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Where's My Happy Ending? ((butterfly0408/Kolath))

Twenty-eight,

Heylel slowed his strikes down making each one almost a flourish of movement. His whip wove intricate pataren in the air before slashing out with a loud crack against Marieâ??s back.

Twenty-nine.

Soon she will pay for what he did to me how dare he take my throne from me. He had realized what had been troubling him as he neared the end of the strikes. For the past month plus he had be stewing about Aiden on the throne it just irked him.

Thirty.

There was a pause as Heylel let the whip coil down around him still holding the handle. He waited as there seemed to be mercy being shown stopping just before the end. Heylel turned heading for the door. With a sudden flash of movement he turned the whip striking out for the lethal last strike cutting deep into Marieâ??s back.

Thirty-one.

He left it there at the minimum to kill but the way that it would take the longest for her to die. She would suffer for Aidenâ??s sins. This was not like him normally he would end it quickly but instead he left her to suffer.
 
The longer he lashed at her, the less Marie screamed until she just hung there, back bleeding, just.... hanging. The other girls were silent in the aftermath of it all. Jacqueline and Shannon had to hold Crista tight to stop her the whole time until now that it was all over. She was just as still now as Marie was.

She wanted to run to her, but... for the first time in a long time, Crista feared what would happen to her if she did. She had thought she had wanted death, would welcome it, but after seeing what she just had, she feared it happening to her as well.

Everyone watched as Marie struggled to breath before, with seemingly one long breath.... it stopped all together. Marie was dead. Crista had no idea yet that it was meant to be her.
 
Meanwhileâ?¦

Aiden had read the note and instead of allowing her to come to him he went to her. he walked to the edge of his camp Christian by his side. neither of them looked friendly both armed and not sure if they would just run her through the instant she spoke.

Despite the look in Aidenâ??s eyes he gently took Susannaâ??s hand and kissed the back softly. His eyes were still hard but it came from not being able to find the woman you loved. â??What can I do for you Miss Blakesfield?â?
 
"You highness," she curtsied regally a moment before the whole air of her stuck up nobility melted like ice and she seemed like any other genuine, concerned person.

"King Aiden, I want you to know, before I speak, that if I had known sooner, I would have come sooner but...... my mother and stepfather saw Crista. Three months ago." She held up her hand to halt him before he could overly rejoice from the news, "But that was then and I do not know how she fairs now. They were gloating this morning about how...." she hesitated, knowing he would not like what he was about to hear from her, "She is one of Lord Heylel's slaves. You do not know my lord, but Heylel is a vile man when it comes to his slaves. He keeps a number of them locked up somewhere in his manor. No one has seen it before for it is well hidden but... the women who enter have not been known to ever been seen or heard from again. I'm..... I'm sorry..." she added, as if giving her condolences for a battle already lost.
 
Aidenâ??s eyes narrowed as Crista was brought and his face only darkened as Susanna continued explaining what she knew. He could see that she was worried and extremely penitent for what had happened. â??Christian, take miss Blakesfield to my tent and see to her needs. â?? He turned on his heel and moved quickly to his horse. Before anyone could say anything Aiden was off like a shot. His mind was blank except for one truth, he had to hurry.

He was a lone as he rode hard up the path to Heylelâ??s manner. No one stopped him as Aiden kicked in the door. â??HEYLEL!!! SHOW YOURSELF!!â?

Heylel had turned toward the door having heard the yell. He had just walked out of the room closing the door behind himself. He knew that voice and the anger behind it told him that Aiden had finally found out. Grabbing a sword from the wall he rushed up stairs. â??Why if it isnâ??t the king himself come to see me.â?

â??Where is she you bastard?!â?

Heylel smirked, â??Why who do you mean? You canâ??t still be looking for that one bitch that graced your bed so many months ago.â?

Aiden was having non of that and his sword was out in a second. The two men met swords crossed. Both Heylel and Aiden were considered the bed swordmen in the kingdom with Aiden having lost to Heylel only once, but Heylel had also lost only once most their duels had ended in a draw. However they both knew that was not a option this time, one of them would be seriously wounded or dead after this fight.
 
Even after Heylel left, locking them back within the hidden room, the four remaining girls were all still and silent. Rebeca and Crista in shock while Jacqueline and Shannon were use to it. Then again, no one could get use to watching someone be literally beaten to death. Eventually, the two let Crista go, not expecting her to do anything.

At first she didn't, but then, she started moving towards Marie's limp body. Right before she reached it, Shannon reached her, throwing her arm around her neck and tugging her back to where she ahd been in the darkness. "She's dead Crista! Don't touch her!"

