TrueBloods

Chapter 2: Questions

"Wait," she said. "What do you mean 'i finally found you'?"

I hesitated. "Do you not know who I am?"

Princess Lilah backed away slowly. "Prince Jackson, I think you may have me confused. I have to go."

I bowed and said, "Princess Lilah, as is customary in my kingdom, I offer my sincerest apologies. If you say I am mistaken, then I must be. Please, allow me to accompany you to your destination."

I glanced up and saw the calculations crossing her face as she said, "That is very kind of you, however I cannot accept your offer. I do however accept your apology and hope to see you at dinner."

I returned to the area my brother and I shared and looked around once more. The area hasn't changed any since I arrived the night before. We had rooms that were joined by a single door, so we had our own separate spaces. The bedroom itself was very homey, as was customary in the Elfin Kingdom. It was decorated in browns and reds and gold's, fall colors. Giving the room the appearance of being warmer than it really was. There was a fire crackling in the fireplace to combat the slight chill, but the centerpiece of the room was the four poster bed. It was much softer than anything we had at home, something I was going to have to change when I got back and resumed my duties. It was like laying in a cloud and it was big enough for me to lay with my wings spread wide and still have plenty of room. I laid back on the bed and allowed my wings to spread gently. Taking a second to admire the contrast of the pitch black of the feathers on my wings with the crisp white of the bed sheets, I was thrust into one of my visions.

It was the same as always. I'm standing on the cliff looking out, contemplating going for a flight, when she comes crashing through the trees, snow white wings outstretched. Everything about her conjured brightness and light. From her golden blond hair to her white wings to her pale, dewy skin. Everything was pure and a stark contrast to me. We had the same conversation. She refused to leave. There was the blinding flash of light. I, in a fit of massive frustration, couldn't understand how I could have been mistaken.

Mother had informed me that it was time to get married. I already knew I was going to refuse, but then she conjured up the images of the princesses on her magic mirror. Image after image of what should have been beautiful women, but none of them was my beautiful princess. None were my mate. I was in the midst of trying to explain to mother when the final image appeared on the screen. There they were. They were clearly twins, but there was no doubt in my mind of which one was my princess. My future queen. So how could I have been so utterly wrong? Could I have mistaken one for the other? Princess Lilah appeared much more like the girl in my visions, but she clearly wasn't receiving the same signs. She didn't know who I was. But when I kissed her, I could have sworn I felt the tingle of the mating bond.

I only knew her from my observations this morning, but Princess Lilah was a much better fit for the kingdom than Princess Lillyana was. Lilah was more free flowing, less rigid. She knew the common tongue and Elvish. She was friend to the animals. She was purer and prettier. She didn't worry about the norms as much as her sister, but she had enough propriety to pretend she did. I wanted her more than anything. I knew she was the girl in my dreams. it was just a matter of making her know she was.

While watching her with the wolves earlier, I felt one try to make contact with me mentally, but I was unable to accept the mental bond. Here, it was a crime to be what I was. If anyone found out...I shook my head, clearing all the chaotic thoughts out of it.

There was a knock on the door, forcing me to snap my wings closed as quick as I could. Robin poked his head in and said, "How'd it go? Did you find it?"

I shook my head. "Lilah. She caught me snooping around."

Robin, my sweet younger brother, was the only one who knew the real reason we were here. We were here for the TrueBlood Library. A forbidden library filled to the brim with all of the secret information on people like me. Unfortunately, TrueBloods were banned from the Queendom centuries ago, and the library locked up and banned. Rumor has it that the first TrueBloods combined their magic in order to seal the library so that it could never be destroyed. They're magic protected all of their secrets, and there was supposedly an entire section of the library that can only be viewed by the powers of those two TrueBloods. It's said that they're reincarnated throughout the generations, but ever since it became a crime to have wings, they have all but disappeared. TrueBloods primarily existed in the Queendom and the few that escaped fled to my kingdom where they were offered sanctuary by my ancestors. It was my secret mission to attempt to find this library and learn as much as I could before we had to return home.

Robin said, "Does she know what you were doing?"

I shook my head. "I don't think so. I kind of let myself get carried away by the sight of her and kissed her."

His eyes grew wide in fear. "Did you get caught? What were you thinking? That's treason here! You're lucky you're not in the dungeons!"

I sighed. "I think she maybe knows the truth, but she denied knowing it. But the bond is there. I felt it. I don't think she'll turn me in."

He plopped down on my bed beside me. "How do you know that you're not pursuing the wrong sister?"

I sighed. "Because Lilah was heading in the direction of the library. She was talking to the wolves. Only TrueBloods can speak the language of the animals. It has to be her. I can feel it, Robin. Even now. I feel the draw of my mate."

