Two Princesses, One Throne

Chapter 6

“It’s Amara, right?”

Amara froze on her seat when she heard her name from Damien; her heart racing thinking what if Damien is Arianna’s spy.

“What?” Amara whispered.

“Amara Dimitria. Sorceress. Princess. Daughter of the King who was murdered by the current Queen.” Damien said not giving Amara a single glance as he spoke; his eyes focused on making a small bonfire to keep them warm.

Standing up from the rock, Amara stretched her hand out but she hasn’t recovered enough magic to bring out her whip or any weapon. Amara’s eyes landed on Damien’s sword and when she’s about to take it Damien stood in front of her towering her with his tall and masculine figure.

“Don’t even think about it princess.” Damien warned in a rather deep voice. Amara almost melted when she felt his breath on her forehead as he spoke. She felt the warmth as his body stood close to her making her feel uncomfortable.

Damien took a step back feeling Amara’s uneasiness said, “I am not one of Arianna’s men if that’s what you’re thinking.” Amara blinked her eyes and felt calmed when she heard it but there is no hard proof of his claim. Amara sat a few meters away from Damien as a sign of caution. Seeing Amara’s action made Damien smirk with amusement.

Damien took a pair of wood rubbing them together to create fire. He made it with ease which amazed Amara. Because of the nature of her power, Amara always failed to create fire; she can even barely feel its heat.

“You need to get close to the fire if you want to keep yourself warm.” Damien started getting Amara’s attention.

“The cold doesn’t bother me. You need it more than I do.” Amara replied. One by one more blue butterflies appeared and flew around Amara as time passes.

Amara fell asleep with her back resting on the walls of the cave and her knees curled up. Damien was silently watching her as she takes in faint breaths. Damien spread out a blanket made out of animal fur, placing his bag on top which serves as a pillow. Standing up, there were no longer butterflies flying around Amara. Damien observed that Amara’s butterflies comfort her when she feels alone but she can’t keep them around when she’s sleeping.

Damien carried Amara and gently placing her on the blanket. He slowly placed her head on top of his bag and when Amara got settled onto the blanket, a smile crept on her lips. “Thank you.” Amara whispered but was enough for Damien to hear. A small smile appeared on Damien's lips as he leaned on the cave wall right behind Amara.

~~~~

Opening her eyes Amara almost panicked when she realized she’s not sleeping in a room. Looking around her eyes landed on Damien who’s silently observing her as he sat on the corner. Amara frowned rolling her eyes at him.

‘What’s his problem?’ Amara thought to herself. Blinking her eyes she realized she’s not on the same spot before she fell asleep. Turning her head, she saw that she’s two meters away from where she fell asleep last night. Looking back she asked, “How did I get here?”

“The castle soldiers------“

“No, I mean how did I end up sleeping RIGHT here?” asked Amara cutting Damien off. Damien blinked his eyes looking bored. Amara’s frown deepened, getting confused by Damien’s expression.

“What is your problem? I may be thankful that you saved me but I can take care of myself…….” Damien crawled closer to her making her leaned back.

“…from now….” and closer.

“…..on.” and closer until they’re only inches apart.

“What are you----“

“Shh.” Amara blinked her eyes swallowing her saliva.

“What is it?” she whispered making Damien glance at her.

“Soldiers.” Damien simply answered.

“How did you know?” Damien stared at her again as if telling her to shut up. Amara bit her tongue to stop herself from talking further.

Moments later horses are heard right outside the cave entrance. Both of them didn’t move an inch but Amara’s getting more and more uncomfortable because of their position. Damien’s leaning in close to her with his arm on her side to support his weight while she had her arms behind her to support her weight as well.

The sound of footsteps is getting closer to their direction. Damien looked at Amara and at the same time, she met his gaze with her eyes wide.

Closing her eyes Amara let her power flow from her body to the tip of her fingers to create an illusion. Amara fluttered her eyes open and when the soldiers came into view Damien was about to attack but Amara stopped him. Amara pressed her finger on his lips telling him to keep quiet. One of the soldiers stood only a foot away from them.

“She must have escaped during the night.” Said one of the soldiers getting the attention of the one standing before them.

“I thought so too. She must have left the horse to avoid us from seeing its tracks.” The soldier answered. When the soldiers finally left the cave and heard them leave, Amara let out a long sigh of relief.

“What did you just do?” asked Damien.

“I----“ realizing they’re still on the same position Amara said instead, “Can you move first, please?”

Damien cleared his throat as he backed away from Amara. When they finally got free from that awkward position, Amara felt like it was easier for her to breathe now.

“As I was saying, I created a mirror or an illusion using my type of magic.” Amara answered.

“Ice.” Damien added nodding his head in understanding.

“How did you know there were soldiers coming?” Amara asked back.

“I’m a hunter.” Amara waited for more answers but when Damien stood up she asked herself mentally, ‘That’s it?’

Damien gathered his things placing them on the back of his horse. Amara was just silently observing him trying to figure out what the man is thinking.

They got out of the cave with Damien pulling his horse and Amara following behind him. When Damien hopped on the back of his horse, Amara mentally panicked for no particular reason.

‘Is he leaving me?’ Amara thought.

Damien held his hand out for her and waited for Amara to receive it. Amara blinked her eyes, glancing from left to right. She reluctantly stretched her hand out receiving Damien’s hand. Upon receiving Amara’s hand, Damien pulled her up making her sit behind him. Amara placed her hand to the side but when the horse suddenly moved, she was pushed forward towards Damien making her wrap her arms around his waist. Realizing her actions, Amara removed her arms awkwardly but when they suddenly pick up their pace, Amara was once again pushed forward, her arms back on Damien’s waist. She doesn’t want to think that Damien’s doing it on purpose but Amara can’t help it. She doesn’t want to be over her head thinking that Damien is into her. Shaking her head to remove unnecessary thoughts then Amara decided not to care about the situation instead, she held Damien’s waist tight to avoid her from falling. She doesn’t know why she’s with a stranger right now, but all she knows is she wanted to learn more from him.