Broken Prince (The Broken Ones)

by Jen Wylie

  Grimacing, she shook her head. "We’re almost there."

  "Ahh." They walked in silence for a while. "Just be yourself."

  Startled by his words, she jerked her head around to look at him. "I am."

  "Then you’ll be fine."

  She frowned at him. "I just, I don’t know what to do. He’ll be gone soon."

  Kei smiled wryly. "Do what you need to. Live your life. Be true to the person you are. Follow your instincts."

  "You’re just full of vague advice, aren’t you?" Ducking a branch, she resisted the urge to smack him. He wasn’t helping.

  He laughed and shrugged.

  "I suppose you’ll be happy when he’s gone," she muttered.

  "Prince annoys me," he admitted. "I don’t care if he stays or goes. I can live with either." He reached out and took her hand. "It’s you I need."

  His words made her smile and she squeezed his hand as they walked side by side. The warm glow of knowing she was loved filled her. "I’m not planning on going to Rivenward, if you’re worried about that. I don’t think that world is meant for me. Being surrounded by arrogant Elven nobles who consider me a pet would not be pleasant."

  He chuckled. "No, it wouldn’t."

  She smiled over at him. "I’ll be fine."

  "I know." He paused and stopped walking.

  "What?"

  "If you do go. I’ll come with you."

  She rolled her eyes and pulled him over for a hug, and then messed up his wild hair. "Idiot. Like I’d do that to you. I think the Elves hate Fey more than humans."

  He laughed. "True." They wrestled while he tried to get revenge on her hair. Eventually he won.

  Laughing until her sides hurt, she sprang out of his reach. "Enough! We need to find a place to camp. I want stew tonight!" She tried to pull her hair into some semblance of order but gave up once she hit the knots. "You’re combing this mess for me tonight," she grumbled.

  He grinned and nodded.

  "Rotten Fey." She couldn’t help smiling the rest of the afternoon. She was so lucky to have such a perfect best friend.

  Chapter 14:

  How to Shock an Elf Speechless

  Aro handed out carrots when they stopped well before noon. The boys grimaced, but took them. They’d eaten well the night before, devouring the stew she’d made. Even with the lack of ingredients or any spices, it had tasted wonderful. They ate every spoonful and talked about what they missed most.

  She wasn’t surprised everyone had been quiet all morning. Remembering everything they’d lost, all the things they didn’t have, was hard.

  They came across another large river and stopped again. Garen ran along the banks to find the easiest place to cross with the horses. Kei took the horses to be watered and to find a spot they could graze. Bo wanted to try fishing again. She followed him down to the bank.

  "Where did Prince go?"

  Bo gestured further down the river. "To wash up." He stopped when the ground abruptly cut off where the river had eaten at the bank. Carefully navigating the drop off, he stomped the ground. The river, though still deep and large, had receded and left a muddy shore.

  "It’s pretty solid." He held out a hand and helped her down. "Do you want to fish?"

  She shook her head. "I’m going to see if I can find anything else for dinner. Catch lots of fish!"

  He laughed and winked at her. "Of course. I always do. If there are fish to be caught, they will soon be ours."

  Finding a place on the bank that wasn’t too muddy, she crouched down and washed as much of herself as she could. Running wet fingers over and over through her hair calmed it down a bit. She debated asking Kei to cut it short again. Hanging just past her shoulders, it got in her face and never wanted to stay in a braid.

  As clean as possible without a bath and lots of soap, she stood and looked up and down the river. It curved in each direction. She couldn’t see Bo or Prince.

  Spying some overhanging bushes downstream, she headed toward them. Drawing closer she found familiar orange berries. Prince had pointed them out last fall in the northern woods as being edible. With a grin she plucked one and carefully tasted it, the mix of tart and sweet assaulted her tongue, just like she remembered.

  She picked the bushes clean of ripe ones, popping a few into her mouth as she worked. The sweetness lingered on her lips. The boys would be thrilled at her find. Once the pouch she’d made of the front of her shirt was full, she climbed the bank and returned to where they’d left everything. After she’d put them in one of the packs, she checked her worn shirt, happy to find the thick skinned berries hadn’t left any stains.

  Returning to the lower river bank, she headed downstream again, hoping to find more berry bushes. After following the curve of the river, she found Prince instead.

