♡ Odette's POV ♡

I woke up with the strange urge to leave the beach house.

It was hard to explain, the need to be outside and get fresh air and feel the sand between my toes overriding my rational part of my brain that said I needed to stay in hiding.

But you couldn't keep me locked up forever in hiding, I was like a sparrow waiting to be released from the metal confinement of a cage.

I had been awake for a little while, first waking up terribly cold because a certain someone decided to hog all the blankets.

I turned my head to the side to see Zayn wrapped up in the sheets, shirtless and in a deep sleep. His inky hair was all mussed up, sticking up in some areas and matted down in others from him trying to get comfortable in his sleep. I sighed before pulling on the blankets, a little scowl forming on Zayn's face as he pulled back. I huffed as we played tug of war with the sheets, I was not going to deal with this all night.

I scooted closer to Zayn, another idea forming in my mind on how to reclaim my part of the blankets. I poked Zayn's cheeks with my fingertips, exhaustion making me heartless to his little groans of annoyance. However, my efforts weren't in vain, and soon Zayn's dark eyes opened.

"What is it Odette?" Zayn grumbled, turning his body so he was completely facing me, dark tattoos becoming visible on his chest. I didn't allow myself much time to stare before pulling on the blankets again.

"You keep stealing the blankets." I explained, Zayn huffing before releasing some of the warm blankets for me to use, turning back around right after. I thanked him before wrapping myself in the warmth, closing my eyes in an attempt to calm the need deep within me to go outside.

You have to stay in hiding, I kept repeating to myself.

I tried to go to sleep, but it was too late, I was already wide awake. I looked over at one of the clocks in the room, the hands pointing to 6:35 in the morning. I huffed in annoyance. I still had a bit before everyone woke up.

Suddenly, an idea occurred to me.

I had a bit before everyone woke up, if I snuck out for just a few moments, no one would know I was ever gone. I ached to be on the beach, maybe even to explore the little town nearby. I just had to get outside. If I waited until everyone was awake, then Zayn would definitely not let me go. His protective nature could get a little suffocating.

Biting my lip, I decided.

Checking to make sure Zayn was fast asleep, I carefully slipped out of bed. I didn't want to disturb his sleep. Besides, I was going to be back before he woke up anyway. I didn't think much of what I was going to wear, choosing some jeans, a pretty flowing peasant top and some little flats for shoes. Deciding it might be a little chilly outside since it was late September, I grabbed a dark grey pea coat, one that had a hood in case the cloudy sky decided to rain. Picking up my anchor ring from where I placed it last night on the bedside cabinet, I slipped it on quickly, pressing a quick kiss to Zayn's forehead before silently promising him I would be back.

I walked carefully down the hallways and stairs, not wanting to wake up anyone else. I smiled as I reached the front door of the beach house, my hand on the door knob when someone clearing their voice stopped me. I froze in place, disappointed I had made it so far, but still got caught.

"Where do you think you are going, Odette?" Seamus asked, his voice husky like he had just woken up. I turned around slowly, biting my lip in shame. Seamus was in his uniform, a cup of what looked like coffee in his hand to try and wake himself up. He had bags under his eyes, like he had been up all night protecting us. His hair was a little ruffeled, but I guess if you were Head of Security your top priority wasn't your appearance.

"To the beach?" It came out as more of a question than a statement. Seamus raised his eyebrows, almost as if he were a tired parent dealing with a disobedient child.

"You think you can go to the beach, right now?" He asked before shaking his head. "Because I'm sure everyone here would tell you the same as me: no."

"Please Seamus? Just for a little while?" I begged, watching as he sighed and rubbed his temples. I could practically see the inner workings of his mind racing around as he debated the pros and cons.

"Fine," he admitted, causing me to smile and hug him in joy. "But only if I come with you for protection."

I nodded in agreement, happy I was allowed to go out, even if I had to take Seamus with me.

***

The water was cold against my toes, making me squeal a little. Seamus only laughed as he watched me run along the water's edge, small grains of sand wedging themselves between my tiny toes and all over my feet. He had decided to stay back on dry sand, not wanting to ruin his working boots. I had tried to splash water on him, only for him to give me a stern look and tell me he was going to dunk me in if I got any water on his fancy medals. I could tell he was being sarcastic, especially since he laughed as I tried to continue getting at least his shoes wet.

After a while, Seamus brought me my shoes after I cleaned off my feet in the chilling water, helping me put them on without dirtying my feet again.

