Ch. 5

The air was being pumped into her lungs as she ran for her life down the street. She didn't understand how all the commotion she is making can be so loud and yet there seems to be no answer from any of the shops or homes? Victoria screams out once more hoping for any kind of returning sounds, but of course there were none.
She snaps back to reality when an arrow sails by her ear and implants itself in an open door. She rushes inside and closes the door behind her. Latching the lock and barricading the door with anything in arms reach, she frantically tries to find something in the shop that she can defend herself with. The only thing is a metal poker from the fireplace that looks like it hasn't been touched in years. She hears the men pounding on the door, taunting her like the trapped girl she was.
"Don't be so shy sweetheart. We just want to play." says on of the men.
"Go away!! Please leave me be!!" Victoria screams. Her body moves on it's own and throws a pot at the window where a hooded figure emerges. She is scared stiff.
Everything goes silent for what seems like forever. She slowly walks towards the window and peeks out the edge. There is no one in sight. She goes a bit closer. Suddenly flames burst from the door and quickly begins to spread. She panics and searches frantically for a way out. She sees a window on the other side of the room. She takes her makeshift weapon and starts smacking it against the pains. After a few hits it gives way and busts out. She starts to climb threw, cutting herself from all the shards imbedded in the seal, when a man comes out of nowhere and looks her in the face.
He had the grin of the devil himself, eyes so cold and gray he didn't seem to have a soul at all. Her eyes go down to notice something in his hand. before she could identify it he swings it up and hits her across the cheek with it, knocking out a few teeth in the process. She falls back inside dazed from the impact. All she is red, all she can taste is blood, all she can feel is pain as the fire creeps up and starts to catch to her clothes. Everything starts to go black.

She jolts up in a cold sweat, frantically feeling her body for any burns or gashes. She counts her teeth and realizes she's safely on her hill below her oak tree. She lets out a sigh of relief and leans back on the bark. She must of dozed off waiting for Liz. From the look of the sun she couldn't of been asleep for more then an hour.
She gets up on shaky feet, still reeling from her dream. For the past few months these dreams are getting more frequent. If only there was a way to get them to stop.
Victoria starts walking back home, Liz probably got tangled up with something or just forgot. Half way home see notices out of the corner of her eye, Stephen talking with a few other men by a building with no name on the front. This must be where they come to meet and discuss things among fellow guardians. From what he tells her no one is allowed in except for the few who vow their lives to protect their "assignments". Stephen says he called her his "beloved" but still being referred to as a job got to her.
She knew she needed to just walk away and go home and not get into anything. If he knew she was out by herself she wouldn't hear the end of it, but she wanted to know what they were talking abut. Stephen had that look on his face that said "This is not good" and she had to know the issue at hand. She crept closer hiding behind a pile of hay bushels and craned her neck to try to hear better.
"Is she aware of this news?" Said an older man, about late thirties. She heard Stephen sign.
"No, I can not bring myself to tell her." he said, "I keep telling myself he will return soon."
"It has been almost two months since we last received a letter from him. On it he explained he was about to start the journey home within that next day. He should of been home by now!" said another man. This one was around twenty-five if Victoria could guess. his black hair was pulled back showing his black stubble. She could see the anger on his face. "It is not up to you to withhold this information from his daughter! You must tell her that her father is missing and may not come home!"
Her heart skipped a beat. Her father was missing? Stephen said he was running behind but should be home soon. He lied to her.
She started to panic and fell forward knocking over her barrier. The men looked over as she scrambled to regain herself. Stephen noticed who their spy was and rushed over to help her. "Why are you here Victoria? You know your not suppose to be out of the house." He whispered as he reached for her arm.
She smacked his hand away furious of the news that was just brought to light. "Do not dare touch me! You have lied to my face for months!" She screamed as she got up. "You make me think my father is almost home when he has been missing! I could of gone searching for him!" She pushes Stephen back into his companions. His regains his stance and approaches her slowly.
"You do not understand. I have been protecting you."
"Protecting me? You have all but destroyed me!" Tears start to run down her face. She notices the commotion has gained the attention of others. "You have broken my heart Stephen! I can't trust you after this! I don't wish to look at you right now. I will take my leave." She turns and walks away. He stands there star struck not knowing what to do. She walks home not caring if she is seen by others or not. She bursts through the kitchen door and stomps up to her room where she locks the door behind her. She sinks to the floor and stares out the window for a while until she begins to feel sick to which she runs to it and throws her head outside just in time for the bile to not get in her room.
Afterwards she washes out her mouth to get rid of the taste and lays on her bed unwilling to move. Her head spins for what seems like hours until she hears a faint knock at her door. Swallowing to clear her throat she replies, "Who is it?"
"It is me. I need to talk to you." She didn't need a name, she would recognize that voice from anywhere.
"The door is locked Stephen and I do not feel like getting up." She said angrily. "If you wish to talk you must break it down."
He wasted no time kicking until the lock gave way. Walking inside he stood by her bed. She refused to make eye contact, fixating her gaze at a small bug crawling in circles on the ceiling.
"I can explain." He said looking at her sadly.
"Do try, I can not see there being one good enough for you to call it such." she said not moving from her position.
He takes in a breath like he was going to talk but says nothing. Instead he pulls her up by her arms and forces her to look at him. The look in his eyes said he loved her but how could she trust anything anymore? He kissed her and held her close. "I messed up. I swear on my life I will never hurt you again. Victoria I never wish to hurt you ever. That is why I could not tell you."
She held him back. Angry or not he was all she had now until her father is found. She lets go of her emotions and cries onto his shoulder. gripping at his shirt to pull him closer if possible, holding on to the one thing keeping her together.

