The Jem

~45~

"I can see!" Autumn repeated. Ember's eyes widened with shock and joy as he walked over to her slowly. Her eyes were the most magnificent thing he'd ever seen, they were a soft lilac and peppered with sparkling glitter. He couldn't stop staring into them. She was now only about two inches away from him as she whispered, "Your just as I'd dreamed you to be." And then hugged him.

"Thank you wraiths for this kind gift." Autumn said to them and the lime green one floated up to her, she was the size of Ember's index finger. "You have a pure heart Autumn, you deserve to see the world. And the ones you hold most dear!" Ember could've sworn the wraith jerked her chin towards him. All the mini water wraiths danced around the eight of them.

It was a beautiful sight to behold, such wonderful things in a horrible place. The wraiths returned to their enchanted lake but the water still glowed a magical, luminous blue.

~

Hunter had grabbed Crimson's arm and sat her on his lap as they watched the wraiths say goodbye. She held him tightly and the fear he had seen when they had first arrived was fully gone. She was smiling, a gorgeous smile of happiness. He couldn't help but stare at her.

Crimson finally looked at him, her smile broadening. "Isn't it just wonderful?"

"Yes it is." He smiled back. They had come so far and she had stuck by him through it all. They looked into one another's eyes for a moment longer then he kissed her-slowly, gently, meaningfully. And she kissed him right back. His insides turned to liquid and his heart was thundering.

They pulled away and she grinned. His beautiful Tree Princess. She was a real princess, he remembered, and he would protect her no matter the cost.

~

After having a good night sleep, they all awoke, Autumn hadn't seen the sun in so long. The beautiful rays that showered the grass like spotlights on a stage.

The horses were ready and she got onto the dark stallion with Ember. Darya and Brice were once again atop their cream horse and Hunter gave Crimson a piggyback. They were laughing and in such high spirits. Autumn saw how Hunter had kissed Crimson yesterday and how the lights in the lake had danced around them, it was so magical.

They had all introduced themselves again to her yesterday. Because now she could put names to faces but she'd already sort of guessed that Deeja was the beautiful cat-like girl and Jermine was the shifter who followed her around admiringly. It seemed like everyone had someone close to them and she remembered, she had Ember, the guy who had fed her since he was a little boy and got dropped off in the mud in front of the palace by his parents. He had told her everything that had happened to him and she had told him what had happened to her.

But the six of them were all close in general. And they would joke around together and tease one another but they all cared for each other. They were like a big family. And Autumn was starting to feel like she was a part of it.

The thought made her beam.

~

"So Autumn now you can see, can you tell us where we are?" Brice asked.

"Well I know we are not near my kingdom. But we are near a village. Look." She pointed at the little market with people selling goods and little, smiling children were dancing around a merry-pole with heart warming laughter and music. There were bulky men playing cards and gambling and fair maidens shopping.

It looked like a civilised village that lived in peace and harmony. "There's food!" Deeja cried out.

"You say that like you didn't eat ten to fifteen guards a few days ago." Jermine rolled his eyes.

"I still don't understand how your not fat." Darya teased.

"Oh hush! I need food. Now."

"Alright but we have to blend in." Ember got off the horse. "Leave the horses here." He added.

"You guys don't go through villages with horses in the 7th realm?" Crimson questioned as she cocked an eyebrow but got off Hunter's back.

"It's not that, it will just make us stand out more in the crowd or look like we are traveling-or fleeing." Autumn answered for him.

"Fine." Brice jumped off the cream horse. And Darya climbed off after.

"Don't do anything embarrassing." Hunter warned Deeja and Jermine. They merely nodded but threw him a vulgar gesture. He returned it with an evil grin on his face before looping his arm over Crimson's shoulder and walking towards the village.

The rest of them tied the horses to trees gently and Darya gave them an apple each then followed Hunter and Crimson to the bright village that awaited.