Chapter 6

I quickly reach my hand around the wall and flick on the light to reveal my annoying step brother sitting on my bed. He has clearly just come from combat training, his shirt is off and a fine sheen of sweat is still visible on his skin. It's a shame he is so ugly on the inside because on the outside he really is a handsome man.

“What are you doing here, Niall?” I snap. His piercing blue eyes shift to mine, and for a second I think I see some vulnerability there.

“Why were you out near the border?” he demands, getting to his feet and coming to stand intimidatingly close to me.

“Why do you care?” I huff and attempt to move around him. Niall moves to block me and brings his hand to my chin, he grips it hard and forces me to look at him.

Is he trying to make me challenge him so he has a valid reason to beat me? I won't play into his stupid games. I shift my gaze to the side avoiding his eyes.

“Look at me, Freya,” he growls. I attempt to shake my head but he grips my chin tighter. I have never felt more vulnerable and small than right now. His hand feels huge and strong enough that he could easily snap my neck with a quick flick of his wrist, “I want you to look at me whilst you explain why you put yourself in danger. Was it that guardian? Have you been sneaking off to have a relationship with him?”

“What? No. Of course not,” I gasp, finally meeting his gaze. His eyes search mine as if looking for the truth there.

“If it's not him then who was it? Who were you meeting with? Or are you sneaking out there to entertain all the lonely guardians?” he accuses, “those men would use you and throw you away as if you were garbage!”

“How dare you!” I snap, my temper flaring at his absurd accusations. “Just because you share your body with multiple people it does not mean that I do, I am nothing like you,” I hiss, holding his gaze now without care.

He studies me for a moment before a smirk spreads over his lips and I’m sure I detect a hint of pride in his eyes. He releases his hold on me with a satisfied nod.

“Good. IF I was to find out any man had been taking advantage of my sister that way they'd be severely punished. So what were you doing out there?” he asks, his tone lighter now, almost friendly as he goes to sit back on the edge of my bed. 

At this rate, I'm going to have to add another injury to my list because his mood swings are going to give me whiplash.

“Didn’t you ask me to stay out of your way and sacrifice myself?” I shrug like it's no big deal as I hobble towards my bathroom to retrieve my bathrobe that hangs over the door. I want to change out of these clothes and sheets but I can’t whilst Niall is here so my bathrobe is my next best option for now.

“So you are saying this is my fault?” he asks, his tone darkening again.

“Would I have gone there if you hadn't been so mean? No, but you didn't force me out there,” I sigh. I don’t have the energy for another argument with him right now. I reach up to grab my bathrobe and my crutch topples over, causing me to lose my balance and stumble back on my injured ankle. Warm hands catch my waist and steady me.

“Thanks,” I breathe as I screw my eyes shut and wait for the pain to pass. Niall's hands remain on me and I'm about to tell him I'm good and that he can let go when something dawns on me. I can feel his bare skin on my own. I open my eyes and look down to see the sheet now in a pile at my feet. Embarrassment floods me, I'm pretty sure I've just given him some ammunition for his next round of bullying.

“Niall, let me go,” I push at his hands but his grip tightens.

“Who did this to you?” he asks with a barely contained growl.

“What?” I look over my shoulder at him and see his eyes are fixated on my lower back. “I fell backwards when the rogue attacked me, it's just a few grazes,” I explain.

“Not those, these older scars. Who did them?” he demands.

“You did,” I breathe and Naill lets me go like I just burnt him, he sucks in a breath and storms out of my room, slamming the door behind him.

What the hell is his problem now? Did he really think all his childhood pranks wouldn't leave scars? I position myself in the mirror to take a look at what he saw. 

The scars are years old and barely visible now. They had been caused by a rock when Niall had cut the rope of our tyre swing. I hadn't noticed the frayed rope was ready to snap and had been swinging on it when it finally gave way. I had landed painfully on a sharp rock and had needed stitches. How could he have forgotten that? My mother had been so angry at me for not being more observant and I had heard Niall bragging to his friends that he'd purposely cut the rope so I'd fall.

I change into pyjamas and get into bed to rest. Nanny Gwen brings dinner up for me and she sits with me, chatting whilst I eat and making me forget all about Niall’s strange behaviour. Soon after dinner, I fall asleep, exhausted from everything that's happened in the last twenty-four hours.

Morning arrives and I manage to shower and replace my bandages alone before making my way downstairs for breakfast.

“What are you doing up?” Niall's voice startles me as I enter the kitchen. He sits at the breakfast bar with a steaming cup of coffee whilst Nanny Gwen prepares bacon and eggs.

“I wanted some breakfast before I catch up on my schoolwork,” I say, confused at his interest. He never talks to me in the morning. Not even to be mean. He hates mornings.

“Good morning, Dear. How do you feel this morning?” Gwen asks.

“Sore and exhausted,” I admit.

“You should sit down,” Niall says before he gets out of his chair and pulls out a second one next to him, motioning for me to take it. 

I frown and look at Nanny Gwen to see if she is seeing this. She gives me a knowing smile and a nod of encouragement. My mind flashes back to her words about earning Niall’s favour and I wonder if she has put in a good word for me.

“Thanks,” I smile, taking the offered seat.

“You don’t need to worry about schoolwork today. I have spoken with the school and informed them you will be homeschooled for the next month while you recover and to prevent any further bullying in school. I am arranging a tutor to start in a few days so you have some time to recover,” Niall informs me as he pours a glass of apple juice and places it in front of me.

Is this a dream or have I woken up in an alternate reality? Or maybe, just maybe his guilt is finally catching up with him.

“Thank you, but there's really no need, I can...” I start.

“It's already arranged, you will stay home,” he says sternly, cutting off my protests.

“Okay,” I reluctantly agree. I’m not sure if he genuinely cares or if he has ulterior motives but it would be nice to take a break from school and maybe put a stop to the bullying.

I pick up the glass of juice and eye it suspiciously, taking a sniff of it to see if I can detect anything in there that shouldn't be. I don’t trust him. Niall sighs and takes the glass from my hand, taking a large gulp before handing it back to me without a word. 

Is he trying to earn my trust?

The next two days pass without incident. I am too exhausted both emotionally and physically to do much of anything so I confine myself to my bedroom, my only visitor is Nanny Gwen. By day three I am ready to leave these purple walls. I need some fresh air. My ankle is healing quickly and I make my way down the stairs without the need for my crutches.

“Oh good, you're up,” Niall greets me when I reach the bottom of the stairs, “are you ready to start your schooling?”

“Yes, is the tutor here?” I ask, glancing around for any sign of them.

“I’ll be tutoring you,” he says and I almost laugh but the look on his face is serious.

“You? Aren't you supposed to be at college?” I frown.

“Nope, I have taken some leave to focus on you. Should we get started?” he gestures to the dining room. I walk in to see that he has set the room up as a makeshift classroom. There are textbooks stacked on the table, art supplies, and workbooks. He has really put a lot of thought and effort into this.

But can he really have turned his attitude towards me around this quickly? I am so confused.