Wait, What?
It's warm where I am. Cozy.
I'm laying on something soft and I'm wrapped in a fluffy blanket.
Why am I so tired? My head and body feels like I've been trampled by a horse and the pounding behind my eyes makes me groan.
I squint my eyes open and rub them a little to get rid of the blurring.
I'm not in my shelter.
In fact this room looks eerily similar to the glimpse I saw of Caspian's room yesterday.
I glance around and start when I notice blond hair fanned out on the bed beside me.
Caspian is sitting on the ground, his head resting on the mattress.
His eyes are shut and soft snores escape him, a book lays abandoned in his lap.
Should I wake him? I don't really want to because I'll have to face the embarrassment that was this morning. Ugh. Not my best moment. I can already feel shame burning my cheeks. Yeah, let's not wake him.
I push the blankets off me quietly, reluctant to leave the warmth of the bed for the cool air outside.
Caspian doesn't stir and I sigh in relief.
Gathering my dress in my hands I slip off the bed and silently into the hall.
Being quiet and unnoticeable is a skill I acquired after many years in Murdoch Castle.
Nothing good ever comes from attracting attention, especially my Father's.
I'm almost at the door when a clearing throat stops my heart.
"Going somewhere, Princess?" Nik's voice is hard and I stop in my tracks immediately.
"Oh, um. No? I mean, well yes. Obviously. I'm leaving." I curse my luck as I turn around to face him. He's so gorgeous it makes my heart hurt. His hair is ruffled in a casual way and his clothes cling to his frame.
"I don't think so, Juliette. Turn around and come back inside.
Caspian needs to check you over and Bjorn has been worried out of his mind so I'm sure he'll want to lay eyes on you.
" Nik's eyes trace my body before flicking up to meet my own.
He smirks a little at whatever he finds there and the look he gives me straightens my spine.
"That's not necessary, Nikolai. I'm fine.
I just need to drink some water and have a nap and I'll be good as new.
Tell Caspian I said thank you." I turn determinedly back to the door and place my hand on the handle to leave.
I've barely started twisting the door handle before large hands grab my waist and I'm chucked suddenly upside down.
"Nik!" My scream is unexpected and I grab onto whatever I can.
I'm upside down over Nik's shoulder and my dress is caught around the top of my thighs leaving most of my legs bare.
"Sorry, Princess. Not happening. My house, my rules.
And my rules say you get to sit your pretty arse down and wait for Caspian to give the all clear.
"
He moves down the hallway back to the main living room.
"Put me down this instant!"
"Is that an order, Princess?" I can hear the grin in his voice and it makes me want to kick him in the face.
I slap his back, "An order? It's a royal decree! I'll have your head for this, Nik."
"Promises, promises."
His words confuse me enough that it takes me a second to realise I've been righted and that I'm sitting in Nik's lap on the lounge. His arms are heavy bands around my waist so I can't even attempt to get away and my back sits against his front.
"Try not to wiggle too much, Princess."
I wiggle stubbornly anyway just to be petty and his arms get impossibly tighter around me.
"Careful, Juliette. I don't think you're ready for the consequences of those actions.
" His deep voice sends a bolt of warmth down my spine and another place I'm not sure about.
"Oh."
I can basically feel him smirk against me as he nuzzles my cheek, "Yes. Oh."
"Juliette?" Caspian and Bjorn walk into the main living room, the former smirking when he sees my position.
Caspian walks over to me and places the back hand on my forehead, "How are you feeling?
You really scared us there for a bit."
I hang my head a little in shame, trying not to make eye contact with any of the men.
"I'm feeling much better. I'm sorry I made such a fuss, I haven't had an attack like that in ages. "
This time it's Bjorn who replies to me, "You have nothing to be sorry for sweetheart. Was it something I said or did that caused you pain?"
I hesitate before nodding slightly. "Um... yes. I mean... um." It's harder to explain than I thought. I don't really want to go into detail about what happened to me and the thought of saying the nickname out loud makes me want to throw up.
Nik tightens his arms around me and I relax slightly back into his hold.
It's comforting knowing that he's there to ground me.
Caspian and Bjorn share a look I can't decode and sit either side of me on the couch.
Caspian grabs one of my hands and Bjorn presses the side of his shoulder into mine.
"It's okay, love. Take your time."
I nod and turn my head to look at Bjorn. He's watching me with concerned eyes and I want to reach out and smooth the worry lines on his forehead. Guilt fills me. I did this to him by being stupid.
"It... It was the nickname you called me. Little Princess. It just reminds me of things I'd rather forget. I'm sorry I made such a big deal out of it. I usually have a better handle on my emotions." I'm proud of the way my voice doesn't shake.
Bjorn nods thoughtfully, "thank you for telling me, sweetheart."
"And darling? This is in no way your fault. It was an unfortunate accident. And we will be continuing this conversation at a later date when you feel more comfortable with us. Understand?" Nik's firm voice wraps around me like the most comforting hug.
"Yes."
"Good girl."
Oh. That does something to me that I'll examine later.
Nik lets his arms go and I jump out of his lap feeling my cheeks redden as I realise how close we were. All three of them grin at me knowingly and my cheeks blush even more.
"Um thank you. Uh, Caspian I was wondering if I could talk to you about a seperate issue.
" I should get more medicinal cream for my knee while I'm here, I'm out of my own and my knee is already starting to ache.
Caspian nods in confirmation and both Nik and Bjorn rise and leave giving us privacy.
"What's going on, love?"
"I was just wondering if I could take you up on your earlier offer of medical supplies for my knee?
It doesn't need bandages or anything like that just a numbing cream if possible.
"
Caspian nods thoughtfully and gets up from his spot on the couch.
"Two seconds. I've got something in my room that should do the trick. "
He's back quickly holding a small jar of green paste. "I used natural herbs from Collingridge and Boral to make this. I really would be able to choose something more effective if you let me have a look at your knee. If you injured it at Gilgunronh it might be infected."
I shake my head quickly, "Oh no that's okay. Thank you for the paste I'm sure it will do nicely. I'll see you guys later. Apologise to Bjorn again for me and remind him about the classes. I'll be back in a couple days with everything once I've got it sorted. Bye, Cass."
He smiles softly, "I'll see you soon, love."
I hurry out of their shelter with the jar in my hand. That went better than I thought it would and I'm happy they reacted so well to what I have to say. It's been a long time since someone has sat down and actually listened to something I had to say. Maybe my trust isn't so misplaced.
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