Wanderess

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

They had been driving for hours. The sun was high in the sky already and was beginning to descend. Fayre thought that they would never reach Solas' borders. She had thought that Adrian would take the easiest route out of the kingdom- Lia. But when she asked him why that wasn't the case, he said that going through Anva and Vielle would be the safest option. Two cities to the west of Erivale. Again, she asked why.

"We need to avoid No Mans Land. You said yourself that the Darkness had already taken it."

Talking the west cities meant that they would come out on the outskirts of the City of Light and likely many Travellers camps. Her original destination.

Travellers. They could help. Despite her having Adrian on her side now, Fayre felt she needed extra assistance. The Prince had said earlier that they needed backup, they needed extra forces to fight Malvat. So, she decided, she would get them. She would build a force big enough and dangerous enough to crush the threat to her kingdom and her people.

By the time the sun had set, and the sky was once again dusted in pastel colours, the sunset was the last thing on Fayre's mind.

"Now Princess, we are leaving your kingdom." Adrian was right, she could see the distinct border, the trees thicker and the forest denser. The atmosphere had changed entirely. No more was the angelic grace that was hovering over the entire kingdom. Now...now the air felt like a weight pressing on her chest. She had never left her kingdom, her home, before.

"Have you ever been beyond the two kingdoms? I know you've been to Solas, but have you been to the cities? To the camps?" The blonde looked to Adrian to avoid watching as they crossed the border.

He kept his eyes forward, "I have. The King would send me on missions all over the continent to make people fear me, to hurt people, to ruin cities.." his voice trailed off and Fayre understood why. She could still see the burning of her people's homes. Every time she closed her eyes, she could smell the fires, she could hear the screams and she could see the destruction.

"Why did you do it? All of it." She had to ask. She needed the closure.

She needed to trust him, for both of their sakes.

He seemed hesitant to answer at first, but then; "He's the only family I have." His voice was barely above a whisper, yet it seemed to echo around the car. "I thought if I did what he wanted if I became the monster he wanted...then- then I would have a place. That I would feel like I was needed. Like I was wanted. Important. I am sorry Fayre," he pulled the car over- his hands shaking. Adrian turned to Fayre, "I am so sorry. For everything. For your people, for your cities."

She was crying. She hadn't even realised until he reached a shaky hand across the car and used his thumb to swipe the tears from her cheeks. His hand retreated slowly. His shaking hadn't ceased. His breath was troubled. Before he could tuck his hands into his lap, Fayre reached across and took her hand in his. She could feel how cold and clammy they were- but she didn't care. Not as she watched as Adrian's own tears began to slip from his eyes. She watched mesmerised as he did nothing to stop them. The air between them was palpable and tense, yet she couldn't help but admire the sheer beauty of him. Laid bare for her. His emotions, his grief- his hurt; for her to see. An apology.

"You're beautiful." She hadn't realised she had said anything until after it slipped out. It was practically a breath, so quiet, so small.

His dark eyes focused on her, the iris's -again, slightly lighter than the last time she saw him. She wondered if he was conscious about his changing eyes, or whether she should say something. "I forgive you."