He sat on the edge of the bed, looking so desperately tired and miserable. "I want you to go. I want you to not be here. Go away and leave me alone."
"You always leave," he said sorrowfully, tears slipping down his cheeks again as he pulled the blanket up and turned his back to her. "You left the first time and you'll leave again and again."
The door opened a while later, and the dark haired girl peeked her head in, pausing as her eyes focused on Aspen. "Who... are you?"
The girl frowned, moving forward. "Are you a new recruit?" she asked, almost confused. "You shouldn't be in here." She brushed August's hair back gently. "He needs to sleep."
She looked incredible upset. "I don't know you very well, but please just trust me to stay in here. We have history."
She seemed irritated, looking down at August. "The King is my first priority," she said nervously. "I will tell him you needed to talk to him, but you cannot stay in his sleeping quarters..."
She looked up before standing. "You'll tell him? I'd be grateful for that.. If you'd do that I'll leave for now."
She nodded, but August woke in that moment. He was quiet, sensing their presence. "Ida?" "Yes," she said gently, coming over and taking his outstretched hand, squeezing it soothingly. "Yes, it's me. Are you alright?" "I had the most awful terrors last night," he said weakly.
Ida looked at her anxiously. "There's someone here to see you. She says her name is Aspen." August's face went completely pale and he froze.
