The Prisoner of Fate

by Jacob L White

  I passed the driver some silver and was on my way. Snow started to fall at the start of the week, slowing down traffic and travel. I was lucky enough I was only a day’s ride away. I went to the familiar path that led off the road to my house. My father's wagon lay dormant in the corner. He’d already made it home for the winter solstice. I saw the smoke rising from the chimney and smiled. I was home.

  "Try and relax," I whispered to myself. "No competition here."

  I pushed our door open and the snow tried to force its way in. Three familiar faces stared at me when I walked in.

  "Noah!" My mother yelled and Tanner yelled in unison. "Go and get your father from the barn, Gabriel."

  "Of course, Mama.” He nodded a greeting at me. “Noah."

  I responded with a small smile. I took off my outer cloak and hung it on the far wall next to the rest. I kicked off my boots and walked into the family room, where my mother was. She wrapped her arms around me

  "I'm so glad you are still alive."

  "Wow, thanks for the confidence, Mother."

  She patted my face and sat me at the table. Ian came up from behind and put me in a headlock. "No letters? Tell me, why I should let you live?"

  "My charm?"

  "No, absolutely not." He acted as though he snapped my neck and I went limp. I came back up and smiled at my brother.

  "Good to see you."

  "And you. How is everything? Any girls yet?"

  I gave him a flat stare. "What about you? You should have at least three children by now."

  "Oh, stop teasing one another," Mother said as she put a plate of bread in front of me. I hadn't eaten all day, so I was thankful for it.

  My father barged in. "Where is he?"

  "Here, Father."

  "There's my boy."

  My boy?

  He walked over and shuffled my hair and sat across from me. "So, tell me everything."

  "I don't know if we have that type of time. But I shall try."

  "There can't be that much." He said shoving a piece of bread in his mouth.

  "Oh, let him rest, will you?" Mother complained.

  My father stood up. "No time for that. Ian grab your sword. Let's see what he has learned."

  "What an excellent idea!" Ian jumped up

  "I'd rather just talk..." But no one was listening. I slouched my head and looked to Mama. "Do I have to?"

  "It would please your father. You better get a move on. We will talk later. I'm happy you are home." She embraced me once more.

  I stood and slouched. I slowly walked to the door to get my boots and cloak back on. It was too cold not to wear it. I stepped outside with my father's sword already taken out, waiting for Ian. Everyone else stood right outside the door, waiting for the show.

  Ian took a couple of practice swings.

  I sighed. "I'm really not it the mood for this..."

  "Scared you will hurt me?" Ian said.

  "I'm more scared of catching a sickness."

  "Come on. I’ll make it quick."

  "Thanks..." But I wasn't that thankful.

  "Come on already. My willy is gonna fall off."

  My mother slapped Tanner's chest, causing us all to laugh. I backed up a few spaces and took my fighting stance. I let out my hot breath and waited. "Well, come on."

  Ian ran towards me and a gust of wind blew up the snow around us. I took the opportunity to move without him knowing. But the wind didn't stop, it just got harder. I was then lifted slowly into the air, smiling like a fool. The rest of my family grabbed one another in anticipation. "Here I come!" I screamed, and flew directly at Ian, causing him to back up several steps and fall on his backside.

  I started laughing as I gently touched down to the ground. Everyone ran up to me. Had Aster really came here?

  "Did they emerge?" my father asked as he put his arms on my shoulders.

  "No. That would be my roommate. Come on out, Aster."

  He ran out of the tree line smiling. He was dressed in much more opulent furs than mine, clearly showing the difference in our status. He made it to us and gave a deep bow.

  "Please forgive me, I couldn't resist."

  I ran up to him and gave him a quick embrace. Without thinking about how it would look. "What are you doing here?"

  "Plain answer, I didn't want to go home, so I followed you. I hope that’s not a problem?" He looked around.

  "The more the merrier," Ian said. "Now, tell me about the women at the Royal Academy..."

