Between the Willow Trees [NaNoWriMo 2013] (Editing)

Chapter 13: Falling in Fake Love

Chapter 13: Falling in Fake Love

Now that Levi's here I spend most of my time with him as Thorne requested. There's only two times when I'm not with him. The first is obviously night time. He has his own bedroom in one of towers, guarded by two demons. The other time I don't get to spend with him is when Thorne wants to spend time with me. Levi would be a bit of a third wheel, so he gets sent back to his guarded bedroom.

On this particular afternoon I realise that things are going well with Thorne. We're spending lots of time together and it almost feels as though we've got our old friendship back, with the addition of plenty of flirting from the both of us. Unfortunately for me, this means it's time to kick the relationship up a notch. Time to convince him I'm in love with him.

Currently we are taking a stroll through the gardens hand in hand. It would be really cute and romantic if it wasn't for the fact that I'm holding the hand of the most dangerous man in Elethoria right now. I have to keep reminding myself just how much I hate him because I'm worried that I might begin to fall for him too. Back on earth Erin had reminded me that I do have feelings for him and if I allow these to develop further then I'll be in big trouble. It will prevent me from defeating him and I might even go as far as protecting him.

This is why, at least every minute I spend with him, I constantly remind myself of how he betrayed me. That brings back all my hatred and anger that keeps slipping away every time he does something adorable for me.

"So how are you liking Elethoria?" asks Thorne as we continue to walk along the path. I want to make a sarcastic comment or at least remind him that I haven't yet seen much of Elethoria as I'm practically a prisoner in this castle but I don't. I have to keep on his good side and a comment like that might anger him.

"It's just as beautiful as I thought it would be," is my safe response.

Thorne looks down at me and smiles. His eyes are purple as they always seem to be when I'm around him now. I still haven't decided what purple means, but one of my guesses is that purple is happiness.

"Tomorrow I want you to come to my Council with me. I think it is time for you to help me, if that is what you want?" he offers.

"I would love that," I reply with a smile.

Thorne leads me over to a bench and we sit down. I make sure that I'm sitting as close him as possible and we're still holding hands.

"I know that we have only started to spend time like this together for the last few days, but that does not matter Astrid. We have known each other for years," he seems to hesitate but I can see where he's going with this and I decide to say it first.

I turn around on the bench, crossing my legs so that I can face him properly. I'd practised this little speech so many times in the mirror, anxious to get it right when I finally say it. It needs to be convincing.

"I know what you're going to say, Thorne. At least I hope that this is what you're going to say. I've been wanting to say it myself for a few days now, in fact, and I can't contain it any longer. I love you Thorne. I think I always have and always will, no matter what." It was difficult to get those words out but now I've finally said it. Hopefully it will get easier from now on.

His face lights up and he smiles.

"I love you too, Astrid," he replies. Then he leans a little closer and I realise that I'm going to have to do something else that revolts me. He's leaning in to kiss me. I slam my eyes shut and hope that he'll just get it over and done with. Perhaps it will only be a quick kiss, one that will be easy to forget. Then I remember that it will be the first of many. If I'm to keep him convinced then I'll have to keep up the act.