The inside of the stable looked exactly how you imagined it. Rows of stalls that housed horses lined the walls and a few sacks filled with oats and barrels filled with apples cluttered the floor. You were mildly shocked to see Micah sitting on one, his eyes closed and his face stern. You glanced behind you to make sure that neither Connor nor Aiden were coming inside before you ran over to him.

"What are you doing here?" You asked, confused by his presence.

"A little thank you would be appreciated first, angel." He replied as his eyes followed Reed around the stable.

You sank down on the barrel next to him and watched Reed as he went about feeding the horses in the stalls. "What am I thanking you for?"

He laughed, "What shouldn't you be thanking me for."

You wrinkled your nose.

"I'm kidding. I'd do everything over again, but I saved both yours and Reeds life a few hours ago."

You raised your eyebrows, "How so?"

He scratched the back of his head nervously, "Well...I went to go to your room to see if everything was okay after...your trip this morning, and I heard Aiden and Connor say they were going to interrogate Reed about you being here last night." He glanced over to Reed who was grinning and stroking a black horses mane and a faint smile tugged at his lips. "So I ran down here and told Reed what had happened. I don't think he understood completely, but he must've understood enough because you're both still here."

You stared at him in shock. Once again, Micah had come and saved you from potential danger and this time he saved Reed as well.

"...Thanks..." You didn't know what else to say. It didn't seem like enough just to thank him, but you couldn't think of anything else.

He noticed your look and laughed, "Don't act so surprised (Y/n). I'm your knight in shining armor, remember."

You tucked a few strands of hair behind your air as you looked at the ground, blushing slightly, "Yeah. I guess spending a night with the princes made me forget about kindness, at least for a while."

You turned to look at him and smile, but stopped as he glared at you.

"(Y/n)..." He trailed off as he pushed more hair away from your face, "Where on earth did you get those?" His finger brushed against one of the bruises.

You flinched and pulled away from him, "W-well..."

His face was a mixture between pain and anger, "(Y/n). Don't treat me like the princes. I'm not going to lock you up, so don't lie to me."

His hard tone practically slapped you in the face. Never had Micah's voice sounded like that.

"The princes did it..." You murmured, not sure if you should elaborate further.

"Well of course they did that. Who else is gonna do it? The horses? When?"

"Micah...You seem really upset and I don't wan-"

He stood up and kicked the barrel he had been standing on, "Of course I'm upset! Damn it (Y/n), I'm supposed to protect you from those devils, not hand you over to them and let them have their way!"

You slowly stood up and placed your hand on his shoulder, "You can't watch over me 24/7 Micah. It wasn't your fault. It was theirs and mine. Now if you calm down...we can enjoy the morning with Reed and-"

He stepped away from your touch and slowly started walking to the exit, "I don't want to hang out right now." His figure disappeared outside.

You followed him but stopped at the threshold. Did you follow him, or wait until he calmed down?

"Well, brother, it looks like the assistants a little angry." You heard Connor say and you looked over to see them leaning against the fence to one of the pens.

"Connor don't-" You started.

"Yes, it appears so. Maybe he finally saw what we did. Do you think that's it brother?" Aiden cut you off, watching Micah pass them.

Micah stopped, turned to look at them, and suddenly he was in front of Connor. You watched as he whispered something and turned around only to be brought down to the gravel. Both Aiden and Connor stood above him, their swords unsheathed and pointed at his chest and throat.

You stood frozen in shock, watching Connor and Aiden's cold eyes look down at Micah's defiant ones. Suddenly you realized what was happening and ran towards them.

"Stop it right now!" You screamed as you shoved them away from Micah. Surprised, they backed up and looked at you.

You glared at them, "Put. The swords. Away."

Connor looked away and silently sheathed his sword. Aiden tusked, but did the same.

You turned to Micah and helped him up to his feet. He rubbed a sore spot on his back, "Thanks."

You nodded, "Micah, please just-"

He started walking away, "(Y/n)...I really don't want to be in the same area as you right now."

You felt as if your heart had shattered in a million pieces, "M-Micah...?"

He didn't respond and silently walked down the gravel path back towards the castle. You sank to the ground watching his fading form, confused. What had you done? Why was he so angry?

"(Y/n)?" You heard shoes crunch against the gravel and looked up to see Aiden standing over you. Connor came over as well and bent down next to you.

"You seem sad." He commented.

Of course, I'm sad! You wanted to scream into his face. My best friend is angry at me and I don't even know why!

Instead, you nodded. Aiden bent down next to you and wrapped his arms around your torso. Connor did the same. Not having the emotional will to keep yourself up, you collapsed into their arms. The scene resembled the one you'd had with your parents in the village, but it lacked the love. At least on your end it did.

"(Y/n), you're tense. Do whatever you need. It's obvious you're upset." Aiden whispered into your shoulder.

You felt numb. Really numb. Micah was all that you had, the only person who truly kept you company at the palace. Sure there was Reed, but he seemed like a little brother to you. Micah...was more than that. He listened and held conversations, meaningful ones. How would you survive alone?

"Shhh. It's okay dear."

The tears rolled down your cheeks. You couldn't stop them. You felt as if something was suddenly ripped out of your chest.

You three sat that way for a while. You silently crying and them murmuring soothing noises.

~~~~~

Micah's footsteps echoed around the hallway around him.

Stupid...Stupid...Stupid! He thought as he threw the fitting rooms door open. Florence glanced at him, sighed, and then retreated into the back room. She knew how he got sometimes.

Micah pulled at his hair as he stood in the middle of the room. He had been so overcome by his anger back there, that he just stormed off.

You left her there with them. A voice whispered in his head and he shook it. More anger boiled up inside him and he turned to the closest rack of clothing. He knocked it to the ground and ran a hand through his hair. Realizing what he'd done, he sighed.

"You're so stupid." He whispered to himself as he sank down and sat on the floor. "Stop letting your emotions get in the way. You're not gonna end up with her." He rested his head on his knees.

But why...He thought, why do I continue to help her. Why do i want to see her smile? I notice every little thing about her! It's..it's so.. frustrating!

Micah sat there, steadying his breath and calming himself down. Slowly the realization hit him. He did leave you there...alone, with the two things he promised he would protect you from. His panicked expression landed on the door and he stood back up knowing he had to go find you. He want to even think about the princes comforting you.





A/N: To make up for the lack of 2 updates yesterday, I'm gonna try to do three today. Lord help me. I write these in the middle of the night so I'm probably not gonna get any sleep but I don't get it anyway! ^-^