Conquests within Forfeits. The Hemerwig Series

Melrose's POV

My head is killing me. I sit up carefully but a pair of strong hands press against my shoulders. That's not abnormal at all.

"Mel don't. Your not well," a male voice tells me.

"Braeden?" I ask as I'm being lowered back onto a soft cloud.

"Nope. It's me Col. You're safe," Col says and my eyes open instantly. Col's hand can't hold me back as I sit up to look around.

I gasp when I realize Col's telling me the truth. I'm in a soft bed, not a sofa I remember lying on. I'm inside of the palace, rather than the trailer I remember I was forced into last night. But how?

I look towards Col for the answers and he sighs. "Did you honestly think I wouldn't have known you disappeared? Plus the prince was worried sick," Col adds.

"What prince?" I ask in confusion. Did Col talk to Braeden while we were with those strange people?

"A Prince Ezekiel. He was going on and on about a run away bride and well, when there was no word from you or Prince Braeden, the King sounded the alarm. What happened exactly?" Col asks as I get more comfortable in my bed.

"I'm not sure exactly. There was this crazy clan of people with kids covered in mud running around everywhere. It was like a trailer park and everyone had this funny accent. They made me eat gator gumbo, gator sausage, and fried gator with tomatoes. I remember everyone was congratulating me on being chosen as Hodge's bride. Hodge was the guy who captured us along with Pa. I remember feeling sick and... That's it," I tell him. What happened after I puked? I remember the world was spinning but why can't I remember the rest?

Col brushes my hair back with his hand in comfort while saying, "It's alright now. The maids have our things packed and as soon as your ready, we'll head home."

"Home?" I push myself out of bed despite my spinning head and try to think. It can't be time to head home. Where's Braeden? Did he get hurt?I have to find him. I head out of the door despite Col's calls and open Braeden's door to find it a wreck. That's not a good sign. I run down the halls and stumble into a few walls.

I slip on some of my sharp turns but continue to open all the doors in my path while calling Braeden's name. What if the worst happened to him? I run blindly outside and see a growing fire in the distance. That just has to be him. I run across the dried grass while barefoot as the wind sharply attacks my face.

"Braeden!" I call out and soon see him surrounded by the many flames. Just as soon as I'm close enough to see the white of Braeden's eyes, a large wave of fire heads in my direction. I quickly change the flames course with a barrier of water.

"Get out of here!" Braeden exclaims and I whip my head in his direction. His breathing is jagged. Flames are swirling in his palms and anger is full in his eyes.

I step back in confusion as I ask, "What's wrong Braeden? Why are you doing this?"

Braeden releases a mad man's laugh as he asks, "You don't know? Ask your fiancé! After I managed to bring you out of harm's way I had to deal with his claim over you. Is it true Melrose? Is it?"

My mind goes blank and my heart seems to have stilled. "He- He told you?" I ask and Braeden looks away to send another acre of land on fire.

"Answer me Melrose! Are you or are you not marrying that second in line airhead of a Prince?"

"It's not what you think Braeden. I-"

"You what?" Breaden demands sharply while turning to face me. He begins to walk my way and I panic. I've never seen Braeden so angry. I try to take a step back but I feel the familiar heat of Braeden's anger behind me.