Ch. 4

"No stop it! Don't touch me!"

"What's the matter? I thought you'd enjoy the attention."

Victoria was now cornered, the only way out was on the opositte side of the room. On the opposite side of the men in black. On the opposite side of the ropes and chains.

"No,please, I'll do anything. I'll give you money, lots of money, if you'll please just leave me alone." Her vision was bluring with the tears flowing down her cheeks, where was he? Where was Steven? How could he not of noticed her gone from his side by now? Why wasn't he bursting threw the door like the magnificant hero he is?

"it's not money that I want." said the man with a chuckle. He stepped closer. Victoria threw a slap at his face. He caught it easily and twisted her arm down. She screamed out in agony. "Oh, I like em fiesty." he came in for a kiss, but she spit in his face as he got way to close. He whiped it off with a smirk, placed the knife to her arm and sliced it open. She screamed out once more, clapsing to the floor. " Now now. I wouldn't be doing that if I were you." he carefully licked the blood of the tip of his knife. He motioned for his men and the picked her up and slammed her onto the table in the middle of the room.

She felt a rib crack as she hit the tables edge. She screamed out once more. They held her down as two men tied her arms and legs down to the table. She kicked and flailed, but nothing helped.

"shh! Don't worry we won't hurt that pretty lil face of yours if you just cooperate with us."

Victoria heard the sound of ripping clothes and realized it was her own. She cried and begged for them to stop. "Please! No, please! Don't do this! Please! I'm begging you!" tears fell off her cheeks and hit the floor. Why isn't he here yet? Where was Stephen? Then, she heard a soft soothing voice she could never forget.

" aw the poor lil Richie girl all scared now?"

"No! no it can't be! Steven! Help me!" she looked aroud the room or men as they all smirked. They ripped off her underwear. "Help me!" she heard pants hit the floor. "Stephen!" She felt hand grab her hips. "Stephen!!!"

She was awaken by more yelling and shaking. She because alert and started slapping and clawing.

" no! Get away from me! Don't touch me!" she felt her nails tear threw skin as she landed a blow. She heard a shocked voice.

"Ow! God damn it, Victoria! Get ahold of yourself!" it was Stephen.

"Stephen! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! I would never!" she broke into tears and crumbbled into his arms. He pulled het into a tight embrace. Petting her hair.

"No, please don't cry. I'm fine I promise." she felt the beating of his heart on her cheek. It was beating faster then normal.

She wipped her tears from her cheeks and pulled Stephen to the bathroom and seated him in a chair as she examined his injery she inflicked. She pulled out a medical kit from the cupboard and stared to mend it.

" I told you I'm fine."

"if you don't treat it, it might get infected."

She placed the last piece of medical tape on, but her hand never left his face. She liked the way his face felt. Strong and hard, but yet soft and tender at the same time. Just like his hair, his arms, his eyes, his lips. Her eyes lingered at his lips.

