Elodie's POV
Two Weeks Later
"Elodie please talk to me."
I said nothing, staring intensely at the wall. My eyes burning with tears threatening to spill and my vision completely clouded in more ways than one.
"Who was she." I spoke calmly, not an ounce of panic or hurt showing in my voice. "Who was the girl you were kissing, Lucas?"
He gulped quietly and tried to reach out with one hand, to touch my arm. I avoided it. "She's called Lia. One of the girls helping with the camp."
"I bet she's a lovely girl, isn't she Luke?" I let a tear fall at the words and allowed my head to fall into my hands. He didn't reply.
"Elle-"
"It's Elodie." I spat. "Please leave."
He hesitated and lingered behind me for another second, before sighing and fleeing out of the cabin.
I shivered and attempted to shake off the dread burrowing into my stomach, pushing the door shut with one arm to stop the cold air filling the cabin. Though it still seemed to seep through the cracks in the ancient walls. Just as I'd failed to shut out the anxiety filling my lungs.
Suddenly the door creaked open and two brown eyes looked back at me, offering warmth and comfort with just a look.
"Can I come in?" Cara whispered.
I nodded.
She carefully sat down next to me on the bed and linked arms with me, not yet looking me in the eye.
"You know, you're way prettier than her anyway."
I didn't answer.
"Kieran wanted to come but had an errand. When he tries, you should let him in, Elodie. He knows you." She rubbed my arm. "You don't need to be scared; you know?"
I wanted to believe her; I really did. But it unfortunately isn't that simple when it feels like the entire world is collapsing around you, like the entire world wants to tear you apart, to torture you. And that's exactly how I felt.
Two weeks, two weeks of running, terror of being captured and sticking together as much like glue as we could as I felt the bonds in our group scattering away. Two weeks until I had to watch my boyfriend kiss someone else, in front of my own eyes. Two weeks ago, that would be the least of my problems, being most wanted in the kingdom falling into a strong first. Yet I think it was the knowing we were losing each other that made this outcome so much worse.
The emerald-eyed boy who'd found me on the side of the road had changed so much in so little time. Almost like he'd converted into a new person, a new being. A new side of him.
Eventually, I gloomily made my way out of the cabin after running a brush through my knotted hair once or twice. No sign of Luke anywhere.
I found nowhere else to collapse but a small cabin with books scattering every shelf in sight, intelligence surrounding its aura.
But after a few minutes I heard footsteps entering from one of the doorways, immediately feeling dread in my stomach to the knowledge that I'd have to socialise or answer any questions anyone might have. I couldn't think of anything worse.
At last second, I ducked down behind one of the worn chairs and held my breath, pressing myself tightly into the corner. A light voice was whispering to themselves in the dim light, only managing to catch the phrase "please work".
What I saw when I turned my head to the side was nothing like I'd ever seen before.
I felt my heart stop and eyebrows furrow in pure confusion.
"Arya." I whispered.
She cursed and dropped what she was doing, staring at me with fear in her eyes. I said nothing for a few seconds.
"What the hell was that?"
She looked down at the book which had landed on the floor and brought a hand to her mouth. A book that only a few seconds ago had been levitating in the air, her finger seemingly carrying it from paces away.
I was left completely speechless. "How did you... what?"
She reached down and picked up the book, legitimately this time and held it out for me to analyse. Not that she was the type to pull an impractical joke like this, but I suppose she felt some reassurance in the fact that I'd have no reason to doubt her.
"I didn't know how I was supposed to tell people without simply not being believed. I guess this way of you finding out is better than nothing." She smiled. "By any chance, Elodie, have you ever heard the phrase magical kingdom?"
***
Kieran's POV
"Kieran listen to me; you need to calm down." Cara said, authority in her voice.
But I wasn't listening, all I saw was red clouding my vision. I was closer than I'd ever been to lashing out.
"Where is he." I gritted my teeth.
"Away." Cara whispered. "Away from her, from you, from everyone. And you need to let him go otherwise he'll never understand how much he's hurt her."
"How long have they been together, Cara? Even just as friends." I hissed.
"Long enough." She replied. "Sit down, deep breaths. When you've calmed down you should try talk to her. She trusts you."
I nodded and tried to relax my hands which seemed to be permanently stuck in tight fists.
"Where is she?"
"Not sure, want to go look?"
I nodded.