"So where to now?" He asked casually, and I glanced at him in surprise.

"We're going somewhere else?" I asked excitedly, and Seamus nodded.

"I thought you wanted to explore that little fishermen's town just a little bit up the road?" He asked, and I nodded quickly. Seamus took my hand to help me through the small sand dunes that had piled up, my short little legs not really doing much good. Just as we had reached the top of the last dune, the previously dark sky was engulfed in a rich orange and dazzling yellows, painting the clouds lighter shades of the same colors. I stopped moving, my eyes too caught up in the beautiful colors of the sunrise, turning to see the huge sun slowly making its way up the sky. Seamus turned as I stopped, smiling at me as I pointed out the colors.

"Beach sunrises are always the best," he agreed. "Used to have a little bit of purple with the orange and yellow back home too." He smiled fondly at me, and even though he was tired and a bit rugged in appearance, I thought he was adorable.

"Where are you from, Seamus?" I asked absentmindedly, Seamus quick to answer.

"High up in the northeast coast, from a small fishing town in Maine. My dad was a fisherman there and used to take me out on his boat all the time." I nodded in understanding.

From what I knew about history, the Malik Empire had been built upon the burning ruins of the country before it, one that was in both political and economical turmoil. Zayn's ancestors had rose up and declared the creation of a new monarchy, rather than the failed democracy the country before had tried to use. It was a good idea, but no one in their government could agree on anything, and soon the country had all but disappeared. So, on the ruins of the United States, the Malik Empire was born, and had survived for many years.

Now, the only reason anyone used the old country's state names was to clarify what county of the country they were from. The capitol of the Malik Empire was built upon the ruins of Washington D.C., and the Manor had been built there as the residence of the royal family. Important people lived in and around the capitol with the King, therefore I had lived in the capitol my whole life, what with Father's work there.

"Delaware sunrises are pretty good too, don't you think?" Seamus asked me softly, his eyes fixated upon the colored sky above us.

"Yeah, I guess so." I smiled at the boy who was so in love with nature, admiring him. Seamus breathed in the salty air of the beach before turning to me again.

"How about we go get some breakfast?"

***

We had ended up in the small beachtown, Seamus walking the short distance with me. It took probably twenty minutes, but it wasn't boring because we talked the whole time.

Seamus asked me about my childhood, to which I asked him about his. We talked about our families and things we liked to do, just stupid conversations that helped me get to know him. Apparently Seamus was an only child like me, and had moved to the capitol to look for better pay to help support his father's fishing business that had begun to get less and less customers. He said working as a bodyguard seemed natural to him, he had already survived many harsh and painful events, like Maine winters.

We found a little cafe along a main street of the little town, a decent amount of people already present even though it couldn't have been more than 7:30 in the morning. Just as we were about to ask the hostess for a table, Seamus froze, his eyes wide as he turned to me, pushing me back outside for a moment.

His hands were in my hair instantly, ruffling it up a bit. I was about to argue but Seamus silenced me as he took out a small handkerchief from his pocket, wiping it over my makeup until there was probably hardly any left. It was this that caused me to freak out.

"Seamus, what-" but Seamus hushed me, leaning in close until his lips were brushing my ear. It tickled a little.

"If someone recognizes you as Zayn's Chosen One, we have to relocate immediately. You can't look like your normal self at all." Almost as if on cue, Seamus pointed up at a television that was mounted on a wall inside, a news lady reporting on Delia's assasination, a clear photo of all the royals and me posted on the screen. My eyes grew wide, I had never thought of that.

"Then what do we do?" I asked nervously, Seamus thinking and biting his lip before he thought of something. Walking back inside and up to the hostess, a girl of no older than fifteen, he asked if she had a black permanent marker he could use. The girl nodded, her fiery red locks bouncing, before handing him it. He thanked her before walking back to me.

"Let me see your wrist." He instructed, and I hesitantly gave him my left wrist, unsure of his plans. I soon realized his intentions as he lifted his left jacket sleeve, revealing a spade as his Mark. Uncapping the marker, he carefully drew a spade of my own on the inside of my wrist, smiling as he inspected his finished work.

"Odette Carlton isn't Marked, no one will think you're her at all now." Seamus grinned, proud of his quick thinking. I stared at the little black makeshift Mark before staring up at Seamus.

"Then, if I'm not Odette, what's my name?" I played along with his game, smirking at him as he bit his lip in thought.