  Their voices faded as they walked inside.

  "I'm sorry, Father. I didn't know he was coming."

  "Oh, no. It’s alright. I'm more disappointed that you haven’t emerged yet. Sometimes I feel like I did something to hold you back."

  "You know that’s not true," I told him. "However, if we could go back inside, I'm sure they would come much faster."

  He smiled and ushered me into our home. We sat at the table and Ian was grinning at me. What had Aster done now? I sat down next to him, closer than I should have. But I was willing to risk it. Everyone else joined us beside Gabriel, who decided to spend his time sleeping in his room.

  "Father. Ian told me something very perplexing." Tanner said.

  "Oh, and what was that?" Father replied fixing himself another helping of potatoes.

  "Guess what Noah is ranked?" Ian finished for Tanner.

  "Is he in the top one hundred?" He excitedly said, "Serena, bring out the ale!"

  "I'm afraid not. It's much better than that." Ian said.

  "Oh, really?" My father sat down at the table.

  Aster mouthed ‘sorry’ to me as my father spoke. "Noah, when were you planning on telling me this?"

  "It's not a big deal."

  "What place are you, son?"

  "One," I mumbled.

  "What?" everyone echoed together.

  "I'm first, okay?" The room went silent. Then, my father cheered, spurring the rest to do the same.

  "In fact, he is the strongest seven that has ever attended. Never having to use his powers once."

  The room was silent and they looked around at each other.

  I just smiled at the awkwardness. "It's okay. He knows."

  A sigh left my father as he passed us an ale. "To number one!"

  And we all drank. After that, more stories erupted about my battles against Tye, and how I saved Aster during our last trial. If Aster was anything, he was a great storyteller. He knew where to place the suspense and the ending. It was like listening to a book. My mother kicked me under the table and nudged her head to follow her. I stood as quietly as I could and went to my mother's room.

  Once inside she embraced me again. "How is everything?"

  "It's fine, Mama."

  "Oh, my precious girl." Then her hands fell to her sides and she sat down. "Does the boy know?"

  "He does."

  "Do I have to explain how incredibly stupid that was of you?"

  "I didn't have a choice..." I sat at her feet as she combed through my hair. "I'm sorry, Mama. I just couldn't help myself one night and I kissed him."

  Her hands slowed for a second.

  "After that, I had to tell him."

  "Well, what is he like?" I sat down next to her.

  "He is nice and fierce. I think you and Papa would like him very much if you got to know him. He is very much like me." I put my head on her shoulder.

  "I'm sure we would. But I don't need to say how dangerous this is."

  "You don't. I already know the dangers."

  "Good. Then break it off with the boy before you both get too attached and he does something out of anger opposed to rational thought. I don't want him telling your secret."

  I didn't answer her. I just let her fiddle with my hair.

  * * *

  I led Aster through the forest to my secret river. Well, not so secret anymore, thanks to Raina. I lightly tapped on the frozen river and the ice was thickly formed. I slid across, laughing.

  "So, this is the river
I've heard about?" Aster asked.

  "It is.” I swept my arms through the air. “What do you think?"

  "If it's yours, I love it." He always knew how to make me smile. But maybe mama was right. It would be better if I just stopped things now. But is that what I wanted?

  "Well, since you know about it, it's yours as well."

  "Thank you for this humbling gift." He jumped onto the river and slid after me. He caught me, making me spin in a circle. His arms found my back and smiled at me. He brought his lips down and kissed me. I felt light in my toes as I kissed him back. I caressed his face and pulled away.

  "Thank you for following me. But you could have just asked."

  "I know. I just didn't want to go home and hear more speeches about how I'm not number one."

  "Well, I am much more superior."

