A Ward's Tale

Chapter 21

"Peter!" I exclaim as I jump up and run over to him. I thought I could feel his energy but dismissed it thinking it was someone in the villages who felt similar. But there he is! "You are okay!"

I stop in front of him unsure of how to greet him. If it were Arthur or Mickey or one of my siblings I would have hugged him immediately but it was Peter and I am unsure of what to do. We've only just met technically but I feel as if I've known him so much longer. The space between us is awkward. He stands back unsure also. Finally he speaks.

"Clarissa. We actually found you." Peter says there is a tone of shock in his voice, like he was unsure if he actually found me. "And you look safe and unharmed."

"We?" I question, "Who else is with you?" I peak behind him looking for others. I purposely ignore the last statement. I am "safe and unharmed" but my mind is full of uncertainty  I couldn't even being to explain.

"They couldn't pass the barrier, but Prince Arthur and Reynolds have been traveling with me to find you. It's been a ... an adventure..."

"I'm so glad you are safe and they didn't imprison you. I was so worried." I say and touch his arm. He glances as my hand then looks past me. I feel like there is something he isn't telling me. That's when I notice the healing bruises on his face and arms. He must have used magic to speed the healing process but I can see the remaining marks. They did imprison him. Someone tortured him for answers he didn't have about my kidnapping. Another layer of doubt and confusion piles onto the growing apprehension of my life as I knew it. 

I want to reach out and place my hand on his cheek. To console him in some way that this is not how my family usually is. Before I can Jada walks up. 

"Clarissa, who is this?"

"Hmm, yes, who is this cutie?" Haley asks, looking Peter up and down hungrily. Her tone irks me but I push it aside. He is not mine so I should not care if others look at him. He is a very handsome man, girls would be stupid to not make a move.

But, how do I explain him without poking holes in Valerie's version of me she's told them. Then again, why should I worry about poking holes, she did kidnap me. But, I want to learn more about these people and their lifestyle and if they knew who I was I know they would look at me differently. I was enjoying being just a girl, no title, no chosen one, just a girl who's life has been affected by magic.

"This is Peter, he's a friend of mine who has helped me with controlling my magic."

"Did you not have a teacher as a child in your village? Why are you learning to control it now?" Kessa asks skeptically.

"I...uh..." I stutter. I hadn't thought about how different they grew up. Of course they would have a teacher in magic, that is what Peter told me when we first met. I am supposed to be blending in and learning about these people so I can understand my mothers people.

"It's time to go, Arthur and Reynold are waiting." Peter says nodding towards the trees.

"She's not going anywhere." Haley says stepping between Peter and me. "She's here with Miss Valarie as a guest. She has been through a lot and needs to rest here with us."

I see Peter flinch at the name then shake his head. "I don't care who you say she is with, whoever it is took her from us, from her home."

"Miss Valarie would do no such thing! She saved Clarissa from those awful nomags who attacked her village! Right, Clarissa? Just who is this man?" Haley defends. She looks as if she's about to punch Peter in the nose. I am touched by such a strong reaction after only knowing Haley a few hours.

"Actually..." I say looking away, I can't look at the girls as I speak, "I was attacked but I don't live in a village, I am a ward of the King so I live in the castle with him. I was attacked by a group called the Seekers and have been their prisoner ever since." 

"What? Why would you lie to us?" Haley gasps. The hurt on her face hits me like a knife stabbing into my back. Jada and Kessa look hurt and confused as well. The illusion of being just a normal girl vanishes. 

"How did you end up with Miss Valarie?" Jada asks, crossing her arms. Her look is one of suspicion and no-nonsense.

Before I could reply, Miss Valarie's voice rings out. "Oh, Peter dear! It has been too long! What ideas are you putting into these girls heads now?" We all turn to see her walk out of the shadows into the open meadow. She wears a cheerful smile, like an aunt surprising her nieces with her arrival but there is something hidden behind it that I can't quite read.

Peter's face pales then grows angry. "You! I thought it was you when I heard the name! How are you alive?" I have never seen Peter so angry. His fists shake by his side. Anger and pain radiates from him.

"You two know each other?" I ask bewildered. "And what do you mean alive?"

"I'm surprised to see you as strong as you are, Peter. I see my sister's death did not destroy you completely." Miss Valarie says crossing her arms and glaring at him.  Jada, Kessa, Haley and I all gasp. What shared past do these two have? Why would it have destroyed Peter? 

"I am stronger than you think, Valerie." Peter says defensively. "Clarissa is coming with me."