Chapter 32 - You break my heart
1897 Words
This time, they were transported into the dining hall. Was it because they had just eaten? Vince went out to find someone to inform his mother of their arrival. In a short while, Queen Elise has come and hugged her husband tightly. Despite knowing it already, Aaron was still surprised to see her in person. The queen has wings, too.
Hannah smiled as she watched the royal couple. They act as if they are young. Well, love knows no boundaries. She secretly glanced at Aaron who caught her this time. How did he catch her? She quickly looked away. She didn’t think she would be embarrassed at being caught looking. She tilted her head, thinking. Wait, isn’t that what she wanted to happen? She glanced at him again, but this time without any expression on her face. She’s tempted to get inside his head. They stared at each other.
What’s going through your mind? She wanted to ask.
Why are you looking at me like that? He wanted to ask.
Vince and Nate watched the two of them, only mildly glancing at the king and queen. It would not be proper to look on as they kiss and act intimately. The next best thing would be to watch the blossoming relationship between these two strangers from months ago.
Even if she likes him, they can’t be together. He won’t drag her down. Huh. What does he mean? His heart continued to be prickled as they waited for their next activities.
The queen’s father came, followed by a young man.
“You’re back.” He momentarily scanned the room. “I see you’ve brought more people.”
King Edward faced him, with Elise on his side. “We will scout the dark fae’s territory. I’ve chosen a different location than the one’s you’ve already tried.”
As he speaks, Vince laid out the map they brought to the table.
King Edward pointed to a place. “We will need help in going there. There are five of us, plus Elise.”
“I’ll fly you there.” The queen smiled up to him.
“I know.” He pecked her lips in front of them all.
Both Vince and Nate rolled their eyes at them. Hannah openly chuckled while Aaron didn’t know whether to frown or smile. His expression was somewhere in between.
Nate quickly introduced Aaron and Hannah.
“Don’t tell me these two are paired, too?” Erik couldn’t help commenting, seeing the newcomers standing side by side. The girl is pretty.
“Uh, no?” Nate hesitantly replied, eyeing Hannah. She grimaced; it would’ve been better if Nate said yes. That would give Aaron an idea. Seeing her expression, Nate realized her mistake.
Erik wasn’t completely useless. He did notice Hannah’s expression. This should be fun.
“In that case, would you consider me, lady Hannah?”
Aaron’s eyes constricted at hearing him asking that. He visibly stiffened. Hannah narrowed her eyes on the prince, so she wasn’t aware of Aaron’s reaction.
“I decline, my lord. I’m not interested.”
“You break my heart.” He playfully replied, clutching on his heart.
Everyone else was dumbfounded. Is this the same arrogant and annoying Erik? He rarely speaks, and when he does, he only knows how to criticize and speak ill.
Unconsciously, Aaron moved forward to shield Hannah from him. He doesn’t like this fairy. Erik raised an eyebrow at him.
“We were talking.” He reminded Aaron.
Hannah’s heart was hammering against her chest at Aaron’s little movement. It meant so much to her. Or maybe not?
“We’re here on a mission. We don’t have time for nonsensical things.” His own heart thundered against his chest for a different reason. He’s not meant to lead this one, why is he speaking as if he is? What would they think of him?
“He’s right. If you can provide us with fairies who can fly the rest of them there, I would appreciate it. Time is of the essence here. If we can leave in a few minutes, that would be great.”
“The guards, father.” Elise quickly suggested.
“Yes, I will instruct them.”
“Should I go with you?” Erik asked.
“You’re to stay here. We can’t have two heirs in dangerous situations.” King Florian barked before instructing a servant to call five guards.
“Four would be enough, father.”
The king waved his arm. “You’re a woman. How can you carry your own husband? He has his pride, too.”
“My husband doesn’t care for such things when it concerns me.” She muttered.
Her reply made King Edward chuckle lightly, “You will need your energy as well. I don’t want you to tire out quickly.”
His simple explanation satisfied her quickly, “Alright.”
“I still want to go, father.” Seeing his sister’s excited expression, Erik wanted an adventure as well.
“No. And don’t you dare go off on your own. I know you.” He instructed another servant to ensure the prince has guards on his tail all the time he leaves the palace.
Erik snorted at his father’s actions. He’s not a child. He wants to prove himself, too.
Hannah extended an arm to tug at Aaron’s cloak. When he looked at her, she was wearing a serious expression.
“Remember our training. If you can try it on an enemy today, do so.”
“Yes, I will.” He replied quickly. He wanted to practice that one as well.
After giving them the location, they quickly flew over.
All five of them grimaced at the sight that greeted them.
“Well, now… that’s too dark.” Nate needlessly noted.
“What’s the plan, father?”
Before Edward could answer, Elise turned to the guards.
“Wait here. We’ll return after checking the place out.”
They all exchanged glances. “We’re here to protect you as well, princess.”
“Too many people might easily attract attention. We don’t want that.”
They sighed before agreeing.
