The Truth Hurts

Camilla stared back at the stranger, unable to make a sound.

His green eyes narrowed and regarded her warily. "Are you alright? You took a blow to the head. Can you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes," Camilla rasped through dry lips.

"Then do you know who I am?" He asked again with a trace of annoyance in his voice.

Camilla slowly shook her head. Her first instinct was to run. To run until her lungs burst or until she found her father and brothers again, she didn't care which. But she couldn't stay here, not knowing what had happened and while this stranger eyed her coldly.

"I am Prince William Devon, nephew of King Edward Devon of Islia." The young man watched for her reaction. "And I know you are Princess Camilla, the Duke of Arlington's child."

Camilla's mind went blank. She couldn't care less who he was or that he knew who she was. The fact that he was an Islian prince and was no longer in full armour made her realise they were likely no longer be near her ancestral home of the Duchy of Arlington. Instead, they must be in-

"Yes we're in Islia," William stated as if reading her mind. "We're in Magdaline Castle, to be precise. You've been unconscious for over two days. I brought you across the border with me."

"Why?"

William shrugged. "Your father's uprising is over and his cause has been defeated. I could have either brought you with me, or left you to die in Arlen Castle as it burned down. I made a quick decision." He paused. "When someone saves your life, the correct response is usually a thank you."

Camilla didn't care if she had forgotten to thank the prince. In her rising panic, all she could think about was her family. "My father…my brothers…where are they now? Do they know I'm here?"

"They're all dead." William's voice was flat and his gaze steady. "The fortunes of war, I'm afraid. You have my condolences." he added drily.

Camilla gaped at him. "You lie!" she managed to croak.

William shrugged again, unsmiling. "Your brothers fell on the battlefield and your father was attacked and killed inside the castle. If you choose not to believe me, that's up to you. But I don't believe in hiding the truth, no matter how grim."

Camilla could feel her throat closing with terror as she listened to the prince continue his explanation in a monotone. "King Edward knows you are here and in a show of royal mercy, he has decreed you may stay as an honoured guest of the court. He knows you would've played no part in the rebellion and has offered you his protection from your uncle. You'll be shown all the respect due to your rank while you remain here…" His words meant nothing to her.

"Take me back." she interrupted in a choked whisper.

"Back?"

"To Moraigth, to Arlen Castle! I don't believe what you said. My father and brothers are skilled fighters…they can't all have fallen. A-and if they are truly dead then I need to see their bodies with my own eyes. They deserve proper burials-"

"Have you run mad?" scoffed the prince. There's no way in hell I'm returning to Moraigth and frankly, I don't know why you'd want to either. King Kenneth will kill you the moment you step across the border, niece or not. You're far safer here."

Camilla shook her head, the panic and grief overwhelming her. She leapt from the bed and bolted towards the chamber door, not knowing where she was heading or who could help her, only knowing she couldn't stay in that room a moment longer.

William looked up in surprise at how nimbly the girl darted towards the door. He reacted after a split second and moved after her in long strides, grabbing her arm before her outstretched hand could reach the door. He pulled her back in his direction, spinning her to face him. Camilla tried to free her arm but his grip was too strong. Struggling in frustration, she screamed and tried to claw his face with her free hand.

"Dammit!" William hissed at the squirming girl, managed to twist both of her arms behind her back with one of his hands. She continued to thrash against him, her eyes wild. "Take me back!" she yelled.

"This won't do. I did not just lead a campaign and then nearly kill myself riding at speed across the border to get you to safety, only to have my eyes scratched out." William growled. He tightened his grip on both of her wrists, holding her firmly against his body. With his free hand, he reached into the front pocket of his tunic and fumbled until he pulled out a small vial of amber coloured liquid. With a quick movement, he uncorked the vial with his teeth and shoved it towards the girl's mouth.

Camilla turned her head away but but not quite fast enough. Some of the liquid slid down her throat before she could clamp her lips shut. It burned slightly with a bitter taste. She glared at the prince. "What is this?"

"A powerful sleeping tonic." William drawled. "I don't have the energy or the patience to fight with a mere girl. I'm tired. Go to sleep and we can talk again tomorrow when you're calmer."

Camilla tried to pull away from his iron grip but she could feel her thoughts going cloudy. Her limbs were getting heavy and her eyes started to droop closed. In another moment, her legs gave out and she slumped against William's chest.

William caught her before she slid to the floor. Hoisting her slight weight in his arms, he carried her back to the bed and laid her down. He grabbed a blanket from the foot of the bed and threw it carelessly over the girl's body.

"Good night, little princess." he murmured in annoyance as he stalked out of the bedchamber and locked the door behind him, desperate for a meal and a bath to wash away the grime of the campaign.