Maldows Isles

Chapter Four

Amaria's POV

"What do you mean I'm who you were looking for, Ash?" I look between him and my father, the confusion evident on my face. Ash looks to my father for confirmation. My dad shakes his head in disagreement.

"Not now, my Lily, I will explain this all when we meet at Ash's mother's home. Please do not argue with me, Ash will take care of you while I'll distract them. My healing can wait." There's a loud crash outside of the tunnel. " Quickly take her to Calissa now!!"

My dad shoves me towards a door that appears out of nowhere. I'm terrified, but Ash doesn't give me a chance to breathe. He opens the door dragging me inside of it and slams the door shut.

"Got dammit Amaria! You always make things so difficult." Ash shouts before continuing down a path. I was about to give him a piece of my mind when I realize we're not in the tunnels anymore. It's dark outside, but with all these glowing flowers you wouldn't be able to tell.

"This is...-"

"Beautiful," Ash finishes for me. I turn to face him when he takes me to the lake that's a few steps away. I look at my reflection and I'm stunned into silence. There's someone who looks like me but not quite. This girl is breathtaking, with the same strawberry blonde hair as mine, but her eyes are bigger, her ears are pointed, she's paler yet exquisite. I lift my head towards Ash, and he looks the same, except for his pointed ears.

"What is going on? Please give me something Ash, don't make me wait for my dad."

"We'll talk as we walk, Amaria. We can't stay here for too long. It is not safe." he sighs and starts heading towards the field of glowing lilies. He's moving abnormally fast, so I take off in a sprint to catch up with him.

"Wait up!" I gasp out. He slows down instantly. Throughout our trek, he tells me about our mother's. They were best friends, and my mother was the rightful heir to the throne of Maldows Isles, wherever that is. When he says I have an aunt I'm floored. I stop and look at him. It takes him a second to realize I'm not there behind him.

" I have an aunt? Why wouldn't my dad tell me this?" I yell in outrage. The ground begins to shake as my anger rises. When the tremors start Ash takes a hold of me.

"Breathe Mari. Look at me in my eyes." He says firmly. I stare into his eyes, taking a deep breath. His touch calms me, for reasons I'm not sure of. Then he does something I wouldn't expect him to. He pulls me into his chest and holds me.

"I'm about to tell you something, it might upset your further, but I need you to focus on me. Do you understand Amaria?" he pulls back an inch to look me in my eyes. I couldn't speak, so I nod instead. "Your aunt had your mother hunted while she was pregnant with you.' My breathing goes uneven. "Amaria, I won't continue if you don't want me to." I shake my head, "Okay then, She had your mother killed." I hear a scream, then I realize the scream was coming from me. The ground begins the shake more, and then I feel something soft pressed against my lips. I lean into it realizing it was Ash kissing me. The tremors instantly stop, my mind is clouded by the sensation that I'm feeling. He deepens the kiss, then suddenly pulls away. I'm left breathless.

"I'm sorry Amaria," he says, and then takes off. I placed a finger on my lips, still feeling his kiss. When I shake off my daze I realize he's already far away. I chase after him.

Catching up to him I whisper, "Thank you."

He nods, "We're almost there Amaria, we won't be walking for much longer, then you can rest."

"I'm fine Ash, I'm not even tired." He turns to me giving me a once over, nods and continues on his trek. The rest of the trip is quiet. I take in the scenery. Glowing figures, which I know now are Sprites, are slowly coming back to the field. They bounce around the lilies with joy, some are watching Ash and me.

Finally, Ash stops, when I look up we're in front of an old, run downed cottage.

"We're here." He smiles.

"This is where you and your mother live? I'm not the one to judge, Ash, but this looks horrendous to live in."

He smirks, "Don't judge a book by its cover, Amaria. Come on let's go meet my mom."

I'm a bit skeptical, but I follow him inside. As soon as I cross the threshold I stop. The inside does not look run-downed at all.

"How...?" I gasp.

"All the things you've seen since we left the tunnel, and you still question these things?"

Ash is right. I've seen my face transforms, I've made the ground shake, I've seen sprites for god's sake, and I still question this. I know I shouldn't be this shocked.

"It's an enchantment, Mari. To keep things hidden away. My mom didn't want your aunt to find us." he eyes me as he says this.

"Why would she want you and your mom?" I look back at him. She shouldn't want them. His mother was just a friend to my mom, unless she wants to tie up the loose strings, make sure no one opposes her. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts I didn't realize a woman coming into the foyer until it was too late. She stood at the entrance of a door just behind Ash. She must be Ash's mother. Looking at me with the same purple eyes as her son, but she has raven. mid-back curls flowing around her.

"The reason your aunt is looking for Ash and me is completely different than your thoughts, Amaria." She pauses taking me in. "By the goddess, you're a split image of your mother." She places a hand on her chest taking a shuddering breath.

"If it is different than what I was thinking...." I stop myself. I didn't say that out loud. 'Wait how did you know what I was thinking?"

"I have a gift of reading minds Amaria." I nod at Calissa.

"Well, why would she be looking for you and Ash?" I fold my arms across my chest.

"She is looking for us because you and Ash are betrothed."