She couldn't deny it. She loved him. She wanted him. Mentally and physicaly. She needed him emotionally as well. She need the soft compherting feeling she got when he was by his side. Her father was still gone at the confrence. And thanks to a disagreement he will be gone another month. And the changing of seasons will bring weather worse weather conditions which will add another month.

Stephen placed his hand over hers. Her face went red as he took her hand and kissed it. Then kissed each individual finger softly. He looked back up at her. She got down on her knees to level herself with him. She saw want and disire in his eyes. That moment of his eyes stairing into hers could of lasted a lifetime or a few milliseconds. It didn't matter to her. She felt whole in that position. All she wanted to do was stair into his eyes. His beautiful deep blue eyes.

Yet dispite her disire for this moment to last, Steven emidiantly got up and walked out of the bathroom. Realizing his mistake, "I'm sorry to disturb you. I'll take my leave."

No. Victoria didn't want him to leave. She wanted to be a bit selfish for once. She wanted him. Her love for him has only grown for the past two months. She can't just hold it in anymore. She scrambled after him and tackled him. He turn just in time to catch her in his arms. They lanes in the middle of the room. He looked up at her puzzled yet scared at the same time. She got on her hands and knees and staired into his eyes. Her feelings for him got the better of her. Why could she let this happen? She leaned down in a deprate atempt to finally touch her lips to his. That was her main goal at the moment. Land a kiss. She had to do it, her body couldn't handle it anymore. She felt she needed to kiss him or she would die. He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back up. She felt her hands React on there own and grab his and slam them above his head.

"Victoria, why are you acting in such a way?"

She swallowed to clear her throut. "I act this way tonight for one reason only. Your heart. I know you feel the same way don't deny it. Yet your scared. Scared of what might happen to us if we were ever caught. Scared of losing the last person you will ever love. Don't worry I won't let it happen. I can't let it happen. I'd rather die by your side then be taken away from you." she let her mouth talk on it's own. Her feeling came pooring out all at once. " I love you Stephen I have sence the cerimony where I awoke in your arms. Ever sence you held me that night before after I was scared from my dream. I need you Stephen. I can't live with out you. Please just stay by my side."

He stair back at her. His face held many different emotions. Shock, desire, relief, them was flooded by love, care, understanding. He knew that she felt the same as he did. He always knew.

He pulled her into an embrase that was like no other. She felt a wave of relief wash over her. He loved her. She couldn't believe it. He sat up and continued to hold her close. He smelled like lilies. Like he always does. The feel of his breath on her head sent chills down her spine. He pulled away and looked int her eyes he placed one hand on her cheek, bent down, and placed his lips to hers. It was like fireworks. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He wraped his arms around her waist and pulled her up in his lap. He wraped her legs around his waist and stood up he carried her to the bed and placed her down on the sheets he layed down ontop of her and ran his hands up and down her sides. They kissed this way until the sun began to break over the horizon. As the room began to light up from the suns rays the two realized Steven had to go. He kissed her one final time grabbed his shirt and trousers and dressed himself back. He watched him as he waved good bye from the door. And disapiered. She was upset they couldn't go any further she didn't even get to undress herself. Yet she was also extreamly happy.

She turned over and layed her head on the pillow his was on. It still smelled like him. She toucher het lips, still feeling the tender touch of his. She smiled and slwly drifted off into sleep. Her dream consisted of the two of them. Sittin by the lake holdin each other in there arms, and forever happy.

