Chained To Him [Editing]

Chapter Two

 13 Years Ago

She sat hunched over her knees on the narrow window seat, gazing into the chaos that flooded the streets. Thatched roofs of peasant houses boiled in flames while people stumbled out of crumbling buildings only to be cut down by the invading soldiers. Jayde watched it all with glazed eyes and clenched fists. At this rate Aésadel would fall by morning. 

Startled by a knock on the door, she tore her eyes away from the scene to see her father's broad shouldered silhouette hovering in the entry way.

"What's going to happen, papa?" she whispered as he quietly picked her up and carried her to her bed. After setting her on the edge of the mattress, he went to the window and closed the curtains.

"Things are going to be different." He sat down next to her and she lay in his lap as he stroked her hair. "I need you to do something very important for me, Jayde. Promise me you will."

She sat up, frightened as tears glistened in the eyes of her father. She had never seen him cry. His usual stoic face broke into a sad smile and he pulled her close. 

"I want you to take your mother and hide in the wardrobe in my bedroom. Can you do that for me?"

Nodding slowly, she wound her fingers into the fabric of his shirt. "Are you leaving, papa?"

He hugged her so tightly she was afraid he might break her. Jayde knew that he was frightened, and his fear only fueled the terror that had been building since the Empire's army stormed the gates of Aésadel.

"I have to do my job." He held her at arms length. "When things have settled down, take your mother and go to Luther Westron's home. Go quietly in the night, and don't let yourselves be seen."

"But papa..." How did he know she had been secretly meeting Luc?

"I have seen you before with Luther's boy. They are good people." 

"Why can't we stay here?"

He sighed and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Don't be afraid, darling. I may not see you again for a very long time. It won't be safe here anymore."

She knew he would be angry, but she couldn't help but cling to him and plead for him not to leave her alone. "We could run away from Aésadel. We could go to Pian or...Papa, I can't take care of mother! I don't know how. I'm scared...you don't have to go."

"Jayde." She was surprised at the softness in his voice. "We are Auguirres, and Auguirres never run away. I have to fight alongside my soldiers. You know I can't leave."

Jayde bowed her head as a soldier burst into the room.

"Commander, the horses are ready." Jayde's father nodded and stood. As the soldier left, he turned to kneel in front of Jayde and took her hands in his. 

"Remember what I have told you. Whatever happens, do not come out of the wardrobe until you are sure it is safe. And one last thing." He held up a thin belt and sheath and placed it in Jayde's lap. The hilt sticking up from the sheath was encrusted with jewels. At the very bottom, the phoenix of their family crest was pressed into the metal. "Keep this with you and do not be afraid to use it." He hugged her one last time. "I love you, Jayde. Be strong."

He left before Jayde could even tell him that she loved him back. Her chest felt as though part of it had been torn out, and she ran to the doorway, intent on following him. But something held her back—a sense of purpose. She wouldn't let her father down. Jayde buckled the thin belt around her waist and secured it tightly. Instead of following him down the staircase, she turned to her right and ran to her mother's bedroom.