A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Chapter 12

I stood in my room a few minutes before deciding that I didn't want to spend my free time cooped up inside when it was still a beautiful day. So instead of doing nothing in my room, I fled it and went into the garden to catch the sun almost ready to set.

I smiled at its beauty and breathed in the fresh air and felt a large ball of tension leave my body as I exhaled. It was one of the benefits to being an air elemental. Just breathing in deep and exhaling could relieve stress and clear my mind.

I was in a calm and blissful feeling as I roamed the gardens, marveling at the multiple colors and breeds of roses, while I reflected back on my happiness to find Dilan again.

It was odd to see the same face, but call him a different name. I was sure I would get used to it and I knew it would take some time, yet it still felt weird. I felt the same knowing that he was a demon. Even after I saw him take his leave at the island, it still hadn't hit me the wickedness that possessed him.

"Princess Ellia?" Xavior's voice brought me out of my peaceful state and I turned to look at him with a small smile.

"Captain Hamilton," I greeted with a brief nod.

"I must apologize if I interrupted your thoughts," he began. "I hadn't thought anyone was out here."

I dismissed his apology with a wave of my had. "No need for that," I began. "The garden is free for all to use." This brought a smile upon his face and I immediately went stiff when he took a step closer. I spun around and began to search for something to keep my attention. I found a pair of garden scissors and a small basket on the edge of the brick siding encasing the rose bushes. I began snipping at a few white roses with purple tips and putting them in the small basket.

I went to cut the second one, when Xavior stopped me by reaching for the scissors. "May I?" he asked, his hand out stretched ready to take them.

I ignored him and snipped the second one while saying, "No thank you, Captain, but thank you for the offer." I searched for the third as I heard him take in a deep breath. Feeling his tension, I asked, "Is something the matter, Captain Hamilton?" as I glanced up at him before holding the third rose steady and cutting it at the right length. I felt weird asking him that. After all, I was the one who was making him feel that way.

"No, Princess," he replied with difficulty. There was a moment of silence as I went over to the large patch of Baby's Breath.

"If there is," I began looking at him as he followed, "you could tell me." Hearing the deep sigh was like a blessing and I was becoming eager for him to tell me that I was the cause for his distress only so I could create a lie to get him and my father off my back.

He looked away before meeting my gaze once more. "Have I upset you?" he blurted.

I shook my head, smiling inside. "No."

He sighed again. "Then there is another reason why you have distanced yourself from me?"

This time I looked away and slumped my shoulders, feeling the regret of what I was about to say. "It has to be done," I reminded myself. "And it's better that I do it now than later."

"There is," I began looking back at him. "But it is not because you have done something wrong." He stayed quiet as I gathered my words. It took me a while until I blurted, "I think it would be best if we were friends and only that," in a cautioned tone.

 I looked to him to see his reaction. His eyes were wide, but they quickly returned to normal. "This is becoming much harder than I thought it would," I thought.

I sighed, feeling distraught. "It has nothing to do with you. It is just –" I took a deep breath and gathered my words once more. "It is still all very new to me and despite my father's wishes for us to court, I am just not ready for it," I said quickly. I sighed once more and casted my eyes downward, regretfully.