Lillyheart's Secret

Chapter Twenty-six

Lillyheart didn't want to go the gathering. She didn't want to have to see Thunderclan cats, have them staring at her.

She didn't want to have to face the memories.

She felt a cold nose press to her ear, and she tilted her head, letting out a purr at Murkfall's touch. She could do it, as long he was by her side.

Lillyheart could do anything with Murkfall by her side.

So when Creekstar told her that the two of them were going to the gathering, Lillyheart didn't protest, didn't disagree.

Now, they stood, waiting for Shadowclan to pass in front of them, their darker pelts weaving through the night. Lillyheart pressed a soft lick to Murkfall's cheek, waiting, waiting, waiting.

She could hear the crunch and murmur of voices and paws, and she turned her head, seeing a new group of cats cluster behind the Riverclan cats. Windclan.

The air rippled, and she saw Creekstar flicking her tail into the air as the leader stepped onto the tree bridge. Voices rose with excitement as cat's moved forward, until Lillyheart's own paws were on the rough bark.

A memory of many many moons ago flickered back to life, one of falling, of water and stillness, of the bitter and bubbles.

Shaking her head, clearing her mind, she stepped forward, brushing past the cold thoughts in her mind. She just had to stay strong.

Once past the tree bridge, Murkfall caught up to her, twining his tail into hers, making her blush. "Murkfall," she whispered, ducking her head closer to him. "We're at the gathering."

He chuckled, and leaned into her. "Yes, we are, lovely. And you're here with me, so there is no place I would rather be."

Lillyheart tried to stop the warmth that came from his words. "And others are watching," she reminded him, voice gentle.

Murkfall scoffed, a teasing thing. "Let them watch. I'm not ashamed Lillyheart. I want the whole world to know how much you mean to me."

Lillyheart stopped in her tracks, mouth open. "M-murkfall." She stared at him, her blue eyes softening, taking him in.

Shadows pulled across him, but it was all hidden by the warmth in his green eyes.

Those were the only eyes that mattered anymore.

Not the emerald ones that shone in forest, or the dark ones that slinked through the shadows of her mind. Not the cold ones filled with disdain. His weren the only ones that mattered.

He was the only thing that mattered.

Murkfall bumped his forehead against her own. "Come along, Lillyheart. The gathering is going to start soon, and I would like to thank a few Shadowclan warriors for helping us get you back."

Lillyheart nodded silently, but didn't move, frozen by the gaze of red eyes glinting next to Murkfall.

But when she studied them, they faded from view. She was probably just seeing things.

But the chill that had raced down her spine was still there.

The two padded through the gathering, voices and words cluttering Lillyheart's ears, until it all faded into nothing but a dull thrum.

She caught sight of Wavecloud, and Murkfall nodded, encouraging her to go to her. Letting out a purr, Lillyheart pressed a swift lick to Murkfall's ear, then trotted over to the adopted mother.

Gorsestar of Windclan took the announcements first, speaking of new kits and apprentices. Lillyheart cheered with all of the rest, but she noticed Murkfall was nowhere to be found.