"What's your middle name?"

"Marie."

"Then your new name is Marie. That way it isn't too hard to remember." Seamus smiled before taking my hand, walking back to the hostess to get our table and to return her marker.

We looked over our menus for a little while before ordering, Seamus getting some eggs, sausage, and hash browns while I got pancakes. The waitress soon brought our food out, as well as a pitcher of orange juice to refill my glass. I thanked her, smiling, and she seemed to tilt her head at me, eyebrows scrunched together in thought.

"You look so familiar." She said, Seamus taking notice. I nervously smiled, did she already figure us out?

The waitress seemed deep in thought before smiling. "I know! You look just like that girl the King likes!"

I froze, but the waitress only kept laughing. Seamus noticed my apprehension, stepping in at just the right time.

"My wife gets that a lot, they look so alike don't they?" He smiled at the waitress, fingers sneakily pushing my left jacket sleeve up so his drawn on spade showed just a little, and she immediately nodded.

"That's so crazy, she looks just like her! Minus the Mark, of course, the girl the King fancies isn't Marked I don't think." The waitress kept on, asking Seamus if he wanted anything else. Seamus only smiled at me before reaching over to intertwine my fingers with his.

I had to admit, he was good.

"Do you want anything else, Marie?" He asked, but his eyes sent me a totally different message: Are you ok?

"No thank you, I'm good." I smiled at the waitress who told us to call her if we needed anything, speedily walking over to another table to collect orders. Seamus thanked her before his act dropped, his fingers squeezing mine gently.

"You alright?" He asked softly.

"Yeah," I sighed, giving him a hesitant smile. "Thanks for that."

"No problem. You really shouldn't be an actress, you know that?" Seamus chuckled before releasing my hand so he could start eating. He stabbed his hash browns with his fork, laughing at me still. "You would be terrible."

I rolled my eyes before starting to eat my pancakes, Seamus was such a goofball at times.

We had survived the cafe and surprisingly a lot of shops along the street, Seamus telling anyone who suspected me as Odette that we were newlyweds, even having to make up an elaborate story for an older woman who worked at a clothing shop of our 'wedding'. He was good, not missing a beat as she asked him about my dress, the reception, the honeymoon, everything. I took myself out of the situation by perusing over the various clothes hung up on the racks, only walking back to meet with Seamus when he called out for me, telling me we were off to another destination.

Our little outing was fun, and I hadn't realized how long we had been out until a huge clock tower in the center of the fishing town rang out twelve. Seamus asked if I wanted to get lunch somewhere, and I was about to agree when I saw an ice cream shop across the street. I begged Seamus to take me to it, Seamus chuckling before leading me over to the small pastel colored building. Seamus told me to wait outside while he ordered really quick since my feet were starting to hurt.

I sat on a little bench outside, just people-watching when I saw a young man a little older than me struggling to carry a crate completely full of fishing supplies. I was surprised at how he was able to carry so much stuff when he tripped over himself, spilling all his stuff everywhere. No one stopped to help him, and I felt so bad I got up from my bench, rushing over to help him.

"Are you alright?" I asked, bending down to pick up scattered supplies, a box of lures having broken and spilling out multi-colored feathers and temptations that had fallen into an alley between two buildings. The man was quick to thank me, telling me he was so clumsy before thanking me again. I walked further and further into the alleyway to collect the lures, gross garbage bins and dirt everywhere. However, I decided I was going to help the man, and I wasn't going to stop just because of a little filth.

"You look really familiar." The man spoke, and I took a deep breath before turning to give the man his lures, putting on a fake smile and using the excuse Seamus had been using all day.

"People tell me I look like the King's Chosen One all the time. I don't really see it though." I spoke, offering him a smile.

However, the man didn't seem convinced.

"No, you look exactly like Odette Carlton." He said, standing up from his crouched position on the concrete. He took a step towards me, frightening me to where I dropped the fishing lures.

"I'm not Odette Carlton." I spoke as firmly as I could, but the man only smiled wickedly as he continued to back me up into the alleyway. My heart was racing with fear, he knew. He knew I was lying, and now I was scared and trapped in an alleyway with him.

"Liar." He spat at me before smirking, backing me up to the point where my back hit the hard concrete at the end of the dark alley. He kept moving forward until he forcefully pressed his body against mine, pinning me to the wall.

Fear froze my muscles, the man who couldn't have been older than twenty beginning to run his fingers over my arms. I shivered in disgust.

