The Iron Princess

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We traveled in silence, back to the Goblin Market.

We had nothing to say each other, I guess.

Only speaking to each other when it was necessary; like when the human needed to be fed, or who would carry her or what direction is next when we needed to turn.

It was awakward and we didn't have that easy relationship anymore.

He would stare at me every couple hours and when I did stare back, he'd look the other way.

My heart ached, I don't know what to say to him...

I don't know what I want, I don't know if I loved him, or Ron... Ron is my best friend.. do I feel that way about him? But I barely knew Dominick, how could I say I love him? I mean I like him, I really do. But this whole time he was called the enemy and we're just now becoming friends. And he tells me he loves me?

I concentrated on the dirt road ahead as we ducked under branches and over ferns of dead damp leaves.

"Where are you taking me?" I heard the human child ask Dominick.

He was holding her in his arms, cradled against him.

She was getting more comfortable with us now, talking with us more.

She told us she didn't remember her name, where she came from, how long she's been there, all she knew was the Winter Realm. The small cell they kept her in and everyday, two times a day she would go to the Queen and play.

I felt bad for her, what if she has a family out in the mortal world looking for her?

"We're taking you to our friend's house," Dominick said gently.

The child was quiet for a second.

I stared at them as we walked through the murkey woods.

Almost to the Goblin Market.

"We won't let anything happen to you," The prince whispered. "I promise."

When we arrived at her shack, Jaede was sitting on her desk, crossed legged.

"Wow, can't believe you guys actually got her so fast, I was expecting a couple of days," She said grinning. "I have the potion made already."

She cocked her head to the right side towards where a glass of red liquid laid on the front table.

The human child cringed against the Prince's chest, he held her tighter.

Jaede held out her hands for the child.

"What are you planning to do with her?" I asked then.

"It's none of your buisness," She said looking at me.

"We're the ones who retrieved her, we have every right to know," The Prince said not moving.

He held the child away from Jaede.

"Ohhhh, someone got a little attached didn't they?" She asked the prince.

He didn't say anything.

I looked at her, waiting for an answer.

"I'm returning her to her home in the mortal world," Jaede said then. "I owe her family that much."

"Why?" I asked, taken aback.

"Her brother saved my life," She said, bitterly then. "Don't ask, long story. A story you don't need to know. Anyway, yeah. I won't hurt her. Just returning her."

I looked at Dominick and he looked at me hesitatntly.

Then he looked at the child in his arms and looked at Jaede.