Vidia

Search party

At dawn, Vidia woke up in the same position as before. She looked at Dain who was already awake and putting out the fire.

Shea was also awake.

Vidia walked over to Elian who seemed to have just woken up.

"Did it spread?" Vidia asked referring to the Marigold.

Elian nodded his head. "Only my hand." Elian said and massaged his left hand.

"Let's get going." Vidia hoisted Elian up and began to help him walk.

Vidia noticed that Elian wasn't using his leg anymore which meant he could no longer feel any part of it. Elian had to be practically dragged.

"I'll help him." Dain suggested and He took Elian instead. He did a much better job of helping him, although his leg was barely moving.

Dain could no longer control himself anymore.

"Vidia!" It began as a shout and everyone turned to Dain. "Please come here." He tried to calm himself back down. Elian sat back down on the ground and began talking to Shea.

Vidia walked over and Dain led them away form the camp.

"What?" Vidia asked concerned.

"When I first saw you, I hated you for killing Hudson. And at some points, I still am mad." Dain began. "But I've changed. Being with you changed me."

"What are you trying to say?" Vidia asked.

"I'm saying that I've tried to protect you from the dangers of this forest. I feel like it is my job to protect you. And I see that I failed." Dain pointed it the wrap on Vidia's hand.

"I guess I really like you. I don't care if you don't feel the same, but I needed to tell you."

Vidia began to walk away, unsure of what to do, when Dain grabbed her hand.

"Please, don't leave." Vidia turned back around. "Who am I, a Nyx king, to love a beautiful elf like you. But I do and I just want you to know that whatever happens, I will protect you. Even if it means betraying the kingdom of Nyx."

"Dain, I- that's really sweet. But I don't think I'm ready for a relationship. Especially one that will cause riots in the kingdom." Vidia smiled and walked away.

Dain heard footsteps behind him and turned around, but saw nothing.

At first he felt sad and angry at himself for telling Vidia but then, he realized nothing will stop him.

We began our hike along the river again. Dain was holding Elian upright while Shea and Vidia walked together.

Later in the morning, Shea began to recognize the surrounding woods so Dain took that as a good sign. He just hoped Shea was right...

Vidia and Shea had gotten farther ahead and couldnt hear what Dain and Elian talked.

Elian took that as an opportunity. He swung his good arm into Dain's face and Dain stumbled into the water.

Elian hopped forward and kicked Dain deeper into the river.

"Vidia!" Dain screamed and just as Elian was about to hurt Dain again, Shea ripped Elian back and he fell onto the land.

"What the hell!" Dain said as he climbed out of the river soaking wet. His lip had slightly been cut open.

Vidia ran over to Elian who had seemed to calm down.

"It's a side effect." Vidia said.

Just then Elian stopped fighting with Shea and he didn't seem to know what was going on.

"It's ok. You just had a side effect of the Marigold." Shea began. "We need to get to the kingdom sooner than we thought." Shea said.

"There's no way. The river has no current and walking will take too long. The Marigold is spreading." Vidia said.

"Hey!" Elian quieted everyone down. "It's okay. Let's just focus on getting everyone there, not just me." Elian said.

Vidia's mouth opened to speak but the sound of hooves filled the air.

Dain turned around to see six men in uniforms on giant white horses. They commanded the horses to stop once they saw him.

"We found them!" One of the officers shouted. He jumped off his horse. Dain noticed all the officers were armed with metal bows.

"Vidia," The man began and he bowed before saying more. "The kingdom sent out a search party. Thank the heavens we found you!" The man, who Dain assumes was a leading officer, hugged Vidia.

"Father, we need to get to the kingdom fast. Elian was effected by Marigold." Vidia said. Her father turned sad for a moment before calling on of the officers over.

The officer he called rode his horse over and Elian struggled to mount it.

After he did, Vidia rose on a horse with her dad, Shea with another officer, and then there was Dain.

Vidia's father looked at Dain and observed him from head to toe.

"What is this Nyx doing here!" Her father shouted. All weapons were now trained on him.

"Dad, he won't hurt you. We will deal with him once we get to the kingdom." Vidia said.

With lots of persuasion, Vidia's dad let Dain ride on a horse. Alone. In the middle. Again.

The horses sped towards the kingdom with Vidia's dad leading the way.

Soon, the kingdom came into view. It was huge and more elegant than the Nyx Kingdom.

The horses sped past the gates and the guards didn't even flinch because they knew it was the search party returning.

Wait till they find out that the Nyx king is in their kingdom...

Dain's horse was stopped at the palace gates and the guards put him in cuffs. Everyone else entered the palace without a problem.

Dain waited outside with two other armed guards because he didn't have authority to enter. People began to whisper around him.

Dain knew he could easily escape from the cuffs and the guards, but he had no where else to go.

He just had to wait.

Wait to be killed.