11

Chapter 11

"I see you have had a taste of the true man my son can be," she chuckled. "Not even you can control him," she laughed as she walked out.

With tears running down her face from the humiliation the guards at the gate did not dare interfere as she stepped out of the palace gates.

Walking away from the palace she found herself walking towards the river. Watching the water flow freely without a worry she wished her problems could also just wash away. Some girls passed by her carrying firewood ignoring her presence.

Two men showed up carrying their hoes most likely coming from their fields.

"Now what's a flower like you doing all alone out here. Are you waiting for your boyfriend by any chance?" One of them said with a smirk.

"Or maybe she got stood up," the other laughed setting his tools down.

Moving closer to her she quickly stood up moving away from him.

"Don't be afraid," he smiled. "I just want us to talk," he laughed as her back hit something hard.

"Turning she found his friend smiling down at her.

"Just talking," he said with a sleazy smile.

"I don't want any trouble," she whispered trembling in fear as she closed her eyes.

"Are we causing any trouble brother?" The one in front of her said.

The snap of a twig had the men turning towards the direction of the noise.

"Leave her alone," she heard a familiar voice say making her become tense.

"My friend turn around and leave if you do not want a beating."

She frowned wondering how these men didn't know who it was.

"Are you alright love?" He asked as the men chuckled.

"So this is lover boy." Raising his hand to signal his men to show themselves both men froze seeing several bulky men step out of the bushes.

Opening her eyes she turned her head gasping in surprise at the sight before her. It was clear he had gone for proper grooming. His hair was neatly cut and gone was the beard he sported a while back. In place was a young man. A man who oozed authority even when clad in a simple polo shirt and jeans. In his hand he was holding his shades but was currently tapping them against his thigh in impatience.

"Are you alright?" He said taking a step closer towards her stopping when one of the men wrapped his arms around her neck.

"Listen just let us go and we will leave you be. You can continue with your date," he said in panic.

"Let her go," Munya all but whispered through clenched teeth.

Slowly releasing her he raised his arms in surrender before making a dash for it. As they tried to run away they accidentally caused Ru to fall into the cold waters as they ran blindly.

With great speed and agility Munya bolted towards her jumping into the water to pull her out. Swimming them back ashore several hands helped them out. Looking for any bruises he found none as her teeth chattered. Removing his shirt he gathered her small figure into his, holding her close to his chest trying to pass on his body heat to her. Wrapping her arms around his neck she clung closer to him seeking the same warmth he strived to provide. Making their way to his car he ordered the guard to fetch him the blanket he kept for Munashe's sake.

Wrapping it around her they made their way to the palace but upon arrival her shivering had gotten worse before he saw the blood.

"Your highness! What happened?" Gareth enquired.

"Get me the doctor," he simply said as he rushed into the house with her.

"Your highness you need to let go of her," the elderly doctor said as he took out some gauze and morphine.

As Munya pulled away from her she held onto his hand seeking some form of warmth. Exposing her abdomen a gasp escaped his lips as he looked at the wound before she was sewn back up and given some pain medication. As soon as they were alone he gently pulled her back to his chest. Wrapping his arms around her holding her hands as he tried to get her warm he flinched filling her little feet cold against his skin before using his leg to provide some form of heat.

A scream startled him awake as Ru struggled against him. Eyes still shut she tried to free herself from his arms murmuring something under her breath.

"Please stop," she cried tears rolling down her face. "I won't tell anyone, I swear," she pleaded.

Munya saw her face contort in pain fear taking over him. Whatever nightmare she was experiencing was truly vivid for her.

"Love please wake up," he whispered gently shaking her but she did not respond.

Holding her hands down he felt her body tense underneath his as she continued to beg for mercy.

"Ru," he said gently already afraid of frightening her some more.

Suddenly she relaxed as he continued to call her trying to awaken her. Her eyes slowly opened revealing more fear.

"Your highness please don't hurt me," she whispered with a slight tremble as Munya realized their position.

"Never would I harm you," he said clearly hurt. "You were having a nightmare, I had to hold you down before you hurt yourself some more," he whispered.

Moving to the side he lay facing her silently. Looking at her as though he was searching for something.

"I can't seem to forget that night," she whispered as she concentrated on playing with button of his shirt.

He kept quiet giving her space to talk but she didn't say anything else. Gently covering the hand on his chest with his she looked up at him vulnerable and afraid.

