Kissing the Fae

Chapter 14 - The Kid

Do you know what's the good thing about being friends with these guys?

They never let me down. As the only girl in the group, Terran and Deniz never fail to be there for me. Whatever the circumstances and risks, they were willing to join me in my quest.

I never really expected to still have their back despite what happened in the past. Thinking of it, my mind has come to the idea that perhaps they hated me for being careless before.

Besides, Deniz playing with our feelings was not the only reason why our friendship broke apart.

We weren't that too shallow. Even if he did, I would have still stayed with them. But some things needed to end; that includes our friendship. Even if everyone didn't agree with our decision to lie low for our safety, and to those important people in our lives, we need to.

For one's happiness, we need to sacrifice our bond.

However, all those were in the past. No matter how angry we get, it won't still bring back the life we have lost during our teenage years.

No one was at fault and it was clearly not my fault like Alistair told me before.

It wasn't my fault...

I knew deep inside, people blamed me for her. But it somehow pains me to see them caring about someone and ignoring me for they thought  I was the reason why she withered.

Terran and Deniz were most affected. And yet, they're both here, assuring me.

They ran after me to offer me help, so I could pass the test. Despite knowing that it might be dangerous, they still didn't stay and never back down for me.

"We've been waiting for hours here and yet, no message has arrived."

My heart was guilty of it. Deniz was right...

The sky has now turned dark and we haven't received anything since we sent the message. I don't want to think that they didn't get the magical paper because I knew its purpose and power to come back if the receiver isn't in sight.

Or maybe, the Achlys intended to do it, to keep us all waiting here in the dark.

"It will be here soon," Terran said to me. "The Achlys won't go easy on us, Deniz. You know that... They probably got the message our princess sent to them but chose to be blind to make us suffer for a bit."

"They're such an evil..." I heard Rin who parched next to me.

Zah and Tia, on the other hand, were asleep in the cover I laid on the surface. They were so exhausted from our three days quest, and even my body shouts for rest but my mind won't let me.

Scared that something might happen if I close my eyes.

"You should take a rest, Rin..." I told her. "You're exhausted, go and lay down next to Tia."

She glanced at them. "I can't, Rani Letisha. You are more exhausted, so it should be you that needs to rest."

"Rin was right," Terran added. "You look sleepy, princess. Rest a bit, will you?"

It would be unfair to them. We trek nonstop, every one of us was tired from the quest. Three days in the street with no constant rest... I wanted us all to take a short break but I'm just terrified.

We might get attacked in our sleep by some people. We know no one here, and we must be alert no matter what. 

Especially, from the Pixies. They can stab us without remorse.

Shaking my head, I smiled at him wearily.

"We need to find a place, so we can all rest. We can't just stay in the open ground where unknown people might attack us. And I'm sure the Pixies know where we are, Terran. I can't let something bad happen to us."

"We'll be here to look after you, Rani Letisha. You should rest."

Deniz walked near me and sat in front of me, looking so concerned.

"No... All of us were tired."

"We can still manage," he assured. "You need to rest, Rani Letisha. We're here... Nothing will happen to us, okay?"

I'm such a negative person. But it's better to think of possibilities than never.

Looking up to the sky, I sighed. It has been hours since the paper flew.

What are we supposed to do now? We can't just enter their territory without a response. We'll get killed if ever. The Pixies are merciless, and those fairies don't like to see an outsider inside their haven.

After all, we were the reason why they needed to hide. It was us that caused them to be this bad...

Their leader was killed by Queen's Mother's mum. Her own sibling died in her arms, so does she.

They attacked to avenge their leader. They were angry at us, and our side won over them. It has caused Pixies to run out of people, and it happened during the Queen Mother's reign, which caused her king to die for he sacrificed his life for her.

Then, they have chosen to stay in their territory and they never let us see them again. But now that I need them, it would be me that would come for them not to pick a fight, but to ask for their help.

The thought was absurd. Who would help me — the granddaughter of the Queen Mother who made them hide in darkness, the Achlys because of fear?

The Queen Mother was feared by everyone. They were intimated at the way she rules, but due to losing her motivation, she just let the directors have their way with her, and they successfully kicked her out of her throne.

I looked at them, and finally came up with the idea.

"I think the sky's in the mood to cry, so we must find a place before it falls."

