Something With a Prince

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Twisted

Lansing

When I had walked long enough for things to seem normal, I returned to the camp. Thea was sitting with her back against the log, but I knew better than to assume she had been waiting for me.

My head began to pound, a sharp ringing filling my ears along with the echoing stench of must and plants. Maybe it was about to rain. That would just be perfect, wouldn't it? Both of us silently moping in the rain.

Thea stood up and came toward me, I could see that she had been crying, which made everything worse. Her eyes were so blue, and uncharacteristically warm toward me. My breath stuttered in my chest, and I hung my head, because I didn't know what else to do. I had exhausted my pride in the forest, walking it to death in the trees and bushes. Malice soon followed.

I had always known somewhere inside that I played a part in her father's death, but it had always seemed more like a disappearance. Maybe I was too young to comprehend death as it was. Still, the story I remember is so hazy now, that It would be a lie to defend myself against it. Maybe I am the reason. Which, in that case, she has every right to hate me. To be held responsible for her father's death at six years old seems brutal, but then I think of everything Sir. Osuin was and I would hold myself accountable too. Maybe I always have, and that is why I seek her approval. All this time, I was just calling forgiveness by the wrong name.

What was I supposed to say to her? I convinced myself it was all a dream. Sorry I couldn't protect you from this? No, what good would it do? Just throw us into another argument. Better to just let her continue to believe it and keep going. She has hated me this long, what's another fifty years? We've both grown comfortable with the pain, in a way. I could bear it. Still, something kept telling me that this was...wrong.

"Thea," I began, but she shushed me, putting her finger up to my lips. Were it not for the fact I was, in every way, exhausted, I would have been surprised. I would have leaned into it. My headache grew worse. Like water was being shot up my nose and stabbing the front on my brain. I squinted at the light of the fire as Thea took my face in her hands.

"What are you doing?" I strangled out through the ringing noise in my ears.

She smiled a soft smile. "You did so well, bringing her here." Her hand slid to the back of my neck, giving me chills, "I knew I could count on you."

"What?" My knees buckled under me and my brain caught fire.

That's when Thea came out of the woods carrying a torch, shouting my name. Her eyes locked with mine and the torch dropped.

The world went dark, and the ringing was now a lullaby I almost remembered.