9. The Weight of Duty

9

THE WEIGHT OF DUTY

(RIVEN)

W e left the Aries village an hour ago and are now back in the forest that leads to the major fae capital. This journey has been surprisingly quiet, especially on my part. So many times since we started, Rowena has tried initiating conversations, but I can’t keep up. For the first time since we left home, I am worried out of my mind.

It just dawned on me that by evening, we will be entering the fae capital, and Rowena is a witch! I wonder why I didn’t think of that before.

To me, this is the most dangerous part of our journey because no one is going to come for me, but Rowena will stick out like a sore thumb. I don’t know what to do, and it worries me. This isn’t the time for random conversation; this is the time for serious thoughts.

“Riven…” Rowena calls again as she strolls ahead of me. “Do you have any friends in the fae capital?”

“No.”

She glances over her shoulder at me. “And you’re the Fae prince?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, that’s it.” She stops walking and turns to me. “What’s the problem?”

“What do you mean?” I frown. “There’s no problem.”

“I’m not stupid!” She fires. “Since you woke up this morning, you’ve been acting weird —like you don’t want to see me or something. What’s the problem with you?”

“Rowena, we don’t have time for this.” I try to sidestep her, but she blocks my path. “Rowena.”

She glares at me for a second before storming back the way we came. I watch her go for a moment before running after her. “Rowena!”

“What?” She jerks away from me. “It’s boring enough walking for hours when it’s only forest you see, but you want to ignore me while we’re at it? That’s not going to work. You can go ahead; I’ll find a different path. See you in Solavien!”

She tries to storm off again, but I grab her arm. “Wait, you don’t even have a map.”

She hisses at me and snatches the map in my hands. “Now I do!”

I laugh heartily. “Rowena, come on, I can’t do this if you’re not there.”

“Obviously, you can. That’s why you’re not talking to me.”

“Look, it’s because I’m worried. Okay?” I steer her back on the right path. “I’m not deliberately ignoring you; I just have a lot on my mind. I’m sorry.”

“What worries you?” She asks softly.

I take a deep breath, anxious to confess my feelings out loud.

“Riven.” Rowena nudges me. “Tell me.”

“I’m worried about you,” I answer. “We’re heading into the Fae capital, and you’re a witch. Witches and faes don’t mix. You know that already. I wonder why you’re not worried about it.”

“I’m not worried because you’re here,” she says.

I look into her eyes, but she isn’t joking. She’s dead serious.

“What?”

“Yes.” She nods, causing loose red curls to fan her face. “You’ll protect me. I’m sure of it. And when it gets tough, we will find a way.”

She’s walking ahead of me, a serene expression on her face, and it dawns on me that my perspective of her has changed. She’s still the same Rowena, but I am starting to see her differently. Maybe it’s this journey, or her wit and intelligence, or is it her beauty? I don’t know. All I know is that my feelings for her have changed.

Rowena is not just a friend to me; she’s a companion. She’s the first thing I look for in the morning when I thaw out of my frozen slumber. Her voice keeps me grounded during these long, tiring walks in the forest. I’ve always considered myself to be brave, but when it comes to real bravery and strength, Rowena is my teacher. She’s the bravest person I know.

As soon as these feelings rise to the surface, I push them to the back of my mind. There’s no way! There’s simply no way I’ll let another soul hear them. Not only is the likelihood impossible, but I’d be putting Rowena at risk. The last thing my father —or the fae kingdom—will hear is that their Prince is in love with a witch.

Suddenly, Rowena snaps her fingers in my face, bringing me back to the present.

“You’re lost again,” she giggles.

“Did you say something?”

“I said, let’s not spend time worrying when we can have fun .”

“Fun?” I frown. “Where’s the fun? My legs are heavy as iron rods, and we’re not even halfway there yet.”

She laughs. “You won’t let me help with one of the bags.”

“It’s not the bags, it’s the walk.”

“It’s okay.” She rubs my back playfully, and I sigh when she stops. “I’m sure we can find a comfortable place to rest for the night when we reach the fae capital.”

Being reminded of the fae capital again drags down my mood, but I keep a smile on my face so I don’t spook Rowena. I should be grateful she’s not hysterical about this. It’s up to me to figure something out.

“Riven, I want to ask you a silly question, but don’t get mad.”

I glare playfully at her. “Why am I already mad?”

She laughs. “Honestly. Just indulge me.”

“Fine. What is it?”

“When you’re cured,” she starts. “Will you go back to Kaelith?”

I’m surprised at the question, as well as disgusted at the thought of going back to my ex. There’s no way that’ll happen. I don’t blame her for leaving when she saw the curse in effect, but I’d be stupid to go back to her when I’m in good health. Look at Rowena. She saw me for who I was from the day we met, and has never shamed me for it.

Despite being the only person who has seen me in my entirety, I feel most comfortable in her presence. With Kaelith, it’s not so. She’s beautiful, and her bloodline is perfect, but she’s not the woman for me. Never will be.

“You’re really thinking hard about it,” Rowena says with a slight laugh.

