Chapter 40
Our moment was disturbed by shouts coming from the direction of the spiral staircase.
“King Cassius King Cassius” I turned to see who had, once again stolen a perfect moment with Cassius from me. It was Areit. Of course it was I glowered at him. When he saw my face he covered his grin with his hand. I wanted to punch him in the face Cassius growled.
“What is it?” He asked annoyed. I could see by his expression that he was just as frustrated as I was about being interrupted, yet again.
“King Calan set me to inform you it’s time. He has already left.” Time? For what? Whatever it was had Cassius’ entire body tensing up until it felt like I was holding on to a rock. Looking up at his face, it had turned into an unreadable mask.
It was scaring me.
“Already?” I thought I heard him curse under his breath. “Fine— we will follow them.” Gripping my hand so tightly, it began to throb from the lack of blood flow. He started pulling me toward the open staircase.
“Sire?” Areit called. Cassius swung us around violently. None of the events were making any sense. Why was he so angry? Where were we going? Where was King Calan? The only time I’d ever seen Cassius angry involved Tommit. Did he escape? Was he coming back? The thought terrified me. “I was asked to escort you.”
“I will be fine on my own.”
“As you wish but I could take Aurora” he didn’t even finish getting the words out of his lips. Cassius let go of me and used both of his hands to push Areit back. For some reason he was prepared for it and stayed in place.
“I can take care of her She will be going with me” I felt bad for Areit. Cassius was overreacting, at least in my opinion. Something was going on and I didn’t like it. Something had unhinged Cassius in the time since he had been called to talk to King Calan.
What could he have told him?
“Stop it” I jumped between them. “What is wrong with the both of you?” They shared a knowing gaze which only frustrated me more.
“Fine. If you insist on escorting me, it will be up to you to keep up.” A strange smile crossed Cassius’ lips. He led me thru the castle until we found our way to the stable. While Areit was saddling his horse Cassius smiled down at me. “Wait here a moment.” He leaned down and softly brushed my lips with his.
He rushed toward the back of the barn; I knew just where he was heading —Darant. No horse could keep up with him. I waited, wondering what twist my life was about to take this time. I was lost, deep in my thoughts, when I could feel a presence behind me.
“You looked far away.”
“I was. What is going on with you and Cassius?”
Areit laughed. “I think he doesn’t like me. Imagine?” I smiled.
“Where are we going?” He looked at me confused.
“He didn’t tell you?” I shook my head no.
“I wonder why? There is no reason to hide it from you.”
“He isn’t hiding anything from me. I’m sure he is going to tell me. In case you haven’t noticed he has been a little preoccupied.” He looked at me, standing there in my red dress, in a way that made my entire body flushed.
“I can understand being distracted.” I looked around for Cassius, where was he? This moment was getting way to.. intimate. The way his eyes were burned told me that I needed this conversation to end—now.
I heard the familiar sound of footsteps, or rather hoof steps. I turned to see Darant carrying Cassius on his back. I prayed he missed the last part of our conversation. I could see in his gaze he hadn’t. He was glaring at Areit, and I was glad he was on my side. He reached down encouraging me to take his hand and I did so willingly. In a quick moment, I was seated in front of him and we were on our way out of the stable. I could hear Areit yelling in the background. Cassius buried his head in my hair and wrapped his arms around me tightly.
I should have been afraid, being up in the air, but fear was the last thought in my confused mind.
We flew passed the beautiful fairy forest and past the rising beanstalks and on into the blackened forest. We landed in a small clearing down a hillside. We sat in silence for a moment, before Cassius spoke.
“Aurora, I have news. I was going to tell you before, but Areit cut our time short.” He leapt off the Pegasus and reached for me. Pulling me off with one swift motion, he pulled me close. The rapid motion took my breath from me. My heart was so loud, I wondered if he could hear it. Leaning down he touched my lips with his again. His touch, his scent, they made me dizzy. I was starting to forget why we were in this deserted part of the troll forest. I moved my hand along his shoulders, there was still tension there. That was all the reminder I needed.
I pulled out of our embrace and I forced his gaze to meet mine.
“Why did you bring me here?” His face fell. I could see, whatever the reason, caused him great suffering. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer to my question.
“They found the well.” He said it so simply, it was as if he was telling me it was raining. The Well? As in the magical wishing well? I felt like I was going to fall over. My head was spinning and I felt sick. I turned away from him. I couldn’t face him now. Was he taking me there to take me home? Did he want me gone? My head sunk into my hands. I felt his arms wrap around my waist. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you but I was worried.”
“Are you sending me home?” My voice was flat and no emotion was betrayed.
“NO_ I don’t want you to go. Can’t you see why I had such a difficult time telling you? I was terrified this was your answer. We only found two Para’s. Each kingdom will be gifted one. If you want, I will use ours to wish you home.” I could hear the pain in his voice. I turned to see if his eyes matched his voice. They were frozen and distant. As much as I had wanted to go home earlier today, the thought it could actually happen now had my blood running cold. I could never be so selfish as to take the one and only wish away from the people I had grown to love.
“No. Paradan needs the wish more than I do.” A rush of relief cascaded across his features.
“Shall we go, then?” His hand offered me a promise of adventures to come and I accepted.