The Hidden Princess

The witches words

Adden and his father left for the southern mountains early the next morning.  Adden was in deep thought and noticeably quiet.  He was afraid of the outcome; he was afraid that his desire and his inability to control his emotions would ultimately end up killing his mate.  Then he heard a soft whisper in his mind “Fear not my son, it will be as it should be.”  This did not comfort him more than gave him confirmation that it was not up to him to decide their fates, they were decided already, from the day that they are born. 

The King could almost see the conversation his son was having with himself as they flew high in the sky with the sun shining down on them and warming their backs.  He too was worried, he was worried about his son and his mate, he was worried about his own mate and her safety.  Thus far they had only spoken to their children about them being mates.  Guilt had consumed Julia about not being brave enough in the beginning, not taking the burden on herself.  She blamed herself that their children were in this predicament.  Initially she had fought to come clean about them being mates to everyone, but it was his fear of the unknown that kept him feeling the need to hide what they were to each other.  Guilt swelled up in his heart remembering her broken heart when he forced her to separate from him, the tears she would cry every time she lay with her husband eventually stopped, she became numb to it all and did not fight at all.  She was only genuinely happy when they were together, she was grateful that he had at least given them their place to be together.  Idean spent the last few days wishing he could turn back time but knowing he had made his choices and now they were all going to pay for his stupidity, his weakness.

He saw the southern mountain ridge coming closer and he motioned to Adden where to go and he followed him and they both landed in front a large cave on the largest mountains side.  It was dark but not uninviting with a cool fresh breeze whispering by their faces as they stood there.

Idean stepped forward “Marta, Good Witch of the Southern Mountains it is I, Idean the King of the light Faries from the middle realm.  I am in search of your guidance in matters of all our realms and of the heart.”  He looked at his son with the last part of his announcement. 

After what seemed like eternity but, it was only a few moments they heard footsteps coming toward them.  She faded into their vision wearing her full-length white fur coat and a red outfit under it.  Her white hair in a cute bob that curled over her cheeks a bit enhancing her very dark brown eyes.  Looking very elegant and out of place standing in the entrance to her cave she stopped and looked them both over. “I have been waiting for you to show up.  I already know what you seek but we must talk in a more private setting.” She turned back toward the cave and signaled them to follow her and they did.

She opened a door and the cave turned into a big home with rooms and sunlight with elegant furniture and chandeliers.  Adden was astonished at the sight and followed her request to sit down.  The King and Adden sat on the sofa and Marta sat across from them and offered them some tea.  They sat across from each other respectfully drinking tea looking at each other.  Marta set her tea down and said “I know why you are here.”  She looked at Adden like she was looking right through him.

Idean set his tea down “We are seeking some advice and I feel like you will have the answers.” He decided to stop there and see what she said.

“Your son has been mated to a royal vampire” she paused looking over at Adden again “and they were unable to deny the mating bond like others in the past have been able to do.” She looked back at Idean picking up her tea again and focusing on taking a sip.

“My mate is pregnant and I desperately wish to save her life.” Addens fear thick in his words “I will do anything to save her and save our child.” His lavender eyes swirling with emotions he looked away from Marta, she made this situation much to real all of the sudden.

“As I said before, I know why you are here and I would not have invited you in if I was not going to help you.”  She set her tea back down and leaned back into the couch and crossed her legs focusing on her hands as she smoothed out her coat. “I cannot save the girl, I can save the child and hide her until the time is right for her to take her rightful spot upon the throne.  I cannot defy what the Moon Goddess as set into motion but she did request that the child be hidden until the time is right.”  Marta paused for a moment and finally looked up to see Addens’ broken heart in his eyes. “The Moon Goddess has a plan, she always does and sometimes that requires the sacrifice of a few to save many.  She has requested that I save you as well and keep you safe until your daughter returns here, she will need you to protect and guide her.  You are the only one who can do that for her. “  She paused again and waited for her words to sink in.

Idean leaned forward “There is no saving the princess? She must make this sacrifice?” He reached over to his son’s hand and grasped it trying to give him support.

“I am sorry, but I cannot interfere with this.  I don’t really even know if I could.  Here is the plan as it has been laid out to me. The princess must move into the fairy realm and take her rightful place next to the prince, officially.  There will be a sign and she will have to flee and you two must stay and defend her. Adden you will send her your black unicorn to help her escape as far as possible in the least amount of time.  It is at this point the child will be taken and hidden away from everything.  I will not tell you anymore than that, but this is how it must be done.  I suggest going home and taking her to your palace as soon as possible, time waits for no one.”  With that Marta stood, the men stood and she moved toward the door.  As Adden walked by her she reached out and touched his arm and looked into his eyes as if she wanted to say more but could not. 

Late, Adden stood beside her bed while she was asleep.  He studied her face he wanted to remember every curve, every line.  He touched her hair, he wanted to remember how silky it felt to his touch.  Tears filled his eyes because he was afraid of what was going to happen to her.  He blamed himself, he should not have approached her, or he should have rejected her and she would not be here.  He got down on his knees and started crying and then he heard, like a whisper from far away ‘fear not my son, everything is as it should be.’  Delilah woke up to his sobs and immediately got down on the floor with him and pulled him close her and he grabbed on to her and they both sat there for an exceptionally long time.  Their hearts beating in unison, their skin on fire where they were touching.  He looked up at her finally and they kissed.

He kissed her like it was the last time he was going to kiss her and he pulled her close feeling her pregnant belly press against him.  He scooped her up in his arms without breaking the kiss, she finally broke the kiss and was a bit breathless.  He spread his wings and they took off flying into the night.  He took her to their secret spot and lay her on the bed they had first made-love in.  He kept her in his arms and they lay there quiet for a while.

“She cannot save you.” Adden finally said and it sounds terrible coming out of his mouth but his continued “She told us that you had to move into the fairy palace and take your rightful spot next to me, officially.  After that there will be some sort of sign and you will have to flee.  My father and I will stay behind and defend you.  I will send my black unicorn to help you with your escape.  Marta will find you and help our baby escape.  She did not say where she will bring her but she assured me she would be safe and return to our land when the time is right to take her rightful spot as Queen.”

Delilah listened and her heart sank thinking of them being separated.  She would not be able to help him, he will suffer the rest of his life without her.  Her heart was sad and tears slid down her cheeks, she rolled toward him and touched his face, looked deep into his eyes like it was the last time she would see them. “I love you.” Then she kissed him with every once of her being and pulled him as close as she could never wanting to let go. This is how they fell asleep, in each other’s arms.  Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.