Forbidden Fate

Chapter 23

 I curl up in the bed. I half expect to feel Zilla's hand on my waist. I miss her so much. I can't wait for this all to be over. My dad will be gone and Zilla and I can finally be together. No more hiding, no more sucking up, no more wearing a mask. I can finally be me. Zilla can stop playing the bad guy role she hates so much. I finally drift to sleep with a smile on my face. It will all be over soon.

The next morning I wake up and get dressed. We need to get going soon or we might not make it back on time. We eat breakfast, say goodbye to everyone, and get going. The first day of travel is filled with cracking jokes and just general chit-chat. I've learned a lot about Lily, Luna, and Celest. Lily came from Rosewood. I hardly remember her because I never saw her and I was so young. She was the assistant to my mom's personal maid even though she was only 13 at the time. After my mom died my dad found letters between them talking crap about my father. Lily was to be executed but just before they caught her she made her escape to Thornwood where she meet Zilla. Zilla gave her a job, food, and shelter. That's why Lily is always so apologetic. If she did one thing wrong she was yelled at and apparently even hit a few times by my father.

Luna and Celest were actually born in Thornwood. Their mother was a well-known assassin who treated them well and taught them how to fight. Their mother also came from Rosewood. After my father put a bounty on her head she ran off to Thornwood where she hoped to have a semi-normal life. She gave up assassination and settled down with a man she met there. However, the guy was a spy sent by the king and tried to kill her. Their mother survived and killed him. They both didn't know she was pregnant. Only three years ago, when they were both 13, their mother was murdered by an unknown killer. Zilla found them on the streets, gave them a home, then they volunteered to work as maids and part-time guards if it is ever needed.

The sun sets on our first day of travel. We have already passed the halfway point on our journey. We set up for bed and light a small fire, just to talk around for a little bit before bed. "Hey Ivy?" Celest randomly asks during dinner, "Just out of curiosity what will happen to the two kingdoms once you two get married?" I smile, "I plan to merge the two kingdoms. We will adopt the kingdom name of Thornwood, however, we will keep the Rosewood name by naming my hometown, Rosewood Village. Thornwood will become the capital just called Thornwood Village. At least that was my idea. I'll talk to Zilla about it once we're settled in." "I like that idea..." Lily chimes in. Luna nods. "If you guys ever get in trouble or need help come to me okay?" Everyone looks at me confused, "After all of this, you guys will most likely have a target on your backs. Just keep your guard up and holler if you need me." Luna laughs, "You don't have to be worried, we already knew the risks when volunteering. We can handle ourselves." Everyone else nods in agreement and I sigh in relief.

After a few more minutes of talking, we put out the fire and go to bed. Two more days. Two more days until the ball. Two more days until Zilla and I can be reunited. Two more days until my father's death.

I can't wait.