  "I suppose there is always someone stronger." He held me close and I just rested my head on his chest. He was only a head taller but it was the perfect height for me. I felt his chest rise and fall as he breathed. He just held me humming a soft tune as if we were dancing. I closed my eyes and imagined it in a big ballroom. With stunning lighting and hundreds of people. I was dressed in a big yellow flowing gown. People addressed me as ma'am. He lightly pushed off the ice sending us sliding gently. He held my hand above my head, rotating me, making my fantasy of the ball all the more real.

  "One day we will do this for real if you want. We could go away to a far city where nobody knows us." I looked up at him.

  "Thank you, Aster. For everything. Without you, I’d be lost."

  "Well without you, I’d be nowhere. So, let's say we are better together than alone."

  "Agreed." I reached up and kissed him again but this time it was more profound. I wanted more of him. I grabbed a fistful of his cloak, trying to pull him even closer. My mouth melted on his as steam rose from our breath. I pulled him off the frozen river and threw him on the ground, laughing. I got on top of him and kissed him again.

  "I think... I like frozen... rivers," Aster got out.

  "Shut it." I slipped my tongue into his mouth. I wasn't experienced in anything, but I loved being close to Aster. It was a feeling I couldn't explain. It just felt comfortable. His arms gripped around my back and brought our chests together. He flipped me over onto my back. A small stone dug into my back but I didn't care. I wanted more. I drove my hips into his and felt his excitement. I tried to show him mine as best I could. His hand found my backside as he pulled one of my legs up. A branch broke in the far distance. Aster jerked up, going to his knee. I tried to stay as flat as I could. My eyes were wide and my cheeks were hot. Even though we heard the noise, my body still yearned his.

  "Nobody knows we are here. Come back." I pulled on his cloak, but he resisted.

  "Somebody is here, love."

  I flipped over to my stomach and looked out into the brush.

  That was when I saw a black cloak.

  Not again.

  Why can't I have something to myself? I hit the ground sending snow into the air. I was beyond mad and really wanted to kill whoever it was. Then, the dress flowed outward and I recognized the floral pattern from the day she joined me in the river. Raina.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Consequences

  "No. Please no. Not again." I took off at a sprint with Aster right behind.

  "We’ll stop them," he said chasing after me.

  "I know, we don't have a choice," I said as I dodged trees and brush.

  Only one person wearing a dress knew where I would have been if she went searching. Raina. I screamed out her name to try and get her to stop. But she didn't. She just kept running towards my house. I tripped and ate a face-full of dirt.

  Shit.

  Aster helped me off and we continued our chase. But, my fall cost us the time we needed. She already had a significant lead on us. Then, I heard her scream.

  "Olsen's!" she said as she ran.

  I swallowed and kept running. I was gaining on her as I came out of the forest. But it was too late. My father came running out of the house with a sword drawn.

  "You need to leave, Aster. They will kill you once they find out." I stopped at the forest line.

  "No, I'm not leaving. Stronger together, remember."

  I don't know who was more stubborn, me or him.

  "Aster, go." I shoved him.

  "We will only incriminate ourselves further if I leave. Think about it. Just walk out as if nothing happened.”

  I walked back and forth thinking. He might be right. "This doesn't mean I'm not mad for you not leaving."

  "I know, and I'm sorry."

  "We will talk later. For now, let's make sure I don't get murdered." We took a deep breath to calm ourselves.

  "Remember to laugh," he said as we walked out of the woods.

  I did as he said and continued walking. My father locked eyes with me, his shoulders rose and deeply fell. His breathing was erratic.

  Yeah, I was going to die. We reached Raina and my father. Ian came outside to see what was going on.

  "Go back inside, Ian. Now." My father commanded.

  Ian turned around and left before he could even get a word out.

  "What's going on, Father?" I asked.

  My father looked between Aster and me. "You tell me. Raina, please tell them what you told me."

  "They were kissing and about to have sex. I saw it all. How could you, Noah?"

  "Wait a minute. We were not kissing," I said.

  "Then how would you describe it?" my father asked as he crossed his arms.

  "We were wrestling. How do you think I got so dirty?" I showed him the front of my clothes.