"We have to help her! We can help her still!"
"No, we can't. She's dead. You can't help the dead."
"Marie! Marie!" she clawed to try and get to her friend, not able to accept the truth. Her friend, the only person she was able to talk to in this horrible place, was gone. It might seem selfish, but who would Crista have to talk to now? And without someone to talk too... she was going to slip faster into pure insanity! Watching Marie die had already sent her spiraling a few steps closer to insanity already as she fought and clawed.

"Don't touch it!" Jacqueline scowled, going Shannon in pulling Crista further away. "He likes them to stay like that. It's and example Crista. We need to learn from her mistakes. Touch her, disturb how he has left her, and he'll make sure you join her as well."

"Listen to you!" Crista screamed into her face while still fighting. "She was not some object you just discard like that! She was a human being! She lived and breathed! Her heart beat within her breast! She loved! She was alive! And you act like that doesn't matter!"

"It doesn't! And you best learn that lesson fast!" Shannon pulled her hand back to one of the low chains on the back wall. It forced Crista to hunch over a little and loose her footing long enough for Jacqueline to grab and lock her other wrist to a chain a little higher up. Crista ended up kneeling, one arm right straight above her head while the other chain gave her some slack to rest the arm.

Crista tugged and screamed more at them while Shannon ran for a gag to shut her up. "Help her! Damn it! Why won't you do anything to help her! HELP HER!!" Tears rolled down her face. She was hysterical. When they tried to gag her, she bite at them, some of the fight back in her for a moment. But her fighting took all the strength left from her swiftly. She was already weak to start. This trauma only made it worse. To be safe, the girls still tied the gag around her mouth, just in case she got a second string of energy. It wasn't needed. Soon, Crista was just as tried and weak as she had been before Heylel entered the room.
 
Flurry of cloaks and hair followed the two noble men as they dueled through the front room of Heylelâ??s house. The ring of steal on steal was nearly constant. Since Heylel had no servants or guards the fight was never interrupted but others showing up. Over and over one would gain the upper hand then the other would back and forth they went finally spilling out onto the front yard.

â??You will pay for what you have done to her Heylel. Not only kidnapping her from the castle but lying to the king elect and drawing a weapon against your rightful king. All these are the death sentence.â?

Heylel smirked kneeing Aiden in the stomach and trying to slice across his back. â??If you die I will be the king as the only other heir to the throne, bastard or not since there is no other legitimate heir I am next.â?

Aiden took the knee and rolled forward with it pushing Heylel back and kicking him in the face before they both pulled back to catch their breath. â??I will not be the one dying here.â?

Both of them were so involved in their duel that they did not notice the otherâ??s showing up. Christian had gathered a force against Aidenâ??s orders and came, Susanna had come with him. they had to hold back not moving to interfere even though a few of the more green men wanted too. â??No if we interfere we could kill Aiden by throwing him off the fight.â? So they waited what seemed like hours but was only few moments. When the two backed off Christian pulled his crossbow up and with a quick lined up shot knocked Heylel from his feet a Bolt in the shoulder. â??We have him sir go save her!â?

Aiden was a little bit shocked and after taking a moment to realize what happened rushed into the house. Heylel had been coming from down stairs when Aiden came in, and it was as good a guess as any. Had Heylel not been in such a hurry he might have noticed that there was a small sliver of light that had escaped the seal of the door.

Aiden fortunately was not in such a rush and looking for anything that looked wrong. After finding the door it didnâ??t take long to find the latch, he quickly released it and rushed into the room. The sight that met his eyes was a slim blond haired woman her back no longer bleeding because her heart had stopped. His heart jumped to his chest as he came closer to her his slightly bloody sword falling from his limp fingers. Gently he touched her feeling the slight warmth to her body still. â??Noâ?¦.Cristaâ?¦if I had only been just a little faster.â? He leaned his forehead against the womanâ??s shoulder and a few soft tears fell from his eyes. He still hadnâ??t noticed the other women in the room.
 
"Who the hell are you!?" came one of the woman's voices. Shannon was the first to emerge from the dark, followed behind shortly after by Jacqueline. Both women were just as naked as they always were. "Only Master Heylel is allowed in here!"

"Oh my God..." came another voice. This time it was Rebeca. One look at Aiden, as the light poured in from the hallway and she recognized him. She had once been the daughter of a nobleman after all. "Prince... Prince Aiden!" She cried out... crawling through the darkness to him, bowing at his feet, overjoyed to see him! Overjoyed to see anyone that was not Heylel for it meant rescue at last! "Please! Get us out of here! Please! Oh God! She said you'd come! Back at the start she did! She was right!" she turned her head towards the darkness, calling out to the unseen, "Crista you were right! The prince! He did come! He did! You were right!"

