Chapter 9 - Do you want one?
1228 Words
Nate managed to distract Selene with the dress. Well, tried to. She was amazed by the fabric, as well as the gems embedded on it.
“Maybe when you turn twenty-one, I could give it to you.” Nate offered. She really doesn’t plan to wear a dress, ever again. Selene kept touching a green gem, almost shaped like a leaf.
“Do you want one?” Nate took the knife strapped to her waist and was about to take the gem off when Selene stopped her.
“My lady!” She almost yelled when she came out of her trance. “No, it’s too pretty. Don’t ruin it.” She lamented.
“It’s fine. It won’t be noticeable. I want one, too.” She found gems from opposite sides and took them off.
“Here. There’s a little hole at the end. Maybe we can place a string through it and make it a pendant.” She handed the other one to Selene.
“Thank you, my lady.” Her expression was still sad.
“They’ll find your brothers. They’ll be back tomorrow, alright?”
Selene turned her puppy eyes on Nate and she almost couldn’t resist hugging her close.
“Do you want to try wearing it?”
Selene shook her head.
“Come on, stand up. I’m sure you can fit though it.” She assisted Selene as she stepped into the bodice of the dress. It is big for her that she was able to step inside it.
Nate held the bodice up and the skirt was pulled with it. About a third of the skirt remained on the bed. She smiled at Selene. She’s actually very pretty, with her long blonde hair that curls near the tips.
Unfortunately, Selene couldn’t fully appreciate it as she’s very worried about her brothers. If something bad happened to them, she would be alone. She started tearing up just thinking about it.
Nate sighed as she pulled her down again. She helped her off the dress and tucked her into bed. As they’re lying next to each other, Nate put a hand up and gestured for twinkling of fires. She finds them mesmerizing. Selene gasped as she sees them, sitting up and withdrawing further into the bed. She almost screamed. Nate recalled that she doesn’t know she has magic, too.
“It’s me.” She informed her as she removed them. “It’s me, I made them.”
She leaned on her arm as she turned to Selene, who was breathing heavily from shock. She turned wide eyes on Nate. “You have magic, too?”
“Yes. Are you alright?” She watched her closely, concerned. She shouldn’t have…
“I’m fine. Just surprised…” She replied weakly, moving back to the center of the bed and under the covers.
“Anything happened? I heard someone shouting…” Vince poked his head through the door.
Nate waved her fingers and the twinkling fires made another appearance. For some reason, she can only make them red, orange, or yellow. Whereas Vince can only make them blue, green, and silver.
Upon seeing them, Vince closed the door behind him. He reached out his hand and made his own. Selene gasped again as she sits on the bed, watching all the combinations of colors. They look pretty, after the initial fear of getting burned. They do emit heat and could burn objects.
“My lord, you can do it, too?” She was about to reach out for one, when Nate pulled her hand.
“Don’t touch it. It can burn you.”
Selene looked at her hand, she did feel the warmth in her hand.
“It’s pretty.” She whispered as she watched them, somewhat entranced. It has the same effect on Nate.
As Vince watched them, he thought that it at least took their minds off of the current problems they’re facing.
Selene closed her eyes first as sleep took hold of her.
Nate extinguished hers before Vince followed.
“Good night.” He bent over her to press a kiss on her forehead.
“You, too.” She smiled at him as she closed her own eyes. It was a very tiring day.
Philip was startled awake by the sound of hooves. A lot of them. He looked around for Pyro, who was now sleeping by his legs, treating one as a pillow. He only had time to pick the kid up and look around for his horse, before they caught up. As he runs towards the horse, they had surrounded him already. He breathed deeply as he tries to assess the situation. No. They didn’t even last a day, he despaired in his heart.
“Philip, the king has ordered for the two of you to return. His majesty promised not to harm the child, but you will face a punishment. We must quickly return to the palace.” A knight he recognized stated. Sir Ron. He was close to his father.
“You don’t understand. I should take him away.” He can only say that much. If they learn what Pyro can do, it would be the end of them. Protecting his younger brother in this situation is equal to treason.
“The king knows. He already promised not to harm him. Do you doubt the king’s words?” Sir Ron challenged.
“No, but…” He was startled when someone dismounted his horse and walked near him.
“Hand over the child. You will ride on different horses.” The order was issued. The knight drew a sword to threaten him. Philip wouldn’t even have the chance to draw his. He looked around at all the knights, almost a dozen of them. Their expressions reveal nothing. What do they think of him? Do they feel nothing at the predicament of a previous comrade’s family?
Pyro started crying when he handed him over, the point of a sword pressing on his back. Someone else sneaked behind him.
“Get on your horse, then.”
He obeyed the order, keeping his eyes on Pyro.
“Stop crying. It’s okay. I’m here.” He rode near the knight who has Pyro. He was trying to calm the kid down.
He observed that the knight seemed to be gentle with him, though, patting the kid on the shoulders, or petting his head.
As he looked at the others, there’s no point planning an escape. The king’s word. Did the king really give such orders?
He gulped; his throat dry. The ride back to the castle feels like an eternity to him. His mind playing all the situations that could play out. The knights are unusually quiet. There had been missions before where knights-in-training were involved. In one he joined the knights are not this quiet. Some would talk to others. Friends would joke around each other. They only maintain a certain amount of silence as they carry out the actual mission. Before or after missions, knights are normally talkative.
He put his head down as they reached the palace gates. He’s not sure what to feel. He only did what he thought he must do to protect his brother. At the same time, he knew he did betray the throne. He chose his brother, instead of…
They are heavily guarded on all sides, and their swords are at the ready. They allowed Philip to carry the little kid, on their way to the throne room.
His gaze swept the room to see everyone present. His eyes constricted at seeing Aaron and Selene. She was smiling at him. How could she smile? Aside from the king, the prince and the princess are also in attendance. Two members of the counsel, too. And then, there’s no one else. Not even a guard.
- Writer
