Starbird (UNDER MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter 17

Odette pov:

His lips are perfect, running over mine gently. I sigh softly when he runs his teeth over my bottom lip, so gently. His arms wrap around my waist lightly, and I kiss him back, until I cannot breathe. He pulls away, slowly, and my lips ache for want of him. Mama Maple wraps a tendril around us, saying,

"True love, as plain as can be." A tear slips down, and I smile, the arm of the man I love around my waist. He lifts me into his arms with no trouble at all, and he carefully climbs down Mama Maple. Just then, Royal guards come bursting through the trees, swords drawn and flashing. Jorgen's arms tighten around me and his eyes narrow. I step down from his arms, back straight and eyes flashing. I slowly grow balls of light around my fingers, weaving them together in my palms. They grow larger, and the soldiers advance. I move my hands as fast as I can, creating a wall of blinding light. I turn and grab Jorgen's hands, running high into Mama Maple.

"Hide us, please!" I whisper to her. She lifts Jorgen and I high into her branches, placing her branches perfectly. I carefully cast the illusion of a swan and an eagle flying away as fast as they can.

"There!" I hear King Frederick's voice shout. "Get the princess, and her cohort!" Princess?

"Princess?" Jorgen whispers as the guards and the king fly away. I shrug, completely confused.

"Come on, we've got to go, now." I transform quickly, my scar burning. "I have to help my family."

§§§

I hear Jorgen struggling to fly after so long. When was the castle this far away? I see a pond down in the forest, and fly down to it. I land in the water, near the shore, wetting my ankles and feet. I pull a column of water up and dip my hands into it, splashing it on my face. Someone puts their hand on my back, and I whirl around, splashing water on the person's face

"Ahh!" Jorgen exclaims, jumping back and getting soaked. I blush, ducking my head, until Jorgen throws water on my hair. I yank my head up, bringing water with it and soaking Jorgen. He yelps, his clothes dripping water and his hair hanging over his face. I whirl away, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. I kick up one leg, bringing the skirt with it and slowly bringing it back down. Jorgen takes my hand, walking me out of the water. He places one hand on my waist, the other out, and I place my left arm on his shoulder, holding my right arm out and joining it with his. We waltz slowly, after a while just swaying together, holding each other, fiance and fiancee. Slowly, I see a spark of light appear and lengthen, binding our wrists together. Jorgen raises our other hands, and I feel a a strand beginning, binding us together. They disappear after a while, and I take to the air again, determined to challenge the king.