Reflections of Prince(ss)
Tallyn and I sat quietly glaring at each other as Justin, Hue, Vallen, Ian, and Aiden argued about how to resolve this mess. It was a death match of stares and I didn’t dare blink. For a recently-found family member, he was not taking it lightly that I tried to set him on fire for threatening Dani. Dani, for all her insistance that she wasn’t responsible was certainly making herself scarce, but I blamed it more on a blonde, curly-haired Vampire than fear.
“You’ll help with the search, right Alizeyah?” I blinked a few times, realizing I had been addressed. I looked up to meet Aiden’s eyes.
“Yes, of course. What am I searching for?” His eyes flashed a mild annoyance but returned to their normal kindness quickly.
“The Pixie responsible,” he offered. “You seem to support the theory that your friend didn’t do this, so I thought you would want to lead the charge. Lord Ian has offered to assist you while the others engage in research and finding the missing Dwarves that came with Lady Dani.”
I blinked, processing the information. “The Dwarves are missing?”
Justin nodded. “One of my cousins and a brother-in-law is missing. My goose is cooked if I go home without them.”
I climbed to my feet, making my way around the table to catch up with Ian, who was already headed for the door. Tallyn spoke up. “I’ll assist Lord Ian and Lady Alizeyah.” I felt my shoulders droop at his words. He followed after me and Ian. I didn’t waste any more time discussing why I really didn’t want him to come along. Instead I focused on the mission at hand. Find the Pixies responsible.
Hours passed slowly before we found ourselves saddled up and riding away from the castle. Ian had picked up a scent and Tallyn, who was an excellent tracker, thought he knew where we were going. As darkness approached I began to question if either of them really understood what we were trying to do. “We should make camp,” Ian announced.
Tallyn looked at the sky and surroundings before agreeing. “This place will work as well as others I suppose. Alizeyah, you may take a rest by the tree while we prepare camp.” I tried not to laugh at his comment but it didn’t stop Ian from giving a bitter chuckle. I slid from my horse and was happy for Ian’s steadying grip as I connected with the ground. Tallyn eyed us both carefully. “I didn’t realize being concerned about your health was a joke.”
I opened my mouth to tell him to stuff it but Ian’s tightening grip warned against it. “I think it’s comical because Lady Alizeyah isn’t really much of a watcher or rester. She is more of a chaos-on-two-feet sort of woman.” I shot Ian a warning glare, catching the twinkle in his eye.
Tallyn pulled his saddlebags free and began unpacking their contents. “Does Lord Hue know you are in love with his Princess?”
I sighed and rolled my eyes as Ian growled under his breath. “He is well aware. Before Hue, Ian and I were lovers. Though we may not be in love any longer, there is still a love there that would make either of us travel to the ends of any realm to help the other.”
“So you collect misfits like this Were and the Pixie you are trying to protect. You would even attack your own bloodline to protect her?” He took a bite of an apple and turned to start clearing space for a fire.
“Tallyn, I’m sure you are a good man, but right now you are being an ass.” He stiffened at my words. “Ever hear the expression blood is thicker than water?” He turned to look at me over his shoulder. ” ‘The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.’ I’ve known Dani for years and she is like a sister to me. I met you hours ago.” He seemed unmoved. “If I attacked one of your guards right this moment, what would you do?” His features softened and he nodded before turning around to return to his self-proclaimed duty.
Ian cleared his throat. “I’m going to dig up dinner. Kat, think you can handle firewood and getting the fire going?”
“Yeah, I think I can handle a few sparks,” I answered with a grin.
We sat around the fire that night munching on some rabbits and discussing our plans to find the Pixie. “If a Pixie didn’t come in with you or Dani, then he or she must already live in this realm. I figure she took the Dwarves to find her way out of the Realm.”
“If she has left the realm then it may be hard to track her,” Tallyn offered.
“Dwarves are trained hunters and trackers – I bet they would leave us a trail,” I said before taking another bite of crispy critter.
“Then we should be tracking the Dwarves and not the Pixie,” Ian supplied.
“We need to get back to the castle as soon as possible,” I told them.
“First dawn’s light,” Tallyn offered. He paused and considered me. “May I ask you a question?”
“You just did,” I pointed out but then nodded so he could continue.
“What is your plan? Typically your job would be to return to the castle and take on a leadership role here, but don’t you already hold one in Dragon society?” I hadn’t even considered what this new discovery meant.
“I’m Hue’s mate. My role is to be at his side,” I pointed out.
Ian shook his head. “Kat, has it not occurred to you yet that maybe his is your mate and not the other way around? His title and privilege come from your mother naming him heir. You are her true heir, and you are a Princess here.” He took a long sip of water. “Hue would follow you wherever you led him. I know that the world keeps getting crazier for you, but maybe you are the key and not the other way around.” Tallyn’s words almost seemed supportive. “You don’t have to make any decisions this second, but you need to be aware of who you are.”
“You’re a prince, what is your opinion?”
He smiled at me coyly. “Like you, I am the second born from a second wife. I understand how it feels to never totally feel like you are worthy. Just do what’s in your heart.”
I looked at him again, re-evaluating him and realizing I had far more in common with this Elf then any other I had met so far.