Only a groan through the gag was the reply. Crista lifted her weary head to glance across the room. Her vision was blurry, but she swore for a moment before she closed her eyes and hung her head once more, that Aiden was there, but it had to be Haylel. They looked so much alike, no surprise she would mistake them in her current state.
 
Aiden glanced at the first two women ready to defend himself since they both ha seemed to be very confrontational. As the other woman bowed deeply to him he was about to help her rise when she called out to someoneâ?¦.Crista. he stopped for a moment and then walked around the woman and in the shadowed light he could clearly see that it was not Crista but another woman very much like her.

Turning toward the groan he had heard he could barely see the outline of a woman. His eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness and as he saw her clearer he dropped to his knees. â??Crista! Your alive.â? He reached back untying the gag and kissing her forehead. â??The keys! Where are they?â? he yelled at The others.

He saw all three hesitate a look in their eyes speaking of fear. â??Your master is either dead or in custody and soon will be so you had best give me those keys.â?
 
Crista only groaned again, rolling her head a bit to the side, away from him. Her head ached and his shouting didn't help. Heylel had his own keys, why did he yell at them for the second set? It just didn't make sense.

Meanwhile, Shannon and Jacqueline were still as stone, looking to one another what they should do. By now, the room was filling with others, Christian leading the way. Accessing the scene, he turned to the others and stated giving orders. Blankets to be brought down for the naked women as well as sending others back for the castle for a carriage. They couldn't transport them on horses in their current state.

Hearing Aiden call for the key, Christian step forth to the two head girls, holding out a hand. A moment later, one of them produced the key. Christian then handed the key to Aiden. He had a feeling the prince would want to unlock his princess himself. He waited for Aiden to be finished with the key though, for then he would use it to take down that poor dead girls body and cover her shame.
 
Aiden was in tears as Christian handed him the key and merely was able to nod his thanks. Undoing Critsaâ??s bindings and then slipping his own cloak off covered her nuzzling softly into her hair. His mind was completely full of Crista right now not thinking about the others but in the back of his mind he knew they needed care also. He was their king and it was his duty to see that they got it. â??Chrisâ?¦Christianâ?¦See to this matter make sure all the women are comfortable. I have more important things to do.â? He gently picked Crista up holding her in his arms as he stood to leave.
 
Nodding, Christian took the keys and went about unhooking Marie's bloody, limp body. Crista's eyes opened, just enough to see the blurred image of Christian and her friend. It was the only thing that got her going, stirring in Aiden's arms, not even realizing it was he that held her. "Marie..." she groaned, her hand trying to reach for her before falling limp and just hanging as he carried her, she mumbled, "Help... her..." But of course, there was no help that could be given.
 
Aiden gently kissed Cristaâ??s forehead gently carrying her up the stairs and out into the front courtyard. He stopped as he saw Heylel kneeling on the ground his hands bond behind him his shoulder being tended to.

â??Ha Told you were to late you coward, how does it feel to have your love ripped from your hands and only moments before you arrive. I couldnâ??t have timed this better had I planned it.â? Heylel was laughing like it was the greatest joke in the world. No one had seen Crista move yet and so they all thought the worst.

Aiden merely motioned Susanna over. â??Stay with her since you have proven to be a friend for now.â? He walked over to Heylel and slammed his fist into the manâ??s face. â??You killed the wrong girl you bastard. If I thought for even a moment that killing you would ease my pain I would. But no death is too good for you. You will taste the very things you put all these women through for the rest of your life.â?

Aiden looked at the medic, â??Keep him alive nothing else. As soon as he can be moved take him to the castle and place him in the deepest dungeon I will deal with him later.â? And turned to return to Crista.
 
Susanna lowered herself down next to Crista, letting her head rest against her leg, keeping her head elevated. Crista's eyes fluttered open a moment once again, looking in the direction of where Aiden and Heylel were.

Two Heylels? Or two Aidens? She could not tell. Her mind never thought it could be one of each. They drifted closed once more before she could see Aiden punch his vile brother. She groaned and rolled her head, looking up to see Susanna. "Mmm, he... got you too?" she questioned before passing out once more.

Susanna looked to Aiden as he returned to them, smiled slightly before turning her care back over to the man who loved her so. She knew that was where Crista belonged and needed to be.
 
