Red Throne

Chapter Six

AN: Another update... Yay! Please feel free to leave constructive criticism and enjoy this chapter!!

----------MARE'S POV----------

I somehow found my way back into the forest, still searching for Cal. It couldn't have been that long after my "moment", surly Cal was back in here containing the mess, right?

I searched and searched, wandering hopelessly in the forest with no clue how to get back to the castle. The sun was getting low, almost completely gone. I sat on a rock to watch the last moments of the sunset. All the colors mixing in the sky, nothing could ever compare to the sunsets in the Stilts, but this came pretty close. I closed my eyes and became lost in the moment. The quiet air surrounding me, knowing even if I was lost I was in bliss. A peaceful bliss, one that I had never felt before. All my worries went with the sun, leaving me alone.

The peace lasted for what felt like both forever, and for just a fraction of a second when I heard the snap of a twig. I whipped my head around to see a silhouette I knew so well. Almost too well.

----------CAL'S POV----------

I sent everyone out to search for her. I almost lost her once, I will not lose her again. The sun was beginning to set, and no one had a single lead of where she was. I knew I would have to call off the search once it got dark, which was soon. Too soon.

There was only one place left I could think of. It would have to be a solo mission. I called everyone else off, and started towards the forest. It was a long shot, very unlikely that she went into the forest. She probably doesn't even remember what happened. I knew Mare though, she was tough, tougher than me. She has earned everything she has, earned or stolen. She is as determined as someone can be, but also as stubborn as stubborn comes. She is a fighter, the strongest one I know. I just have to keep telling myself that.

I didn't know where she could be in the forest, it is about 50 miles wide and it is who knows how deep. The sun was almost completely gone when I saw a small silhouette. One that I knew so well.

"My colors," I mumbled under my breath.

I stepped on a twig and it snapped. Her head whipped around as her eyes focused on mine. Neither one of us moved. This isn't real, that isn't her.

"Cal?" she said so quietly it almost wasn't audible.

"It's me," was all I could say. My feet still couldn't move, but apparently hers could. Her body crashed into mine, I wrapped my arms around her holding her as tight as I could. I felt a wet spot forming on my shirt, and I knew it wasn't made by me.

I held her small face in my hands, she was so perfect. Her eyes glistened, full of tears.

"Mare," I whispered, still not convinced that this was really my Mare.

"H-how long was I-I out?" she asked.

"About 2 days, but all that truly matters to me is that you opened your eyes."

"I can't do it, I can't go back, I don't-" she started.

"Don't worry about that now, besides it is late and no light to guide us back," I interrupted.

"What are you suggesting?" she asked.

"Let's just stay here for the night. I will be right by your side, and I won't let anything happen," I said, wanting some us time. Even though I could have easily used my fire to guide us back.

"Promise?" she asked, with so much fear in her eyes.

"I promise," I said and led her to an open spot.

I picked her up, and I think I heard a small giggle, then laid her down. I laid right next to her, then she snuggled up against me. Her back on my stomach. I wrapped my arm around her waist as she drifted off to sleep. 

----------MARE'S POV----------

His arm wrapped around my waist. It felt so right having him next to me. I drifted off to sleep knowing he would protect me from anything that would possibly threaten me. But that didn't mean I was at peace anymore. I had dreams, but dreams can mean nightmares too. Maven. Maven was all I could think about. The manacles wrapped around my wrist, the life draining out of me, the-.

"Mare, Mare wake up," Cal was whispering in my ear and shaking me.

I sat up quickly sweating from the bad dreams.

"Are you okay? You were screaming," he asked, worry filling his eyes.

"Yes, I am fine," I lied. No I wasn't fine, I have been unconscious for 2 days and now I have dreams about Maven.

The sun was coming up, but this time watching it didn't bring me bliss, it brought back all the worries I had before. I guess I don't deserve to have a life of peace after what I have done, but somehow I have Cal. My Cal.