Chapter 4
“Kyla, there you are, I’ve been looking for you.” Her father came around the corner.
“Yes father, I’m sorry I was hoping for Colin’s safe return.” Kyla commented.
“Don’t worry love we have our best man on the job.” Her father stated.
Kyla knew all too well who he was talking about when he said that. Aiden Scott had ruined her life, but been quite the man for her father’s army. He had snuck on so many years ago, but she had heard his name many times.
She wondered on more than one occasion why he had left and not said anything to her. Kyla had thought they were closer than that. However, she had gone down to his father’s shop one afternoon and found out he was gone.
“I’m sorry Kyla he’s been gone a few months now. I would have thought he would tell you.” Aiden’s father had said to her so long ago now.
“Where has he gone?” She asked honestly not having a clue.
“He joined the army of course.” His father had stated.
Kyla had walked away from the blacksmith shop slowly. For many years she had asked herself why he had done it, but she could never figure out why. Her heart had felt empty through the years too. Aiden had been something more to her, now she realized that.
“Father, do you know if he ever.” She stopped for a minute. She suddenly realized that she was going to ask her father if Aiden had ever married.
“What Kyla?” Her father turned around, he had been deep in thought thankfully.
“Nothing I was just thinking. It isn’t anything really. How soon will they be back do you think?” She asked her father.
“I don’t know. It really depends on how many guards there are on Colin and so many other things.” Kyla watched as her father looked out the window.
She didn’t know what to say, so instead she walked away. She thought again about Aiden, what would he look like now? Kyla thought sadly about the one boy who had always held her heart. If she had only realized how much at the time he may never have been gone.
He’s probably married by now though, she thought. It was a thought she didn’t like having, but had to realize it could be true. After all if he could leave her so easily and not say goodbye, she hadn’t meant a thing to him. It was tough to admit, but she knew it was a fact she had to face.
“Colin, oh welcome back boy!” Kyla heard her father say behind her. She turned around to welcome her brother home and saw Aiden for the first time. Kyla stopped cold, he was watching her closely. She wanted to act like she had no clue who he was. But her shock at seeing him had been obvious to everyone.
“Do you remember Aiden Scott, you and him used to play as kids all the time?” Her brother said to Kyla.
She shook her head. “I remember him.” She said trying to keep her voice as chilly as she could. Kyla felt her body betray her though. Her heart sped up at the sight of him.
“Ma’am, it is nice to see you again.” Aiden bowed at her feet.
Kyla felt angry at his false display of respect. She turned and left the room. She couldn’t be in the same room as him and not let her emotions take over. Kyla headed to the garden to get some fresh air.
She got to the bench in the middle of the garden and finally sat down. She took a few deep breaths and tried to get her head to stop swimming. She hadn’t expected quite that reaction when she first saw him again.
Kyla had wanted to be mean to him. However, she had realized that she could never say a bad work to him. The words she wanted to shout at him flooded her mind. She felt the tears well up in her eyes. She let the sobs hit her hard.
“Why do I have to feel this way about him? Why can’t I feel this way about someone who loves me?” Kyla thought to herself. She let the fresh air dry the wetness on her cheeks as she got her crying under control.
She knew that he would be around the castle for a few days. Surely her father would have sort of ceremony to celebrate the return of her brother. He would be honored and she would be expected to attend.
Kyla didn’t know how she would get through these days with him near her. She had thought she had learned to hate him since he’d been gone. But she found out that she still loved him and wanted him just as much as before.
She felt it was a cruel joke that someone played on her. How could you make me feel like this about him? She looked at the sky and questioned the planets.
“I have to be strong enough.” She stood up and went indoors. “Not tonight though.” She said under her breath and raced up to her room for the night. If she was lucky no one would bug her for a few days. She hoped that by the next time she stepped outside her room she would have her emotions under control.