Innocent

Chapter 13 - Hide and Seek

"And this is the hot spring!" Glaya said with a flourish. Several pools of steaming water were littered along the cave floors. I wouldn't have minded one of those in my castle. A few fae were bathing in some of the further pools, laughing, talking, and relaxing.

"Wow, it's nice." I complimented. Thankfully Rilo's lie got me out of speaking much, but I still tried to say a little something now and then. A light fae wouldn't want to be rude.

"I was wondering if you had some visitor quarters? My companion here has had a long day and I think some rest would do her good before we head out again." Rilo gave her a sympathetic look.

"Of course! Will you be needing one room, or two?" Glaya asked politely as she led us in a different direction.

"One will be fine." Rilo replied. Glaya's face fell. Rilo, realizing we might have just lost a potential quickly attempted to recover. "We're trying to get her used to being around people all the time. We're from a communal city and we're hoping to get her accustomed slowly."

Glaya blushed, but her smile returned.

"It's none of my business either way." She kept glancing at Rilo every few seconds. She was quite smitten. She led us down a hallway with curtained off rooms, leading us down to the sixth one. "Here we go! We do have a newcomer next door, so try to be respectful."

Rilo thanked her as I slipped inside the room. There was a bed and a small table with a pitcher of water. I bathrobe hung on the wall which I presumed was for the hot springs. Glaya's footsteps echoed down as she walked back down the hall. As soon as she was out of listening range, Rilo got to work explaining what he learned.

"Alexi is here." He hissed excitedly.

"I know, that's why we're up in this freezing mountain." I grumbled, sitting on the mattress. It was surprisingly soft.

"No, I mean in this hallway. He's the "newcomer" Glaya mentioned. Speaking of Glaya, isn't she just a peach? She was quite taken with me."

"What?" I whispered yelled.

"Yeah, I thought it was pretty obvious even without knowing her inner secrets. She has such a pleasant blush. Really brings out her eyes." Rilo rambled on about the woman.

"Not Glaya, you idiot. Alexi." My heart was pounding, my stomach rolling.

"Yeah. He's next door right now." Rilo shrugged, sprawling on the bed.

"This is it." I whispered to myself. I suddenly felt very nauseous. As much as I enjoyed Alexi, I hated the feelings he gave me.

"Nervousness." Rilo supplied the name for the feeling.

"Shut up. Be ready to run." With that, I exited our room. I stood in front of the curtain next door and took a few deep breaths. I could do this. I see him all the time. It's not any different.

I tell myself these things, but it is different. Now he would see me for who I really am. I wouldn't just be some human nanny. He would know I was a fae. I was very intimidated. But I also didn't have a lot of time to ready myself.

Not giving me anymore time to worry, I opened the curtain.

It was empty.

Well, not empty. But there was no Alexi. There wasn't even signs of someone living there. The bed was perfectly made, the water pitcher full, and the robe still hung on the wall. Where was he? Maybe Rilo was wrong.

"Hey, is there something I can help you with?" A voice asked me from behind. I froze. That voice. It was Alexi. I wasn't prepared for this. Deep breath, it's okay.

"Hello?" He prompted when I didn't respond. His voice somehow made me calmer even though my heart was racing.

"Alexi." My voice was so soft, I doubt he could have heard me.

"Yeah." Apparently he did hear.

"I've come for you." I turned around and my breath left my body when I saw him.

"Dris?" Alexi took a step back. "What are you doing here? How are you even here?"

He looked so handsome while confused.

"I'm here to rescue you." My cheeks heated up, but looking at his face made me even more determined.

"That doesn't explain anything really." He crossed his arms.

"Look. I was watching over you, protecting you even as my position as nanny. I wanted to make sure that something like this didn't happen." I lowered my head hearing how ridiculous it sounded given the current situation. "I guess I didn't do a very good job. I'm sorry."

"Okay. But why do I need to be rescued? I get that this was all kind of sudden, and I would have liked to have tied up a few loose ends. But being here explains so much! It's like I'm finally starting to understand who I really am." Alexi uncrossed his arms, reveling in the newfound feeling.

"I know it's hard to understand right now. But trust me please. I'm just trying to protect you. I'm Queen Dris. Your father was a very important person in my kingdom. Your parents had a forbidden affair and they made the hard decision to offer you as a changeling. It was to protect you. I was going to slowly acclimate you to your past, but before I could these people kidnapped you." I explained, making me and my people sound better than we actually were. Yet, I didn't lie at all.

"Wow. Really?" Alexi frowned. "They hadn't explained much yet. Much I guess that makes sense. But still, why do I need to leave. It seems nice here."

I couldn't very well answer the real reason. I didn't think, 'because I want you' would go very well.

"Because they want you for your political power. I want to be there for you. Help you how you need. They just want to use you." I left out the part about him being the prince of all the light kingdoms. I would have to explain later, but right now it wasn't in my best interest at the moment.

"They just want to use me?" His scowl deepened.

"Yes." I glanced both ways down the hall. "I hate to rush you to make such an important decision, but we need to leave soon. Please, Alexi."

"This is just all so much to take in right now." He put his head in his hands.

"I hate to break up the moment, you love birds are having, but we need to leave." Rilo poked his head out from behind the curtain. "We need to leave now."

"Thanks, Rilo." I met Alexi's eyes. "Are you coming?"

My heart pounded so hard it was all I could hear. Bu bum. Bu bum. Bu bum.

"Yes."