The Book of Willow- Princess of the West

29.

Aswen gasped as the incandescent diamond-shaped shield around Miles repelled Maia with unearthly force. 

'Impossible!' Her mind struggled to understand what she's just witnessed. 'They aren't...human.' She peered around the bushes, ensuring that she was concealed. 

She watched Maia spar with Chance. Rage built like deep water currents growing with each passing moment of a brewing storm. She watched Chance administer gentle ministrations to Maia. Every touch kindling to the already raging inferno within her. 

Aswen blinked rapidly as her eyes adjusted on an impossibly tall shirtless blonde who stood stoically monitoring the fight. His eyes flickered and his head turned sharply in her direction. 

'Shit, he found me.' She thought nervously. 

Aswen's anger devolved into fear when his haunting blue eyes made contact with her own. Her cover was definitely blown. The giant blonde knew she was there. Yet, the sparing went on. He did not expose her. Instead, he returned his attention to the fight which escalated. 

The colossus moved so fast he was like a blur until he appeared between Chance and Maia. Shielding them both with a form of brilliant golden light from a sudden forceful explosion. 

Aswen sat mute on the cold ground, her brain seemingly stalled, like a vehicle broken down on the side of the road. Every part of her was on pause as her thoughts played catch up. 

She shivered against the cold. The warmth of her body stolen by the frigid air. This was like some waking nightmare. Like she stepped into some ridiculous Sci-Fi movie in progress. Maia, Chance, Miles, and the oversized model weren't even human. 

"Child." A voice, as deep and as sweet as a symphony of cellos called to her, compelling her to answer. 

Aswen looked and gasped. He was even more beautiful close-up. 

Full lips pulled into a smile, "The sun has given way to evening. The hour grows late and the weather grows colder. Come in and warm yourself by the hearth." He reached his hand to her, silently pulling her to her feet.

***

"What the fuck is Aswen doing here?" Maia balked nearly choking on the coca puffs. She sat in the center of the kitchen at the island, shoveling food into her mouth without an ounce of dignity. 

Miles and Chance stopped in their tracks and said in unison, "Oh, Shit!"

Glorfindel gently pushed Aswen further into the kitchen to shut the backdoor, "I found your friend wandering trees around your home."

Maia's spoon dropped with a clink against the porcelain bowl, "And you what-just decided it would be a great idea to let her in on our secret!" Her hands dramatically gesturing at Aswen. 

Glorfindel's heavily muscled arms folded over a wide chest and squinted his eyes at Maia, "You question my abilities, Princess."

"Ph-ph-princess," Aswen questioned with a raised brow. 

"Yes, Princess. That's all part of what we couldn't tell you." Chance moved toward her cautiously. 

Aswen's eyes were wide, her pupils dilated, taking in as much light as they could. She fidgeted with her hands, rubbing them together over and over again. Obvious signs that she was frightened. Any sudden movement might cause her to bolt. 

Maia's hand slammed against the counter. The kitchen lights flickered in response, "I think you're all missing the fucking point. Why is Aswen here with the Ken doll?" 

A smile touched Glorfindel's lips, the type Maia hated. It was filled with a special type of arrogance and conceit, belonging to those with an inflated sense of self.  "She walked right past my barrier which was no easy feat. Therefore, she will stay." 

"Hold up there new guy," Miles threw up a hand a Glorfindel, "I don't know who put you in charge but Aswen has no powers. She's not connected to this in any way shape or form. She's human. We'd only be putting her life in danger. Why would you be so Goddamn cavalier about wanting  her to be in the middle of this cluster fuck?" 

A rumbling kind of chuckle escaped Glorfindel's lips, "What you children must learn is that everything is connected. You all met at a specific time for a specific reason. That girl was able to walk right past one of the strongest protective spells I've ever conjured. She has a role to play in this therefore she stays."

He drew a long breath before his eyes met Aswen's "I do not envy you, your future nor the burden you will bear in this role. But, of what I am certain is that you would be better served should you stay." 

Aswen's blue eyes rimmed with unshed tears, "Why should I? Like Miles said. I don't have anything to do with what's going on here. And I don't know if I want to. Like, when did Maia become some fucking princess?" Her voice grew an octave with each word. 

She was nearly shouting when she said, "All I know is that none of you are normal. None of you are human." She looked at them with a mix of disgust and contempt. 

"I've got news for you Aswen," Maia slammed, her spoon on the counter. The corner of her lip rising to a snare as she jumped from the kitchen stool. She strode slowly and stood, fixing Aswen with a hard stare. "Neither are you." 

Aswen scoffed and rolled her eyes, "You're not making sense. None of this is making sense." 

Maia folded her arms and jutted her hip to the side, "Like he said Aswen, you made it past Andre' The Giant's barrier. A normal human could never do that. If you leave now, you're in just as much danger as the rest of us." 

Aswen's head shook, in disbelief, "In danger from who?"

Maia answered with unvarnished speech, "Not from who, Aswen, but what. A demon lord, powerful enough to end the world."

Tears pour down her flushed cheeks, "Impossible,"

"After what you saw today, you really still think it is?" Chance hazarded taking another step closer to her. He reached out gently towards her.

"Stay with us Aswen, please." His face softening as he regarded her.

She looked away, "I can't." she whispered. Pushing past Glorfindel, she ran out the door.