When We Meet Again

Chapter 11: Willow- Tissue won't fix a broken heart

My life was falling apart before I even had a chance to relive it.

Watching my sister walking away in the distance made my heart ache. Once again it was my fault. I was better off being the loser of the town than what I really am, at least then no one but myself got hurt. "Min... I know what you are thinking and it is not your fault."

But it was. The darkness that lives inside of me wanted to hurt her, even when I didn't. "I think you should go." Damien was the last person I wanted around me at the moment. I would leave, but I was already where I wanted to be. Besides, there was a lot I still needed to remember and being alone gave me that chance.

"I'm not leaving you." The desperation in his voice almost made it seem like he meant it. But the thing was he did leave me, he left me when I needed him the most. Where was he then? "Minani?" His hand reaches for mine, but I pull away.

"I said go. I'm not angry or a danger to anyone, so there is no need for you to be here." My back finds the trunk of my Willow and I relax a bit. He was just a precaution for when I lost my temper... nothing more.

"Min I am here for you..." The joy in his eyes begins to fade as a panic replaces it. "I can't just leave you when we have just found each other!" But that is a lie. He has and he will leave me with so little effort. I may not fully remember my past life yet, but I do remember enough to know he shouldn't be here.
"Go Damien." My voice doesn't crack or show any sign of the pain I feel, however he somehow knows. I can see it in his eyes, he would be more than willing to hold me and pass me the tissues for my tears. But tissues can't fix a broken heart and for the moment his embrace will only kill me. "There is no need for you. You are dismissed."A soft whimper escapes his throat, but he complies and walks deep into the woods.
"Was that really necessary?" Constance once again appears in front of me, her left eyebrow slightly lifted. "Pushing him away won't solve anything. Wolves mate for life and he chose you, can't you just be happy with that?"
My eyes study her luxurious gown as it slightly sways from side to side. The bottom of her dress brushing the ground. "I am no fool Constance... Cadence. Whatever your name is! There is something I am not remembering and you know it is crucial I do. It's time I start acting like a true royal. My happiness comes last..."
Her expression goes sad as her eyes find the ground. "No fate would be so cruel to keep one away from their true love."
"Fate has always been cruel to me. I was destined to live a life of death and despair. A life full of darkness is a cruelest fate to have." A tight frown gives away her inability to counter my response.

I really am no fool.
I let myself drop, my eyes closed, and let my mind remember everything. My mother's disproving face, my father's mysterious smile, my sisters laugh and the darkness... so much darkness...
Long forgotten conversations took me back to what was my life:
"Why do you disapprove of him so much?! He has been nothing but kind to you and all you do is stare at him as of he carried a disease!"
"What he is IS a disease!"
***
"They want the twins. They are a perfect weapon for their plan! Because of him Minani-"
"Because of him Minani is happy. My Queen, as much as we want Jonathan to have her heart we must admit defeat..."
***
"You knew? This whole time you knew what your family was planing and you stood there laughing at my foolishness! Was this always part of the plan? Make one of us fall for you so you could get inside?"
"Min..."
"It's PRINCESS Minani and congratulations you succeeded at your mission! Have a nice life."
"The plan changed when I met you! After meeting you I knew I could never leave you... I can't leave you."
"Then forget you ever met me."
It was dark when my eyes opened, the charcoal like sky thundering a threat of rain. I refuse to cry, I knew from the start Damien shouldn't be with me. The pain he caused my family was reason enough. How could I be so naive as to believe I actually could be happy... If there is one thing my life as princess has shown me, is the kingdom always comes first. We are not allowed a happy ending.
That is what the Queen was trying to show me... we must sacrifice our selves for the good of the kingdom.
Now that the King and Queen are gone it is up to my sister and I to make things right!
Cool drops tickle my skin and I refuse to move, letting the shower of rain engulf me. I felt so small compared to the responsibility I now knew I held. How are two teenage girls supposed to win a war and take back their kingdom? There is a lot of work that needs to be done and until we come up with a plan we must stay in hiding.
A rustling in the trees makes me once again aware of my surroundings, my eyes finding a pair of black boots poking out of a pair of bushes. I don't bother reacting, I just stare at the boots as they move closer, water droplets bouncing in every other direction as it hits each boot. I don't want to cry. I can't cry. My hands feel cold on the muddy ground, a light shiver pulsing through my body.
"Your mom must be worried. I should get you home and explain everything." He knew better than to ask, however, for this one time I wish he did. If he did, for that one moment I could be weak. "Come on now, we can't have you getting sick..." Jonathan grabs my hand and pulls me up with little effort. I fall forward like a lifeless doll, my body refusing to listen to my brain. I said I wouldn't cry, yet tears poured out of my eyes. I was a disgrace; a princess should never cry. Not in front of others... "Shhh... I know..." His large hand rubs my back in a soothing rhythm. "Let it all out, I am not going anywhere." I knew in my heart he really wasn't.
It took thirty minutes for my cries to settle down. By that time the rain had increased and we were both drenched. Our walk home was quiet as though we made a silent agreement on keeping my breakdown a secret. He knew how shameful my actions were, my sister and I had to stay strong. We were all the shifter kingdom had, we could show no weakness. Not anymore. Starting today we were once again royals, the last royals of our broken kingdom...
"We're here." I examine the two story house in front of us and find that in fact we were at what, for the past seventeen years, I have called home. As I walk through the door way four words burn on the back of my head. I don't belong here. My home that once looked so big seemed small now. The beige curtains looked so plain and the light air suffocating, this was not my real home. Jonathan makes his way to the kitchen, I assume that is where Erica Star is currently at. It takes too much effort for me to follow.
"I see. When will the twins be going back?" That woman speaking couldn't be the girl who raised me. She sounded as though she didn't care I had to leave... she sounded as though I was just another assignment completed.
"While their identity is kept secret they will stay in hiding. It's best they keep training for when they face the werewolf kingdom. This time they will be prepared." Jonathan's eyes catch mine as Erica seems to finally notice my presence in the room.
I bow slightly to her my eyes never meeting hers. "Thank you for all you have done. Our Kingdom is truly grateful and will reward you accordingly when the time is right." A look of shock invades her face as her lips slightly part to respond. I don't give her the chance to. "There is no longer need for me to be held in this home. I will continue my hiding at Jonathan's home where I will continue my training. Excuse me while I go gather my things, thank you once more for all you have done." I slightly bow one last time before running up the stairs and to my room for the last time.
Cadence stood in the farthest corner of the room her blue gown mocking me. "Do you not think doing this is going too far? Erica Star raised you in this life and you are just leaving without looking back?"
"We all have responsibilities to keep. I cannot let myself be distracted by the life I lived as a human. I have a duty to my people... you should know this Cadence."
"You should also hold a duty to your heart..."
I sigh, my eyes focused on the blue of her dress. "I don't have time for happy endings." I zip up my small duffle bag before swinging it over my shoulder. "Sometimes the princess has to let her happiness go for the happiness of others."
"This is true, however, I know your heart. I know you will take it too far and someone will end up hurt in the end. Protect our people, just don't forget to protect your heart as well." Just like that she was gone, her warning tainting the air in the room.
Starting tomorrow I will train to become stronger. I cannot let my sacrifices be in vain! I must work for my people and bring peace back to our realm. My kingdom will be free, even if it takes my life to make it happen...