Starbird (UNDER MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter 14

Jorgen pov:

I don't know what to do when she collapses in front of me, my arms the only thing keeping her from falling. I pick her up carefully and carry her to the woven pallet on the floor. I lay her down, my legs as her pillow, and gently brush wisps of hair away from her face. Her scar writhes as I pull away the silver bandage, and I see her face tighten at the pain it's obviously causing her. That King Frederick. I could kill him with my bare hands for causing this to happen. Of course, there was the thing about the prophecy. I wonder what it is. Odette stirs briefly, her bright blue eyes fogged with pain. I lift her onto my lap gently, letting her warm up and have my chest as a pillow. Odette's dark black hair glistens and shimmers as she moves slightly, and I cannot help but press my lips to her hair, closing my eyes as I pull her closer to me. "I will never lose you." I whisper to her, "I am yours and you are mine. We can never be parted." Her perfect pink lips upturn at the corners, and her raven lashes sweep delicately over her high cheekbones. I brush my fingers over her cheekbone, my callused fingers memorizing the perfection and softness of her pale white skin. Her eyelids flutter, and she opens her eyes briefly, their sky-blue shade meeting my eyes. She smiles more, her lips curving delicately. I bend down to kiss her cheek, but at the last second, she turns her head, and her lips meet with mine. Her lips taste of cherry and another, otherworldly, taste. I feel her good arm wrap around my neck, and I wrap my arms around her waist. The kiss lasts for what seems like forever, and when we finally break apart, I see something in her eyes as she opens her mouth and whispers,

"My prince." I smile and answer her,

"My swan." She smiles, and gently lays her head on my chest. I see again the resemblance to her swan form, her long, elegant neck and black ribbon fastened around it, a small silver heart hanging on it. Engraved on it is, "Always my swan. Father." I touch the ribbon, and Odette's hand flies up, taking my wrist. She shifts, lifting her eyes to mine, and says,

"Jorgen?"

"Yes?" I answer, curious

"What did you do as a child?"

"Me? I played with my sisters and younger brother, and taught my brother to shoot, read, and hunt."

"That's quite a bit! I was being trained to be a Star Maiden, and since there was supposedly more potential to me, they trained me to be the next Sun Maiden for your galaxy, a very important position." She smiles slightly, her eyes gazing at some faraway thing as she remembers. Galaxy? "I was constantly being told to do something, be it practice flame, wind, light, water. I hardly had any time to do anything I wanted to, but once I got older, I started being ignored, because they thought I had reached my full potential. Turns out I still haven't, but the teachers wanted nothing to do with me. My papi taught me in his spare time." She shrugs, her graceful, pulled back shoulder lifting slightly. Does she realize how innocently beautiful she is? Mother Annalia replies suddenly. No, she doesn't. She grew up ignored, with no one but her family. So? Is this any of your concern? Last time I checked, you were trying to make me give her to you! I know, but all souls come to me. You mean she was dead when you tried to take her? Yes, she was, but your kiss brought her back. Do you know what the only remedy to death is for a Valenian? What? I ask, suspicious. True love's kiss. That's nothing but old wives tale. Then why did it work? Because... because... I don't know. So you see. So I see what? No reply. Mother? Mother? Silence. "Jorgen? Jorgen?! Jorgen, wake up!" I hear Odette's voice growing higher, and my eyes flutter open.

"Wha-what?" I sit up, confused. Sit up? When did I lie down? Odette shakes me, and I rub my eyes. She stares at me, her eyes' bright blue hue finally awakening me.