by Wylie, Jen
He nodded and followed suit as she sat in a patch of grass.
He glanced over at her after a few moments of silence. "How are you doing?"
She shrugged and fiddled with a few blades of grass. "My head still hurts a bit." When he didn't say anything further she looked over at him. He frowned as he stared off into the distance. "What?"
He shook his head slightly. "I cannot protect you from him."
She smiled a little and shrugged again. "No one can." She made a face. "I don't know why he's doing this to me."
Prince sighed. "He believes in that prophecy."
She snorted. "It's nonsense right? It hardly makes any sense. He probably has it all wrong."
Prince nodded. "So it goes with such things."
"Have you heard this prophecy he mentioned?"
He shook his head. "I've heard of it, but not the exact words."
She glanced over at him. "Do you think..." She paused. "He's not right is he? I'm not going to be queen of...of the Fey." She blushed as she stuttered over the words. "I mean, I'm human. It doesn't make any sense."
"Personally, I don't think so. You are human. I cannot see the Fey following you."
Her relief at his words made her almost giddy and she smiled.
"However," he continued. "I do believe it is you the prophecy mentioned. I would say it is possible you will somehow help the Fey become what they once were. The prophecy does not say you will become the queen." He shrugged as she stared at him. "You are very young, Aro. You have many years ahead of you to do great things. I do truly believe you capable of that."
She ducked her head when his words caused her cheeks to flush. "I just wish he'd leave me alone."
"He believes you will be a queen. They are powerful. Powerful enough to fight a Dragos. He has reason to take interest in you."
She grimaced. "I'm making my walls stronger this time. Maybe eventually I'll be able to keep him out."
He glanced over at her. "What you did...it is impressive."
She laughed. "For a human?"
"Yes," he said, smiling faintly.
"Could you keep him out?"
"If I were stronger. At home..." He shook his head and looked away again. "Even then, not if he really wanted in. It would not be easy for him however." He looked over at her again. "You've left your surface thoughts free. How did you know to do that? I had wondered at that."
She shrugged. "I don't know. It felt right."
He nodded as if her words made perfect sense.
She glanced over at him as she began pulling up grass. "Can you be in my head? Like he was this time? Can you see what I made?"
"Yes."
She paused a moment. "Have you been already?"
He shook his head. "Not within your mind. I...read surface thoughts. That is all."
She nodded she understood. "Can you talk to me, in my head?"
He chuckled. "I could. Yes."
She chewed on her lower lip for a moment. "Could you help me? Teach me how to make my walls stronger. Or better. Whatever."
He regarded her thoughtfully for a while. Was he struggling to think of a nice way to say no? A blush of embarrassment crept across her cheeks.
"You trust me so much." It wasn't a question.
She answered it like it had been, "I do. I trust you with everything."
He shook his head slightly, as if he couldn't believe her words.
Laughing, she leaned over and purposely bumped shoulders with him.
He glanced over at her, a startled look on his face for a moment before he smiled. "Time to go."
She looked toward the road and saw the others approaching. "It is," she agreed, scrambling to her feet much less gracefully than he did. They both pulled their packs back on.
Prince reached over and took her hand. She looked up at him in confusion as he turned to face her, his back to the others. "Thank you," he said quietly. "For not letting me go."
She grinned and shrugged, ducking her head a little. He had sounded so serious she wasn't sure how to respond.
"You mean a great deal to me, Arowyn. Please, never forget that."
"I won't," she said, wincing at little at how shallow her words sounded. He meant so much to her too. She just wasn't sure how to say it.
I understand.
She started and glanced up at him before laughing. "I suppose you do."
Shael.
Her brows drew together as she cocked her head to the side and stared up at him in confusion. "That I really don't understand," she admitted.
He raised a finger to his lips. My last secret I give to you, and only you. Keep it safe.
It took her only a moment before she made the connection. "Your name," she whispered.
He nodded once, solemnly and then winked at her.
She laughed and squeezed his hand.
He turned to face the others again. "Am I forgiven now?"
She nodded, still smiling. "Of course." I will always forgive you.
Overall she thought their reunion went well. Kei hung back and glared. Bo and Cain tentatively shook hands and accepted Prince's stilted apology with more grace than she thought possible. She grinned at them all, swatted Kei and tried not to bounce about too happily.
"Let's get moving boys!"
They hesitated, clearly hoping to stop for a break.
She clapped her hands. "Come on! Before our prince keels over and dies." She flashed Prince a wicked grin when he stared at her in shock.
She had forgiven him for keeping his secrets.
Mostly.
Other Works by Jen Wylie
Flashy Fiction and Other Insane Tales (anthology with Sean Hayden)
Sweet Light (novel)
Dark Madness (novel-coming soon!)
Ring Around the Rosie (short story)
Jump (short story)
Immortal Echoes
-The Forgotten Echo (novella)
-The Untouchable Echo (short story)
Tales of Ever (YA novella series)
-Banished
-Fire Girl
-Shadow Boy
-The Lost Tree
-Dragon Rising
-Sanctuary
Jen Wylie's Biography
Jen Wylie resides in rural Ontario, Canada with her two boys, Australian shepherd, and a disagreeable amount of wildlife. In a cosmic twist of fate she dislikes the snow and cold.
Before settling down to raise a family, she attained a BA from Queens University and worked in retail and sales.
Thanks to her mother she acquired a love of books at an early age and began writing in public school. She constantly has stories floating around in her head, and finds it amazing most people don’t. Jennifer writes various forms of fantasy, both novels and short stories.
Find out more about Jen at www.jenniferwylie.ca and follow her on twitter @jen_wylie
