Lavender's Secret

Chapter 12: The Big Oak Tree

Alexander darted out the door behind Jace the second Astrid fled. He could hear the pounding footsteps of Lavender and Benjamin behind him. His eyes darted around the streets attempting to find her. "I bet she'll show up later." Benjamin said smugly. Alexander turned on his heels and punched Benjamin in the face. Benjamin reeled back and Jace pulled Alexander away from him as he attempted to punch him again. "What are you playing at?" Alexander yelled at Benjamin. Everyone in the streets looked at them and realizing Benjamin had returned to his normal form they did the same. "What?" Benjamin said wiping blood from his nose. "First you tell Astrid the biggest lie ever saying she's a princess then you tell her your her brother! Why would you do that!" With that Alexander marched down the street to find Astrid leaving everyone standing there.
-==-
Astrid curled up into a ball under a big tree she had found after running out of the town and up a hill. Everything was silent except the gentle breeze. Everything about the town seemed perfect. It seemed so wrong. How could she rule something so perfect. But the real question on her mind was Benjamin. Yes that was her brothers name and yes he looked like him. But he could have easily lied and as a shapeshifter could've made himself look like her brother. She didn't understand his last name. He had called her Princess Blossom. That was her mothers maiden name. He also said that was his last name. Before she could think of a explanation she heard a voice calling her name. She looked up to see Alexander walking up the hill not yet seeing her and looking everywhere. Finally his eyes landed on her and he let out a sigh of relief. "Astrid, you can't do that." He sounded annoyed but worried. She stood up not making eye contact with him since her face was still stained with tears. "I'm fine now." She started to walked down the hill before he grabbed her arm. "No you're not. Nobody would be." She sighed and finally looked him in the eye. His gaze was soft and caring and sent a shudder down her spine. "We need to go." She said defiantly. Finally he let her arm go and followed her down the hill and back into town.