Ash's POV

Aiden is extremely pale and in obvious pain as he leans against the wall of the Queen's bedroom, watching me with his steely gaze as I wrap a bandage around the Queen's obviously broken wrist. I silently offer to help ease his discomfort and he shakes his head. So, I return my focus to my job. The Queen hisses in pain as I straighten her fingers to secure the wrap around her hand. At least she isn't unconscious this time.

Aiden gags and runs to the bathroom again and I sigh in disappointment. I don't know why he continues to flaunt his powers like that. He can't actually use the power that other people's pain brings him; it just makes him feel better about himself until he ends up sick. I know he is scary looking when he plays with his magic and I know the relief that comes when he steals your pain. I also know the terror that follows when he absorbs your pain into his own body.

He does it because he likes to make other people feel less than him and he is a very convincing manipulator. He gets that lovely trait from the King as well.

I fasten the clips on the edge of the bandage and the Queen looks up at me from her seated place on the floor, surrounded by scattered magazines and an overturned vase.

"Your father isn't a bad man. He just has a temper. I shouldn't have instigated another argument."

I force my face to remain neutral, "He is not my father. He is just a contributor to my DNA."

Just like you. You are not my mother.

"Ashlee, you are too hard on him. He loves us."

"He loves himself," my response is flat and quick and she sighs.

She pushes herself up onto her knees and I help her stand up, hating that this is my job. Once she is settled in her chair, I pick up the knocked over side table and reposition the magazines. I clean up the water and smashed flowers and throw them into a trash can. Aiden stumbles out the bathroom, looking slightly less green and when his eyes find the Queen's wrapped hand, his eyes soften just a little.

He walks over to her and sits down at her feet, resting his head on her knee. She takes her other hand and gently strokes his hair. My heart clenches at the motherly affection she is showing my brother. He melts into her and part of me feels bad for him. Maybe if he had received the nurturing he needed when he was younger, he would be a better person now.

His voice is hoarse and rough when he says, "What was he mad about this time?"

The Queen sighs, "It was my fault. I asked a question I shouldn't have. But it's okay, Ashlee did a good job fixing me up for now."

"I shouldn't have to..." I mumble under my breath.

The Queen pins me with a glare, "When will you learn that silently obeying men is the best thing for you?"

I take a deep breath and clench my hands at my side, "It's not."

She smiles, "Just wait. When your husband strikes you for the first time, you will realize that the pain of your disobedience is not worth defending your morals."

How broken does a woman have to be to believe that she deserves that?

I defend my husband, "Alexander isn't like that."

Her smile turns sad, "Yet."

I shake my head, "You don't know him! He is nothing like your husband!"

Aiden sighs, "Can you not yell? My head hurts."

The Queen looks back down at her son and gently pats his head, "What's wrong, my sweet boy?"

I can't stand to see her love him the way she should have loved me so I leave. I don't understand why she has always coddled him and neglected me. I am her only daughter. I am going to be the next Queen. I have followed all her rules. I have obeyed. I have listened. But it is never enough for her. I guess marrying me off was her answer to hide my bruises.

People don't typically like child abusers but when a man hits his wife? It must have been her fault. He was just proving his strength. She stepped out of line. He didn't mean to. He loves her. She loves him.

Lies.

Love doesn't look like that.

Love doesn't leave scars on your skin or cracks in your heart.

"Ashlee?"

I glance up to see my husband and a very worried Finn trailing behind him.

"We've been looking for you," Finn says, breathing out a sigh a relief.

Xander focuses on me and I slowly walk over to him. He opens his arms for me and I step into his loving embrace. He holds me, his hands tenderly rubbing my back. The gentleness of his touch makes tears spring to my eyes and I can't seem to keep myself from crying into him. He just hugs me tighter.

"My dear, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"

I shake my head, tears still freely flowing, as I completely let myself unravel in my husband's comforting arms.

"Ashlee, I need you to take some deep breaths for me."

I shake my head again, gripping his shirt tighter in my hands, clinging to him like he is the only way I can possibly keep myself from drowning in the pain that my family brings me. I don't know how long I sob into him before I hear Finn's hushed voice.

"Prince Canmore, you should probably move her to a different location. There will be too many eyes on her if she stays here."

Xander sighs and before I can protest, he has scooped me into his arms. I can feel Finn's eyes on me, but I turn my head into Xander, embarrassed by my splotchy and red face. My magic is angry from being stifled and my skin burns from forcing it to stay in. Finn and Xander remain silent as they walk to wherever we are headed, the only sound coming from their boots against the tile.

A door is opened and then I am gently set down in a comfortable chair. I keep my eyes fixed on my lap, not even bothering to look up to see where I am. Xander crouches down in front of me and gently lays his hands over mine.

"I will be back shortly. I have a meeting I must attend but Sir West will stay with you here."

Finn clears his throat, "I will?"

Xander immediately questions, "Is that a problem?"

"No, sir."

"Good."

Xander stands and kisses the top of my head, the gentleness of the gesture bringing more tears to my eyes. The room falls as silent as my tears when Xander leaves. My magic thrums under my skin, begging to be let out and I sharply inhale.

And then a hand lightly touches my shoulder, and my magic almost instantaneously soothes, quiets, and relaxes. My heart breaks a little and I sigh, hanging my head.

"Finn?"

"Yes, Ash?"

"Where are we?"

"Your room."

"Oh."

No wonder he is feeling uncomfortable. He removes his hand from my shoulder and steps around the chair before taking his position a few feet away from me.

"Are you okay?"

I answer honestly this time, "No."

"Is it alright for me to be in here?"

"Yes."

"What can I do to help you right now?"

"Nothing."

"Okay."

A few moments of silence passed between us before I spoke again.

"Will you help me into bed?"

He doesn't answer with his words, but he immediately comes to my side, offering me his hand which I take. I lean on him as he walks me to my bed, the weight of today's events completely draining me of all energy.

He helps me climb into bed, and then removes my shoes for me. Each slight brush of his fingers against my skin calms my magic even more and it doesn't take long for me to feel the pull of sleep as I snuggle under the covers.

I open my eyes just briefly to look at him as he stands guard at my door. His blue eyes meet mine and they do not hold pity, just concern. He offers me a smile which I return.

"Thank you, Finn."

"It is my pleasure, Princess Locklynn."

I close my eyes, relaxing into my mattress.

Just as I am about tofall asleep, I hear his soft whisper, "Sleep now, my Ash. I will watch overyou."