The Jem

~36~

The six of them stormed through the city, Hunter still unconscious or maybe even dead. They had to reach the woods before dawn or else things would get a little complicated.

Annoyed civilians would gasp as the sped past and gave them dirty looks, some even shouted mocking words after them. This wasn't the Galleyana they had entered. These people were horrible, unkind, dangerous. Something was brewing and it didn't look good one bit.

Whatever Kazili had warned Crimson about, it was already here. It might've even reached the 3rd realm and when they would return, things would go tumbling down hill. Crimson didn't want to think of that possibility. Maybe it had arrived here because they were close to the 7th realm. That meant it had most likely reached the 6th realm too.

Or maybe that 'danger' didn't even come from the 7th realm.

She was content on finding the last element holder and getting back, but with every step she took she felt more discomforted by the fact that Hunter could be dying and she still couldn't tend to him-she still couldn't be next to him if or when he took his last breath.

She gulped down her flaming panic. Things will get better. Things will get better. She had repeated that sentence at least 200 times by now, but the more she said it the worse she felt.

~

After reaching the woods that had set them back on track to the 7th realm, they ran deep into the trees so that they could stay hidden. Even if it was for the shortest amount of time, they would still be hidden.

Now at a walking pace, they still hadn't spoken since leaving the palace. And Darya doubted it would be a good idea to be the one to start a conversation. Brice had nothing but agony lounging in his eyes and a little bit of anger lurking under all of it.

She knew he was angry at her. She knew very well. Darya hadn't given a second look at the emperor before she had left. She hadn't even thought about what she was about to do when she had dried up every flowing liquid in his body. That bastard had deserved it though, who ever he or she or maybe even it was.

"I'm sorry." She fell back into step with him and they walked side by side but very far apart all at the same time. He probably never wanted to speak to her or even look in her direction.

"For what?" He mumbled and turned his head from her. She placed a hand on his shoulder but he leaped out of reach. Yes, he very much hated her.

"I'm sorry." She repeated but this time sharper even though it was still a whisper. Though Darya doubted Deeja and Jermine couldn't hear and the trees and grass probably whispered their conversation to Crimson.

"You killed him-you killed him without a second thought. You might be beautiful on the outside but you are ugly deep down." His words cut through her like a thoroughly sharpened blade. She winced.

"He was going to kill Deeja." She fought back as she took a step closer to him. The prince took a step to the right. Away from her.

"You killed the emperor, you killed my father!" He hissed with aggression but still that agony was swimming in the honey pools of his eyes. Everyone had turned around by now.

"Keep walking!" Darya roared. And they all wisely obeyed. "That thing was going to kill all of us. That thing, didn't care if you were his son or even if you were one of the Gods above he would have tortured you and you know it!" She spat this time not caring if the others heard or not.

"Don't act like I'm in the wrong! You should have waited for my command, you had no right to just kill him like that. It was my choice to make!" Brice was now shouting too.

"I don't take orders from you!" Darya bellowed.

"ENOUGH!" They both stiffened. Crimson's voice was so deadly, it was as if even the plants had all frozen to place at her command.

"I swear upon my grave that if you two don't shut your rutting mouths at once..."
Everyone waited to hear her reply, they all looked at her but she only stared at Hunter laying on the bed of vines she had weaved and neatened up for him after they had left the palace. A tear rolled down her too-pale cheek.

She now spoke calmly but her tone shook every once in a while."I have had enough of death, I have had enough of the talk of death. I now ask you politely to shut your squealing holes and stay as far away from each other as possible. But if you two, or any of you for that matter, further long out my wait to seek help for Hunter, mark my words I will snap your necks without a second glimpse. Do you understand?" Her voice again, so tight, her crimson eyes so death promising that Darya shifted on her feet and walked over to her side.

"I understand." She nodded but Crimson ignored her as she dug her heel into the dark stallion's side and was off again.