Heart of Fire

Chapter Thirty Four

I hate surprises, even good ones. Something about not knowing what I'm getting into and letting someone else take full control doesn't sit right with me. Even as a child I would make Hudson tell me everything he was up to, I would go as far as asking my father what the general army was planning. It kept me in the loop, it made me feel like I was important.

Kenton however, seems to love surprises.

"Will you please tell me where it is you're dragging me to?" I ask for the upteenth time.

"Again, you'll see when we get there." He repeats. That's been his answer every time as he continues to pull me with our hands interlocked.

I groan, growing more frustrated and impatient. I have no idea where he intends to take me, but it seemed important enough to take me away from my friends.

We're on the castle grounds outside, walking towards the back where there's not much to see. As he leads me through a small opening in the forest, I start to grow concerned.

"Listen Kenton." I sigh, "If you're going to kill me you might as well make a huge ordeal about it. Like tie me to a stake and shoot me with an arrow while the entire kingdom watches or something."

He looks back to smile at me, his dimple on his left cheek making an appearance. "I'm not going to kill you, but that is a good idea I'll keep in mind."

Finally, he comes to a stop, pulling me to stand next to him and keeping our hands together. When I look at him, he nods his head in front of us, motioning me to look.

About twenty feet in front of us sits two lone grave stones. A large flower field surrounds them, making what should be an eerie landmark seem mystical and dreamy.

"Whose graves are these?" I ask, slightly confused as to why this was so important.

"Go see for yourself." He says solemnly.

I furrow my brow slightly before walking closer to the graves, squinting my eyes to read the names on the stones.

General Severus Farrington

Neve Farrington

My breath hitches as I read the names on the stones over and over again, just to make sure I'm seeing them right. When I turn to Kenton, I can't conceal the burning in my eyes.

"I thought- I didn't think they were buried." I choke out, shaking my head in disbelief.

"They weren't supposed to be." He explains, his own eyes flooding with tears. "But that night I gave special orders to the guards without my father's knowledge. They deserved better than what he was going to do to them, you deserved better."

I fall to my knees in front of the stones, running my fingers over their names. Tears flow down my cheeks, there's nothing else I can think to do at this moment. I've spent the past five years believing that they didn't get a proper burial, that they were left to rot or whatever else Bastian was going to do with them. But Kenton saved them from that, he gave them what they deserved and I'm eternally grateful for that.

"I'll give you a moment alone. Take as much time as you want, I'll wait just around the corner, alright?" Kenton says quietly as he stands behind me.

I turn around to grab his hand before he can walk off. "No, stay with me, please." I insist, pulling on his hand slightly to sit next to me.

He hesitates, but ultimately lets me pull him to the ground with me. I lay my head on his shoulder, looking at my parents' graves.

"Thank you." I whisper. I feel him stiffen slightly before returning relaxed again.