The Crowns Curse

Chapter 24

Kayson

The monster chose Xander. I couldn't move or breathe. Of course. Why didn't I realize sooner! The monster said that it would either take Emma home or take Xander. Emma was never taken. And why would the monster bring Xander back home. Fear gripped at me at the thought of the monster dragging Xander away. A sudden snap caused Emma and I to jump. 

“Uh… you two look like you saw a ghost?” Xander said teasingly. Emma and I did not think of it as funny. “You guys ok?” Xander asked while he set down the wood. I nodded. So did Emma. We sat there in silence which made Xander impatient. “Well if you don’t tell me, I will find out eventually so go ahead. Say it now.” Xander stood again and crossed his arms. I sighed which got Emma's attention. I had to quickly bring something up. Then it hit me.

“ We forgot it was your birthday, Xander.” I looked to Emma who sat wide eyed back at me. Then I looked back to Xander who blinked a couple times. Then rubbed his neck in embarrassment.

“I guess it is. I got too excited to remember it.” Xander looked at the ground. Emma stood up.

“ You never told me your birthday was this month! Or even this week!”

Xander shrugged. Emma then walked over and hugged Xander. Which I definitely think he deserved. 

“Happy birthday, Xander! Today we'll try to make it the best day! Won't we, Kayson?” She looked at me and I nodded. Emma smoothed her dress and looked around. 

“You two really don’t-” Xander started quietly. But Emma shushed him, cutting him off. We started walking in the forest but hesitated. 

“Why don’t we pack up and go.” Xander said, recognizing Emma’s uncomfortable mood. I nodded in agreement.

When we packed up, Emma offered to take Xanders bag. Which made me smile. Xanders bag and her bag made her not walk straight which made Xander nervous. Xander let Emma walk ahead and walked by me.

“I uhh…” Xander cleared his throat. “I need some advice.”

“Oh? What advice.” I asked. Why in the world would Xander want advice from me?

“I notice that you kinda understand Emma more. And I was wondering how you did it?” Xander said quietly. I felt my face heat up.

“Well…I listen. I respect how she acts. That doesn't mean I'm doing what she wants but I take it into consideration.” I answered. Xander went quiet in thought then nodded smiling. I smiled back at him.  

“It’s amazing!” Emma shouted way in front of us. We quickly went through the trees and gasped. It was a field covered in waist high flowers. Emma was in the middle twirling in circles. We ran over to her and watched as pedals flew everywhere. I looked over to see Emma now smelling the flowers giggling.

“Is this why girls love flowers so much?” Xander asked silently. I shrugged. Woman was just as much of a mystery. 

“Do you know what these are?” Emma said, running up to us with a handful of the yellow flowers. 

“A rose?” Xander said shyly. Emma giggled again.

“They’re honeysuckles!” Emma said excitingly.

I was still confused. Emma could also see we were still confused. 

‘You can eat honeysuckles!” Emma offered it to us. 

“You can eat flowers?” I asked. Since when are flowers a food? I've heard of cabbage but never flowers? 

Emma nodded then shook her head. “Not all flowers, but this one you can eat the nectar. You can even eat the pedals if you want!” Emma then took the stem off and licked the bottom of the flower and smiled, closing her eyes. Xander then went to grab a flower and did the same thing. 

“Woah! These taste good.” He then tried to eat a petal. “Petals are bearable.”

I guess it was my turn. I picked up a flower and did what Emma did. When I tasted the nectar I also couldn't help but smile. The nectar tasted surprisingly sweet for a little flower. 

“Happy birthday, Xander!” Emma said, throwing flowers on Xander. 

We decided to stay a while since it was Xander's birthday and because we also needed a break. Emma ended up making a flower crown for Xander who objected. But after some wrestling, Emma eventually got the crown on his head.

“Now you look like a princess.” I smirked.

Xander just sat there with crossed arms. He suddenly smiled,

“I think Kayson should have one too.” Xander said, smirking at me. Emma smiled then bowed to leave on the hunt for more flowers. I glared at Xander who laughed. We sat there for a while in silence. Emma must have been taking a while for some flowers. I eventually stood back up and looked around over the flowers and bushes. I couldn't see Emma. 

“Xander. I can't see Emma.” I looked at Xander. But he wasn’t there either. I looked back and this time the flowers were gone. 

“Kayson.” Xander said in a low voice. I slowly turned. I was in the dark again with Xander staring at me. With pure anger.

“Xander. I-I it's the monster. This isn't you.” I said shakily.

“You could have chosen to take Emma home. Where she needs to be. But you wanted her instead. Do I not mean anything to you?” Xander started to step towards me again.

“You're everything to me, Xander, You're like a brother. You are my brother.” I begged.

“Brothers don’t choose other people.” He was in front of me. It began to get cold again. He grabbed my arm. Pain flooded me causing me to scream. I opened my eyes to see the sky. It was a dream. 

“Three!” Xander shouted, causing me to sit up. A shower of flowers dropped on me. “Who's the princess now?” Xander laughed.  What was the monster trying to tell me? I already knew I didn't choose. But I still didn't understand why the monster kept showing Xander. Was something bad gonna happen?

“Kayson? Hello? EARTH TO KAYSON!” Xander yelled in my ear causing me to lean away.

“Ow!” I shouted back.

“Did you hear what I said?” Xander asked, looking at me.

“N-No.” I hesitated. Why did the monster also keep distracting me!

“He didn't say anything. Though you did seem super distracted.” Emma said quietly.

“I'm fine. Im just am not fully awake yet.” I replied quickly.

Xander hit me upside the head.

“Then wake up!” Xander said.

I rubbed my head. I caught Emma looking very intent at me like she knew I was hiding something. I yawned to show I was still tired. But I wasn't.

“We should get going.” I said standing up.

Xander did a very dramatic sigh.

Then we were getting ready to be on our way again