The Prince and the Princess Part 5
2006 Words
After a while of laying with them in the grass, Alyssa sat up. She was never one to stay still for very long, while Keldan and I could have probably laid out for most of the day. I smiled up at her.
“What would you like to do now?” I asked.
“I think we should go to the hot spring and wash the berry juice out of our clothes before it sets much more. That’s a lovely dress, I’d hate to see it ruined. We can soak for a while. I know how much you love being warm.” She answered.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Lyss.” Keldan said.
“It does sound nice.” I said, stretching. “And it would be great to not completely ruin this dress.”
“Come on!” She grinned and reached out her hand.
I took her hand and she pulled me up. I helped Keldan up and we went to the spring. It wasn’t too far from where the house was, so it would be quick to get home after we were done.
Alyssa practically skipped the whole way. She was so adorable. I could almost imagine her skipping in the gardens surrounding my home in the human realm.
This place was a magical pocket realm. It was created by one of their cousins and existed inside the crystal flower. It was outside the roads of other realms and nearly impossible to enter without the right conditions.
We would do anything to keep Alyssa safe. Her safety was the most important thing to me and Keldan. She was my delicate little flower.
When we arrived at the spring, we stripped off our clothing and got in. Alyssa handed me some of the soap she made and we worked on getting the berry juice and stains out of our clothes before hanging them from a tree limb to dry. Then we went back to soak.
The water was wonderful. Alyssa splashed around a little while Keldan and I discussed how my search had been going. He was very invested. There wasn’t a lot here to work with, but he was trying to find ways as well.
Covering Alyssa’s scent was important if we were going to bring her home. She was the spirit of rebirth that comes with spring. There were some vampires who couldn’t resist her scent. It wasn’t safe to have her home.
-
After about an hour, Alyssa stood up and got out of the water. We looked at her, watching as she dressed. Her short tunic had thin material and dried a lot faster than the dress I’d been wearing.
“I’m going to go make some food for us. You two stay here until I call you. I don’t want Phoebe roaming around in a wet dress.” She said.
“Are you sure? Phoebe, are you fine with her being alone?” Keldan asked.
“I’m much better. The house isn’t too far. I know where she’s going.” I replied.
“We can’t be tied to her side the whole time. It’s our home. I’m safe, Kel.” Alyssa assured him.
“Go on, then. Call out if you need us. We’ll be listening for you.” Keldan smiled at her.
She waved and headed in the direction of the house. We watched her until she walked down the hill and out of sight. Keldan sighed and pulled me into his lap.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his shoulder. Birds chirped in nearby trees while other creatures skittered and played. It was relaxing. I could almost forget the heavy strain of being in the Vampire High Council and having all the responsibility of running my territory and being a ruler of practically every vampire on the planet.
“I’m so worried that this is the only place we can keep her safe. I want you both home with me, Keldan. Like we were for that couple years.” I murmured.
“You remember that?”
“You don’t? It was the best two years of my life. I knew I would wake up to find the two of you doing something fun and interesting. Remember how Alyssa took over the kitchens?”
“They weren’t used, she gave them purpose.” He chuckled.
“She gave me purpose. You both did. I didn’t just lose her, I lost you.”
Keldan kissed me softly. “You never lost me, or her. We’re here. She’s alive. That’s what matters.”
“You missed so much. I’m sorry.” I whispered.
“Never be sorry. We could have sent her here alone, but Lyss needed me more than you did. We made the right choice. Sometimes I get grumpy about it, but never think I blame you. I blame….”
I covered his mouth with my hand. “Don’t, don’t say her name. Not here. Not in our home. I never want to think of her again.”
He pulled my hand from his mouth and kissed it before putting it back on his other shoulder. I closed my eyes, soaking in the moment. I had to remember every bit of this visit. It was what would keep me going until next year.
Then, I smelled something out of place. It took a moment for me to register, because I was so disconnected from what my life had become. My eyes shot open and I got off Keldan’s lap before jumping out of the water.
The dress was still damp and would hamper my movements. It would take too long to put on. Not like this was the first time I’d have to fight in the nude.
“What’s going on?” Keldan shouted, I was already halfway down the path to the house.
“Vampire!” I yelled back and picked up my speed.
In mere moments, I was at the house. I burst inside, looking for Alyssa. She wasn’t in the kitchen or any of the other rooms. Panic flowed through me.
