In This Life And The Next

Aurora floated through her week, the thought of Alec making her days easier. “Well someone's in a good mood.” Josh remarked from his chair, he lost the use of his legs sometime ago and Aurora wondered why Phil kept him around when he was prone to firing a person for the least little thing.

Aurora smiled at Josh, but didn’t provide him with any details as to why she was suddenly happy. Josh just shook his head and went back to kneading the bread, Phil was in a particularly bad mood this morning and Aurora got the worst of it.

Her left eye was black, her hand bandaged, a deep cut above her right hip and a burn on the inside of her elbow, that she’s trying her best to forget about. Despite the fact her sleeve keeps rubbing against it. She swallowed the pain like always and carried on like nothing happen. But now she had someplace to direct her thoughts.

Aurora wondered if Prince Alec’s eyes were as honey colored as she remembered, or if Prince Liam is as kind as she remembers, or if Princess Hazel was as sweet as she seemed. Aurora knew that the mind could play tricks on a person, but she would like to hope she was right. The cloak hidden up stairs at least told her that it wasn’t another useless dream.

After a few moments of content silence there was a heavy knock the door. Both Josh and Aurora exchanged a look, they weren’t expecting anyone today, they would’ve heard about it.

David hurried to the door and several people were led inside, both Josh and Aurora straightened up. Josh pointed to the door for Aurora to go see who it was, Aurora shook her and made the same gesture.

“My legs don’t work!” Josh hissed, Aurora rolled her eyes, like that was an excuse.

A smiled tugged at Josh’s mouth.

“Your Highness!” Phil gasped, his voice loud enough to be heard through the entire house.

Aurora stood frozen, panicking, she grabbed a spoon that was in front of her and continued stirring the soup boiling on the stove.

A few moments later footsteps were heard leading to the kitchen and David cleared his throat.

“Aurora?” David said.

She turned around and saw concern was clear in David’s eyes, which confused her as David hated her. He made that pretty clear more than once.

“You’re wanted in the front room.” He announced.

Aurora nodded stiffly, wiping the spoon off before she put it down, following David out into the front room.

David glared at Aurora as she took her time, “Come on.” He snapped, grabbing her arm in a harsh grip, almost dragging her.

In the front room, a woman stood with her back to Aurora and the rest of the room, she had raven hair and her back was straight as a pin. On the back of her cloak was a raven in gold, it’s wings spread out wide, like it was readying itself for an attack. The cloak itself was midnight black and long, falling on to the floor. Three soldiers stood on different parts on the room, their armor blinding, looking far to interested in Aurora Prince Liam and Princess Hazel were sitting on the couch, Phil, Ivy and Lilly were sitting across from them.

Prince Alexander was nowhere in sight.

“Aurora,” Liam greeted, a polite smile on his face. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You as well, your Highness.” Aurora said, bowing deeply.

“Aurora” Princess Hazel beamed, standing as did everyone else, she crossed the room, curtsying in front of Aurora and when she straightened up, she pulled Aurora into a hug, much to everyone, but Liam and the guard’s surprise.

Hazel gasped, “Your eye.” She murmured, reaching up to touch Aurora’s face.

Aurora caught Hazel’s hand before her fingers touched the marked skin, it still hurt, even so much when she tried to smile. And she didn’t want to know what a gentle touch would feel like on the blacken skin. “It’s nothing to worry about Princess, I assure you.”

Hazel frowned at Aurora, she can see the lie in her eyes, but lets it go, returning to her seat.

When Aurora looked up, Queen Laura was looking at her, Aurora could see traces of her sons in her face, her eyes were kind, but harsh at the same time. She could tell there was nothing anyone could hide from her.

“Aurora.” Laura smiled

“Your Majesty.” Aurora greeted, bowing again.

“My sons informed me that my daughter almost ran you off the road.” Laura said.

Ivy and Lilly snickered until the Queen’s eyes landed on them.

“Is that true?”

Aurora shook her head, “No, your Majesty. It as just a little mud, that’s all.”

“Hmm.” The Queen replied, walking over to Aurora, moving faster than she thought possible. Aurora looked at the Queen’s eyes before she remembered her place and lowered her gaze to their feet.

“That’s a nasty cut,” One of the guards said, eyeing the cut.

“That’s what I was thinking,” The Queen said, her voice soft as she raised Aurora’s hand to her eyes. “How did you get it?” She asked.

“Aurora’s a klutz, your Highness. She can’t handle a knife in our kitchen without hurting herself with something.” Phil answered, hurriedly.

“I believe I asked Aurora, not you.” Laura snapped.

Phil shrank back into his seat and the three knights eyed him with distaste.

