A Curse of the First

•«CHAPTER FOURTEEN»• •«FORGET HER»•

It had been a day since Birch had left, leaving Fir's emotions tattered and torn. He was alone now. Alone. Was he really just going to sit here? Yes. He was.

His head was resting in his hands, his fingers constantly having to move to wipe away his tears. He didn't know it was going to be this hard to lose her... he didn't know he was going to have to lose her.

A knock rang in his ears and signaled that someone was at the door. He took a deep breath and wiped away his tears before standing up and dragging himself over to the door.

Fir hesitantly opened the door, straightening his posture. A guard stood outside, giving a small bow.

"Prince Fir, the King wishes to speak to you." The guard informed him.

Fur nodded and stepped by the guard, hurrying down the stairs. Why did his father want to speak with him? Did he bring Birch back? It was unlikely... but it was possible! He continued down the stairs, planning on checking the study first. The wood railing started to burn his hand from how fast he was going.

He reluctantly slowed down and massaged his hand for a second before continuing down the stairs. It would only take another minute or two to reach the King's study, and Fir was terrified of what his father might say. If he could never see Birch again... well, he didn't know what would happen. There was a part of him that wanted to pull her away from the war himself, but then he still wouldn't be able to see her.

Fir sighed, reaching the study and stopping. His hand rested on the cool door, the wood having been weathered down over the years. Hesitantly, his hand drifted to the gold doorknob and opened the door. The King sat at his desk, eyes wide as they scanned the letter he had clutched in his hands. Bracken looked up when he heard his son walked in and immediately hid the letter.

"Son." King Bracken said calmly, straightening his suit and sitting up.

"Father..." Fir replied, taking another step into the study before closing the door behind him.

His father turned his appearance from stressed to composed in a matter of seconds before looking at his son again. "I'm guessing Birch told you she had to leave..."

He nodded once, trying to stay composed like his father, but was failing. "Why did you have to send her to war?"

Bracken sighed quietly. "She's a good fighter, Fir. She'll be safe."

"B-But I'll never see her again!" Fir stuttered before taking his breath and gathering himself again.

"You will." Bracken promised, standing up and walking over to him. "Though it might be awhile, so my piece of advice is to just focus on other things. That's what I do with Melt."

Fir glanced up at his father, who had placed his hand on his shoulder. Was he just told to forget Birch?! "Yes sir..."

King Bracken removed his hand from his son's shoulder and walked back over to his desk. "Off you go now."

He nodded hesitantly and turned around, quickly opening the door and leaving. Fir headed up the stairs and back to his room. Forget Birch? He could never! He sighed and continued up the stairs quietly, trying to clear his mind, but it was impossible. Birch took up most of his life.

I'll be ok without her... I have to be. I'm the prince. He thought, mind racing. Fir was almost to his room again so he sped up. If he could just get his hands on a book he could clear his head. Suddenly he froze, about five or six steps away from his room. Maybe I could go and see Birch... it'll ease my soul a bit...

He shook his head, such a stupid idea. It was too risky. Way too risky. It was a stupid idea to go off to war just to see Birch. But... he could still do it. No. Not even Birch would take that risk.

Fir sighed and started walking again, already reaching out his arm to open his door. You can't, Fir. You shouldn't.

I am SO sorry it took so long, but we only have 8(?) more chapters left!!!!!