"I bet the Leader would love to get his hands on you." He whispered before roughly yanking my hands up over my head, pinning me to the spot. I winced in pain, my mind reeling with what he said.

"Leader? What Leader?"

"The Leader of the Revolution, naturally." He smiled evilly, tears forming in my eyes as one of his hands moved from my trapped wrists to the hem of my shirt, getting dangerously close to the button and zip on my jeans.

"That is, unless I get to have you first." He whispered, and my breath caught in my throat as I remembered something said to me a long time ago.

"And last, but certainly not least, the fiancé must remain pure until her marriage night, when she is officially the prince's..." Ivy's voice rang out in my head.

This man was not only a Revolutionary, but a rapist as well. He was going to hurt me, ruin my chances with Zayn, destroy everything in my life.

A tear fell down my cheek as I tried to scream for help, the man's sweaty palm clamping over my mouth.

"Shut up. Behave, be a good girl." He hissed, and I couldn't help the tears falling down my cheeks.

Someone help me! Seamus, Ivy, Zayn! ANYONE!

The man's gross fingers popped the button on my jeans and was about to tug my zip down just as I saw a flash of maroon, heard a click of something metal, and a shadowy figure appear before us.

"Let her go." Ivy commanded, gun placed against the man's head.

The man froze, unaccustomed to Ivy's cunning abilities. I was, however, and I took a breath of relief that my savior was here. Ivy's face was hidden from view, but it didn't much to recognize her signature maroon coat and jet black gun, an 'I' engraved into the barrel.

"Release her! Now!" Ivy yelled at the man, who instantly let me go. I collapsed on the ground, my legs no longer working properly as I sobbed. I was instantly enveloped in warm arms, Seamus wasting no time in re-buttoning my jeans and pulling my coat tightly around me while whispering soothing words, trying to calm me down.

"Shh, Odette, it's alright, you're safe." Seamus whispered, my arms latching immediately onto his neck. My heart was beating at an abnormal rate, adrenaline and fear making it work double-time. Seamus picked me up off the ground, holding me to his chest bridal-style. I sobbed into his chest, Seamus keeping my head down.

"Don't look." He ordered softly, his hand reaching to cover my eyes as I heard a sickening thud, something hard hitting the concrete, the sound of broken bones. I felt nauseous as I heard them, Seamus talking to me to try and distract me.

"Let's get her home." Ivy spoke casually, but I didn't need to look to know she had drying blood on her knuckles, choosing not to use the gun as it would cause too much speculation among the locals. That was two she had killed right in front of me.

***

I didn't say anything on the car ride back to the beach house, Seamus still holding me as we stepped inside the beach house. I was surprised to see practically all the servants waiting on me, Falene's eyes wide as she saw the terrible state I was in.

"Someone run her a bath, she's had a long day." I heard Seamus tell the servants, several nodding and running off immediatley.

"I'll tell Zayn we found her." Ivy said, rushing upstairs to get the man I had no doubt would be furious with me. My head hurt just thinking about what he would say, what he had to have felt. I should've stayed in bed this morning. I shouldn't have left the beach house.

Not more than a few minutes later, I heard the thumping of someone rushing down the stairs, seeing a very frazzled Zayn rush over to me. His eyes were full of hurt as he stared at me laying in Seamus' arms, more than likely thinking I was perfectly fine and actually capable of walking through the door myself before he walked down those stairs.

"What happened to you?" He breathlessly whispered as he took me into his own arms from Seamus. When I didn't respond, he only took me to the bathroom that the servants were preparing my bath in, leaving them to it as they washed off all the horrible reminders of that man's touch on my skin. I felt like scrubbing myself until my skin gleamed red, raw and irritated from the brush. The servants wouldn't let me though, keeping all brushes and washcloths away from me.

They dressed me in a white nightdress, almost as if they read my mind that I wasn't going to be doing anything for the rest of the day. I almost wondered if they chose white almost to confirm to both Zayn and myself that I was fine, that I was still eligible to be his.

Zayn didn't say anything as he sat on our bed, knowing there was nothing to be said. I collapsed on the bed, Zayn wasting no time in gently wrapping his arms around me.

"I'm sorry for leaving." I barely muttered, Zayn hushing me as he turned me around so we were face to face. He kissed my forehead carefully before pulling me in for a hug, tracing mindless shapes on my back with his fingertips.

"There's nothing to be sorry for. You're safe and that's all that matters."