Bound to the North {Complete!}

08| Rejection

Serena POV

"You!" I screamed as I hit Irene with a pillow. "Bloody!" I continued, and smacked her again. "Idiot!" I threw the pillow at her. She caught it easily. "What's wrong with you?!" I demanded.

"Well," she said forcefully. "I was going to hold the flower-cure ransom for money, but then you held it ransom for me!" she yelled.

"What was I supposed to do, just let them do whatever they wanted with you!?"

"Yes!" she shrieked.

"Not only did you risk your own life," I scolded angrily. "You cost us the lives of seven fairies. Seven! The elves bloody attacked us out of revenge! Seven fairies!"

Irene nodded sadly, admitting defeat. "What was up with that elf? And why did you tell him you were my maid?"

"I didn't want him to know I was royalty too. He might have taken me for ransom."

"I didn't like him," Irene declared. "He was looking at you funny."

"Irene!" the king's voice boomed at the door.

"That's my call," she said grudgingly. "I'll see you later, Serena."

As soon as Irene disappeared, I grabbed Finn's note which I had hastily hidden in a drawer and nervously unfolded it.

Midnight tonight. Flower patch.

I almost dropped the note in shock. Finn wanted to see me again? What could he possibly want now?

I looked outside. The sun was just beginning to set. Good. I had time to plan my escape. What are you thinking, I scolded myself. Seeing this elf will bring nothing but trouble.

But of course I went anyway. Why would I stay in this boring monotonous castle when I could go out? I hastily put on makeup and changed into a somewhat presentable outfit. Trying to get past guards at this hour would be disastrous, and it wasn't like I could just jump off my balcony and fly there. So instead I resorted to scrambling clumsily down an ivy branch hanging off the balcony.

I landed shakily on the ground and started moving quickly toward the silver forest. Judging by the moon, it was almost midnight. I couldn't be late for my first date! It's not a date, I mentally chided.

I stopped running a little bit before I reached the flower patch, and ran my fingers through my hair a few times. You're slaying, I reassured myself.

I took a deep breath, and walked into the clearing where the flower patch was. Finn casually sat on a rock, twirling a yellow flower between his fingers. When he saw me, he smiled, and rose from his perch. "M'lady," he said formally, and handed me the flower. I accepted it, smiling. "I know, real original right?" he joked sarcastically.

I gave a little laugh. "You shouldn't be here," I then said seriously. "If any of the king's men catch you, you're as good as dead."

"I figured it was worth the risk, princess," Finn said, winking. 

"Why did you ask me to come here, Finn?" I inquired.

"There-there's just so much I don't know about you," he said quietly. "It's been killing me. I don't even know your name."

"My name's S—Emilia," I lied quickly. If this man found out I was royalty, he would never speak to me again.

"So tell me, Emilia," Finn began. "Why were you so far from home that night in the woods?"

"It's like I said before," I said defensively. "I was just on a walk."

"Through Beast-infested woods in the middle of the night...okay. Next question. You're a fairy. When that lion attacked you, how come you didn't just fly away?"

I hesitated and sat down on the rock. How much of the truth could I tell him? "I can't fly," I blurted before I could stop myself.  "Can't do any magic at all really. I'm pretty worthless as a fairy," I admitted.

His eyes widened as he sat beside me. "Really?" he asked disbelievingly. "Are there others like you?"

At this I narrowed my eyes. How did I know I could trust him? What if he was just trying to get information from me? I pursed my lips and said nothing. He nodded in acceptance.

"My turn," I said. "Why do you call me princess when you know I'm not royalty?"

"I—"

I interrupted him before he could say anything. "Look, Finn, I just don't understand you. I can't. You're an elven warrior, and I'm a fairy maid. We can't keep seeing each other on different territories. Our kingdoms have been at war for years. We'll get caught, and neither of us will ever be looked at the same in our communities. It's better for both of us if we end this. Now."

A wave of hurt came across his face.

"I'm sorry," I said sadly. "But this can't go on."

"I understand," he said simply. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Emilia."

"And you, too," I said formally. "Be careful getting home. I don't need you getting caught."

"I will," he said with a final salute. I watched for the last time as Finn around and walked away, a whirlwind of pain and confusion flooding my mind. "Goodbye," I whispered.