On the Other Side

Galaxy

I wake up, with the fire sparking beside me and Togo nestled up at my feet. I turn to see Linwood facing away from me crossed legged.

I watch his back muscles tense as he breathes in and out. Suddenly I feel a sense of guilt, for hurting him before.

It's a bold move, but I decide to tip toe behind him and hug him from the back. He surprisingly sucks in a breath and arches his back so his head is resting on my shoulder. When his cheek touches my neck, it begins to tingle

But I don't pull away

"Thank you, for everything. I really appreciate it" I whisper, my voice hoarse

"Your welcome" he whispers back

I pull away and hit him at the back of the head

"That's for biting me without consent" I shout

He turns around, a smirk dancing on his face

"But seriously thanks Linwood"

"Why do you keep thanking me huh"

Tears fill my eyes

"It's just the nicest thing anyones done for me that's all"

"Hey stop it. No more crying it's annoying" he shakes his hands in front of me.

I push him playfully on the shoulder

"I can't help it ok" I yawn

"Well you need some more sleep"

"How long have I been out" I rub my eyes

"A week" Linwood sighs

"Whoa, seriously"

"Yeah now sleep" he points to the bed

"I'm hungry, just a little snack"

"Ok" he grabs my hand "Let's go raid the kitchen"

I glance once more at Togo before we leave the room, when we make our way down, I notice the empty corridors,m

"You live here alone"

"Just me"

We arrive in the kitchen and I sit myself on the counter as Linwood looks through the cupboards

"We don't have much"

"I figured you don't really eat"

"Yeah" he murmurs

I hop down to look out the window, stars are scattered across the sky. It looks beautiful, like a galaxy. The moon stands bright in between it all. Being the calm to the storm. I stare and try connecting the points of the stars.

"Gorgeous isn't it" Linwood whispers behind me

"Yes it is" I sigh

"Here" he passes me bowl filled with alphabet noodles

"Thanks"

"Want to eat outside" he asks taking his glass out of the fridge

"Sure"

I follow him out the door to what looks like a balcony. I sit in one of the chairs and dig into my bowl of noodles watching the sky

"Can you stop staring at me like that" I growl

"Sorry" he sips from his glass. "You just look so much like your father"

I look down

"He said you are a good person and I believe him. You have proven that to me"

"How" he tilts his head to the side

"Well you didn't kill me in my sleep" I laugh

"I was tempted" he smirks

"Very funny"

I set my bowl of noodles down

"In total you've been gone for about 3 months. Everyone's surprised you haven't killed your mate yet"

"Forget about him. All I need to do is avenge my parents and take back my throne"

"Why"

"Because my parents were murdered-"

"Not that" he meets my confused gaze

"Why forget about Titus"

"I don't want to talk about it. There are other things at hand" I spit out

We sit in a moment of silence staring at the sky

"I just got news that Beta Norris escaped from  the prison in the moon kingdom with the help of his little witch"

"Charmion"

"Yes. He will obviously head for the throne"

"Well we have to go now" I stand and head for the door

"No." He grabs my hand "You have to let him have it"

"What why."

"Element of surprise. They will be expecting you to be there to shatter their dreams, ruin everything they've built, you won't do that. Now, time for bed. Training starts tomorrow"

Linwood leaves me sitting on the balcony, drowning in my own thoughts.