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Soldiers show up before Einar makes it back to his suite...
“Now, stop that before we both cry.” Einar took her head in both hands very gently and placed a kiss in the middle of her forehead. “Love you too, Meeri.” He turned and strode from the room, giving her a wink as he closed the door. If he hadn’t gotten out of there, he would have been too emotional over what was going on and what had just happened between them to go find his friends.
For a full minute, if not more, Meeri stood there staring at the closed door that Einar had exited through. Had that really just happened? Was she hallucinating? No, she was sure that it had just happened and she was lucid. Somehow in the middle of a day that seemed sent straight from the bowels of hell to swallow her and her family whole, something good had happened. It was to that she would cling as she waited for Einar and his friends to return. Even when her family had turned their back on her, when she had been betrayed, there was one who believed in her and would not do the same.
It was the sound of heavy footsteps in the hallway that brought her out of her thoughts and had her backing towards Einar’s bedroom. It was too soon for it to be Einar and their friends returning, which meant that it was most likely someone loyal to her uncle. She had to hide just in case they somehow had a key to Einar’s rooms and were coming to see if he had vacated them yet.
Just as she’d crossed the threshold into his room, a heavy fist pounded on the main door to the room. Meeri’s hand went to her mouth to stifle the scream of shock that almost emanated from her. It was definitely someone looking for Einar. Her head whipped around as she tried to find somewhere to hide in the low light. His bed was too close to the ground and his furniture not large enough to hide her, but his closet might work. It was the best shot she had. Hopefully if whomever it was entered, they would not find her.
Opening the door to Einar’s closet, Meeri stifled a laugh, it was a disaster. Hiding in it wouldn’t be a problem. Thank the heavens that the man was not neater or if someone did come looking she might be discovered. “EINAR! We are looking for Princess Meeri! Open your door!” Meeri recognized the voice coming through the door and once more put a hand over her mouth to keep from crying out as she stood completely still in the open doorway to Einar’s closet. It was the head of her father’s legion, but she doubted that he was anymore. She could hear the slide on his weapon being pulled, and she clenched her teeth together as hard as she could to keep from crying. If he found her, she would be dead.
“EINAR! You were seen going in there!” The heavy fist hit the door two more times making it rattle. Meeri quickly started moving the clothing on the floor of Einar’s closet. Silent tears streaming down her face as she battled hyperventilation, she started making herself a little pocket in the back to slide into where she could hide. She would just pile everything on top of her. Every time the soldier’s fist hit the door she would jump and move faster, more tears coming, but she was silent in her movements and her breathing. All she had to do was stay alive until Einar found their friends.
Finally there was just enough room to slide onto the floor and she quickly piled things on top of herself. The fact it was messy not making a difference since that was the point of his closet anyway. Her back was pressed against the back wall of the closet with his training gear, clothes, a few weapons, a ruck sack, and a coat just thrown over her. All had been on the floor when she’d come in. She was not sitting straight up, not wanting to create straight lines. At least she had been taught how to hide as a child in case of kidnappers.
Then the sickening sound of splintering wood was heard after a boot impacted the door to the main room to the suite. Both hands covered Meeri’s mouth as she tried to slow her breathing as much as possible. The boots were heard in the front room, slow and methodical as they were sweeping for Einar being in there. It would not be long until they’d be in his bedroom. Then the test of how well she hid would begin. “What the fuck? What did you do to my door?” Einar’s voice was now heard, and he was pissed.
“Duuuuude, they fucked up your shit!” That was Tieran.
“I was told I had until tomorrow to be out. I was just checking on my friends before packing my clothes. I assume there’s a good reason you’re in my living room?” Einar again, still pissed, maybe more pissed. Meerie was crying hard, silent and still in the closet.
“The princess.” It was all the soldier said.
Then there was another voice that Meeri didn’t recognize “Nevermind, we found what we were looking for.”
“Excuse me?” This time that sounded like either Elio or Lorcan. It was hard to tell through a closed closet door and a wall. They sounded similar even when you were in front of them.
“Get your friends and get home. Only those loyal to the King should be here by morning.” That was all the soldier said and she could hear the heavy boots moving again.
The sound of the heavy wood door to the suite slamming reverberated through the wall, causing it to literally vibrate. Meeri choked on a sob but felt unable to move. She was in shock, feeling saved by the four of her friends coming back right when she needed them most.
“No, you don’t think….” Tieran started.
“Meeri’s too smart…” THAT was definitely Elio.
“Shhhhh….you want the bastards to come back?” Lorcan hissed.
Where was Einar? He’d been silent. Had they taken him? Had something happened that she hadn’t heard? Meeri was shaking now, still unable to move or make a sound. Danger may have passed but the terror in her heart had not.
