Innocent

Chapter 10 - Unwelcome Companions

"Rilo!" I shouted again, stepping into the throne room. "Where are you?"

"I'm right here, you don't have to yell." He steps out from behind a pillar.

"Watch yourself." I warned, jumping nimbly onto my throne.

"Sorry, your majesty." Rilo's attitude was going to get himself killed very soon.

"I need-" I began to speak, but Rilo interrupted me.

"A wand?" Rilo crossed his arms. "Actually no you don't. I can do what you want without some stupid spell."

Ugh, I always forgot that he knew my secrets as well.

"Fine then. I need to know where Alexi is." I growled, imagining disemboweling the prince before me.

"He's in the Northern Kingdom Mountains." Rilo nimbly spun around on one foot, practically dancing with excitement.

"The mountains? Ugh, great. I hate being cold." I stood to go find some warm clothing, but Rilo wasn't finished.

"I have some more information that you might want to hear." He sang to my back.

"What?" I didn't bother turning around.

"They have a magic barrier." This had my attention. I faced back to him. "It resists all forms of known magic transportation. You won't be able to summon a portal to reach Alexi. You'll have to go..." A dramatic pause, "by foot!"

This just kept getting worse and worse.

"Fine." I started once more back to my rooms. I reached my door and I stopped suddenly. Rilo bumped into my back. "What are you doing?"

My voice was quiet, but still deadly. I was very tempted to run him through right there.

"I'm coming with you." He claimed, but backed up a few feet nonetheless.

"What makes you think you were invited?"

"I could be very helpful. I can tell you all the mountain fae's secrets. All the passageways, all the lies and secret treachery. With my help, it would be easy to coax your lovely little Alexi to trust you." Rilo was the last person I wanted to take with me. I'd almost rather take my nasty witch mother. Sadly, Rilo had a point. He could be helpful to me. And at this point, I couldn't afford to make mistakes due to pride.

"Fine. But if you annoy me too much. I will kill you. And I will enjoy it." I opened my bedroom door and let him follow me. I entered my regular closet and sorted through the many clothing options.

"What kind of clothing do they wear? I'd like to attempt to blend." I picked up a coat and showed it to Rilo.

"Do you have anything in gray?" Rilo drawled, spread out on my bed.

"Off my bed. And yes." It took a few minutes to find it in all the mess, but eventually I triumphantly pulled out a thick gray wool coat.

"Perfection, Your Majesty. Got a second one by any chance?" He grinned sheepishly.

"Are you kidding me?" I picked up the prince by the back of his collar, magical strength coursing through me. "Find it yourself." I threw him into my closet.

"Ow." Came the muffled response under layers of clothing items.

"Good." I picked up one of my bottomless bags that fell out of the closet and set to work on packing up. I put that gossip book, a few charms, and a spare outfit in the bag. I also added a few of my favorite weapons. A pair of enchanted daggers, some throwing knives, a collapsible staff, and a set of brass knuckles with iron tips all found a homes in little pockets.

Those brass knuckles could do some damage. I had to be careful not to touch the iron parts. They would hurt even my if my hand bushed against it. They were also my most favorite. These things left scars.

"Are you ready yet?" I donned my coat and shouldered the small backpack. I was ready to go.

"Sure. I'd like to get back by Friday. Seth is throwing a party and Sin sure knows how to throw one." Rilo crawled out of my closet wearing a very feminine gray coat. "Also, can I keep this after? I look awesome."

"Whatever, let's just get going." I summoned a portal and motioned for Rilo to step through. "Ladies first."

"Don't mind if I do." He stepped into the swirling magic gateway. I waited for a moment to make sure that there wasn't immediate danger. After nothing happened, I took a deep breath and stepped through. I sure hoped we would get to Alexi in time. There was just something about him I didn't quite understand. And I was dying to find out.