Only Human: Hide and Seek

Chapter 199: June Jackson

Love my readers! That's all I'm going to say. Enjoy!

-Lucinda Croft

            The trudge back to the caravan was silent. All the unsaid words hung heavily in the air around us, and my anger was beginning to temper into guilt. The dispersed rain and rays of budding sunlight served to lift my foul mood, and I was looking at things a little clearer. I may have been too harsh. They were just curious and trying to prepare themselves for every possible outcome to this escort quest. I was an unplanned enigma that threw a wrench into their carefully considered plans. Of course, they would get nervous and do whatever it took once they realized things weren't going the way they anticipated with me, but I also had much to protect and do.

I didn't have to travel with the caravan. It was more comfortable, I was able to socialize, and it prevented more run-ins with creatures like that troll; but it wasn't essential. I also couldn't risk revealing too much about myself to people I've known for a little over a day. No matter how nice, heroic, or put together they may act; I couldn't let my guard down. I had to remember who was actively looking for me. No, I said what needed to be said.

We reached the caravan and everyone got in gear after some groans and stretches in the sunlight. I left the heroes without a word and went to help Mariah out of the wagon. I may still be in the caravan, but that didn't mean I had to interact with them anymore. I'll enjoy chatting with my human friends until we get to Utopia, and then everything goes into motion. Those four can disappear from my thoughts for all I cared. They'll continue being heroes, and I'll do my own heroic act from behind the curtain. Then I can live my life as queen and luna. I could take that vacation I wanted. I could watch Obvi grow, visit my family, deepen my bonds with my men, and travel all of Alturess so that nothing surprises me anymore. I just needed to get to Utopia in one piece. I noticed the four heroes whispering and gesturing to each other up at the head of the caravan, and I groaned. They were no doubt talking about me.

"I don't understand why you don't just tell them who you are." Obvi suddenly said from my pack. "It would stop the whispering. They would give you the respect you deserve."

I shook my head. "Respect is earned, Obvi. Respect that's given by title alone will be just as superficial. Besides, I don't think everyone is ready to handle the walking rift that's June." I chuckled dryly.

Obvi's orange eyes looked deeply into mine. "I can handle it."

I squealed and held my little boy in for a kiss on his furry forehead. "Obvi, you little sweetheart! I am not looking forward to your dating years. I'll have to beat those pretty fae off of you with a stick."

He pushed me away with his front paws, but I could see the embarrassed twitch of his whiskers. "Stop it, Mom. Besides, if I wanted to date anyone it would be a woman like you."

Now it was my turn to be embarrassed. "Come on, Obvi. You already said I had terrible taste in men. Why would you want a girl like me?"

His eyes lowered and his tone was suddenly edgy. "Well, if her taste in men is terrible then that'd be perfect in my case."

I blinked. Was Obvi heading into his teenage years? Was this some sort of fae puberty? Where was all this angst coming from? "Hey, don't sell yourself short. I've learned from my 'terrible' partners that they don't like it when the person they love is down on themselves. And I have it on good authority that you are a loyal, caring, and determined fae. Any girl would be lucky to have you."

His lips curled into a small smile. "Thanks, Mom."

Through the soggy ground and brightening sky the caravan reached the pass and the shed in front of it. The chatter started to die as the pass felt more ominous with the echoes of the oxen and wagons bouncing around the rock and shrub mounted walls. When we got to the Angel's Hearts the voices picked back up in excited whispers.