Picking Petals:

Chapter 18: The hunt

   "You're asking for a lot for just one boy," King Vern sighed as he sat at his desk, his crown standing tall on his head of black  hair. "But I cant very well say no can I? I'll only give you 10 of your choosing of Trax, make sure you have Musho with you. I hope you know I don't just do favors for nothing, you will owe me Nadia."

   "What will I owe you?" I asked as the King sat back in his velvet red chair.

   "You'll know when the time comes, do we have a deal?" King Vern asked stroking his rich brown beard.

   "I dont have much of a choice," I said bowing as I turned around to leave.

   "Is this boy worth it Nadia? How do you know he's even alive?" The king asked behind me.

   I stopped in my tracks but i didn't look back, "Gregory is alive."

   I walked to Rones bedroom not knowing exactly what I was going to say. Rone had every reason to be upset with me for casting him out, and now leaving to save Gregory. Rone answered on the first knock and I couldn't help but babble away. "He's alive, Gregory he came to me in my mind somehow. Your father is letting me take out troops, I wish I could say more but I've got to go he's not doing good out there on his own."

   Racing emotions flickered in Rones eyes, shock, fear, and maybe envy but it was gone before I could think further on it. He kissed me gently and caressed my face, "Just make sure you come back home safe, I could care less what becomes of Gregory but I couldn't bare to lose you." Rone knew I needed this, I needed closure even if he's dead, even if he's beyond recovery no one deserved to die alone, scared. He didn't ask questions, he didn't beg me to stay.

   "Always, we will talk more when I come back but if i dont-" before i could finish my sentence Rone cupped the back of my neck and crushed his lips against mine. His tongue slid against mine, sweat and eager as he gripped my hair slightly pinning me in his embrace.

   Breathless, Rone gently laid his hand on my cheek and rested his forehead against mine. "No buts, you'll make it back to me just fine." I reached for his hand, still on my cheek and and squeezed it, kissing his hand lightly.

   "Dont wait up," I grinned as I stepped out of Rones embrace and turned, every step I took away from Rone made my gut twist. I didnt want to leave, and a deep part of me was scared, scared of dying out there, alone. There was so much Rone and i had yet to learn of each other, yet to have explained, I hoped I'd be able to after all this was over.

                                                                  ...................................................

   To my bewilderment my father Lux and Musho were already at the Trax grounds behind the palace armoring up. "The king informed me on your little rescue mission, I am coming whether you like it or not after all you could use a healer," Lux said as Musho silently waited for my reply.

   "The more the merrier right," I said looking over to Musho, "I know the king said you had to come, but you dont, I only want people to come at their free will."

   Musho frowned his thick defined brows furrowing, "You are my friend Nadia, I am with you till my last fighting breath, if Gregory is alive we will find him." I could feel the tears prick at the corner of my eyes but I rapidly blinked them away. Mushos long thick hair was braided down his short back, he wore his lucky steel armor stained a burgundy red.

   Lux went off to find volunteers which i figured wouldn't be a problem, Trax often find any excuse to go past the walls. Already dressed and armored, I started packing my bag for a two weeks worth of food and water. I didn't put much but a bunch or raisins, berries and sunflower seeds that were grown in the greenhouse, after all Fae dont need to eat much to survive. The thought of Berella coming did come to mind, but I dismissed it immediately. She would only be a distraction, the last thing I needed was to lose her as well.