  "You are a liar," Rania called out.

  "Watch your words. Remember, you are talking to a seven," Aster said as he tried to back me up.

  Raina clenched her jaw.

  "Seven or not, he is my son and this is our home. Raina is a guest. You will watch your mouth as well." My father took a step forward.

  Aster bowed. "My deepest apologies, sir."

  My father looked at me. "Now. Is there truth to this, Noah?"

  "No, father. I told you we were just wrestling down by the river."

  He turned back to Raina. " Is it possible you were mistaken?"

  "I mean, I couldn't see everything. It was dark." Raina dug her foot into the ground avoiding eye contact.

  I let out a breath. Thank the gods for darkness.

  "Raina, it’s getting dark. You should head home." My father suggested.

  "But—”

  "Raina,” My father repeated, giving her a look that it was time to go.

  She stomped off, heading back towards town.

  "Next time don't wrestle in the snow. You will get sick. Now, both of you come inside."

  I followed my father inside and locked gazes with Aster. He merely smiled at me. But I was in no mood for it. We went to my room and I took off my cloak.

  My mother stormed in and slammed the door. "Have you no sense?”

  "We were just wrestling, ma'am," Aster said.

  "Oh, shut it. I already know you know."

  Aster didn't respond.

  “Everything could have been ruined,” my mother went on. “You are lucky that Raina girl is about as smart as a rock."

  "I'm sorry, Mama."

  "That’s not going to cut it this time. Whatever this is, it's finished.” She stared Aster down. “I'm sorry, but you will have to leave tomorrow."

  "No," I said.

  She stared back at me. "Excuse me?"

  "You heard me. No."

  She slapped me across the face. In shock, I just stood there with my head turned.

  "I'll ask again. What did you say?"

  I slowly turned my head, enraged. "I. Said. No."

  My mother walked the space of my small room while Aster stayed in the corner. He was smarter than I was.

  "He will be staying if he so chooses. It can’t be any other way. It will look too suspicious if he leav
es now." I firmly said.

  My mother stared at me.

  "I knew this school was going to be nothing but bad. Already you defy me and almost blow your secret the first day you are home."

  "It's not like that." I knew where this conversation was headed.

  "You will not return. Aster may stay, but I'm afraid he will be going back alone."

  Aster cleared his throat. "Ma'am, if I may."

  "You may not.” My mother didn't say anything else as she slammed the door behind her.

  I clenched my teeth together, "No more kissing in public, do you understand?"

  "We weren't in public. You said nobody ever went there. If anything, it's your fault."

  "What did you say?" I clenched my fists.

  He let out a sigh. "I'm sorry, that came out wrong."

  "Good choice." I sat down on my bed and Aster came over. He put his hand around my shoulder, and I shrugged it off. He did it again and this time, I allowed it.

  "Listen. I'm sorry for everything, okay? I shouldn't have done anything." He embraced me tighter.

  "No, it's my fault as well." I leaned my head into him. "I wanted it just as bad as you did."

  "You did?" He smiled.

  "Don't push your luck. But really. We are playing with fire. If anyone found out..."

  "About us? Well, we would be hung, probably. Unless you confessed you were a girl. Then we would be hung publicly for lying about being a seven."

  "Those aren't outstanding options."

  "I’d prefer a much more private party. You know, keep it intimate."

  "You are ridiculous.” I kissed his cheek. “I'm sorry for getting so mad."

  "It’s just as much my fault as it is yours." I grabbed his face and kissed him again. My hands remained on his face. "We have to be careful."

  "We will." And he kissed me to seal the promise.

  * * *

  The next day we woke up early and I showed him around our small town. We happened to run into Raina but went in the other direction immediately.

  "I hope she doesn't start a rumor about me,” I muttered.

  "Even if she did, I doubt many would believe her. Rumors have a real hard time sticking to a seven. However, I am curious. How have kept it a secret this long?"