Loving the Dead

Chapter 17

I didn't know where to find Jacob, so I walked over to the garden. I walked into the colorful garden and was disappointed to see Jacob wasn't there. I didn't have much to do for the day so I just walked around the garden admiring the beautiful rainbow of colors. The sun was out today so I sat down on a stone bench soaking in the sun, breathing in the scents of all the life around me. I was almost on the verge of sleep when I heard footsteps enter the garden. I opened my eyes quickly and stood up and saw Jacob enter the garden.

"Annora! What are doing here?" asked Jacob asked with a look of happiness and surprise.

"Hello Jacob! I'm just taking a breather out in the garden. It's quite beautiful in the sunlight." I said, gesturign the the red rose bush right behind the stonebench. "But that's not the only reason I am here. I was looking for you. I need to tell you something. Come and sit down next to me." I said, taking his hand. He had a concerned look on his face, but followed me to the bench.

"Has something bad happened?" He asked.

"Well no, but remember when you promised to always be there for me and never leave me? Well I need you to remember that promise." I said, taking in a dep breath. "I was not sent here for the reason you know. I am not a warrior from the tiny island Hilan. I am a pirate sent here to learn the battle plans of your land so we can take back the land that was ours. I have a deep hatred for your people, but then I met you." I said and looked into Jacob's blue eyes.

"You're a pirate? Why didn't you tell me earlier? We're going into a war that is going to kill your people! What are you thinking !?" Jacob said standing up, pacing the garden.

"Jacob, that's not all." I said in a whisper, looking down at my feet.

"What do you mean that's not all Annora?" He said, stopping his pacing.

"Well, I'm uh a Princess. To be more specific, the Princess of the Dead." I said quietly.

A look of shock passed over Jacob's face. "I thought that was only an old pirate myth. My Mother would tell me tales all out them when I was little..." He said trailing off. "Does that mean Spirits are real? What about the Sea Goddess Calypso? And the Spirit World?"

I looked up with a smile. "Yes it's all real. That's why I keep disappearing underwater. The entrance in on the ocean floor. I also have powers that I'll have to show you one day."

Jacob started pacing again and was silent for a few moments.

"You're not mad, are you?" I asked hesitantly.

"Mad? Annora you're a bloody pirate! You could get killed if people knew this! You're filthy people have tried infiltrating our land, and you expect me not to be upset about this? I care deeply about you Annora but do you think we could ever be together? What's going to happen when we launch the first attack in three weeks? Who's side will you pick?" He asked, his blue eyes churning with fury.

"Filthy? How dare you! I told you this because I trusted you! You told me one day you would like to run away and become a pirate! You could have come back with me and we could start a life together! But now you're just being rude.' I said, fury rising up in my body.

"I was thinking about it but what would happen to my Father? His wife dead and his only son gone away with an infiltrator.You were just using me to get information out of my Father! "

"No I was not Jacob! At first it was that way but then I met you, and I didn't want to be part of this anymore. I'm so sorry, I did not want any of this to happen." I said, my emotions of sadness and fury bouncing around in my voice.

He crossed his arms and sighed, looking at the ground. "Whatever Annora. I need time to think. I will talk to you tomorrow about this. Goodbye." Jacob said, and walked away.

I wanted to crumple up into a ball and cry right then and there, but also anger coursed through my veins. How dare he say I was trying to betray him? I loved him, that's why I told him!

I ran up to my room, tears stinging my eyes, and slammed the door closed. I crumpled onto my bed and cried. Once I was done I laid on my bed drained emotionally and physically.

I was about to fall asleep when I heard Zahara's voice. "Annora, what's wrong? What happened with Jacob?" she asked, her eyes filled with concern.

I explained to her all that happened between us, and my heart lurched at the sound of his name. I just wanted to go hide in a hole.

"Annora sweetie, it will be alright. Jacob is an amazing young man and had a very bright soul. I believe he is just taking in the shock of hearing what you told him. It is a lot to take in you have to remember. When Aiden first told me about his powers, I remember I was shocked, and almost angry too that he told me so late. I pushed that aside though and remembered how much I loved him, and how nothing could ever change that. "

I though about Zahara's words. I guess it is a lot to take in about hearing the one you love is from enemy lines and has special powers only though to be in legends. I wonder if Jacob could ever forgive me.

"You're right Zahara. I think I'll go apologize to him tomorrow. But for right now, can we go train, I need to get some left over emotion out, and we still have a few hours of light.

"Of course love. Let's head out to the training yard." She said with a smile.

I walked out to the balcony, leaving behind the events of the day and let peace wash over me.

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Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait on the update. How did you feel about Jacob's reaction? Was he fair? Or too harsh? And will he forgive Annora when they talk next?

Over 250 reads! Thanks to everyone for reading! Remember to vote and will try to get the next chapter up soon!