Journey of a Girl

Ajo: Chapter Twelve

The door to the Queen's chambers was locked, barring anyone from entering, but Ajo had his ear pressed against it, desperate to hear the discussion on the other side.

He thought it unfair that he was not permitted to be present for such an important conversation, one that would decide his future, but his mother had made it known that everyone, her son included, was forbidden from taking part in the meeting between Galeia and herself.

Before it began, the Queen promised her son that when Galeia left the room she would accept their marriage. Things did not appear to be going as planned, as Ajo heard his mother's voice raised in anger.

"Ungrateful—spoiled child!"

Galeia replied but it was too muffled to understand. Ajo conjured a window into the room so he could see and better hear the women arguing. He was ashamed to intrude upon their privacy, but their talk concerned the course of his life.

He had never seen his mother so furious. She towered over Galeia, a veritable mountain of threat. Galeia was not moved, but stood equally fierce and angry.

"You are meant to rule the woods together," the Queen said.

"I don't want him," Galeia argued and Ajo's heart sank to his stomach. "I will not marry him!"

"Must I lock you away until you see reason—"

"I HATE HIM!"

The Queen's face fell into a horrified grimace.

"That's not true, Galeia."

The tension that held up Galeia's shoulders relaxed.

"It's not true," she admitted. "I don't hate Ajo. But I do not love him like you want me to. I love...I love another."

Ajo's hand moved to the door handle.

"No," the Queen said, "there is no one else."

"I once asked you about attraction. You told me it was an invisible pull towards another. I used to think it was funny—but I felt it, mother. I felt it."

"Attraction is not love. It is often fleeting and frail—"

"But sometimes it's a beginning. My attraction grew into love."

"It is a lie, Galeia. You think what you feel is love, but it's stubborn spite that drives these urges."

"You said I shouldn't be ashamed for feeling it. You told me you wouldn't be angry. So please, be happy for me."

"How can I be happy about this rebellion?"

"It's not rebellion—"

"You're right. It's worse. It's treason."

Galeia's jaw tightened.

"You lied to me. You meant you would be happy only if I felt attraction for Ajo." She shook her head. "I cannot."

"And who is this great challenger to Ajo? Some prince or duke?"

Galeia winced. "His name is Oliver. He's...a human."

"I didn't want to believe it when Ajo told me. Have you lost all good sense? You would tear everything apart for the brief, flimsy love of a mortal? It's beyond indecent, Galeia. It's vile, it's—"

"You took a chance on a human once and look what became of him. He rose to become the Protector of your woods!"

"Their kind have always proven an ill omen for you, child. Think of the hunters you met, who killed the witch that created you. Think of the Knight when he first came to court, and the toxin you struck him with. Nothing good has ever come from you mixing with their likes. This human will be no different, and you will cause harm in the end. You will stop this dalliance immediately, if not for Ajo's sake, then for the safety of that mortal."