Aiden sat next to Susanna taking Crista gently from her. â??Thank you Susanna. You have no idea how much what you have done means to me.â? His eyes never left Cristaâ??s face as they waited for the carriage. â??You are welcome to come back to the castle with me and her you will have a place in the court from now on if you want it.â?

Aidenâ??s mind was running with so many things most of them were angry plans for revenge but those started to subside. He realized that he would have to bring the Countess and count to speak to him about why they had not told him since they clearly knew for quite awhile.

Finally the carriage arrived and Aiden with Susannaâ??s help got Crista into it and next to him leaning against his chest as he held her. as soon as the other girls were on board the carriage headed for the castle.
 
The mood in the carriage was tense. The air quiet. Especially with two of Heylel's favorites on one side of the carriage and his two beating slaves on the other side. In the light of day, just how differently they had all been treated was clear. Crista was clearly the most beat up of the bunch, but Rebecca wasn't far off. The other two, one might not realize they were sex slaves. Well, minus that they were only wearing blankets wrapped around themselves.

Crista rested comfortable against Aiden. It was the first time in a long time she did ANYTHING comfortably. Yet still she did not wake. It was a rest long needed and very welcomed as she slept against him.

Meanwhile, back at the castle, word had come and the queen made ready. The king would finally return home and his bride was going to be in great need of aid. She didn't know quite what to expect, so she made sure to have everything possibly need ready. A doctor, bandaged, medication, water, food, maids to help... now she just waited for their return. At last.
 
Aiden gently lifted Crista out of the carriage looking at his mother as he stood there with his love in his arms. Though there were those that tried to take her from him they were quickly chased off. He nodded to the other girls, â??Please take care of them I will see to her.â? Despite the doctors objections Aiden hurried through the castle toward his chambers. When he got there he closed the door to all others and gently laid Crista down on the bed taking the blanket that had been covering her.

He took a few moments to check on her injuries. Finding them healed well enough he pulled the covers up over her. he stopped the think for a moment before slipping out of his clothes and joining her in bed snuggling her back against his chest as he kissed and nuzzled into her hair. He had no intention of sleeping he just needed to hold her, but finally having found her the months of worry started to catch up to him.
 
For a long while, Crista and Aiden were left undisturbed. She just, rested. She had yet to fully awaken thought occasionally would stir and groan, eyes fluttered a moment before she'd slip away into slumber once again. One time though, she pressed her back against him and flinched in great pain. Her back had been tender before, now, it was ripped and beaten raw. Even just the lightest change in pressure sent waves of pain through her that had her gasp and pull away from him.

It was not long after that, a knock came at the door. Before he could deny or welcome them into the room. It was his mother who closed the door behind her and came to sit on the side of the bed. Reaching her hand out, she gently touched Crista's face, feeling her forehead while she spoke to Aiden. "The doctor has finished looking over the other three girls..... and he insists he look at Crista as well. As do l. If she is as beat up as they were... and I think perhaps she is even worse then they were." She could see her son ready to protest and so she stilled them with her hand held up, "I know you are protective of her. I would not expect you not to be, but protective and letting her go without medical attention is two different things. You can stay here, but Aiden... she needs a doctor. You know it's the most logical thing to do."
 
Aiden was not happy with his mother at this point. Growling softly he sighed finally nodding slowly. â??Fine but he had better keep his hands to himselfâ?¦â? even as he said it Aiden knew that it was imposible for the doctor to do his job and follow that rule. Finally Aiden just nodded and slipped out of the bed with Crista still in his full robes. His cloak was still wrapped around Crista and for the first time since Aiden had found out where Crista was he was feeling hungry realizing that it had been a long time since he ate a decent meal. â??Mother can you see that food is brought up for me and Crista when she wakes?â?
 
This mother smiled and nodded lightly, "Alright a step ahead of you. The food should be brought up shortly, but I warn you, the doctor might have a thing or two to say about what Crista needs to be eating to build up her strength once again. He has one of the other girls on a herb broth diet for a few days time..." Shortly after, the doctor arrived. He was the same doctor that Aiden had been seeing since he was born. A kind older man by now, the doctor greeted Aiden with a smile and a light bow of his head, "Your highness, it is good to see you once again. And with your lady, at last I get to meet her."

The examination did take some time, but the queen remained by hers son side to talk sense into him every time he made a move to stop on little thing or another. "He's only examining her. He's examined every scratch and nick you have ever gotten your whole life..."

"Speaking of which," the doctor called over his shoulder, "Don't think you are getting out of an examine yourself. Christian told me you were fighting. You're next to be looked over..."

