Rosewood Kingdom

Pushing My Limits

York caught up with Helia at the wagon. For a moment he was hesitant on what to do next. "Are we going back to the cave or are you going to stand there looking?" her voice is rough with anger.

"Uh, we can... it's an inn in town that we can stay at tonight if you want."

"They're gonna have two strangers stay there? Free of charge?"

"I didn't think that far."

"Well, you should have, York." She squeezes the bridge of her nose. "Fuck it, I need a bath as it is." She slides on the bench of the wagon and crossed her arms against the waning cold wind. He joins her on the bench and guided their horses down the road. The sun was going down and the air was turning colder.

The pair pull up to the inn and hopped out. York guided the two horses to the stable and fed them hay before following Helia inside. True to Olga's words, her father was sitting behind the counter. "Travelers!" he yelled to the back room in surprise. "How can we help you?"

"One room, please. Olga sent us."

"My sweet Olga? Great! Name?"

"Zeus and Lilith of Rosewood." He speaks while Helia is distracted by the warmth of the front room.

"...tonight's on the house." The older man patted York's shoulder in excitement. He held a key in his hand to show them where they'd be staying that night. Helia choked on her spit when she realized the man had one key in his hand. Without even asking...

"Just one key?" she blurted against her better judgement.

"You are married, aren't you?" the man turned to stare at the small woman.

"Uh, obviously..." York interjects with a fake laugh and wrapped his arm around her waist protectively. Helia gave a weak smile. The man turns back around to head up the stairs. Helia snatches out of his embrace quickly to glare at him and stomp his foot.

"Here you are...our lovers' suite." The man announced. They are on the top floor, overlooking the mountains and valleys far away. "Evelyn will be around to get your orders. Welcome Zeus and Lilith." With that the man closed the door on them.

"Lilith? Who the fuck is Lilith?!"

"You can't be Helia of Eastmont anymore, Helia! I had to think of something."

"Every minute of every hour you give me more reasons to almost hate you." Helia speaks after what feels like an eternity. The sun is completely gone and is replaced by the moon. "First my cottage, now my name and a fake marriage. What's next, my life? Seeing you like beating niggas in saloons and shit."

"Don't act like you ain't see that man hit me first!"

"What I did see is a former king on the run from his fate and dragging me with him." with that she leaves him in the main room alone to take her bath.

About twenty minutes later, a soft knock distracts him from his thoughts. A small woman held a tray of toiletries and clothing. "Welcome to Winter Springs, Sir Zeus." He placed the supplies outside the bathroom door and turned his attention to the lands again.

"We told you..." Mikaela appeared from the closet. "Swanky spot."

"Mika...please."

"Assuming a new identity is in your best interest. Because it's time to prepare for a new life. This land needs leadership."

"I don't want to be king anymore. Of any land."

"You don't have a choice. It's your destiny." And with that Mika disappears just as Helia returned from her bath.