"So does that mean that I'm going to have to marry the other sister?" He wrinkled his noise. "She's boring. and stiff."

I smiled at him. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to, but you should at least give her a chance. If you do that, then we can overturn the law about TrueBloods."

he wrinkled his noise. "I'll try."

~Dinner~

Dinner was a small affair. It was fairly awkward between Lilah and I. Robin kept making small talk with Lillyana and I could tell that he was trying. Unlike me. I was being uncharacteristically wimpy. I just couldn't bring myself to say a word to Princess Lilah. Not after the incident in the hallway. I was ashamed for behaving so recklessly. She mostly kept quiet, although occasionally I felt her reach out mentally to the female wolf waiting at her feet. How could she use her powers as a TrueBlood so openly? I'm sure she knew how dangerous it was. It was at this point that Robin gave up trying to communicate with Princess Lillyana. He looked at me and started speaking Elvish.

"Jackson, I'm struggling here. Help me out."

I suddenly heard a small familiar feminine voice in my head say the word fashion. I glanced at Lilah who continued to pet her wolf and studiously avoid my gaze. Out loud to Robin, I said, "Try talking about clothes and jewelry."

He nodded and continued trying to get her to open up. which she soon did. it appeared that Lillyana really liked fashion. Lilah suddenly rose to her feet and curtsied apologetically before saying, "Your majesties, my lords, please forgive me, but I must retire early. I'm suddenly feeling unwell."

We stood as was customary in the Queendom. I watched as her floor length purple gown swooshed across the pearly floor. Just before she could exit the room I bowed and said, "My lady, in our kingdom it is customary to walk a lady to her room when she is feeling unwell. May I escort you, please?"

She was calculating. I could feel it. She smiled softly and said, "It is quite improper for a gentleman to walk a lady all the way to her room when both are unwed. However, you may escort me as far as your hallway."

I bowed graciously. "Thank you, Your Majesties for this lovely supper. Please have a good evening."

We were dismissed by her Majesty, but Lilah waisted until we were halfway down the hall before she said, "Prince Jackson, what do you think you're doing? This is the second time now that you've tried to escort me."

I whispered, "I need to talk to you, Princess."

She sighed. "About what?"

I breathed, "Your powers."

She hissed, "Not here, you fool! Are you trying to get us killed?" I apologized and she once again waited for awhile. We were at the end of the halfway that my room was in when she continued speaking. "If you must speak about this, I will be there garden at the same time tomorrow morning. Come alone."

I watched in longing as her gown swished along the floor. I sighed and then retired to my room for the night. It was going to be a long wait before I could talk to her openly. I laid on my bed and thought for awhile until darkness took me over And I fell into a deep sleep.

it was the same as my visions only...it wasn't my perspective. I was the one running. I was scared. No. Scared wasn't the right word. It was more like...I was petrified. But why? The wings. It has to be the wings. They were unfurled, but they were weak, like they had never been used to fly before. I came crashing through the woods only to see... myself? We had the same conversation my visions normally portray, but the flash of light came all too soon and I was snapped awake.

I could still feel her fear. She was screaming in my head. I was half asleep and not fully dressed, but I knew I had to follow the sound. I reached out through our bond and gently caressed her mind with security. I followed it all the way down the opposite end of the hall and stopped at a door. I hesitated. She said it was improper for me to be here while we were unmarried. What was I supposed to do? I suddenly heard her scream and I knocked on the door. I couldn't tell if she was screaming in my head or out loud. I reached out with my mind and said, Princess, open the door. It's me. I need to know your okay.

I felt a tremble in response through the bond and the door opened. There she stood. My princess from my visions. Absolutely no doubt about it. She was wearing the same dressing robe and everything. She looked at me sleepily and murmured, "Prince Jackson. What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

I watched as she looked me up and down and shifted her legs slightly and pulled her gown tighter around her. If only she would open herself up to me. The things...I shook my head to clear it of the impure thoughts and said, "I heard your screams, my...Princess. I had to know you were alright."

She glanced up and down the hallway. "I wasn't screaming Prince Jackson. There would be guards swarming this hallway if I was." I tapped my temple. "You ... Prince Jackson, it's late. you are not dressed proper. I'm sure you're chilly. It's quite improper for us to be having this discussion at this time. Let us talk tomorrow."

I gently nudged her mind through our bond. The equivalent of a wolf nuzzling their mate in affection. "Yes, Princess. As I said, I just wished to check on you. Please have a good night."

I bowed and slowly walked away. I felt her continue to watch me for a few minutes before closing the door. The last thing I felt from her before she closed her end of the bond was what appeared to be mixed feelings of arousal, happiness, and satisfaction.