I sniffed at the air again. Trying to figure out where she went. I needed to get her safe before I could go after whoever managed to follow me in.
Her scent took me back outside. It went around the house, to her vegetable garden. When I got to the garden, I could see Alyssa standing still in one of the paths.
She was shaking slightly. I couldn’t see around her until I was a few feet behind. I jumped in front of her and shielded her with my body.
In front of me was a familiar person. She was as short as a child with copper colored hair, violet eyes, and a catlike expression. The Traveler.
“How did you get here?” I demanded.
Talia’s eyes scanned me up and down. Her eyes glowed a little. I wouldn’t let her past me. There was no sire to stop me from killing her, like Dark stopped me from killing Petra. It would be a great loss for our people, but I wouldn’t regret killing someone who could hurt my Solus Amor.
“Zendaya and I became curious a few decades ago about your solstice habit. We wondered what you were getting out of these flings with random vampires, why you refused to look for a more permanent partner. You’ve been so sad and getting sadder as years go on. The only time either of us ever saw you perking up was around the Winter Solstice.” Talia said.
“That doesn’t explain how you got here.” I replied.
Keldan ran up with a sword and stood by my side. He was a great warrior, but I didn’t know that he could take Talia in a fight. I knew I could, though. I was older than her and I trained more with other vampires than she did.
“Take Alyssa to the safe room.” I told him.
“Phoebe.”
“Now, Kel.” I ordered.
He huffed, then took Alyssa’s arm and pulled her back toward the house. If Talia made even a single move toward them, I’d rip her head off. She didn’t seem to be moving or posturing, though.
“Go away. Forget how you got to this place, Talia. Don’t ever come back.” I said.
“Those are true mate marks. Two of them. This is why you cover yourself so much all the time. You’re hiding your Solus Amors from us. Why, Phoebe? I’m your friend.”
“The last friend I had, who knew about them, almost killed Alyssa. She said I didn’t need two Amors. She wanted to drain my little flower and share her blood with her brood. Why would I ever trust anyone after that?” I scoffed.
Talia nodded. “That was the reason why you petitioned to kill Petra. I was only a thousand years old, but I remember everyone being shocked. Moon wouldn’t tell us why you petitioned for her death. Only that it was business between you and Dark.”
“Leave or die. There’s no one to protect you like there was to protect Petra.” I warned.
“I’m not planning to harm her. If I can, I’d like to help you. Maybe I can help you come here more often. I have to assume that you need Sun’s descendants because of the magic they have in their blood. It’s similar to the magic in this place. Now that I’ve come here once, I can come here again.” She said.
“You are the Traveler. Your body acclimates to the place you are. I don’t just need their blood to cross the threshold. I need it so I can stand on the ground and not be attacked by the safeguards here. I have to kill you, Talia. You can’t be allowed to live knowing how to find her.”
Her eyes widened. She didn’t realize she was talking herself into a death sentence. There was nothing I could do. If she knew about this place, she could come any time and attack.
Talia got on her knees and bowed her head. It was surprising. Most vampires would fight to live. Why was she always acting in strange and confusing ways?
“I don’t want to drain your Solus Amor. She may smell sweet, but she also smells like you. That’s enough to make me never want to bite her, not because she carries the scent of a vampire, but because I love you. Marius is my broodmate, but you’re my friend. I’m not like Petra.” Talia replied softly.
It didn’t smell like she was lying. She didn’t show any signs of being anything but sincere. My resolve faltered. Talia wasn’t like Petra.
She was always sincere and playful. She was deadly when crossed, but didn’t practice tormenting those who didn’t deserve it. All of Moon’s children were like that. They had more of a moral compass than Dark’s children. Even Marius wouldn’t kill or torture unless it was called for.
“You really want to help us?” I asked.
“Even when you were angry, just now, it wasn’t because of some slight. I can see how fearful you were. I can see how happy they make you. There was a light in your eyes when you sent them away, like you truly loved them. Everyone knows I’m all about love and happiness. It’s why I travel. It’s why I’ve been with Bellamy for so long and why I approved of Victor marrying Echo alongside Gray. Let me help you be happy. Tell me what happened and what we can do to fix this.” Talia insisted.
I crossed my arms under my breasts and thought about it. Talia traveled a lot. She met more supernatural beings than I did. She might actually be able to find a way to help me bring Alyssa and Keldan home.
- Writer
