Love For The One I Hate (on hold)

Chapter 1

The thin white fabric slipped over my body as they finally left my head. I watched as the new dress gripped my body and revealed slightly more than I was used to.

'It suits you.' One of the Priestesses said smiling at me like a close friend would. She wasn't my freind. She never would be.

Jasper came over and took my hand. My heart jumped at his touch and I couldn't help but feel happy. I didn't mind but I should. I had been forced to fall in love with who they wanted me to. I pulled my hand from his and ignored my heart.

'Let's go home.' He said smiling at me and making my heart race.

I smoothed out my skirt and tried my best to ignore Jasper. No matter how hard I tried, my eyes kept drifting back to his exposed chest. I reminded myself that this was fake. Not love.

When we reached our tent, Jasper held the door back and I ducked inside. The tent was much bigger than I was used to but it seemed empty. My last tent was definitely smaller and much more cluttered. It was filled with my mum's herbs and potions. She was a healer and she taught me everything she knew. But healers aren't important or powerful enough to the Priests and Priestesses. They can just pawn us off as if we don't matter.

Jasper walked straight over to the bed and lay down. He then stretched making his muscles flex and my heart jump. Once he had finished stretching he patted the bed beside him and looked at me expectantly. I decided to satisfy my need and joined him.

He didn't take long to fall asleep afterwards. I watched his chest rise and fall steadily for a while before I decided that it was time. I slipped out from underneath the thin blanket and found my dress in a heap on the floor. I quickly slipped it on and grabbed the bag that I had packed before the matching. I left the tent and ran into the forest. As soon as I was sheltered by the trees I tore through my long dress so that it stopped mid-thigh and began to sprint.

Long grass whipped and pricked my legs. I could feel everything on the soles of my bare feet. I felt comforted for the first time since I had received the letter telling me who my 'match' was. The air was crisper and the feel of it in my lungs was relaxing. Around me I could see the shapes of hundreds of mushrooms in the moonlight confirming that I was in Faerie territory. Not the best place to be at night but it was something that I couldn't avoid. 

I ran all through the night without meeting a soul. As soon as I noticed that the sun was beginning to rise, I quickly dashed up a tree to avoid being seen. I climbed right to the top and pulled a dull green cloth out of my bag. I tied the cloth in the branches to make a hammock and slipped inside. I closed my eyes trying to sleep because I knew that asleep I would be harder for the faeries to find me since they can detect treats. 

I could feel a dull ache in my heart but I chose to ignore it. I didn't love him. This was only lust. To distract myself I tried to think of what I was planning to do but I couldn't think of anything. 

I had been on this land many times before despite the fact that we weren't allowed out of the village. Me and my mother would come to heal people that weren't able or allowed to enter the village. Occasionally we had helped faeries and once we healed a kelpie. Both are extremely dangerous if you don't know what you are doing and I know that I should have been more scared than I really was. I couldn't explain why I had the feeling but I was feeling a little numb. I just put it down to the fact that my heart wanted Jasper. 

I heard a small rustle below me and my heart began to race. I peered over the edge of my hammock trying not to lean too far and make the leaves around me rustle. Below I could see a small white rabbit. My heart began to slow from it's racing state . My mother had always told me that seeing a rabbit in a dangerous area was good luck. Although I had never believed her, seeing one definitely put my mind at ease. 

I feel priviledged to have been raised by my mum. Not only did she teach me many important skills and give me knowledge that many would kill for but she also gave me something which is invaluable. When I was born, my mother made me a locket out of a hazelnut shell and filled the inside with dried rowan berries and unicorn hair. This locket protects me from minor charms but it also makes some stronger ones less effective. I have never dared to take it off because there are far too many enchantments that could take over me. Especially when I am outside the village. 

Author's note: 

I hope you enjoyed reading the first chapter. I know that it is short but I am going away on holiday for a week and I decided that it was better than nothing. Another reason that I haven't written as much as I would like is because I have been editing my book The Ocean because I am going to publish it soon :D I can't wait!!!

Song of the chapter: Cursed - Kate McGill :)

Thanks for reading!

Panda :3