Naryssa's Choice (The Fate and Destiny Chronicles Vol. 3)

The Call for Aid

As the door knob turned on the front door, we quickly moved away from one another and I blushed furiously as Darren stood up and turned away from me, he was also blushing.

There was nothing sexual or dirty about the intimate moment we had shared and yet it felt almost as if we were almost getting caught doing something we shouldn't. Only I hadn't had long to dwell on the emotions stirring about within me. I was less surprised to see my father had returned, only his stoic demeanor was in place and he seemed to have regained control of himself. I noticed as I stood up but I stumbled slightly as I did. Darren reached out to help steady me though to keep me from falling but my father seemed to notice our sudden embarrassment and the kind gesture. I'm pretty sure between our denials, the way Darren had defended me, and now this that my father was likely fully convinced we were a thing. Of course, that was ridiculous, we'd only just met and there was nothing romantic going on. "Can I talk to my daughter alone?" My father asked Darren but Darren just crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head as he spoke, "Not a fucking chance" He retorted. "Darren...It's fine." I said but he wouldn't budge an inch. I turned to my father and sighed.

"Just say what you have to say in front of him dad, it's fine" I said quietly as I met his gaze trying to hide my fear as I forced myself to present myself with the same stoic demeanor, I had been trained to present my whole life. "I'm sorry..." He said softly, "I didn't mean to lose my temper..." He began before continuing on to business. "I came to find you after realizing you had left but I also came because I needed to talk to the Queen..." He informed me honestly. "If you say that I can't keep you from being a part of this, fine." He said, "So you can talk to her for me before you meet me back at the palace to figure out what happens next..." He offered. I was hesitant to believe he'd give in like this but I guess the reason he'd agreed was that he knew he couldn't just drag me straight home by my hair kicking and screaming. I guess he figured if I did this I would have to return to the palace and I guess he wasn't really wrong about that.

"For what?" I asked him and he looked away from me for a moment as he spoke, his eyes flickering to where my wings had once been. "You know the rebels are back..." He told me guiltily, "They've been underground until recently but their forces are strong and their ready to start a civil war, they won't stop until they've won and I need support to stop them from successfully leading a coup" He explained to me. "We have strong numbers in our army but I would feel better if the Queen's army could back us and ensure the threat is ended before it can even start" he said. I nodded as I realized why he thought this would guarantee my return to the palace, I would have to lead the army to the palace. "Alright, I'll handle it..." I agreed, "But I want Darren to come with me, he's a light fairy and an army commander for her, at least he was... so, she may agree more easily if he supports our claim for aid" I insisted.

"I don't care what you and your boyfriend do, just get it done and quickly" He insisted but Darren and I immediately spoke at the same time. "We aren't together..." We both insisted at the exact same time and in the same volume, my father seemed amused by the fact that we'd literally both said the same thing at the same time, like before. "I need to return to the palace but you need to see the Queen and bring her forces immediately" he told me more seriously. "I will..." I promised him and he turned to leave the little house but I spoke up before he could open the door. "Dad, wait..." I said as I quickly walked over and hugged him. Yeah, yeah, I know. You're thinking he just beat the fuck out of me so I shouldn't be hugging him, right? Stupid, probably, I know. I knew he just hurt me but he was my dad and I wanted him to know I forgave him. I'm not sure I would have forgiven him if he'd hit me again but as much as I wanted to hate him, I couldn't. He hugged me back and kissed the top of my head before he spoke to me. "Stay safe, Naryssa... I can't lose you..." He said to me. "I will...please be careful, dad...get home safe and I'll see you again soon" I told him as I let him go and stepped away from him.