“There’s nothing to think about; I’m not returning to her.” I shake my head.

“Why not?”

“Because she wasn’t there when I needed her. She ran away like I had some type of virus.”

Rowena sighs. “Is that why you don’t have any friends? Because of the curse?”

“Not really. I’m a prince, Rowena. There’s a limit to the kind of people I can associate with.”

She bursts into hearty laughter. “And look where that landed you: with an outcast witch!”

I laugh with her despite my worries. Everything about her is contagious. “My father would be so livid if he saw me right now.”

“I wish we could show up in front of him just to see his reaction.”

“There’d be a storm for sure. He’s volatile like that.”

“Will your mom?—?”

A sudden chill whips past me, and I pause, my feet freezing to the floor. Every faction has a presence, and a chill like this is a tell-tale sign of a nearby vampire. But, we’re so far from vampire territory that I’m confused and unsure.

Yet, I feel the chill again and whirl to see a tall man standing a far distance away, staring right at me. His skin is a pale white, and his eyes are a bright blue.

Rowena notices the change in my demeanor and stops talking. She attempts to peek over her shoulder at the object of my focus, but I gently push her behind me and unsheathe my sword. The vampire hasn’t moved, but his presence is a threat, so I hold my sword defensively.

“What is it?” Rowena whispers.

“Vampire.”

“What?” She breaks free of my hold and stands beside me. But instead of being defensive, she takes one more step forward, a frown on her face.

“Auren?”

The vampire smiles. “I knew I smelled you,” he says. “Hello, little witch.”

“What?” I grab Rowena’s arm. “You know him?”

“He’s my friend,” she says, but I don’t release her arm.

“I thought you didn’t have any friends.”

“It’s a long story.” She tries to pull away again, but I don’t let her.

The vampire chuckles and approaches us slowly, his arms raised. “Sheath your sword,” he says. “I’m not here to fight.”

He turns to Rowena, and I may as well bury my sword in his chest for looking at her that way. She has a lot of explanations to give because, after all, where does an outcast witch meet a vampire?

“Hello, little witch.” Auren is close enough to hug Rowena, and my hold around the sword tightens. I still haven’t let go of Rowena’s arm, nor do I plan to.

“I won’t ask you why you’re with a Fae prince,” he says. “But I’ll let you know Queen Morgath is hunting you. Both of you.”

“What?” Rowena glances at me. “Hunting us? Why?”

Auren shrugs and turns to me. “Are you going to protect her with your life, or will you let her go right now?”

I tighten my hold on Rowena’s arm. “She’s not going anywhere.”

Rowena says nothing, and Auren nods slowly.

“Whatever it is the both of you are doing,” he says. “It’s ruffling some feathers. You either stop right now, or go hard.”

Rowena glances at me again, but I stay silent.

“Ahead of you is the fae capital; some truths await you there.”

Before we can respond, Auren backs away, slowly disappearing between the bushes and out of sight.

“Auren!” Rowena jerks away from me and hurries after him, disappearing in the direction he went.

For a moment, I stood there, shocked and speechless. Did Rowena just leave me to go with a strange vampire? I almost can’t believe it. Hurt spreads through me, and I slowly sink to the earth, discouraged. I may as well return home without the key; I’ve lost all motivation to continue.

“Why are you on the floor?”

I look up to see Rowena standing over me with a frown, a black vial in her hand.

“I thought you left with him.” I stand slowly, my heart beating wildly in my chest. “I thought?—”

“What?!” She scolds. “Why would I do that?”

“I don’t know.”

“Auren is half vampire, half witch,” she explains. “He’s very good with potions, so I asked if he had any masking potions. He gave me this.” She holds up the vial, her eyes shining with excitement.

“What’s it for?”

“It will mask my scent,” she answers. “And I can enter the Fae capital without anyone noticing I’m a witch. It’s a very strong potion; Auren goes in and out of the fae kingdom without anyone noticing.”

Relief spreads through me. “Really? Oh, that’s great. I was so worried about that.”

“Worry no more.” She slips the vial into the pocket of her cloak. “Let’s go. We still have a long way ahead of us.”

“Why didn’t you go with Auren?” I ask as we walk. “It’s safer than going with me.”

She laughs. “Why would I? There’s victory ahead of us.”

“You just heard Queen Morgath is hunting you.”

“Isn’t that surprising?” She exclaims. “I had no idea she even knew who I was! My mother was right. They’re not my family, and they’ll never accept me.”

“Now that they know you’re frolicking with me, there’s a greater chance that they will not accept you,” I say.

“Who cares? You’re my friend; they’re not. I’ll choose you over them every time.” She rolls her eyes. “Just because I’m a witch doesn’t mean I’ll automatically choose the witch coven. Those people have done nothing for me.”

Remembering the vial in her pocket, I ask, “Shouldn’t you use the vial now?”

“It only works for a few days,” she answers. “I’ll use it at the entrance of the fae capital so that I can get the most out of it. We’ll only be there for two days anyways.”