The Prince and the Thief

Chapter Eleven

"Bye mom!" She waved back at me as Vic and I started back to the long walk back to camp. Vic laced our fingers together, bringing us off our usual path. "Vic?" He put a finger on his lips to signal me to be quiet. I didn't know what he was doing. He's usually all about safety and getting back before the sun sets. But I could see the sun setting over the tops of the trees. With the direction we're going too, it may take awhile to get back.

"I want to show you something."

"And what is that something?" He gave me a quick kiss.

"You'll just have to find out." I bit my bottom lip. For some reason I felt extremely nervous to go anywhere alone with Vic. After the celebration a couple days ago, he's been too busy. He has pulled me into a few quick kissing sessions but he always has to leave before anything gets too heated. It kind of made me sad. I wanted to see what would happen if we weren't surrounded by people who have pretty much dedicated their lives right now to make sure Vic and I don't do anything.

I felt my excitement bubble as we went through a group of trees. There was a small little clear blue pond with a tiny waterfall. It was absolutely breathtaking. I noticed the caravan not so far away. It looked like it was able to fit a family. I watched Vic walk up to one of the wooden posts on the caravan and brush his fingers against tiny little notches. It was his family that was here.

"Is this where you lived?" A small smile twitched at the corner of his lips. He shook his head.

"For only a couple of months." He closed his eyes. "It was when sickness was ravishing our camp. We had to leave but my parents couldn't bare the thought of leaving this land. So they built a second home here. I haven't shown this to anyone. Only you Kellin." I went over and wrapped my arm around his waist. "I trust you."

"How can you trust me when you know who my father is?" He held my face in his hands.

"James doesn't define you. Your courage to stand up to him does. I just wish the others knew that."

"Yeah. Let's see how that goes over." He placed a kiss on my neck.

"It will be different soon. Just you watch. We will free to do whatever we wish. We'll be equals to the people behind the castle walls. After hundreds of years we won't have to hide because our skin is a shade darker. Larga vida a los muertos won't haven't to be shouted every time we lose someone. It will be better." The sparkle in his eyes shined brighter. "It will be paradise. And the best part about it is...... I'll be able to tell the whole world who I'm in love with." I could barely see his face with the light of the new rising moon. He had his head turned away from me but I could still see the very obvious blush on his cheeks. I nudged him playfully.

"That's me right?"

"Nah..." I scoffed, pushing him away. He was laughing. He picked up a rock from the ground, holding his empty hand out for mine. I slipped my hand in his. "You have to be very careful. Step where I step." I narrowed my eyes.

"Why?"

"Trust me. You'll like it." I did as I was told. It was actually really hard to follow every place his foot was being placed. "You see the small little bugs around us." I looked around on the grass. My eyes weren't as well adjusted to the night's light as his.

"Not really."

"You will soon." He bent down on one knee and rolled the stone across the ground. I watched as tiny black dots filled the night air. I felt a big grin spread across my face when they lightened up. I giggled.

"W-what are these?" He had one of the bugs hidden in his cupped hands. He opened them up slightly and the bug crawled on his thumb, lighting up.

"Fireflies." My eyes followed the firefly in amazement when it flew off his hand. I covered my smile with my hands. It seemed like the stars were right in front of me. I moved my freehand out to catch one of the bright bugs on my fingertip.

"They're beautiful."

"If you say so." I glanced over at him.

"What is that suppose to mean?" He walked over, holding my hips lightly in his hand as he bent over slightly to whisper in my ear.

"Usted tiene la belleza que brilla más que la luna."(You have the beauty that outshines the moon.) I ran my hands across his shoulders.

"That sound like something really sweet." He shrugged.

"It may or it may not." I pushed his shoulder lightly.

"So why did you bring me here?"

"I wanted to go swimming." He stretched his arms above his head and backed closer to the water. "You coming?" I bit my lip as he took his shirt off.

"Sure." The full moon bathed the area when were in with a bright blue light. My nervousness took over when I got to the end of the water. "I don't know how to swim Vic." He smiled at me.

"Don't worry. I'll keep you safe."