Rivals

Chapter 7: Forest

Evangeline

"Wait! Imposters!"

Evangeline tensed and heard Kaden swear under his breath. They shared one look with each other before they both started to run. They ran down the hall and into another, then another. They were lost and they knew it. They did not know the castle well enough to not get lost.

A desperate window of opportunity showed itself. Literally.

"Window! Window!" Evangeline said breathlessly pointing it out. Kaden nodded and followed her as she climbed out from it. They grabbed on to the bricks climbing down the castle wall. As soon as their feet landed on the ground, they saw guards running towards them and others blocking the gates.

"Trees!" Kaden was the one to point out the alternative exit. Evangeline ignored her fear of entering the dark forest that people had been disappearing in. They ran towards the forest, running deep inside as the yelling behind them increased. The guards had followed them.

Evangeline was ahead of Kaden, she slowed down to keep pace with him not wanting to be far from him case anything were to happen. The further they got into the forest, the more uneasy they felt. The forest felt as if it were coming alive.

Evangeline saw Kaden trip from the corner of her eye. She noticed he wasn't coming up. Evangeline turned around running back to him.

"Eva! Go!" he ordered with authority.

She shook her head. "I'm not leaving you, you scoundrel. Come on, get up!"

"I'm stuck, just go! They're coming," he said as he tried pulling his leg from a root that was tangled around his ankle.

"You're stupid," she groaned pulling his sword away from him before cutting the root. Kaden got up and smiled foolishly as he took his sword back from her. They were about to run when Evangeline fell this time. It was real, the forest was alive. Roots rose up her leg keeping her stuck there. She pulled out her dagger and started cutting only to have it wrap again. The forest was alive. There was magic.

"Kaden," she said nervously. "You need to lea-"

He shook his head not accepting to leave her behind either. "You cut, I'll pull. Go, now."

Evangeline started cutting off the root as Kaden pulled her back before it can wrap again. They began running again until they felt the dark slowly being lifted off their chests. The yelling and footsteps had gotten much closer because of their earlier problem. This was very bad. They had to lose them.

Kaden grabbed Evangeline's arm dragging her with him. He shoved her against a large tree before putting his hand on her mouth to keep her from squealing in shock. He moved his body over hers, as close as he can, to avoid anyone seeing them. The footsteps and yelling got closer. Evangeline was scared for the first time, she truly believed that she was going to die now and that she'd never be able to warn Adaresa about Gywith's magic. Their kingdom was about to go into a war blind and they were going to lose a lot of people. For the first time, she was not able to protect Odette. For the first time she would not be able to support her fellow soldiers. For the first time, she had failed Adaresa.

Evangeline had so many regrets. She regretted all those days that she had spent slaving herself for her father's approval. The days she spent hating Kaden. But there were the good times. He was her oldest and only friend.

"Kaden," she whispered. She wanted to tell him that she didn't hate him, she considered him more than just a rival.

***

Kaden

Kaden was also scared, but seeing Evangeline's pale face he knew he couldn't let her know. She needed his strength. He needed hers too. He cupped her cheek and ran his thumb soothingly. In response, Evangeline grabbed onto his shoulders as if she needed support and just needing him close to her right now. Kaden didn't know what was going to happen next but he knew one thing that would happen. One thing that ran throughout his whole body. Kaden leaned his head down closers to Evangeline's before capturing her lips in his. He could tell she was shocked at first, but it didn't stop her from kissing him back. Kaden knew he shouldn't be kissing her, that it was very wrong but it felt so right.