The Giant's Princess

Chapter 5

The pair snuck towards the castle. It was now past dark and everyone was asleep.

"Get me close to that balcony" Octavia whispered and pointed in the direction she wanted to go. Artemis moved and placed her tiny counterpart on the balcony. "Wait here I want Oliver to meet you."

Octavia pushed open the glass doors and rushed to Oliver's bedside. "Oliver. Oliver wake up!" She shook her sibling awake.

In a confused daze, Oliver opened his eyes. "Go away Octavia I am trying to sleep."

He rolled over and pushed Octavia away.

"Oliver you idiot wake up."

"Wait, Octavia?!?"

"Shh Oliver be quiet." Octavia covered her twin's mouth.

"Octavia, what happened? Father told me you were dead! He sent his guards out and they supposedly found a pile of human bones."

"Well, you should be smart enough not to trust father by now. Get up I want you to meet someone." She pulled her twin out of his bed and to the balcony. "This is my partner Artemis."

"Your partner is Vira?"

"Shh not so loud you'll wake up mom or even worse father"

"Octavia? Is that really you?" Vivian opened the door

"Mom!" Octavia ran over to Vivian and embraced her.

"What happened? How are you here?" Vivian glanced out the window and saw Artemis she gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth.

"Mom wait you don't have to be scared. This is Artemis. She's my girlfriend."

"You're courting a Vira? But..."

"Nothing father says about the Vira is true mom they are a peaceful and kind species. Artemis move closer to the window I want you to meet my family."

Artemis moved her face into view of the balcony.

"Hello. I'm Artemis." She smiled at the humans.

"How did you two even meet?" Vivian asked bewildered

' "Artemis saved my life mom. A few years ago some bandits tried to kidnap me while I was walking in the woods. They cut my arm up pretty badly but Artemis came and scared them off. She scooped me up and took me to bandage my arm. From then on we have been seeing each other almost every day."

"You were almost kidnapped?" Oliver and Vivian exclaimed at the same time.

Vivian walked over to Artemis.

"Thank you for saving my baby's life. I don't know what I would have done without her."

But why did you take her from the wedding?

"Her fiancée was an assassin hired by your husband. He was going to kill her. That and the fact that she is my girlfriend and I can't just let her get married to some stranger. I am going to be the one to marry her."

"An assassin? Oh my, I wouldn't put it past him. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you better Octavia. I wish I had just taken you and Oliver as children and ran away. Your father is an evil man."

"Don't blame yourself, mom. You tried your best. I have to go now. The sun will be rising soon. I love you both and I will see you again soon." She hugged them both and then climbed into Artemis's palm.

They walked away into the forest.

"I need to pick up some supplies in a Vira town would you like to come with me?"

"Would I! It will be an adventure!"