The Crown's Reflection

Chapter Thirteen: Hopeless

"She wondered if she had any blood left in her, or if her body had just filled up with water and cold."

-Catherynne M. Valente, from The Orphan's Tales in the Night Garden

Elsea felt as if someone had pushed a piano pedal onto her life. Everything seemed to blend together, confusing and disorienting. She slid down the tree trunk, her breaths coming out shallow and uneven. Her fingers clutched at Everett's shoulder, digging in to keep her grounded. He crotched with her, his eyes alert and darting around her face. 

"How did they find me?" Elsea whispered, almost mouthing the words.

"Shhh. Breathe with me." Ever's voice sounded so very far away. "I need you to take a deep breath. Inhale," He paused, and Elsea forced a shaky breath, trembling. "Exhale." She exhaled with him. 

Elsea closed her eyes, and took a moment to come to her senses. She stood up, letting go of Ever. 

"We need to take down the posters," Elsea said, in a voice too calm to be real. Shock, she realised.

The wanted poster was bad. It had a detailed drawing of Elsea, with a physical description underneath, pointing out her white hair and mismatched eyes. "REWARD" was printed at the top. Below the description, a statement read that they wanted her alive, with or without her cooperation. 

Ever tore it down, stuffing it into his pocket. "People will be after you. The Royal Crest on the poster will certainly draw attention."

Elsea knew that many Raveenions needed money in a way that people of Asteria couldn't imagine. Bounty hunters or even just starving people would certainly keep their eyes peeled for her. 

"Here." Ever pushed his hat over her hair, tucking in the strands as well as he could. "We need to keep a low profile and try to take down as many posters as we can." Elsea nodded.

He put his hands on her shoulders and met her eyes. "Its going to be okay," Ever lied, because it had to be said at some point. 

He backed away and breath rushed into Elsea's lungs. "There's definitely more guards, so keep an eye out." Elsea noted. 

Ever cautiously took off in the direction of the guard, and it was the first time that Elsea had the sense that he didn't know what he was doing. 

"Ever. Where are you going?" Elsea lowered her voice, already feeling watched. 

"We need to take down the posters?" The end of his sentence shot up in a question. "By following the guard?" Another question. 

"That's a terrible idea. He's going to find us. And there's other guards putting up posters anyway. We need to go somewhere else." 

Elsea grabbed Everett's wrist, yanking him with her as she walked. 

Ever shrugged. "Whatever the lady says," Elsea narrowed her eyes and ignored the sensation of his warm skin. 

___

Elsea and Ever pressed themselves against the back of a shop, quietly tearing off the poster nailed to it. Raveene was swarmed with guards now, and every footstep sent a bolt of fear through Elsea. There was nowhere to hide. Pulling the hood of her cloak lower to hide her eyes, Elsea ducked her head as a guard she didn't detect walked past them. 

"We need a better plan." She said at last. "We should split up."

"No!" Ever whisper-shouted. "The guards aren't expecting you to be with anybody else, so you look less suspicious." 

"Now or later, they are going to find me." Elsea covered Ever's open mouth with a finger. "The last thing I want is...is for you to be taken with me. You've been the greatest friend I could've asked for, Ever. But-" Her voice was too loud, and she cut herself off. Elsea shouldn't have risked being with Ever this far. It was so hopeless, to have a friend. "I have to go." She spun around, only to be grabbed by Ever. 

"Don't you dare leave again. I know the risk, and its my choice to stay with you, not yours. We are doing this together." His eyes searched her desperately. "As a team. Okay?"

Elsea shook her head, again and again. She wouldn't. She couldn't. But oh so selfishly, Elsea allowed herself to cave. Relief shone in Ever's eyes, reading her emotions.

Elsea had never hated herself more.

"Okay. Alright. We need to find somewhere safer." He said.

___

These chapters just keep getting shorter and shorter.....

Anyway.

Lots of fun stuff ahead! And hopefully not as much angst :)