Step Back (AU)

XVIII

Someone shook me awake. I look up to see Elias, "He's leaving. Go catch your ride."

I get up quickly and look back at my family, "Take care of them."

He smiles and nods his head, "Of course, my lady."

I grab my sword and pack. Then rush to where I knew Harlan was. I saw that he was already riding off on Malik. Thinking quickly, I stab my sword into the ground and put my fingers in my mouth. The whistle was loud, and I hope it didn't wake the other three up, but hopefully I was far enough away.

Malik stops and Harlan looks at me. He shakes his head and kicks Malik to go. Malik takes a step forward.

"Malik!" I whisper yell. The poor horse stops and turns his head against Harlan's wishes. I hold up a handful of straw that I took and show Malik. "Come here, bub!"

Harlan groans as he tries to steer Malik the other way. Malik happily trots over and sucks the hay right out of my hand. "What a good boy!" I scratch under his chin. Malik's weak spot. "Is papa angry?" Malik neighs and I look up at Harlan with an amused look.

Harlan sighs, "I'm not angry. Just thinking really hard. Do you know what you have done?" He kicks Malik who only steps forward to put his head on my shoulder. "Malik! Alina, what have you done to my horse?"

I shrug and continue to scratch Malik's neck, "Oh, Har, nothing. He's just a good boy, that's all." Harlan snorts and I just smile. I look back at Malik, "Papa just needs to brush you a little more, huh? This feels so good." Malik sighs which makes me laugh.

Harlan rubs his hand down his face, "Come on. Let's go." He holds out his hand and I climb up behind him. He puts my sword next to his and we start heading out.

"You want to hear my plan?" I say, squeezing his body against mine. He chuckles, "About what?"

I take a deep breath. I had thought about it and decided it was the only way for the future to stay the same, "You don't marry her, Harlan." I rub my cheek on his back and take a deep breath. "You don't marry her, and she marries someone else."

One of his hands grabs one of mine and kisses it, "I know I don't. Because you're going to marry me."

I gasp and tense up, sitting straighter. "Harl—" my voice came out croaked. "Harlan, you know I can't. It isn't practical." I felt like I was losing air and my heart was pounding, "It's not smart for us."

"Alina, you aren't listening to me." He presses my hand against his heart. "It's yours. You are my only one. It's just you. Even when you leave. It will be you. Then I'll be waiting for you in the sky with the stars. In your time, you will find me there. I'll be the wind that surrounds you when you are in the forest. We don't need to grow old to show our love."

His voice went lower, "You risked your life last night to beg to keep more for more time." He sighs, "While in your words you say you don't want to marry me. I know you do. You wouldn't fight for me like that if you didn't. Marry me, Alina."

My lower lip was wobbling, "What about children? Didn't you ever dream about having your own?"

He sighs, "Of course I want children, but it's not smart for us. What if I get you pregnant then you go home? It would drive me insane. Not only do I lose my wife, but my child. No way." He takes a deep breath, "I just want you. Then I'll be satisfied. My greatest feat, it would have been loving you to the end of my time."

I smile and wipe my tears. I was thinking about the Broadway show 'Alexander Hamilton'. I shake my head, "Harlan, what if you get forced to marry her?"

He snorts, "Alina. You just told me what happens. The Prince of Spain has been looking at her anyways. So there, we solved it. Well. Not completely. Do I marry anyone?"

I pause, "Nobody has been able to figure that out. So, I guess, no you don't."

He chuckles, "Exactly. I was planning to get married in secret."

I sniffle, "Harlan, this is a bad idea."

He laughs and it makes my heart flutters, "Well, my love. Let's make it worth it."

We rushed into the castle knowing that the others may not be far behind. His father was thrilled, and it happened quickly.

I knew what I was doing. Kind of. Maybe love was really blinding, while not always good. This one wasn't bad.

The others finally arrived, and we were in the kitchen eating. My face was definitely flushed which Ruby teased me about. Harlan and I had decided that Lief and Elias should know but telling my family would maybe alter somethings if we were to ever openly talk about. Lief and Elias are used to keeping secrets and were trained as well as mentally prepared to die for Harlan. (Which Harlan despises.) My family, they were not trained for any of that. While I loved them. In another world maybe it was more probable. Just not in this time.

Greg and Ruby were excited as Harlan's mom demanded that they got a bath before they ate. She said she's seen Ruby's hair being blonde, but for at least once while we were still her, she was going to see it to its potential.

Harlan and I snuck away snickering as he let me tour the backyard. Then after a few passionate kisses we decided his room was where we needed to be. Then we showed each other, just how much we love each other.