Tales of Emery Rose and Cherin Archer

Chapter 2 - Emery Rose

"Jasper! Run!"

He grabbed my wrist and hauled me up onto my horse. He jumped onto his and I spurred Nova to run.

I looked back as I watched those two strangers. They weren't following. I let out a sigh of relief. They were Ravampire, my family's greatest enemy. Kafir, my ancestor, started a war that lasted a brutal 50 years. My great grandfather called for a truce but our relationship was never the same. All records of the war were lost. No one knew what happened or why. All we knew was that we hated each other.

"Are you alright?"

Jasper's voice pulled me away from my daydream. He stopped his horse and leaped off.

"I think we've gone far enough. Let's stop here for now."

Nodding, I dismounted. I was exhausted. Jasper handed me some bread. It was sweet date bun. Otherwise known as peasant food for how incredibly cheap they were. But he knew it was my favourite.

We sat down, resting against a pine tree. We were out of the Birch Woods, which meant we were deep into Ravampire territory.

"You never answered my question," Jasper said.

"Huh?"

"I asked if you were alright. You never replied."

"Oh, right. Yes, I'm alright."

"Really? That half-eaten sweet date bun says otherwise," he said, looking at me with a grin.

"But really," his voice softened as he gazed at me, "you've been through a lot today. Why don't you sleep while I keep watch?"

I looked up at him as he scanned my expression with his dark eyes. He had that same look seven years ago.

"Yea," I said, closing my eyes.

"Ok,"

"Hey Jasper," I said as he wrapped his jacket around my shoulders.

"Yes, princess?"

"Thanks for taking care of me."

"Always."