Destined

11. This Precious Feeling

Annalise led me back to the east wing and we both walked into the common room. Everyone was up sitting around. Zelme sat on the couch biting into a red apple while Artemis just stared at the table not realizing I came back. Annalise frowned.

"Zelme, you seriously just let him walk out in the cold what kind of knight are you?"

Zelme paused his munching. He stared at her. "He can do what he needs to do, Annalise."

"I cannot believe you, some knight you are." She snapped and then glanced at me. "Get in here and stop dragging your feet. You two need to clear the air." She gestured between me and Artemis.

Artemis did not even glance up. I was terrible.

"Artemis, he came back." Annalise softened her tone. "Come on, snap out of whatever hole you dug."

I strode past her. Artemis did not even register I was right there. I sighed and took a deep breath. "Look, it is not you. I just don't get my emotions right now. They are all over the place lately. I am sorry, Artemis. I have been horrible when you are trying to help me."

She finally glanced up. I was expecting tears, but she laughed at me. "You sure have an imagination, but I was serious. Kader and I were not lovers. He was my first friend, so of course, I was devastated after what my father did to him."

"I know you heard me and Zelme earlier."

Artemis watched me. "And why do you think you cannot fall for someone?"

I cringed because she did hear me say it. "right now, I am not looking for love."

She huffed. "Really, is that because you choose to ignore what you feel? Last night did happen, and you were jealous." She smirked and she got up.

Zelme and everyone else remained silent because Artemis had every right to berate my actions. "Can you blame me, a dead guy was looking at you like I did not exist."

"Oh, so because you felt inferior you get angry at me?"

Damn. I do keep losing to her. I dropped my defenses and sadly gazed at her. "You're right as usual, but that was not the real reason. I was thinking about it all night. I couldn't sleep." Her eyes lit up and then I continued. "All night I kept thinking I was an idiot for asking if you loved him, but I walked out because I was scared to know the answer."

"You don't think any girl would fall for you; you are an idiot!" She raised her voice and came up to me jabbed me in the chest with her pointer finger. "You are smart, kind, bold, but still an idiot." Her cheeks grew rosy.

"Apparently, you have feelings for me." Her eyes widened when she tried to hide her surprise. "I don't know what it is I feel for you, but I can say I care so deeply about you."

Artemis withdrew from jabbing me in the chest. She smirked for a moment before she laughed. Her head cocked back in laughter and she wrapped her arms around her diaphragm.

"I am serious, Artemis."

She had not stopped laughing and I tore my eyes from her. I frowned.

"Your Highness, mind if I say it," Mesmer smirked and stared at me. "You are dense when it comes to yourself."

I trained a daggered stare at him. "I don't see why this is amusing to laugh at. I only said I liked her; it is not the same as admitting love."

"Sure, kid, but you made it obvious when you two are in the same room." Zelme chimed in with a hand on his hip and he walked over. He laid a hand on my shoulder. "No one can hide their feelings when there is clearly something they want."