Before the Last Snow

Chapter 17: a veces (sometimes)

From his daring escape, Lexon was already very tensed. However, his satisfied and loosened body posture became evident as he realized the presence of Pearl, his companion. Although Pearl never gave absolute answers, Lexon liked the silence. It reminded him of Crystal, before everything went sideways, before he asked Nebula out. The two spent quite the time together, but sometimes things aren't meant to be.

"Pearl, what do you think she meant by save Hedwig? Why does he need saving? I mean, if anything, everyone needs saving from him!"

Pearl neighed a 'nehhh' and a 'nuhhh' in response to his infinite questions, which kept going.

"Is he in trouble?"

"Did he fake his liking for me?"

"What if he has already caused the damage?"

His overthinking got the best of him until his eyes set upon the orange hues of the sunset afar. All of a sudden, his heart felt heavy, with guilt and remorse. The nature reminded him of his parents, his burden, his falling out with Crystal, all of which were topics he'd rather discuss elsewhere.

Knowing that the soon approaching nightfall could be harmful in this unfamiliar land, Lexon had to camp for the night. He attempted to halt Pearl's hooves near a banyan tree almost two hundred years old, but she won't stop. Instead, Pearl had become wilder, more agitated. Perhaps, she sensed the danger that was to come as misty vapor began covering the traveler's sights.

"Oh, this better not be that kid again!" Lexon screamed, clearly frustrated with the incidents earlier.

They were blind at this point as the thickness of the fog decided to not budge. The stubborn fog.

This seemed all too familiar, like a deja-vu. But, then almost instantly, the translucent gas disappeared into thin air (rather ironic, now, isn't it?) and he saw a bold, strong feminine figure on a horse approach him.

"Oh, Lexon, I am so happy I found you! Thank the lords! Neb would've killed me, ahh!"

It was Lurnara, the childhood friend who had ventured on her own path, for good.

"Oh, Lurnara. It's a pleasure to see you, even in this odd place."

"Likewise, Lex. Or should I say, your highness," she let out a chuckle.

"Oh, now, no need for all that. Just call me King Lexon the almighty!" he puffed his chest, in pride.

"Ha! That is one very lame title, Lex. You must change it or I won't let you marry Nebula!"

Lurnara stepped down from her stallion as she hugged Lexon and gently stroked Pearl's face.

"I've missed you both. It is wonderful seeing you again."

"Likewise. But, tell me what brings you here?" Lexon queried as he got upon Pearl's back.

"Well, Nebula sent me to find you. She was quite worried, you know?"

"Oh, my. I am sorry. I got caught up somewhere."

"Hmm, sounds shady to me, man. You want to talk about it or?"

Lexon's heart was pounding. He knew he could trust Lurnara, but it seemed illusionary to himself even, so how could he expect her to believe in the dreamy nonsense. He tried gathering courage, though, but the silent gap was too much and Lurnara had steered the conversation in another direction.

"Lex, do you remember when we used to play in the gardens? It was so simple. No royal duties, just calm and fun."

"Yes, I very well remember that, especially when Crystal would chase us."

"Crystal, yes. She admired you dearly, Lex. You know that, I assume?"

"You mean she had a crush on me? Well, she never confessed, but it was fairly obvious."

"Yeah, she would have told you the big secret you know?"

"Actually, she didn't. She almost did, but then didn't."

"Strange thing, that is. I was always jealous of you that way. She looked at you with such love and such adoration, your smile would brighten her day, whereas my presence mattered almost nothing to her."

"Oh, now, Lurnara, don't be silly. She has always made it clear that you're like a sister to her."

"Yes, but I don't want to be her sister, Lex."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"I love her, always have. That's why I felt jealous of you. I mean, I know that she can't touch and I'm okay with that. I just want her to be mine, just for one day. I want to hold her hand and make her my Queen, have portraits of us drawn, travel to tiny little corners of the world, but that is not happening, I'm afraid."

Lexon was taken aback by her words, but then he fondly smiled, and reassured her, "I didn't know you were attracted to girls, but that sounds beautiful Lurnara. And don't be disheartened. For one, you don't know what Crystal truly feels for you, and two, there are plenty more ladies for you, Lurnara."

"Hah! Thank you, Lexon. You're the first person I've told this to, after my parents. And, um, I do know that Crystal doesn't like me."

"Oh, how so?"

"Well, she writes to me all the time. Hedwig and Crystal. Just today, they made it apparent of their love."

"Wait, what? Did you meet Crystal? and did you just say that Crystal is with Hedwig?"

Oh, yeah. I probably should have begun from there, first. So, basically, Crystal and Nebula had an argument. I don't know how to tell thi-"

"Does Crys know about the pregnancy?"

"Wait, you knew? Like you know about the pregnancy? And what about Affron?"

"I know all of that, Lurnara. Now, please, tell me, does Crys know about this?"

"Yeah, Crys confronted Neb and it got ugly, so Hedwig stepped in and he slapped Crystal. I tried to calm them down, but nothing worked. Then, dinner time happened and Crystal and Hedwig kissed, and then the Elder Royals and Neb fought, and then Neb and Crystal made up Neb was getting worried, so I had to come and find you. Oh, Crystal blessed Neb now so the wedding is soon."

"Oh Lords! Lurnara! We must hurry now."

"But it's nightfall? Are you that desperate to get married?"

"We cannot rest. I'm sorry Pearl. We must reach there as soon as possible, please."

"Wait why?"

"Because Hedwig isn't who he says he is. He's going to harm all of us, and I think he may have begun already."

A/N

Ahh I'm so so so sorry! Wattpad kind of glitched and I thought I updated but I didn't? So, here it is. Also, I know it's crappy. But i will eventually go back and edit, I really wanted to get the plot going. More updates coming soon, hang in there my very amazing readers ILY!!!

So, about the book, it is kind of halfway through. The confronting part, the actual CLIMAX is going to happen in the next couple of chapters, but the next chapter might be a little less...violent. Some emotional scenes maybe? No one's dying yet, but I might make you tear up. Also, yes, Lurnara is attracted to girls because we love a good set of diverse characters. So, who do you think will Crystal end up with? Her first love, Lexon? Her bestest friend Lurnara? or maybe the evil but charming Hedwig? Or will she even find love.

I will updated in another two-ish days and once again, SO SORRY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. Also, this book is almost 1k reads? Kind of crazy you guys! I love you all so so much *sobs and sniffs*