Runaway

Abaddon asked her another deep question. "How do you feel about me. . .about us?"

"What do you mean?" She asked a bit confused.

"You wouldn't be doing this if you didn't have feelings for me. . ."

Her expression softened, "I do have feelings for you. It started when you saved me back in the ally. You didn't have to do it but you did. And for that I'm grateful."

"Just grateful?" Abaddon continued to hover over her and look into her eyes. He thought he saw more there.

"No! Not just that. Well I am grateful, but I also fell in love with you." She said worried he thought she meant something else.

"And I you. . .I never expected that to happen. From the first time you were taken away from, it just sparked something." He laid down beside her and pulled her close.

"Really?" She asked snuggling closer.

"Yeah, it hurt me on the inside to know that you weren't in my reach. Then it happened again, and again until I just. . .I don't know. I guess I realized the feelings that I never really understood."

"I was s scared each time. And each time you came and rescued me."

"I couldn't let anyone hurt you."

'Again,' She thought remembering her arm

"I am sorry that I wasn't able to save you the last few times. . .I feel like I failed you."

She nodded, "It's fine. You are right if you didn't stand down he would have killed me."

"Thankfully, that didn't happen."

She nodded in agreement. She winced when he put his arm around her putting pressure on her shoulder

"Sorry. Is your arm still bothering you?"

"Yes..." she sighed, "It does hurt,"

"Do you want me to leave you alone and let you rest for a while?"

"NO! Don't leave!" She said.

"Ok, I'll stay. Just try to get some rest ok? It is the best thing for your body right now as it tries to recover."

She sighed and nodded, "I will."

He adjusted himself to make her more comfortable and stroked her hair to try and help her relax so she could sleep.
"Can I tell you something Aunika?"

"Hmmm...? What is it?"

"I. . I think I love you."

She blinked a bit surprised then frowned, "Think? Shouldn't you know?" She was a bit hurt by this. That he only thinks he loves her. She had already professed her love for him

"All these feelings are new to me. I have never been in love before. . ."

"But still..." She sighed. After everything he only "thought" he loved her.

"I am sorry. It is hard for me to feel any feelings of love or compassion. Considering the family I come from, I hope you understand."

She sighed, "I guess so..."

"Just get some rest. I will stay here until you fall asleep."

She nodded and snuggled close to him. She felt safe and warm with him around.

He pulled her close and let her rest her head on his arm. His fingers became tangled in her hair as he played with it to soothe her.
"Good night." He smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"Good night." she muttered falling asleep.

Abaddon held her for a little while as she slept then he left to go find his mother. Two guards passed with a gurney and a body wrapped up in sheets. Abaddon continued walking until he came to the throne room. His mother was there and she looked very grim.
"Are you alright mother?"
"I just murdered my husband. . .but I will be fine eventually."
"Mother, can I command the order to let all the women in fathers harem free and give them all proper medical care?"
"Yes of course." Abaddon nodded and turned away. Natalya looked down at her stomach and cradled it.
"At least you will be born into this world free of darkness and hatred."

The women in Abaddon's father's harem were grateful to receive the medical treatment and to be released.
Later Aunika had woken up disappointed to see that Abaddon wasn't there. She wandered around the palace looking for him and eventually found him in the throne room.
He seemed a bit stressed, "Abaddon?" She reached her good arm out to him.

Abaddon heard a familiar soft voice and looked up to see Aunika. He was very happy to see her. He touched her hand with his own.
"Good morning. You seem well rested."

She smiled, "I am," her smile faltered, "But what about you? You look like you've been up all night." She was worried and didn't want him stressing like this.

"Yeah I didn't get much sleep. I have been worried about you and my mother. She is very emotional right now. I sent her to bed a couple hours ago. Will you come with me to check on her?"

She nodded, "Sure, its the least I can do after all that she has done for me."

Natalya was in her room having a bath. She got out and wrapped a towel around her. She looked in the mirror and saw the little bulge that began to show. Her robes and dresses usually hid her baby bump.
"Won't be much longer now." She was about halfway through her pregnancy. The royal physician made sure to keep it secret and made her come in every so often for a monthly check-up.
Abaddon and Aunika walked in just as she was coming out of the bathroom, she was still wrapped in a towel.

Aunika noticed the bump blushed a bit and pulled Abaddon away, "I think I'll take care of it this time." she pushed him out before he could notice.

Abaddon was very confused as to why Aunika pushed him out of the room.
Natalya gasped and quickly turned around. She wasn't ready for Abaddon to find out that she was expecting.
"Did he see anything. . .?"

She shook her head, "I don't think so. Men are a bit slow about this." She locked the door and went to help Natalya. "Your pregnant aren't you?"

"Yes. . .I am half way through my pregnancy." She walked into her closet and went to get dressed. She emerged in a dress that completely covered her bump.
"When Abaddon left, Godric became very angry and upset and took his anger out on me. He raped me essentially and I ended up getting pregnant."

Aunika gave her a sympathetic look, "I'm sorry. I'll help you in any way I can."

"Thank you dear. I am mainly worried about Abaddon. I don't want him to think this is his fault. I am grateful that I am having another child, but it is the way that I got preganant that is going to upset him."

Abaddon waited for a few minutes and knocked on the door.
"Is everything ok?"

"I understand I'll keep it a secret from him if you want." She said.

"Every things fine." Aunika called out to Abaddon, "Just having some girl time. And she's treating my arm."

Abaddon was very confused, but he didn't question anything.
"Ok, I am going back to my quarters to take a nap."

"I have to tell him soon. I am running out of time. She will be arriving soon."

"Okay Abaddon."
"She? I'm sure Abaddon would love to have a little sister." She said trying to comfort her.