A King's Heart

6.

Chapter Six: Let The Adventure Begin

A week after Mara's visit to the prince, they had come down to a decision. They would all meet at the edge of the kingdom at sunset and prepare for their travel.

Kai had been untrustworthy towards Mara. He couldn't understand why the prince easily agreed on coming along with her, when she was the reason why he was slowly dying. But as his duty as his royal guard, he had no choice but to come along.

Prince Thomas state was controlled by Mara's teas. Mara had ordered him to drink a tea everyday, a way to control the poison within him from spreading. Despite Kai's constant reassurance that Mara was trying to end him, Prince Thomas drank the tea.

"She is probably ending you sooner than she wanted, your highness." Kai had protested making the prince roll his eyes for the fifth time.

"Kai, I appreciate your concern but those teas make me feel better."

Prince Thomas and Kai had used the excuse of visiting Kai's parents as a way to escape the castle. With Prince Thomass coronation coming up soon, he was expected to be at the castle.

"The King will have a fit when he realizes we lied to him" Kai commented as he rode beside Prince Thomas.

The Prince simply nodded his head. "My father will be angry yes, but he'll come to understand why I had to leave."

"My prince, you do understand what will happen to Mara if the king finds out what she did to you, right?"

Prince Thomas remained quiet. He knew what Kai was getting at. His father would demand the execution of Mara and behead her for attempt murder to the future crowned king. He would never allow that, Prince Thomas would never allow any harm to Mara.

"You are slow riders, it's past sunset and I am tired of standing" At the sound of Mara's voice, Prince Thomas and Kai stopped their horses.

Their gazes landed on Mara as she leaned against a tree. There was a tired expression on her face as she softly smiled towards the prince.

"Where is your horse?" Kai questioned making Mara look at him.

She simply ignored his question as she walked over to him and attached her bag to the horse's saddle.

Mara stood besides Kai's horse, "Help me up."

Kai stared at her. "Pardon?".

"Help me up Kai. I am not going to walk."

Prince Thomas chuckled at Kai's bewildered expression. He watched as Mara rolled her eyes and helped herself up. Mara sat behind Kai, wrapping an arm around his waist, she commented, "Any day now Kai, we have a prince to save."

Kai glanced over to the prince and gave him a look that screamed 'help me'.

The prince merely shook his head in amusement and softly motioned for his horse to start walking. Prince Thomas couldn't ignore the strange feeling that rested against his chest as he watched Mara hold onto Kai.

If he was honest, he would have wished for her to ride with him.

"Can you please not hold onto me so tight?" Kai complained.

Mara simply wrapped her arms tighter around his waist, "I wish to live Kai, I will hold on however I like".

Kai simply murmured under his breath how he wished she would walk. Mara ignored him and turned her head to watch the prince. His beauty was illuminated by the moon's light, making him look more enchanted than usual.

Despite the prince's appearance due to him slowly dying, Prince Thomas was a handsome man.

Mara focused her attention to the view ahead of her, watching as they came near towards the edge of the Ethereal Nexus.

"We should stop soon. The prince needs to rest and I need to prepare a spell."

Kai glanced behind his shoulder as he felt Mara tense. He had never seen the emotion she held in her eyes before; fear.

"Should we be worried about this forest?" Kai questioned.

Mara simply sighed as she rested her cheek against Kai's back. She ignored his protest as she spoke, "Ethereal Nexus is a beautiful place. It is the home to many creatures like myself but within its beauty, it holds evil. There are monsters who will do everything to destroy magical creatures. That place will mess with you humans, that is why we need to stop. I will make a spell that'll protect your mind, for that is your weakness in Ethereal Nexus."

Prince Thomas and Kai shared a confused look. Mara rolled her eyes at how dumbfounded they look. She knew topics like these were very confusing to humans, as the main reason why they were forbidden entrance to the forest.

"To make it simple for you, just listen and do everything I say."

Mara heard Kai murmur something under his breath. She allowed herself to relax as she leaned her face against Kai's back.

"That is if you don't get eaten alive", Mara whispered against his back.

"Pardon?" Kai questioned as he heard Mara whisper something.

"Oh nothing Kai, I just commented on how beautiful your hair looks".

a/n: here is another chapter! how are you guys liking this story? what's your thoughts and predictions?

please leave a comment, vote and share! love you all!