I sat up with a sigh.I have been alone for too long.
The dryad tilted her head at me, confused by my words.
Yes, I have my pixies, but…I picked at the moss that I sat on.The marriage ceremony will bind me with this human, connect us in a deeper way. I'm not ready for that type of commitment.
It is time for you to heal.
I raised a brow at my guardian.I’m immortal.
You know that's not what I mean.
I swung my legs over the mossy bed, planting them on the dirt ground. Resting my elbows on the top of my thighs, I stared out at the magical forest before me.
Axelia reached over and brushed my hair off my shoulder, placing her hand there.It's time to move on.
Her barky touch sent me back years to that moment when I was thrown into this world and left alone.
I wasn't ready to let go of the anger.
I wasn't ready to let some human into my life.
This had started as a game. A way to prove something.
Now… Now it was something else.…
Sometimes healing is more difficult than living with the pain. It's easier to stay stagnant.Axelia’s words filled me with unease.
I left the makeshift home and stared out at the forest, then I headed out to the stream. After shucking off my clothes, I stepped into the cool waters. The bioluminescent algae created a blue twinkling to the waters, something I had always been fascinated with. If it weren’t for the beauty and serenity in this place, I might not have survived.
Wishing for death felt impossible when life bloomed all around you.
Hiding here will not change your destiny.Axelia stood at the edge of the water, her gaze calm.
“No,” I replied out loud. “But it will delay it.”
I ducked my head under the waters, needing to escape from the conversation.
I fear that will only make your suffering worse.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Deirdre
Why did he just leave?
The entire trip back to the castle, I couldn’t help wondering that and what it meant for me.
That was two days ago.
The entire castle had been busy with wedding preparations ever since.
He never even asked me officially to marry him. What if he doesn’t come back? What will his court do with me? Will I be allowed to go home?…
Returning to the valley without Crispin seemed even worse than staying here.
Kane had said that day at the grove that if I behaved, I would have my freedom. That simple truth pushed me forward. What could I do as queen? How much freedom would I have?
What type of power would I be able to wield?
