Of Love, Lies and War <3

"I wish I were home..." She whispered almost silently, gently biting her finger as she inhaled deeply.

Vander stayed in the room so long he'd actually fallen asleep in there.

She stayed up most of the night, eventually falling asleep because she simply could not keep her eyes open any longer.

He woke during the night getting up to use the bathroom. On his way out he spotted her and in a moment of kindness he walked over to where she was on the chair and gently lifted her up in his arms carrying her to the master bed and laying her down removing her shoes and covering her over with the blanket.

"I am scared... please do not go.." She mumbled almost silently in her sleep, voice full of terror, "You promised you'd never leave me.."

Vander froze gulping back the memory of sudden guilt from years way back. Inhaling deeply he looked her over bringing the blanket to her chin. "Shh you are safe here, remember you are at the mansion of the council" he whispered not sure if he'd wake her or not.

Amalia didn't respond to that, just rolling onto her side and burying her face into the pillow with a very small whimpering sound.

Not wanting to cause more trouble he clicked on a small lamp on the dimmest setting before making his way back to the bedroom he'd slept in earlier, only this time he didn't sleep again.

The next morning, Amalia slowly sat herself up. Glancing around in confusion at where she was and slowly getting out of the bed and wandering into the main room.

Vander was sat in a chair beside the window humming an old tune to himself in a little world all his own.

Amalia just narrowed her eyes at him when she spotted him, unsure what exactly to say so remaining quiet.

"I suppose I should greet you good morning but I am not entirely sure how good it has been just yet. Anyhow good morning your highness" he spoke to her quietly his back to her still.

"Do not speak to me," She replied sourly with a shake of her head, "You were horrible yesterday, do not speak to me kindly today as if you were not."

"Have it your way then but do recall you were no better then I" he stated evenly turning his attention from her and back out the window soon humming the same tune as before.

"I do not know how to speak to you, at least I am trying." She replied defensively, "I tried to comfort you and you flinched away and then said you did not like me, I..." she shook her head. Remaining silent for a few moments before asking, "What are you humming?"

"I did not say I did not like you or at least that is not how I meant it. I was simply saying it is hard to like someone whom you do not know. As for my flinching away from you that was subconsciously I am not used to being touched. By anyone." He admitted with a shake of his head before adding quietly almost brokenly "It's nothing, nothing..."

She remained completely silent for a few moment before approaching him and sitting down opposite him, resting her head against the wall and closing her eyes. Hoping he would begin to hum once again so she could listen.

It took a few minutes but he did begin to him once more this time going so far as to run his fingers along the silver chain he wore about his neck his eyes still fixed on the forest outside the window.

"This is all awfully scary, isn't it?" She asked quietly after a few moments, keeping her eyes closed. "I want to go home..."

"I do not have anything which to be afraid of. If I shall be honest here this is by far the best place I've ever lived since I was a small child. I can see how some would be afraid though" he answered quietly his rude tone gone for the time being.

"Not the place.... I meant here in general. Not knowing anyone, no one knowing you. It's lonely, already lonely, sorry if I ask you personal questions and it's ever too soon I just... I am scared... I want to have someone to cling onto so I don't feel so alone."

Vander lifted his head to finally seriously look at the beautiful young lady sat before him. Running his fingers through his hair he slowly shook his head. "Being alone is what I do best. I am always alone, always have been really. All of this.." He explained waving an arm about the room and towards the grounds outside. "Is new to me. Being around people and all that just is not my thing, not anymore."

She blinked her eyes open then to study him silently, asking quietly, "Why is that?"

He let out a slow deep breath laying his head back on the chair. "It has been just me since I was a child. That is all I really know."

"What about your parents?" She asked with a frown.