Ch.3

When Victoria awoke, Stephen was gone and in his place was a single liliy. She delicatly picked it up and smelled the sweet aroma. It smelled like him. She could still feel his strong chest under her hands, hear his slow soothing breath. She knew that he had a guardian meeting the rest of the day and must of left early so that he wasn't caught by the maids. After stretching and getting dressed she decided to have a day out in the town.
She went to the back of her closet and pulled out her commoner clothes. She put on a pair of brown shorts, a white shirt, suspenders, and some knee high socks. She placed a brown hat on her head and stuffed her hair inside. She threw a few things she might need into her messenger bag, threw it over her sholder, and was ready to leave. Dodging the maids and servents, she made her way to the back of the kitchen, pushed her way threw the door, and walked into freedom.
As always, town was as busy as ever. All of Victoria's sences were working. She smelled fresh baked bread and sweets as she passed the bakery, heard the sounds of hammering and sparks flying as the blacksmith shop went by, tasted one of the freshly picked fruits as she bit into it, touched spring water as it flowed threw her fingers. Everything about the town was wonderful. More magnificent that any mansion on the hill. It had it's own unique beauty the loved to pull her in and manipulate her into staying, much like a bar to a drunk.
She climbed her way up to her favorite hill, where she could see all of the town undisterbed. Her hill was very simple; only one very tall oak that took up most of the top. Provided plenty of shade and a nice place to waist you day. She sat down at it's roots and let down her hair. Just then, she heard a scream from above. She looked upward and saw a large branch falling for her. She attempted to run but the branch caught her shirt and pulled her down fallin on her back in the process. She felt a stem tear threw her shirt and create a gash in her side. She let out a pain filled scream. The blood was trickling down her side, staining her shirt, covering the grass. The feeling of her blood sicked her, her vision began to blur, she could tell weather she was even alive still. Last thing that she saw was a a girl lookin at her tellin her to get up now. Then, Victoria passed out.

When Victoria awoke, the branch was no longer crushing her, she no longer felt the trickling of bloodon her side. She looked over and saw a girl, the same girl, she thinks, she saw before she blacked out, bandaging up her newly stitched wound.
"you nearly gave me a heart attack you know that?" she said puttin the final touched on the bandage"next time don't just sit there like an idiot."
"what happened?" Victoria managed to get out as she tried to sit up.
"well, a branch snapped from undernearth me, it fell on your slow rear, you passed out, I got down, got the extreamly heavy lumber of your dairy air, and fixed your side. I'm fine, thanks for asking."
"sorry I didn't mean to be a bother."
"I'm Elizabeth." she said helping Victoria to her feet. " it's Liz for short."
"hello there nice to make you aquaintance. I'm Victoria."
"say, your one of those richies from the hill arn't you?" she said with a smirk.
"well yes, but I don't care for money. If I could be a normal person, trust me I would."
"right, so what if I told you that you and your money should go jump off the cliff?"
" I would tell you to go first with your stuborn attitude."
"... Your alright kid."
" hey I'm no kid! You look even younger then me."
"let's walk and talk."
While helping Victoria back to her house unsee, they found that they have alot in common. Victoria also got her own nickname, Tori or Tor for the short short. When they parted ways she snuck back in the house and went to her room and emidiantly changed. Her shirt was completly ruined. She would have to get a new one soon. She went and looked for Stephen and luckly found he hasn't come home yet from his meeting. After such a long day she wad extreamly exausted. She plopped down in her chair and hit her side. She cringed in pain as a wave of torment shocked though her. She had forgotten about her newly inflicked injury. Stephen is so going to kill her when he finds out, well after he metically fixes the already mended wound to make sure it's properly treated. Although she knew she was in for it, she was tired from such a long day. All she had on her mind at the moment was rest. She gently set herself down onto her bed and emidiantly fell asleep.

Ch. 2

"Come back Victoria! I won't hurt you!" said the man chasing her down the street.

"Get away from me!" she yelled back.

She rounded a corner and ... a dead end.

She searched franticaly for a way out. The light from the street faided adn the rain started pooring harder. She turnd around trying to push herself into the wall behind her.

"Well now, looks like you have no more places to hide.", he smerked as he creeped closer and closer.

"Stephen!" She cried out, but noone answered.

"He can't help you now." The man motioned to a space beside her. There lying in the corner was Stephens motionless body. She screamed out as the man got closer, and closer, and closer, so close she could smell his quick heavy rasps of breath that were between hes cuckles. She saw the knife in his hand. The hand that killed Stephen. The knife that was about to kill her. He reared back and she let out a final scream...

She awoke from someone shacking her. She didn't realize that she had been dreaming. Stephen's conserned and scared face just inches away from hers.

He pulled her up into a tight embrase. "I heard you scream my name. Is something wrong?", he wispered as he hugged her close so he could prtect her.

She started to cry as he stroked her hair. It wasn't til she stared to calm down that she was aware of her suroundings. The bed sheets were all twisted and in the floor. The moon was still up in the sky. There was a light rain outside. Then, she became aware of Stephen. He was shirtless, barefoot and only wairing shorts. His hair was all matted up and a lil wet from his bath that night. He smelled good for some reason. Almost like lilies.

