Whispers of the Heart

Chapter 9: Alisha

Chapter 9 Alisha

Snow's whining woke me in the middle of the night. I knew I shouldn't go back out there, I knew that she needed to let me go. Burying my head into the pillows, I tried my hardest to ignore the sounds from the barn, ignore the whining calls from Snow as she pleaded for attention. My heart yearned to go out and comfort her, but my mind told me to stay away. To keep her and the others safe.

My heart won out.

Slipping an over coat on and boots on my feet, I rushed across the dark ground towards the barn. Towards the never ceasing whining. Slipping in through the small opening of the barn doors, my eyes floated over to the last stall. Snow's head swung over, her warm eyes studying me as I walked closer. Her head nuzzled into my chest and I smiled softly.

"How on earth did you survive without me here?" I whispered to her, my right hand brushing over her course fur. She stared up at me, her eyes twinkling slightly before prancing backwards, her head nodding slightly as if she wanted me to come inside. It used to be like this, like I could read her and what she wanted from me. It hasn't changed. Pulling open the stall and walking inside, Snow pranced up to me, her head shoving against mine.

"Yes, I'm here!" Laughter filled my voice and she continued to nuzzle me. She was content, happy standing like this. To have me back. "I missed you too, Snow. I really did." Sliding my arms around her neck, I hugged her gently. "That Lucas though. He doesn't know how to give up, does he?" She shook her mane in response and I laughed, feeling as if she agreed with me.

"I really have no idea how he recognized me. We haven't seen each other in years and I know I've changed a lot." Her nose twitched as her head shoved against my chest. "I guess me smell hasn't changed much then."

"Neither did your eyes, Mira." A deep voice sounded me and I tensed as I recognized the voice. Turning slowly, my hands clenched at my sides, my gaze settled on the very man I just mentioned. Lucas gave me a cocky grin as he leaned against the wooden stall, his eyes dancing merrily as he studied me.

"I-I don't-"

"You just admitted it!" He exclaimed, shoving himself off the wall as he stalked towards me. His hands wrapped themselves around my upper arms, squeezing them tightly. "You can pretend all you want to the others, but I knew the moment I saw you. I just don't understand why!"

"It's none of your business." I muttered.

"Like hell it isn't!" Lucas shouted, his face grew closer to mine, anger and worry danced in his eyes. "I want to protect you! To help you, but I can't if you won't tell me anything!"

"I can't tell you!" I exclaimed, trying to pull away from him. He only held on tighter.

"Why not?"

"Because." Sighing softly and glancing downwards, I wasn't sure what to tell him. "I just can't, alright? Can you just accept it?"

"Then will you at least tell me why you hid who you were?" His voice was filled with defeat, but his eyes were filled with hope. I knew he wanted to know everything. He wanted to understand, but I couldn't explain it to him. I knew I couldn't.

"I can't tell you, I'm sorry." I looked away, refusing to make eye contact. I knew he wanted to know, I knew he wanted to keep his promise to me, to protect me, but he couldn't. Not from this and I refuse to let him or his family to get involved in this insanity. I couldn't do that to them.

"Is there anything you can tell me? As the girl I knew? Not this person who you 'have' to be." He questioned, his course hand brushed against my cheek. "Please."

"I missed you." My voice was soft, gentle, like I was talking to Snow. What else could I tell him? What else could he know without being put into danger?

"I missed you too." He gave a short laugh before pulling me in and giving me a hug.

"So what now?" I asked as I pulled away, my arms wrapping themselves around me.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what now? You know who I am. You know I've been lying about my name, so what do you plan on doing?" Swallowing nervously, I stood there waiting for Lucas to find his voice. Moments passed and he shook his head, his eyes closed with frustration.

"I'm not going to do anything!" He took a deep breath and stepped closer to me. "Whatever your reasoning is, I'm not going to call you out on it. But, I don't want you to keep lying to me. I want to get to know you again, like we did when we were kids."

"I'm not the same person, Lucas."

"Maybe you're more alike than you think. But don't you think we deserve a chance to get to know each other again? There was a reason we were brought back together!" He shook my slightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to emphasize his point. "Please, we deserve that. Snow deserves that. When the time comes and you want to tell the others, I'll support you. But right now, I just needed to know the truth."

"Why was it so important to you?"

"Because." He winked before stepping backwards and stretching slightly. "It was."

"That's no fair!" I exclaimed, poking him in the chest as I glared up at him. He laughed as his finger pressed against my nose.

"I'll tell you my secrets, when you tell me yours." Lucas smiled brightly as he slipped his right arm around me and pulled me closer. "Come one, I'll walk you back. And, if you want, I think we should go riding again tomorrow."

"What makes you think I'd want to go again?" I demanded as he latched Snow's stall and led me out.

"Easy, there's a place I want to show you." He chuckled as we walked out to the night's sky.

"You're as pushy as ever." I grumbled in a slightly whiny voice. In all honesty, I was pleased to know that he was still similar to the person that I knew as a child.

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