Some time later, the doctor has applied a soothing medication he assured Aiden would heal the wounds on her back much faster and leave less of a mark. Of there would be more marks, but not as bad as if they were left unattended. After bandaging her up, he went to looking over Aiden, medicating and bandaging up a few of his wounds as well as he gave his instructions on Crista's care. "She will need plenty of rest. She should be out of the bed unless necessary for a week. And even then she should not push herself. The bandages will need to be replaced every other day. As for food, for now it would be best for her to take in only broths. I have the kitchen staff already preparing some. It has plenty of healing herbs in it. I will need to speak with her when she wakes for a more through prescription of how long before she can go off bed rest and start eating solid foods once again." He patted Aiden on the shoulder as he was getting ready to depart, "She'll be fine Aiden. It's he mind I fear for. One of the other girls gave me a small glimpse into what they all had been through....... you need to rest as well Aiden. You've got a long fight ahead of you."

After the doctor departed, his mother smiled, trying to lighten the mood a bit, "That wasn't so hard now was it?"
 
Aiden had been having to keep himself from kicking both his mother and the doctor out. â??I guessâ?¦is there anything else?â? he wasnâ??t really asking since he started to pull off his shirt right when he was done, making it clear that he was done with people being in his room and bothering him from helping Crista.

His mother left and Aiden stripped down to just a pair of loose pants that he always wore to bed. He crawled back into bed with Crista slipping his arms around her holding her gently. He knew that they had a long fight ahead of themselves but he knew Crista could do it. he kissed her neck whispering softly, â??Come back to me my love, come back to me Crista.â? He soon fell into a deep sleep with her just holding her gently.
 
I was deep into the night, hours later, before Crista finally started to slip out of her deep sleep. Her eyes opened to darkness, though... there was light. She automatically knew she was not in the room in Heylel's manor. So the question was then, where exactly was she? Every passing moment, she realized something more about her and her surroundings. She was in a bed, she was dressed, and there was someone behind her. She could hear the light breathing, feel it on the back of her neck. Her head then started to process what was going on. She had no idea that Aiden had come and saved her and so, of course, her head went automatically to the wrong place. Especially as she slowly rolled to glance over her shoulder, catching on a momentary glance of the man in bed with her in the darkness. It was easy to mistake Aiden for Heylel with such a fleeting glance. Her head went to dark places as it was accustomed to now.

This was some kind of test. One of Heylel's sick tests. More then likely, he was only pretending to be asleep, waiting for her to wake and waited to test her reaction. She didn't belong in a bed. She didn't belong in clothing. She clearly had to correct this mistake to pass his test.

Slowly, she started to move, through the pain was intense, she simply gritted her teeth and bared it. She did her best to not disturb Heylel for she was sure making to much noise or movement would be a failing aspect as well. And she didn't want to fail, she was already in such horrible pain.

Once she was out of the best, she stumbled to stay on her feet, but steadied herself against the wall. She supposed she should find her way back to her prison, but she had never been in any of the upstairs rooms in Heylel's home before. She'd never find her way. So she settled instead for just sleeping like a dog by her master's bed. Surely that would satisfy him. She hoped at least. Tugging the night dress off over her head, she shivered as the air hit her body. Folding it and placing it on the bed, she didn't look to Haylel, or really Aiden, before she lowered herself to the floor, curling into a ball on her side.

This was more like it. This was where she belonged as she drifted back to sleep once again.
 
Aiden had been so tired and it felt so good to have Crista back that he was deep into sleep when she woke up and moved out of bed. He would have slept like that all the night had it not been for the loss of her warmth next to him. his hand searched for her and not finding her he slowly woke.

Looking at the empty spot that she should have been but was not his heart started to sink for a split second afraid that it had been a dream him saving her. when he looked to the foot of his bed he knew it wasnâ??t a dream her night gown lay folded next to his feet. But then where was she? Standing up out of bed he came around to the end of his bed finding her laying there in the dark on the cold floor. He knelt down and gently stroked her hair. â??Crista, my love what are you doing down here?â?
 
Her body was chilled to the touch and she shivered slightly, groaning a little. She could have swore she heard Aiden's voice, but she had heard Aiden and seen him so many times in her dreams these last few months, to her it was just another dream as she mumbled, "Go away... leave me be... to... painful...... dreaming of.... of you...."
 
Aiden gently picked her up and kissed her lips. â??You donâ??t need to dream anymore my love Iâ??m here for you.â? He carried her back over to her side of the bed and laid her down coming around to his side to join her under the covers again. His arms wrapped around her as he kissed her neck. â??This is not a dream my love you are here in my arms and you never will leave again.â?
 
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