“Is that true, Aurora?” Laura whispered.

Aurora could feel Phil’s eyes on her, it’s a wordless threat that she’s all to familiar with. The last time she told someone the truth about Phil, her horse, the last present her mother had given her and her only friend in the world was shoot in front of her. But she was no longer a child, but the fear kept her from speaking out.

She nodded slowly, “Yes, your Majesty.” Aurora answered, her voice soft, trying to hide the tremble in it.

Aurora risked looking up at the Queen, her face was emotionless and still, her eyes hard. It took everything in Aurora not to flinch away from her. The Queen turned to look at Phil, Ivy and Lilly, eyeing all three of them before turning back to Aurora. Her eyes were kinder and Aurora felt like she was being wrapped up in wool, there’s something going on here that she doesn’t understand.

“The Prince has requested your presence at the castle, one week prior. Will you be able to attend?” The princess asked, from her seat beside her brother.

“I would-” Aurora started to say.

“Aurora will not be able to attend.” Phil said, harshly. The three knights shifted, reminding him that he wasn’t the one in control here. But rather Laura or any of the royal family. Phil cleared his throat and went on. “Her great aunt has requested that she visits her. To say goodbye. She’s dying.”

Aurora had no great aunt, no family, other than the ones sitting on the couch.

“That’s unfortunate.” Prince Liam murmured, from his place next to his sister. His eyes dark, he was staring at Phil. Who was now looking anywhere but the royal family. No one dared to look any member of the royal family in the eye, especially Liam. The future king’s adviser, smarter than most learned men in the castle. There were rumors', that he was cruller than the future king as well as rumors' that he killed dozens of men with only his knife to rescue his brother. That the bodies were higher than most could count.

“It truly is.” Phil murmured, “She leaves at first light tomorrow morning.”

Aurora would be lucky to even see the morning light.

“In that case.” Princess Hazel said, “We’ll call on you again.” She stood and made her way back to Aurora, to stand next to her mother. She smiled at Aurora who returned it with a small smile of her own.

The was flurry of movement behind the royal family, Aurora risked a glance at one of the knights, a silent man with dark skin and wary eyes was standing between princess Hazel, Ivy and Lilly, who had also stood up.

“No one gets too close to the royal family,” The man said, “Especially when their backs are turned.”

“I’m sure you understand.” Liam said.

Ivy and Lilly sat down, eyes narrowed at the knights back.

“My daughters would be able to go to the castle at any time of your choosing.” Phil said suddenly.

“That’s not necessary,” Queen Laura said. “The prince is not interested in them, Victor. I believe we are at the end of our visit. My horse please.”

“Right away, your Highness.” The guard name Victor said, leaving the room. The other knights stepped up to Laura and Hazel, Liam standing as well.

“Should you ever need to call on my daughters-” Phil started, standing as well.

“I believe,” Liam interrupted. “My mother said that wouldn’t be necessary.” He stepped closer to Aurora, who suddenly felt more trapped than ever. “Aurora,” Liam whispered. “We will be back to call on you again. For my brother’s sake.”

“Yes, your Majesty.” Aurora whispered back.

“Be safe.” Liam said, ushering his mother and sister out the front door, the knights following behind him

When the front door closed, everyone in the house was silent, Aurora couldn’t even hear Josh or David.

Phil stormed over to Aurora his face red and slapped her hard enough to make her ears ring. “You Whore!” He spat. “Every time you’ve left this house, you’ve been out there spreading your legs? Did you think your prince would come and save you? Take what’s mine!? After all these years of taking care of you. This is what I get!!?”

Aurora blinked, opening her mouth to say something only to get another slap across her face directly over the first one, tears of surprised welled up in her eyes.

“I-” Aurora tried again, but Phil shoved her, hard, back and back again until she tumbled down on to the steps in the hallway. Phil’s shoes, tipped and shiny with polish, caught Aurora in the stomach.

“I will not hear a single word out of you’re lying, dirty, cock sucking mouth.” Phil roared, spit flying from his mouth, face even redder with anger.

“You humiliate me, my daughters in front of the royal family. You’ve ruin any kind of chance they might have at marrying better than what we have. I will show you-” Phil’s words were lost when he grabbed Aurora’s brown hair, yanking her up the stairs so suddenly she barely had time to keep up with him. He pushed Aurora up the stairs and into the attic and over to her bed. Above it a shackle hanged that hasn’t been used in many years. But he pulled on it, yanking Aurora’s arm above her head and shackled it to her wrist.

“Let’s see you charm your way into any royal family cock from here.” He hissed, turning and leaving the room, locking the door behind him. All was silent, but the quite sobs coming from Aurora and the wind whipping around the house.