Maid In Royalty

♛ 41 ♛

"Iris you need to eat something."

Drew pushed some bread and cookies my way, but I just stared ahead. A hollow emptiness inside me. It was as if the sun was extinguished forever and the chill had taken over. The images of Elior stepping in front of me and taking the bullet and falling to the ground lifeless and being kicked by Fabio.

Fabio.

What made him that way? How did I not see it?

"My staff," I said still staring ahead. From the corner of my eye, I could see the boys exchanging looks before Lee spoke up.

"It was taken."

My eyes shifted to him. A scowl making its way onto my face. "What do you mean taken?"

"I had packed it before coming. When we camped in the woods, someone took it from my bag. Probably Fabio's soldier-"

"How can you be such an idiot?!" I yelled at Lee but regretted it immediately as his face twisted into a frightened expression. 

"Iris, it's not his fault. You should've taken it with you in the first place," Drew defended. 

"We need to move." I stirred up but Drew stepped in my way. The rest of the boys stood up to his defence.

"You need rest," he said quietly.

"Get out of my way."

"Iris, listen to me. You're not stable-"

"GET OUT!" I pushed Drew back as hard as I could, but he made his way in front of me and held me in his arms. My chin quivered and I could feel the breakdown coming. Tears flowed out of me like the river under the bridge. The bridge where Elior defended me.

Drew settled on the ground slowly as I screamed and cried and buried my face in his chest.

"Shh... It's gonna be alright." I felt hands patting me and calming me down, but all I could see was Elior's touch on my face and my body and the electricity he sent.

"I need to see him D-Drew," I sniffled and hiccuped which made me cry even more.

"We will. I promise you that," he pulled me closer, "but right now, you need to eat something." He handed me a piece of bread which I nibbled on before receiving a butter cookie. I stared at the cookie and then the blanket that had become so dirty you could barely recognize the colour.

My eyes darted to the fire which was much bigger than the one in the cabin, but it made me feel so cold. Here I was, nested in Drew's hold, but still feeling so cold.

Elior's touch was so warm, even if it was small. It could create so much passion even more than a thousand fires. And those hazel eyes could comfort the smallest child or defeat an immortal enemy.

"Once you're done, we are back on track alright?" Lee said comforting me. I gave him a tiny smile and nodded.

It had been half an hour, and we were getting ready to enter the city. The woods of Alexandria were so much more beautiful than Canna. The smell, the sight, the feeling, it was securing.

"Just to be careful," Drew said pulling out the same scarf I had given to Elior, "wear this around your mouth. I know you got the whole blonde thing going so once we reach the city we will change that to-"

"Red. I want red." I didn't realize how hard I was gripping his arm before I let go and apologized. Drew gave me a pursed smile and wrapped it around my mouth area.

I felt a ball of tears stuck in my throat at the smell of Elior's scent. It was the smell of woods and mint and perfection.

How deep in was I? Why did it take me so fast to just fall for Elior? Was I really a hopeless romantic?