Chapter 15

HIS expression turned serious, and he raised his head to look around. I caught the bright gleam of silver from between the leaves — the silver of a palace guard.

I knew Aiden had seen it, too. He shut his eyes tightly, grabbing my hand. I watched as he opened them slowly, turning to me. "I've put a shield of air around us, but I don't know how long it will last. Don't let go of my hand. And run!"

We bolted, the leaves and branches turning into a blur as we ran. We went faster at the sound of heavy boots behind us. But I thought we would escape, when —

A large wall of dirt rose up. We slammed into it. I fell to the ground, my hand ripped away from Aiden's, my head pounding. The fall had expelled all the air from my lungs. I gasped, trying to catch my breath.

I opened my eyes. The trees were spinning, fractured. I blinked several times until I could see clearly. I pushed myself up, stumbling as my feet straightened. My hand fumbled around until it found Aiden's.

His fingers wrapped around mine and squeezed once, as if trying to reassure me. But I looked at his face. He was just as worried as I was. I drew closer to him as we waited.

Her shape emerged from the trees, long hair whipping in the wind. Another five soldiers revealed themselves from the trees around us.

We were surrounded.

I tensed at her high cackles. "What are you doing here?" I shouted. My heart was racing at the sight of her.

She raised an eyebrow. "Why, Elvina, I'm glad to see you looking so well. They've been taking care of you, hmm?"

I tried to hide the tremble of my lips, my chin. Aiden's hand tightened on mine.

Ivy sighed. "Daughter, you know what I'm here for, don't you?"

My entire body began to shake as the soldiers stepped closer, making the circle around us smaller. "Don't do this," I said, trying to sound confident.

"Oh no, darling. I will finish what I started. I will wipe all the traces away. And you're the last piece."

What did she mean by that?

"Leave her alone!" Aiden said suddenly, tone hard.

Her eyes shot to him, and they narrowed. "Ah, is this his son?" Then they fell to our entwined hands. Her lips parted slightly. "How interesting."

Aiden and I traded confused glances.

"I learnt something from your father, boy." She gave him a long glance. My heart sank. I knew that look.

With a flick of her hand, branches from the trees stretched out and grabbed him, tearing his hand away from mine and pulling him next to Ivy.

His eyes widened as he tried to shout something through the branches over his mouth.

I felt strong hands grip my arms.

"Stop!" Aiden yelled, finally breaking through his gag, the branches ripping away.

Ivy glanced between us, lips pursed.

I was shoved to the ground by one of her soldiers. I groaned from the ground, not having enough strength to get up again.

"Why are you doing this?" Aiden shouted.

Ivy's eyes darkened. "I have my reasons." The lackey kicked me once for good measure, and walked back to his position among the trees, leaving Ivy, Aiden and I in the middle of the circle. I put a hand to my ribs, knowing there would be a bruise.

"Stop! Leave her alone!" Aiden screamed.

Ivy's eyes flicked to him. "Alright, then."

She raised her right hand, pointing her index finger at him, and instantly, the branches began to squeeze him tighter, strangling him. I could see him gasping for breath.

He was going to die.

"NO!" I screamed, squeezing my eyes shut.

Silence.

When I opened my eyes, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. All the snow from the ground had melted into water, risen, and had enveloped Ivy and her five men. The branches around Aiden had fallen away and were poised pointing towards them, waiting.

I looked at Aiden, now completely free, shocked. He looked even more surprised than I felt. "Did you do this?" I yelled, standing up.

He shook his head. "No! It must be — " He didn't finish, but I knew what he was going to say.

Me.

Not possible. "No, it must be you, I —" Then I realized how strong I felt, the constant hum of a migraine about to come — gone. I was standing taller, straighter, confident.

I had done this.

Yes. You are my Chosen One. Use your power.

Words brushed through my head, in a voice so ethereal and eternal I knew instantly who it was. If any elf heard this voice, they would know.

Nalvia? I asked silently.

Go.

The reply came immediately, and I felt hollowness in my head again, and I knew she had gone.

I glanced at Ivy and the soldiers, whose eyes had fluttered shut. I relaxed, and the water dripped away from them as they collapsed to the ground.

"We have to go! Come on!" I cried to Aiden. He shot a glance at the now-unconscious Ivy and her men and raised his hands. Wind rushed past us and under us, lifting me up and carrying me forward.

He grinned. "Now this I did."

"I'm tired," I said, yawning slightly, feeling the weariness in every part of my body. We were still riding on the wind Aiden had summoned, apparently able to do so because the air was 'Forest air', and, as such, could be used by elves.

"Well, I'm not surprised," Aiden said, looking proud, "You just lifted, melted, and used snow to trap six people. What did you think? You'd be energized?"

It was fascinating the way his eyes crinkled at the corners and his eyebrows slightly drew together over his eyes when he was amused or happy, and I was glad I'd gotten the chance to see that.

I looked away, clearing my throat.

"So, how do you think she found us?"

He shrugged. "I have no idea. We'll ask someone when we reach the camp." Though the attack was long over, fear still hung like a shroud over my heart. The way she knew where we were was so frightening. I didn't know what to make of it.

She'd found us — found me — twice, thrice if you counted the night Birch had rescued me, when she'd cornered me in the meadow. There had to be some way she was doing it. Not even Ivy was so lucky.

"How far is the camp?" I asked. He narrowed his eyes, squinting into the distance like he was trying to look into the Forest and see the camp.

"About three more days."

I nodded, and we lapsed into silence, both almost dropping off to sleep, until the sky began to darken. "Why don't we...stop here?" Aiden yawned. He had to be even more tired than me, supporting us both this whole time.

I nodded. He gently let us down onto the grass. I stood up, glancing around.

He'd picked a good place. There was soft grass on the ground, and enough trees that we wouldn't be seen if someone happened to come.

"You sleep, I'll sit and guard us." He suggested.

I gave him a stern look. "No, I'll sit up. You sleep. You're really tired."

He shook his head. "No, it's okay. Princesses need their beauty rest, you know." He tried to joke to make it seem like he was awake, but a huge yawn overcame him at the end of it, proving me right.

I gave him a fake glare. "You. Sleep. Now."

He sighed, finally relenting, I sat down, leaning against a tree. He laid down beside me, pulling a blanket from the bag over himself. His eyes closed, and he dropped off to sleep almost immediately.

His face was so peaceful and serene when he was sleeping, unlike when he was awake. I looked closer at his face — lips thin but pink, short eyelashes, a long nose. He turned onto his side, pulling the blanket tighter around himself.

My hand automatically strayed to his forehead, brushing his hair in small circles. It was silent, only owl hoots and animal rustles making their way through the bushes.

I felt more peaceful in that moment than I think I ever had before.

This is almost the same, right? Don't forget to:

Vote!

Comment!

And share!

Thanks for reading!