The Hidden Kingdom

Chapter 9

Finally after hours of getting ready, we set out on foot towards the grand palace. Or was it a castle? Once again, we stepped onto the well worn path through the semi dense forest. It was truly a sight to behold. The glossy green leaves dangled from the deep brown branches of the towering trees. Soon, we reached the beautiful houses that appeared to be part of nature itself. The feeling eminating from within them still called to my very being. Curious as to who might live in such a remarkable place, I asked, "Lilith, do you know who lives there?'

"Where, Dear?" She aked confused.

I gave her a perplexed look. "The ones to your left."

She furrowed her eyebrows seeming concerned. "Are you alright. Maybe you should go back. Rest for a bit. You're probably just stressed out."

Surprised at her words, I turned to Eliza. "You see the houses. Don't you?" She gave me an apologetic look and shook her head." Great! I must be going crazy, but deep down, I knew it wasn't true. "Oh, I guess you're right. I must just be getting a little crazy from all the stress. I'll manage though." I lied as I faked a smile.

How could they not see the houses? They were right there! My imagination is so not that artistic. Maybe, if I just touched it, I could prove to myself that I haven't completely jumped off the deep end. As the others continued our short little trek, I swiftly turned left and headed towards one of the houses. I could barely hear the soft crunch of the grass as I padded my way through its ankle length blades. Wait a minute! Grass doesn't crunch; gravel does. "What the..." It was too late. A warm hand covered my mouth as the other swung me into a nearby tree. My eyes widened in panic as the dark haired guy stood in front of me now. His hair had been neatly styled, and he wore a black tuxededo.

"Oh don't act so suprised. Just because I don't know who you work for doesn't mean your intentions are pure." He said in a low frustrated voice. It almost seemed as though he had somewhere to be and quickly. That's when I noticed the crest on his shirt-- the same one Lilith had worn.

"Ywo wok fuh th kig!" I blurted since his hand was still covering my mouth while his other held me firmly to the tree. He seemed to get the message as he slowly removed his hand from my face. "You work for the King!" I exclaimed. I hadn't expected anyone so young to work for royalty. "You're barely like, what, 17?"

He cast me an annoyed glance and said, "I'm 19, and you're not too old yourself. What, are you like 15?" He said mockingly. He was clearly trying to retaliate by guessing a low age.

"Actually, I am." I smirked. I sighed internally- guys and their egos. He looked taken aback. Clearly he had thought I was older. While other girls might relish this, I detested it. I felt older, but I didn't like looking it.

"So they're sending little kids to do their dirty work now." My eyes narrowed. Nothing irked me more than being called kid. It was undermining. Seeing my frown, he smiled amused. Dang. I just knew he was going to use this against me.

"First of all, I still don't know who you're talking about. For all I know, you could be talking about the justice league or the avengers. And second of all, I'm not a kid. I am a freaking women." Although it was a bit of a stretch, I managed to pull it off with a bit of dignity. Not.

Suddenly recalling that I am, in fact, a teenage wizard, I relaxed momentarily and imagined sinking into the tree. I felt a falling sensation and was released from his vise-like grip. As soon as I could, I scrambled to get up and ran as fast as I could. Which was harder than it looked since I was still in heels. I hadn't gotten far when, before I knew it, I was frozen against an invisible hold. I looked over my shoulder as he leisurely walked towards me, his hand held out in front of him.

"Wow, I didn't know we could do that!" The words had escaped my mouth before I could even process them. Realizing how young that made me sound, my cheeks burned with humiliation. He chuckled, finally stopping in front of me. Great. Just great.

"Yes, you are very womanly." He said sarcastically. Suddenly remembering something, he sighed and said, "As much as I would love to continue this play date, I have somewhere to be. Now, I want the truth. Who is your leader and why are you able to see our houses? What's your purpose in finding us?"

Wow. Too many questions. He really did need to go somewhere. Which, guessing by his crest, was the same place I needed to go. "No one sent me! Didn't I cover this already?" He opened his mouth about to barrage me with more questions; I cut him off and said, " And no, I don't know why I can see your houses. Can I please go now. I have to get to the ball, it's imperative that I do." He seemed pleased with my answer and removed the spell. Unready for it, I stumbled backwards.

In that moment, I looked up into his crystal blue eyes and was mesmerized. Who knew how long I had stood there gawking like an idiot until he raised an eyebrow, and I instantly looked away. There was no doubt that within 10 minutes of knowing the guy, I had already made a fool of myself. I began walking away in shame only to stop moments after. I had absolutely no clue where I was going. Eliza and Lillith had long since left. They were probably under the presumption that I had returned to the house ill.

Suddenly, his breath was at my neck as he whispered, "Is the little girl lost? Do you want me to find your mommy?" I turned around my eyes narrowing. Gosh he was so irritating! Atleast Prince Damien (a.k.a. pretty boy) only gave me bad looks. This guy had to talk. Not that his voice was bad. Oh god no. I really am going crazy.

Trying not to glare, I simply stated, "Yes. I'm lost." That had come out a little harsher than I intended. Lowering my voice , I asked in a mock sweet tone, "Would you mind showing me where it is, oh ancient one? I mean, we are going to the same place and all."

He was clearly annoyed at being reffered to as old. There really was no winning with this guy. "What makes you think we're going to the same place?" He asked. Raising my eyebrows, I lifted my hand and hovered my finger over the crest on his tuxedo. Was it my imagination, or was he blushing. He was!

A smile slowly crept up in my face. It only served to make his cheeks redder. I was practically beaming as I said, "It's nice to see the roles reversed; isn't it?"

He looked away and began walking. I was caught off gaurd and just stood there staring. What had just happened? He turned around and said, "You wanted me to show you the way. Didn't you?"