“See if those twinkling fires you mentioned will allow us to see the surroundings.” The king simply instructed.
“Got it.” Vince answered and together, he and Nate called those twinkling fires. Slowly, they directed them over the dark part of the land. Just the edge of it that they can see.
“What are the odds that if there are people on the other side, they can see and hear us?” Edward asked Elise.
“Highly, but we do not know for sure.” She replied and continued to watch.
Vince gave Nate a look. Slowly, the fires grew bigger and they spread them out farther.
“That’s good.” Edward commended with a nod.
Aaron watched in trepidation. What if something comes out to attack them? His muscles are tensed. Hannah looked over and observed his expression. She’s apprehensive, too. She reached inside her cloak and brought out her twin daggers. Her movements and the gleam from her weapons caught everyone’s attention, especially Aaron next to him.
“What are those for?” He hadn’t seen her practicing them.
“I’m here for combat, no?” She shrugged as she explained.
“It’s been a while.” She admitted.
“Focus, Aaron.” That word and her mention of his name made him concentrate on the clearing the prince and princess are making. They could make out the terrain now. It’s ragged and no grass.
Right, it’s too dark for any flora to grow.
“Keep spreading.” Edward stepped closer to the boundary, to better see. Elise went, too.
“To be honest, I need to get closer, too.” Nate walked as she stated it. Vince followed.
“Let’s just say we’re the rear guard. Though I should be on the front.” Hannah noted as she sat. Aaron was about to follow the rest of them but stopped upon hearing Hannah’s words.
“What do you mean?”
“Which one are you more comfortable with? Manipulating objects up close or from a distance?” Hannah kept her eyes on the clearing while speaking with him.
Aaron considered their current situation. If they are attacked…
“From a distance. I could see more.”
Hannah nodded at his reply. “Exactly. Maintain your distance. I’ll move in front.”
The only reason she’s moving in front is because her power is useless from a distance. She can’t read someone’s thoughts unless they’re in front of her. And they need information. They don’t need to capture someone and torture him for facts. There’s also the risk of them lying, so… her ability’s always been useful this way. The downside? Well, before today, there wasn’t a downside. She only got to meet them as prisoners. She was quite safe. Today, though… they’re the ones hunting. She’d have to risk her neck.
“I’ll play bait?” She asked the king when she reached his side. King Edward looked at her, frowning. She’s no warrior, is she? She’s more of a mentor, from what he has heard.
“Do you know how?”
“A little. It’s been a while.” It has been a long while.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She hefted her daggers in position.
“Alright. Be careful.”
“Got it, your highness.” With that, she stepped into the dark land.
Aaron felt nervous for her. His heartrate became erratic. No, he should focus. Momentarily, he closed his eyes to take deep breathes. Thankfully, nothing bad happened in those moments.
Hannah managed to step into the center of the clearing. She’s a safe distance away from the twinkling fires as it spreads further. Unless, of course, the enemies can move fast. Nothing seems amiss.
“Continue forward.” Edward directed. They’re all now inside the clearing. Two of the royal guards followed behind Aaron.
They have been edging forward for a while. No, it was more like a circle. Edward wanted to make sure they won’t be ambushed from a certain direction. A circle would ensure that.
A rustling in front made Hannah crouch forward. She pointed her dagger that way and the fires in that direction continued to move forward. Any second now…
King Edward heard it, too. He stepped into the center of their clearing, closely followed by the others. Aaron took Hannah’s advice and maintained his distance. He raised his hands, at the ready. Unfortunately, he still needed to direct an object with his hands for them to move accordingly. Especially if they’re big. With pebbles, he can direct them with only his sight. No problem.
Beast-like creatures pounced in Hannah’s direction. There were two of them. A third one moved past her and attacked the rest.
Hannah cursed, faced with such adversary. As she stepped back, one of them was redirected away mid-jump. She sighed in relief as she readied herself for the remaining one. I need to get close. She kept reminding herself. She moved forward to meet this one. Before they can recover, two more jumped in from another direction. One bursts into flames. Another was suspended in the air.
“Can’t call a lightning from here.” Nate realized. She switched to flames as well.
Aaron wasn’t idle. As planned, he plucked the creatures’ eyes. Tried to pull the limbs, but it was harder than he thought. He changed tactics and decided to pull one limb from one before dragging it on the ground. Amazingly, the creature still tried to stand and attack. Alright, another limb.
Thankful to Aaron’s timely intervention, Hannah managed to subdue the beast in front of her. They’re dogs, she realized. Upon seeing nothing significant on their heads, she stabbed it through the chest. Even its wails reminded her of dogs.
King Edward cleanly cut through the remaining one with no problem.
They paused for a few minutes. It happened all too fast. They were breathing heavily from the surprise, not from exertion.
“They’re dogs. Maybe some sort of wolves.” Hannah shared and Elise frowned. The other fairies also did.
“There are no animals in this dimension. Not naturally, anyway. We can import from other dimensions.” She explained.
- Writer
