Never Ever

4

Next morning they were met with the carraige and horses after having a hearty breakfast

Fae horses were magnificent, they were much larger than the ones in the human world, had unusual colors, and they sometime shimmered

Romeo explained to an overly excited Maya that different types of horses had different affinity to certain elements and regions. These ones had green in them, same as the forest, they were used for land travel

Maya tried to touch one and he almost trampled her, but Ever rushed in front of her. She whispered a few words and the beast calmed

A shaken Maya was comforted by Romeo

Ever: I'm sorry Lady Devin. I should've warned you, sometimes our horses don't react well to strangers, but I assure you they are not violent by nature, maybe they were just jittery bevause they felt your magic. It's a bitt different than fae magic. Would you like touching one of them?

Romeo was going to protest, but Maya seemed like she did want to do that, she approached the creature wearily

Ever kept stroking his mane and murmuring things Maya and Axel couldn't understand. She took Maya's hand with her free one and placed it gently on the side of the horse's neck

Maya relaxed and stroked it. Her face split into a breathtaking smile. She looked towards Romeo. His smile was equally beautiful, he nodded gratefully at Ever, she looked at her feet, attempting to hide her red cheeks

She didn't know if she regretted doing that or not..

They ushered the two inside the carraige, then each mounted a horse and they set off

Axel tried to strike a conversation, she reminded him they had a duty to perform, and it would be best if one took the front and the other took the rear. She suggested she take the rear again, because she'd be more prepared if anything happened. They were in her realm after all

She could hear the faint voices of Maya and the prince, chatting, but she ignored them and focused on their surroundings

Maya: How long have you know Ever your highness?

Romeo: Hmm.. Oh, I'm not sure. She seems familiar, but I don't remember ever speaking to her before. Although, I think her family resides at the palace

They then proceeded to much pleasanter topics of conversation, magic, which they were both passionate about

It was quiet, but Ever couldn't let her guard down, she knew some of the fae didn't like the notion of joining forces with humans, some of their neighbours were probably of the smae opinion, and even with the risk of attacking a guest of the royal fae being war, some attacks were bound to happen. She only hoped they weren't magical, she wouldn't be able to do much then

They were passing a narrow path, when suddenly an arrow flew through the air and almost hit the carraige

Ever hurriedly conjured a shield and deflected it

The horses fastened to the carraige reared in panic

Axel stopped them, if Ever had the liberty, she'd have been impressed

Romeo and Maya jumped from the carraige

Romeo: What's going on?

Ever: We're under attack! Get in!

She conjured a bow and arrow, aimed and launched

Maya: Wow...

Ever: Your highness please get inside the carraige

Romeo: Right..

He dragged a wide eyed Maya back inside

They were still being shot at. Ever thought this might be a warning, but it could have still killed them, if they were humans. It wad by no means a magical attack which she was thankful for

She conjured another shield, she could call on the elements, but her elemental magic was weak. It was the elves' essential magic, but strong fae could do it, she cursed her weak magic..

She didn't have any choice though, so she tried calling on wind. She succeeded, to a degree, a small tornado formed, its size was laughable, but it still did the job, she launched it at the direction the arrows were coming from, and they stopped

She hurriedly urged to others to continue, refusing the suggestion to check on the attackers. It was safer to just move on, in case others were waiting for another opprutunity to attack, and she suspected their attackers would be gone, by the time they reached them, even if they went to look for them