Caged (Book One)

Chapter Sixty-Three

Eveleen beamed the moment she recognized the trees around her. Aiden had to ride faster to keep up with her, knowing how excited she is to be home.

Too bad he couldn't convince her to stop by the Hidden Soul Valley, but she's right about needing to return. Who knows if anyone even noticed they were missing? As far as a lot of people knew, Eveleen was in Selle guarded by the Prince.

"You don't have to come with me, you can go to the guest rooms and rest." Eveleen told Aiden, anxiously riding into town now. Everything is the same, thank Hae.

"I'm coming with." Aiden told her. What if her parents are how she wants them to be? If that's the case, she'll need him there.

Eve jumped off the second she saw the building, leaving Aiden to quickly park the horse at the stables.

Eveleen slammed open the doors, not expecting her brother at the table.

"Max?"

"Eve!"

Max launched at her, wrapping his arms around her, he hugged her tighter than Val did.

"What are you doing here? Where's mom and dad?" She looked around, not seeing anyone else.

"Mom has been in Selle, dad has been taking care of things. Where have you been? Are you alright? Mom had Prince Fred issue a lockdown for you." Max rambled off, looking over every inch of her from her feet to her head.

"Evie?" Aiden stepped in, surprised as well to see only Max.

"Who are you?" Max asked sternly, pushing Eveleen behind him protectively.

"Max, stop it. He's not an enemy." Eve pulled his arm as he raised it to grab his sword.

"Max? You mean brother Max?" Aiden guessed, only looking at Eve.

"Yes brother Max. Who is he then?" Max craned his neck to ask while staring at Aiden. Standing beside each other, Aiden could see the similarities they shared. Both had dark hair, same colored eyes, maybe even had the same cheekbones.

"Aiden from the Hidden Souls." Aiden introduced, still not taking any steps.

"Wait, don't tell me your the Hidden Soul mom had been complaining about." Max rolled his eyes, turning to his sister.

"What did she say?" Eve asked.

"Complaining?" Aiden asked. Max held an arm out to Aiden, signaling him to stay out of their conversation. Aiden took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Since her mom already hates him, maybe he can win over Max.

"Eve, what happened to you? One minute you're in the royal palace, the next you're missing. Now you're here, did you run off?" Max asked Eve.

"I'll explain everything, but why is mom in Selle? Why is there a lockdown?"

"All she told me was that she suspects Fred knows what happened with you. She got Queen Anne to return so she's in charge, not Fred." Max explained. He looked over at Aiden still standing in the same spot,

"Fine, both of you go to the meeting room. We have a lot to talk about. Go wait, I need to send a message to mom." Max ordered, stepping past Aiden.

Eve slumped her shoulders, she hadn't even thought about what to do with the Prince. What if he never gets in trouble?

"Evie? You ok?" Aiden stood in front of her, afraid to touch her.

"Yeah, don't worry, Max is more open minded than my parents." Grabbing his hand, she pulled him with her to the meeting room.

~~~~~

Kristine rode next to Philip, hating the silence. Every time she glanced at him, she only thought of one thing.

The smile he had when she was killing Odie. The proud look. He enjoyed watching her like that. Like he could never be afraid of her dark side. Maybe he won't hate her too much if she told him what really happened with her and Aiden.

"Good news, Bellshore is just up ahead." Noah announced. He and Kristine were the ones to pick up speed, ready to be home. Philip stayed, riding along with Leo.

"I'm gonna head back to the Hidden Souls, since everyone has returned home safely." Leo smiled at Philip,

"Do give this to Aiden. I wrote it after they escaped the dungeon." Leo dug a folded letter out, handing it to Philip. He stayed silent, tucking the letter in his side pouch.

Leo saluted, turning his horse around.

Philip scoffed, finally he's out of the picture. He hated how friendly he could be, especially with Kristine.

Kristine ran down the road the moment she took her horse home. They are here, she is seeing them today. It's dinnertime now, maybe they are both at Eve's?

"Is someone-?" Kristine swung open the doors of the council building, freezing at the man at the main table.

"Are you alright?" Max stepped over carefully, revealing

himself in the light more.

"Oh, you're Max! Has Eveleen and Aiden come here?!" Kristine's eyes already darted around. Max tilted his head, trying to place her face if he's met her before.

"I'm Kristine. I went with her to Selle?" Kristine awkwardly smiled, she's only seen Max once before, but never talked to him.

"Oh, you were her watcher or something. Eve asked if you've been around too. I take it you know everything that happened with her?" Max stepped closer, resting a hand on the hand of his sword.

"Do you not know about me? They found me after escaping from Dungeon Keepers. I'm very well aware my friends just escaped them as well." Kristine spoke more sternly. Max made another face,

"Oh, you're the same girl. Apologies, I'm not around enough to remember people." He shrugged. Kristine shrugged in agreement.

"Anyway, I was just about to leave to have dinner with Eve. Would you like to join?" As Max asked, Kristine nodded and headed for the door.

"I'd love to. Let's go."