The Gifted

Chapter Twenty: Traitor

A/N: Hi ervyone! Sorry for the late update.  I'm trying to get better at balancing my schedule! Ahem, anyway I hope you enjoy the latest chapter of The Gifted! 

There is a music track but don't start it right away!  I have BOLDED the first couple words of the paragraph so you know where to start the music if you wish to listen to it.  Some people aren't a fan of the video breaking up the text and this is my solution but let me know your thought. This chapter is brought to you by Tangled!

Enjoy!

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I sat across from James in his home, retelling the events that occurred at the masquerade. He nodded his head here and there to the news but stopped short when I brought up Trystan's proposal. He threw back his head and laughed. "I remember him when he first joined the guard. Pretty sure he was infatuated with you from your first meeting.", James laughed to himself again, "You really did a number on the kid. Any other Lady would have jumped at a proposal from the Captain of the Guard."

I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair, a bit irritated. "I suppose you wanted me to accept then?"

James waved a hand dismissively, "I think it would have been the safest route for you. It would have kept you safe from what's to come if the news you brought back has any truth to it. But it's your decision and I'm selfishly glad you made it. Do you regret it?"

I thought about it for a moment but then shook my head. Trystan made his choice and I had made mine.

"Then you made the right choice. Now," James clapped his hands together, closing the subject. "The real question is, are you going to the festival tonight?"

I rolled my eyes. The last thing we needed to focus on right now was the winter festival. Traditionally, it was a celebrated Holliday meant to signify the beginning of winter. It was meant to be a time of joy now that the hard work to prepare for the ground to ice over was completed. Crops had been stored, blankets and warm clothes had been sewn, and firewood gathered. Everything was in place to have a restful winter.

But I believed this winter was going to be a far cry from restful.

"I can't believe you wish to wait. We need to be preparing for what's to come. The King could act on his plan at any moment."

James' face grew annoyed when the topic of conversation took a different turn than he wished, "The council plans to announce the news sometime after the festival. The Gifted that haven't joined the rebellion believe they're safe from the King's wrath when in reality they now have targets on their backs just as us. Let them live in ignorance of that fact for a little while longer. Besides, we need to think carefully how we're going to go about this."

I huffed, not all that happy with the idea. I certainly didn't get to live in ignorance of the King's plans.

"If it makes you feel any better, a select few have already been briefed and are getting some preparations together. Now stop scowling or you'll never find a husband."

I rolled my eyes at the comment, "Sometimes I think you're the Lady of the House and not Elaine. You fret over pointless things."

"Pointless or not you're going to the festival. I believe Elaine has already pulled one of her old dresses for you."

I held up a hand, "No need to convince me. I already promised Flint I'd meet him there."

James cleared his throat, " You two certainly have grown...friendly."

I raised an eyebrow at him, challenging him to continue this subject of conversation. James quickly took the defensive, "I'm not insinuating anything. I think it's great that you two are close. Flint is a good man. Very-where are you going?"