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.