I gathered my things before I stood up from the ground.

"Rin, wake them up. Terran and Deniz, get your ass up, and let's find a place, so we can all rest."

"Rani Letisha..." they called in chorus, and again, I could hear the concern in their voices which I ignored.

I just shook my head, wanting to end the conversation.

Tonight, I'm not the little fairies leader, and also not a friend of Terran and Deniz. I'll be their sister who was just bothered for our safety.

I wanted the best for all of us here. It seems like the Pixies don't have a plan to send us a reply, so we better get going and come back here once the sun shines again, hoping to see a miracle.

Sure, it's important to wait. We have to wait for their reply but neglecting our needs right now was out of my options.

We need to rest.

"We'll be back in that place first thing in the morning tomorrow. For now, all of us need to rest."

I'm sleepy. My whole body was shouting for rest but I can't just stop and give up.

The little fairies were flying before us. Terran and Deniz were beside me as we roamed our eyes around, hoping to see something.

Even just a small empty place, would be enough for us.

"People here were nowhere to be seen..." Deniz commented.

It was empty. Dark and no life was in sight.

"I've heard about this place," Terran started. "This was known as the lugar vacío that has been colonized by the silent yet dangerous king of the Terianna, princess. Some were killed, some were brought to their kingdom, and no one has ever survived or escaped from their hands."

"But that was decades ago, Terran..."

"They don't want to come back here," he answered. "There's no life in here, princess. They'd rather stay in the dark, in a chaotic place where they could get something to eat in a day to survive."

"This is such a waste though," I couldn't help but feel that way.

I mean, the place could be improved. But then, not everything has the power to do so. People need a good leader who's able to give them something to survive, however, not everyone desires to have a good kingdom.

Some abused their power. The directors were the best example of that.

"This could have been improved, yes. But no one was willing to take this. Besides, the place is owned now by the king of Terianna. Perhaps they have decided to leave this place as it is."

"This could be a big help to other families," I fired back, not giving up. "If only those people were concerned, they could have made a better place, Terran. Sadly, they all want power."

"A sad truth but that's the reality, Rani Letisha. Not everyone has the same mind as you, and the goal you have in your heart? That was rare... Good people rarely exist nowadays."

I went silent.

My mum taught me to be good since then. She was never the type of person who was greedy for power. She was content with what she has now, and she has taught me to be one, but she didn’t fail to teach me to fight for my rights.

Not just for me, but also everyone.

And leading is for everyone who deserved it.

For years, I did nothing but show them the best of my intentions. I wanted nothing but peace between our kinds and to each of the divisions, and even outside the Acres Kingdom.

It was what I wanted. To provide for the needs of my people, to fight for our rights.

I may have been neglected by those who shouted for help, and I will not deny that I was blinded with only good things my eyes have seen, not thinking that there were people below average who wanted to seek help but never had the chance to because of their status.

For that, I’m deeply sorry.

“Just Letisha, look!” I heard Tia and without second thoughts, we followed her.

“What did you find?” I asked when she stopped flying and pointed her finger towards something.

“Isn’t he the kid we saw yesterday?” Terran looked at me.

Squinting my eyes, I leered at the moving figure thoroughly.

It was hiding behind a concrete barrier. But when he raised his head, that was when I confirmed Terran’s question.

“I guess... But what is he doing here?”

“He followed us,” Deniz stated. “However, we didn’t feel his presence. None of us felt his presence...”

Yes, and too dumb of me to realize it just now.

If he follows us or not, it doesn’t matter. But the fact that we weren't able to sense this kid’s presence was enough for doubts to grow in me.

“He’s not just a kid, that's what I'm sure of,” Deniz added.

“Do we need to confront him or not?”

I quickly shook my head.

“No, Terran. Let him be...” I told him. “Let’s go and find a place.”

It took us another hour to finally find one. It was just a small house made in woods and there’s literally nothing inside aside from the small broom.

Before we laid down, Deniz offered to sweep the floor and with the help of power, I tried to minimize the coldness of the place, so we could rest.

“Wear this coat,” Terran offered as he took off his long skin tone long coat. “This would help, princess. Don’t be stubborn and wear this one.”

Sighing, I did what I was told.

“Alright... Good night, everyone...”

With that, I closed my eyes.