have part and next thing I knew I was facing a man who was covered in armor. He still had his helmet on just like everyone else in the party with him. He jumped off his horse and walked over Andrei and then to me. He bowed and took off his helmet. I was greeted with a man with long red hair and beard.

Everyone in the town bowed. I looked around confused but kept my guard up as Erevan stayed unconscious in my lap.

"Good evening madam. I've been looking everywhere for you."