Promises of Gold

15. Confessions

Cordelia's POV:

Max and Maya led me through dark wooden corridors without saying a word. My brain was going through millions of possibilities. What would happen to me? I looked around hoping to see Peter somewhere. What had they done to them? Max roughly pushed me in order to make me go faster. Maya just watched and did not say a word. I was confused on how these people worked. They could be kind but so cruel at once. As we passed through the corridors I noticed many small offices and we passed by a large weapon room. 

 Max suddenly stopped and pulled me by the rope that was still around my hands. I was forced into the room as Maya followed behind.  The room was very large and had many shapes and sizes of swords. I saw daggers lined up against a wall as well as a fighting ring. I furrowed my brows in confusion. What on earth did they need so many weapons for? Who did they need to fight or train for? I refused to believe it could be me or James. We were harmless. 

"Where's your sword? I will be consificating that before you meet the king." Max demanded with impatience, holding out his left hand.

"I can't really give it to you now can I? With my hands tied and all" I spat. 

Max sighed and spotted my sword on the left side of my belt. He pulled it out carelessly and quickly asked Maya to check me for any other weapons I may be hiding. She patted me down and simply shook her head when she found nothing. Max walked away and placed my sword on a table a few feet away. He raised his brows and moved his head to the right, signaling us to go. This time Maya was the one to pull me and lead me away. She was surprisingly rough for the crying girl she was in the office. I began to hate her as well as she pushed me the whole way as we walked. I watched her as she pulled me through the halls with a straight face. She seemed as if she was somwhere else. 

"Our curse is my fault. Because I left and came here and stayed when I should not have, because I kept your mother's secret. I do not have time to tell you, but if you stay with me I will take care of you and tell you who your true father is." Maya spoke, still sounding far away. 

  Suddenly I heard a yelp from behind us and Maya and I whipped our heads around to see Max passed out on the floor. Above him was Peter and James. Maya gasped and pulled me backwards, before deserting me to take care of Max. Peter took the opportunity and ran and grabbed me before lifting me over his shoulder. He began to sprint away as James followed behind us. 

"How did you escape?" I asked as he ran, trying to find his way around.

"I'll explain later. We need to get out." he replied distractedly.

James caught up and ran beside us. He gave me a soft smile and I returned it. He was all sweaty and stressed out. I couldn't help but notice that he was handsome when he was in his mission self. Peter stopped quickly to look around. He was lost. He looked absolutely distraught. I felt my heart quicken. 

"Where do we go?" James asked.

"I don't remember. This place is a maze" Peter replied in pants. He put me down and I stumbled as the blood rushed to my head. James quickly grabbed me to steady me. I smiled in gratitude. 

"Are you alright?" James asked in concern, looking me up and down.

"I'm alright. I was just worried for you two. Where's William and Thomas?" 

"We let them leave. We need them safe." James answered still examining me.

"They didnt hurt me. I just figured out my aunt is here. That's the most damage they did" I explained.

"Your aunt? Was that who that girl was?" James asked as we began to run once more after Peter. 

"Yes. I didn't even know she existed. I've never been so conflicted and honestly, I'm angry" 

James seemed to be at loss for words. His eyes were full of pity and I looked at Peter as we followed him. I hadn't asked Maya why she stayed. What connection did our family have with this place? How was she reponsible? My true father? My head began to hurt with all the questions I had. Our family had so much history with this island. More than I could wrap my head around. 

"I think I see an exit. Quickly follow me." Peter ordered sounding hopeful. I didn't have to be told twice. James and I ran faster behind him as we started to see light and smell fresh air. We were so close. 

As we stepped outside we spotted no one. We were in the same valley we had arrived in. We didn't stop. We continued to run into the forest. As we reached further in, we took a short stop. I was panting as we took our break, earning a teasing grin from James. I made a face at him, making him do the same. I let out a laugh for the first time in a while. Suddenly we all began laughing. It was out of relief and exhaustion. We sounded insane.  Suddenly there was a creak behind us. I turned around to see no one. Again, a creak. We all looked around in panic. Leaves began to russle and I backed away towards James for protection. He pulled me into his arms and I leaned into his embrace. We slowly began to walk away, Peter holding his finger to his lips. We had to stay silent. I anxiously pursed my lips as we kept walking away and I held James tighter. James whispered consoling words in my ear, telling me he wouldn't let them take me.  I shut my eyes, trying to calm down. I could not go back there. Suddenly I remembered the rope was still around my hands. I tugged at it, making James notice and attempt to break it. He couldn't. He looked at me with panic.  

Peter kissed my forehead as if to promise he would also take care of it. I buried my face in his arm as Peter signaled to keep walking backwards as the rustling stopped for a moment. We followed his instruction and James made sure I was still safely in his arms. I felt safer than I ever did with Peter or Thomas. It was a feeling of comfort and belonging in his arms that I could not remember having, even when kissing Peter. Despite our situation, I felt myself realize how strongly I felt for James. As if James was thinking the same thing he began to whisper in my ear.

"I have a strange feeling about our next moments. I know this is a horrible way to tell you, but I feel that I will regret it if I do not. I have strong feelings for you. You may be confused since we seem as if we have had a short time together but as I told you, I knew you. Cordelia we used to be in love. After you and Peter failed, I was there for you as your friend. We fell for eachother and loved one another. I would be lying if I said I do not still have feelings for you and that I do not have a place for you in my heart. I still love you Cordelia. I thought you should know. I can feel that you feel similarily and you feel we are right. I promise to take care of you. Always. My promises are gold Cordelia. They never rust or fade." 

I looked at him with surprise and felt tears rush to my eyes, suddenly not paying attention to our surroundings.  I was in shock, no one had spoken so passionately, instead of Peter. As I began to open my mouth to reply,  we heard Peter scream and all of a sudden, everything went black.