She told him about the dream and after she had finished Stephen said,"My Lady, nothing in this world will harm you, not as long as I'm still here living and breathing."

Nothing will harm her as long as long as he's still here. She ran these words threw her head again and again. She was still getting use to him living in the same house as her. It had been Two weeks sence he moved in, but she wished her father was there so she could talk to him. He was gone and would be gone for three more weeks because of an improtant royal confrence in the main kingdom that he was required to attened. Being alone in a house with her guardian was very strange to her. So Just thinking about him dieing for her was just flat out weird.

Stephen broke the silance,"My Lady, you need your sleep." He carried her over to her bed, untangled her sheets and tucked her in. "Good night My Lady." He bowed as he started to leave the room.

"Wait!",Victoria yelled back. He rushed back in and ask what was wrong. "Please, I don't want to be alone tonight. Please just stay with me."

He gave her a puzzled look "If that will ease your worries."

"I'm asking you if you want to. It won't hurt my feelings if you don't. I just asumed that if you were here by my side, the nightmares would stay away."

He looked at her and gave her a soft smile. "I'm honored my Lady." He crossed over and she made room for him. He climbed in and helped her get comfortable. She layed her head on his chest as he put an arm around her protectively. She could hear his heart beat. It calmed her own. To her surprise he turned over, hugged her close and kissed her forhead. She felt her face go red and her heart started to beat fast. She liked the feeling of his lips on her skin. it was soft and sweet.

"Good night my Princess." He wispered. He face grew redder. He's never called her that before.

"Good night my knight." she wispered back.

It didn't take long before she heared his soft slow breathing. It was soothing. She reared up and kissed his cheek. She quickly drifted off to sleep in his arms. Her dreams were sweet and a recap of the night. not once rethinking of the dreaded nightmare from before.

The Gaurdian Ch. 1

Days passed until the day came for the seramony. Her father esscorted her to the court house and sat in the section for family. Victoria would soon see her Gairdian that would protect her and watch over her for the rest of her life. The man that the town would match her up with. The man of her dreams. Or she hoped would be.

The precher walked in and assomed his position for the seramony. The bell rang anouncing that it was mid-day, and the seramony started.

"Victoria of the town.", began the priest. "The council has watched you grow from a darling child into a beautiful young woman. Now this day on your fifthteenth birthday we have choosen a guardian for you like all women shall recive. Before we call him in, do you have anything to say?" This was her que.

"Yes I do sir. I first would like to adress the council. I shall honor your desison and gladly except who youve chosen with out question. Secondly, my family, I thank you for all you have taought me in my life that made me who I am today. Finally, my father. You have always been there for me and I love you with all my heart. I hope we will always have this bond we share." Her fater mouthed back "Me too..." back to her.

After the applause the priest cleared his throat. "I will now clear the room so you and your guardian may meet,, and in five minutes. We will return to finish the seramony."

With the sound of the bell her rang, Victoria's heart began to race. She waved to her father as he left the room. The crowd couldn't leave fast enough, and were leaving too fast. She almost fainted until the priest said, "He shall come in ather I leave the room. Good luck."

All she could do was node. The priest left the room and for a slight second all the silence was realy soothing. It calmed her. She closed herr eyes and took a deep breath. The silence was broken by the sound of footsteps on the wooden floor. She opened her eyes and, for the first time, saw the gardian the town choose.

She was sweeped away with his beauty. Golden-brown hair, deep blue eyes, muscular, tall, and had the dreamiest white teeth you have ever seen. By his clothes She could tell he was poor but she didn't care. That just ment, by law, that the poorest had to move in with the richest. She started to feel dizzy as he got closer and closer, and actually fainted this time.

When she came to, she was in his arms. His exprestion was conserned and amused at the same time.

"Did I just faint?" was all that came to her mind.

"Yea, and something is telling me that I am going to have my hand full with you." He chuckled. Man, he had a dreamy voise too. "My name is Stephen. And you must be Victoria." He said with a bow. "It's my plesure to be your guardian."

She blushed "Oh the pleasures all mine."

the rest is history but the begining of a wonderful adventure with the man she never knew whould fall in love with her faster than she would ever know. And along the way make some improtant allies that will soon be her best friends.