Impenetrable- Sequel to Arcanum

Chapter 28: Spruce

I walked through the forest, swinging my sword around, and heading to my favourite place to train. As I was headed there, I heard a familiar sigh close by. I snuck behind a tree, and peeked out, seeing Kaliska strolling through the forest, brushing a hand through her blonde hair. A guy with light brown hair was following close behind her, and he grabbed the girl's shoulder, turning her around.

"Come on Kaliska." He grinned, and she rolled her eyes,

"Get lost. Like I said, I don't have time for you." She said, and spun on her heels, flicking back her hair as she did so.

"Why don't you have time?" The guy walked up beside her, and snuck a hand around her waist. Kaliska sighed, and pushed his hand off,

"Because, I already have someone." She huffed,

"You mean Colt? That guy doesn't even know what a woman is." I felt my fists clench, as the guy talked about my brother. Kaliska sighed,

"Yes he does. He's kissed me." She defended,

"Haven't you noticed that Spruce is more worried about you than Colt? So much for a caring boyfriend." The blonde haired girl stopped,

"Maybe you're right." She hugged herself, and stared at the sky, "I honestly don't know why I chose Colt over Spruce. I should have realized he's never going to fall for me like I did. Sure, he cares about me, but I don't think he loves me."

"You know, there are plenty of other guys. Including me." The guy flirted, and the girl suddenly turned around, and flung herself into the guy. I watched as her lips touched his, and the guy pulled her closer. When she let go of him, the girl breathed,

"I'm pretty sure you're not the guy for me, but you made me realize how much of a jerk Colt is." She said, and pushed him away. The girl turned into a leopard, and started bolting through the forest. I chased after her, and hollered for her to stop. She flung to a stop when she heard me, and transformed back into her human form, glancing over her shoulder.

"What is it Spruce?" She asked, annoyed,

"Kaliska, I know Colt can be kind of an idiot sometimes, believe me, I know that. But, you have to give him a chance." Kaliska looked at me,

"I'm sorry Spruce, but I thought your brother was different." The girl said, and I could see evidence of tears in her eyes.

---

I carefully followed after Kaliska, making sure she didn't notice me on the way back to the castle. Unfortunately, she made it to the castle before I had a chance.

A while later, the girl ran out of the castle, looking upset as she ran off into the forest. I sighed, and went into the castle, straight to Colt's room. When I opened the door, I saw the black haired guy laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

"I really am an idiot." He growled, and I sat on his bed,

"I'm not trying to be harsh, but if you want Kaliska back, you're going to have to show her. I can't really blame her for taking off, I was always the one worried about her, not really you."

"Why don't you be with her then?"

"First of all, I have a girlfriend now, and second of all, she's your girl Colt. Go get her." I smiled at him, and rose to my feet,

"I guess you're right. I mean, I've never really had feelings for a girl until now. I just don't really know how to show her I care, you know."

"I get it. But you have to show her, or she's going to move on. And for her, that won't take long." I waved to my brother, and headed out of the castle, going to the Catori kingdom. I arrived at Harmony's house, but I was shocked when I discovered she was gone.

"Cassidy..." I grumbled under my breath, and heard a scream coming from in the jungle. I bolted toward the jungle, and pulled out my sword, gazing in horror at the sight in front of me. Cassidy had Harmony tied up against the tree, and she was giggling, and holding a knife in her hand.

"Back off." I snarled, and ran toward the woman, raising my sword high in the air. Cassidy leaped out of the way, and I took this chance to untie Harmony's ropes. She went limp, but I caught her in my arms before she fell. The girl laid unconscious in my arms, and I glared at Cassidy,

"What did you do to her?!"

"Oh nothing much, just knocked her out. She'll be fine." Cassidy smirked,

"Where's the boy?"

"He took off. Doesn't matter anyways, he wasn't important." The woman yawned, and a guy walked toward her, "Let's go back. These two aren't worth it, for now." She said to the guy, who nodded, and the two suddenly disappeared.

---

"Spruce?" I heard Harmony's gentle voice from beside me. I looked at the girl, and her pretty blue eyes met with mine,

"Hi." I smiled, and kissed her gently on the forehead. She smiled warmly, and looked around her room,

"What happened to me?" She asked,

"Cassidy knocked you out-"

"Where is she!?" The girl snarled, and sat up,

"It's alright, she got away again, but everyone is safe."

"Where's Kiriya?"

"I don't know, Cassidy said he took off into the woods."

"We need to find him!"

"No we don't, calm down. I'll send a search party looking for him, don't worry." I brushed the hair away from the girl's face, and she calmed down. "You're so beautiful." I grinned, and Harmony blushed,

"Thanks-" I cut her off by slamming my lips against hers, and the girl's eyes went wide. She eventually gave in, and I pinned her to the bed, and continued to kiss her.

"Harmony! Time for-" the door opened, and King Lucas started at us with horror,

"Sorry for barging in honey..." He started and Harmony crawled out from under me, blushing furiously,

"It's okay dad." She said, and rubbed her shoulders,

"Spruce can join us for lunch too." The two of us got up, and we followed Harmony's dad into the kitchen.

"Hello Harmony!" Queen Aiyana smiled cheerfully, "oh, and hello Prince Spruce."

"Hi Queen Aiyana." I greeted her with a kind smile, and bowed. Queen Aiyana smiled, and patted the table,

"Everyone eat up!" She said, and placed a bowl of soup on the counter.

"Did you make this?" I asked, as I took a sip of the soup,

"No, the maid we just hired did. I'm not the best cook." Queen Aiyana giggled, and I heard Harmony mutter,

"that's for sure." I chuckled, and my hand snaked toward's Harmony's from under the table. I grasped the girl's hand in mine, and I watched as a faint blush spread across her face. Her parents didn't seem to notice, as they continued to finish their lunch. The two went to go put their dishes in the kitchen, and I caught a glimpse of Lucas kissing his wife on the lips for a moment.

"I should probably get back to the Kingdom soon. Be safe, okay?" I went towards Harmony, and gave her a quick peck on the lips,

"Course. You be safe too." She smiled.

-

"Spruce!" I heard a voice behind me, and I turned my horse around, and looked straight into Kiriya's eyes. Beside him, stood a girl with long brown hair. She appeared to be a bit older than Kiriya,

"Who is she?" I asked the boy, and offered them a hand up,

"Her name's Alice, we're both trying to run from Cassidy. She's after both of us." I helped the two onto the back of my horse and growled,

"I'm not going to let her get either of you. To be safe, I'll let both of you stay in the castle." I gave them a smile, and sent my horse into a gallop. Kiraya and Alice both clung onto me, as we rode back.

This has been a fun day, I thought, chuckling softly to myself.