"Come here," he encouraged her as he rolled onto his back allowing her to settle on top of him.

"Munya what are you doing?"

"Helping you forget for a little bit. Forgetting certain events in our lives is a challenge. But having good ones always helps," he said in a gruff voice as he pulled her head closer to his.

"I am sorry for shouting and walking out on you yesterday," he said making her gasped just as his lips touched hers.

Plunging his tongue into her mouth he played with hers enjoying the small sounds she made as he made her forget her nightmare. Time stood still as their lips danced in sync as she supported herself on her elbows careful not to apply any pressure on her wounds.

Pulling away from him for air she looked at him seeing something she could not describe as he looked up at her pulling her closer.

"I will never be sorry for making you forget," he said pecking her lips. "I don't want you to ever worry about anyone hurting you. You must know you are the one capable of hurting, capable of hurting me to be precise," he said before kissing her slowly and passionately.

Lying facing each other once more he couldn't help but smile at her.

"You stole my first kiss," she blushed.

"Well then, I am very much honoured to be your first," he said honestly resting her hand above his chest as she had returned to playing with his shirt button once more. "Now get some rest. I am here watching over you," he murmured planting his lips against her forehead.

"I forgive you," she sighed in response to his earlier apology as she drifted off to sleep.

He looked at her sleeping form wondering how such innocence still existed. She was a rare gem indeed and he would make sure she remained just as she is, perfect in his eyes and priceless.

A knock sounded on his door making him get up putting on a robe.

"Good evening your highness," Gareth greeted him, behind him stood the doctor. "We are here to see Rudo," he said.

Stepping aside he let them in shutting the door.

Waking her up himself he let the doctor examine here. Wincing in pain Munya did the unthinkable as he pulled the doctor away from her.

"You are hurting her?" He growled.

"Your majesty please," Gareth pleaded. If not for the one voice he respected surely the doctor would be no more as he took her hand allowing the old man to finish his work.

"Can I be moved to my room," Gareth heard her whisper as he watched his kings' reaction.

The man seemed to be debating over her request before he nodded his head yes but having known the man he would have outright refused.

"Okay. I will have it prepared," he said softly as he took her hand bringing it to his lips a smile breaking out on his face.

"Your brother has been asking for you," Gareth stated once the king stepped aside to make a call.

Once the doctor finished up he gently lifted her up into his arms holding her close to him. She secured her arms around his neck as he walked through the adjoining door to her room. A fire had already been started chasing away any form of cold air.

A few minutes after settling in bed she heard Nash call out her name. Opening the door for him, Munya smiled when the boy came to a halt greeting him formally before rushing to his sister.

"Sister are you okay?" He enquired.

She nodded her head yes before asking him about his day. Munya walked in carrying his son who was excited to see Ru and her brother. It seemed he was already attached to them and Munya couldn't help but smile, the little boy surely took after him for he was already attached to them too.

After saying their good nights Munya returned with a plate of food.

Helping her sit up he watched her shyly eat up her food.

"It's rude to stare," she whispered.

"I'm not starring, just admiring Gods' beauty at hand."

Her face heated up as she lifted the piece of baked potato to his lips. Watching him chew he stopped doing so before he swallowed.

"Okay okay I get your point," he chuckled getting up in surrender.

"I am full," she sighed as he frowned at her plate.

"But you didn't eat much."

"I don't want any more," she whispered.

"Alright love just five more spoons for me," he said lifting a spoonful of food.

"I was using a fork," she sulked.

"I like the spoon better," he said giving her a charming smile.

"So you don't want some desert," he smirked as he opened a bowl that had some pudding. "More for me I guess," he said taking a spoonful. "She looked longingly at the bowl in his hands as a chuckle escaped his lips.

"What a friend you are," she muttered before seeing the spoon in front of her lips.

Eating what was offered to her she smiled at him.

"You should show your people this side of you not the angry bear we all know," she smiled at him.

"Hmmm I will see about that," he said with a smirk.

If only he could voice out his thoughts he would tell her that she was responsible for him being that happy.

Placing the tray on a table he least expected the door to swing open. About to shout at whoever dared to to enter this room without permission he cursed as his wife came prancing into the room.

"Oh my, she is already making you work for her," she chuckled. "Anyway. I hear we are going on a trip. You should let your friend join us," she smiled mischievously as they both looked at her weirdly.

There you go lovely people?