Morana,
We will be performing upon our arrival in Apollo. You have no need to fear, I will explain everything as I should have. Everything that is to happen is as it should be, and I plead to you to trust me, if not as your arena master, then as the mother that had taken you in and cared for you. It will all make sense soon. The prophecy, your powers, everything. Come to Apollo, and find me Morana, it will all come to darkness soon. We miss you.
Yours truthfully,
Fala.
The fear and uncertainty I had initially had about travelling to Apollo had lightened a tenfold. My family would be there... Dezimus, Elijah, Ezra... and even Fala. Fala seemed to have many secrets. Even the ones she kept for me, but I had faith in her letter even though my trust hung on a thin thread that could only be mended by what she had to reveal. I held my chin up high and looked past the red leaved trees, up into the bright blue sky that had birds flocking. I smiled lightly and held the letter tightly against my chest before tucking it away safely into my armour.
Faith was a dangerous thing to keep these days, but I would keep it for them, to believe everything would be alright if they were there. I held my horse's reins tight and led it into a light trot to the front of the group. I immediately spotted Red's auburn hair and heard Hulin's sharp laugh. I had ignored the red eyes that seemed to follow my every move, I had ignored him this whole morning. Not meeting his eyes or acknowledging his presence, even refusing to revisit the memory of what had occurred last night. Of how he had touched me... and tended to me. I couldn't go through with it, not when he holds such a strong name. Not when Duvessans are being slaughtered on this land, and Morvin has the leverage of a secret of myself that could affect the prince's decision in even keeping me alive. My relationship with the prince had grown so much that thoughts of harming him in order to escape were becoming less. Inanov was right. Being with the prince would end disastrously. I couldn't allow myself to be with the prince, but my heart felt like it was on another agenda. It pumped blood faster into my veins and made my shadows want to appear. His presence had awakened more inside me than just my feelings. I looked to the horizon ahead of me and gave one final look to Abdera.
"Trouble in paradise?" A voice came from beside me.Inanov.
It seemed like he had been next to me for quite some time, and I had failed to notice it. "Excuse me?" I frowned in confusion and guided my horse over the steeped pathway of pine that slowly etched from red, back to green.
My body immediately lost some of the tension it held. I had not realised how much I truly loved nature the way it was meant to be, how much I truly missed the dark green moss.
"You and the prince," Inanov said as if it was obvious enough. He was right however, because I understood what he had been referring to.
"You were right," is all I said. Not looking at Inanov and keeping my eyes forward.
His eyes widened at the revelation and it made me smile, but not enough for that smile to stay.
"The prince and I being intimate together is a bad idea. Too dangerous," I spoke the truth even if he didn't know half of the reason.
"It is, if he falls for you. Even if Lady Ferway didn't exist, the chances of him stepping in front of a sword or arrow for you are high. Too high..." Inanov's voice softened as if to provide some comfort yet all it brought was a very clear image of the prince sacrificing himself to save me. It sounded far-fetched as the prince was selfish and power hungry. There wouldn't be a world where he'd sacrifice himself for the likes of me. But that didn't stop my mind from thinking there was a chance he would do it.
"I know," was all I could respond.
Warmth enveloped my palm. Inanov's hand was tan and big as he then gave my hand a soft squeeze in reassurance. It was the first time he had shown this kind of comfort.
"You made the right choice. Sometimes logic rules over love." Inanov's voice was soft. He had always shown kindness, when he allowed Red to come along, knowing he wasn't truly a weapons boy. Or when he kept food aside for me around the campfire,there was also that time when he chose to take the first watch at the inn so that I could sleep.
I could feel eyes burning at my back. My body knew whose pair of eyes it had been, so I did what I had been doing this whole morning. I ignored it. Inanov seemed to be in deep thought before he confessed. "Love is hard to come by for those like us."
"I refuse to accept that I deserve it." It had meant to be a whisper... a soft thought to myself, but he had heard it. Inanov looked at me then with his honey brown eyes and squeezed my hand in kindness. I gave him a small smile, hoping he wouldn't pity me. Inanov opened his mouth to respond, but he had immediately been cut off by a stern voice.
"Hands off my warrior, Inanov, and keep those bedroom eyes for the whores in Apollo." Any form of softness left Inanov's features. My cheeks flushed on its own accord.
"As you wish,Your Highness," Inanov addressed the prince with cold formality and took his horse away from mine, directing it towards Akiel. Leaving me alone with the prince.
"Cosying up to my head guard to make me jealous? Always filled with surprises, Mor." The prince chuckled and led his white stallion closer to my own. I clenched my jaw and ignored how my heart nearly skipped a beat when he called me by that name.
"You got jealous on your own accord," was the curt reply I gave.
"You never let me hold your hand like that." His words stunned me so much I gave in and looked at him. It was a mistake, the prince was in a playful mood and seemed to want to pass his time by teasing. His eyes were red flames and his features were softened with that lazy smile he gave. For a man with little fae magic, his energy always spirited to flirtatious games. I decided to play it. A dangerous one... but a game nonetheless.
"Have you ever tried to hold it like that?" The question back made his eyes light up mischievously. It made him look more boyish. Younger. It suited him.
"Would you have let me?"
"No." Was my quick response.
"So that kind of affection is only for my head guard?" The prince's voice was low and closer, the words caressing over my skin.
"I'd suggest you work on your jealousy." I tried my best to hide away the ghost smile that threatened to appear.
"Oh, dear warrior. That might take too long, for I envy the very sun rays that kiss your skin the ways I wish to kiss yours." His answer wasn't what I had expected to hear. Something that sounded so... sweet. He must have been trying to play a joke. It made me snort and roll my eyes at him instead. Before I knew it, my wrist was suddenly being pulled forward, I held myself onto the reins of my horse firmly with my other hand. The prince held my wrist and then as if the world was slowing down, he placed a soft kiss on it, above the slight scars that covered it. I opened my mouth to speak but closed it again when no words came out.