  He sat propped against a large boulder sticking out of the river ledge. His silly hat pillowed his head and his hands rested in his lap. She took in his closed eyes and the way his head tilted slightly to one side and smiled. He was finally getting some sleep.

  Quietly picking her way over to him, he didn’t hear her faint footsteps over the sound of the river. She crouched beside him, smiling as she watched his sleeping face.

  Her eyes followed the planes of his face, the dark shadows around his eyes, the way his long lashes rested against his pale skin. Her fingers itched to brush his long dark hair back from his face, to tuck it behind his pointed ears. He was so beautiful her breath caught in her throat. She loved him more than she was willing to admit, even to herself. Just watching him sleep made her heart race. Imagining crawling into his lap to rest her head on his shoulder sent a rush of warmth to her cheeks. She just wanted him to hold her, to stroke her hair and kiss her gently, and tell her that he loved her.

  The knowledge that he never would rested heavily in her heart. He didn’t know she was in love with him. To him, she was just a child, not a woman at all.

  Shifting forward to kneel closer, she focused on his lips. Slightly parted, they looked so soft and inviting. Waiting. Her eyes jumped to search his whole face. He hadn’t moved, his breathing continued slow and even.

  "Prince," she whispered softly.

  He didn’t stir.

  She worried her bottom lip between her teeth for a moment. Her heart pounded in her chest. How could he not hear it? She knew she should get up and walk away. Her traitorous heart didn’t want to listen.

  Bracing her hands on her thighs, she leaned forward. Lips almost touching his, she hesitated. She could stop. She could come to her senses. The problem was she didn’t want to. She wanted to kiss him, just once. Her first kiss. If he slept through it, that was fine.

  Heat warming her cheeks, she brushed her lips across his. Feather light, barely touching, but still a tremble rolled through her body as she pulled back. He still hadn’t moved.

  Closing her eyes, she leaned in carefully once more and again softly set her lips to his. She didn’t move this time, just so very gently placed them there. With her eyes closed, all she could feel was that touch. So soft. So perfect. She couldn’t stop her lips from pressing a little more, moving over his, caressing them.

  For a brief moment his lips moved beneath hers. She didn’t notice until they suddenly stopped and a sharp breath was inhaled.

  Jerking her head back, she snapped her eyes open.

  Prince stared at her, his lips slightly parted, his blue eyes wide with shock.

  A shudder ripped through her as she returned his startled look. With a horrified gasp she flung herself backward away from him. Before he could speak, she flipped around and scrambled to her feet.

  Her heart raced again, but for a different reason, as she ran away as quickly as she could.

  What had she done?

  * * *

  She plopped down next to Kei where he sat watching the horses graze. "I'm an idiot."

  He looked over at her, eyebrows raised. "What did you do now?"

  She sighed. "Kissed Prince."

  He ch
oked and gaped at her and she actually found herself smiling.

  "Why?"

  Good question and not one she wanted to answer. "I don't know. I'm an idiot?" She gently touched her lips. "I just…maybe I just wanted to see what kissing someone would be like."

  He surprised her by suddenly laughing. "You should have said so. I would have volunteered."

  It was her turn to gape at him.

  His cheeks flushed slightly and he grimaced. "I don't mean...I..." He growled. "I don't want you to think I'm in love with you. I love you, but not like that."

  She let out a little sigh of relief. Kei being in love with her was not something she wanted to deal with. "I understand. Me, too. With you."

  He let out a deep breath. "Awkward."

  "A bit," she said with a chuckle. Unfortunately curiosity got the better of her. "So why would you want to kiss me then?"

  His blushed again. "I am a man, and you're pretty."

  "I am?" She bit her lip, trying to decide if he was making fun of her.

  "You are." He grinned suddenly. "Even if you are human."

  She scowled at him. "Stupid Fey!" She threw a rock at him and he laughed.

  "So, tell me."

  She made a face, knowing he was talking about the kiss. "It was short. I just leaned forward, pressed my lips to his. Then he woke up and his eyes got really big and he looked really surprised so I ran away."

  "He woke up?" His lips twitched as he struggled not to laugh. "And you ran away."

  She nodded and closed her eyes as she sighed.

  "So…you don't know if he's mad…or not."

  "No idea. I'm wondering if I pretend it didn't happen if he'll be fine doing the same."

  "Probably. I doubt he's mad. He'll likely lecture you. About growing up."

  She groaned. Kei was right. She probably had nothing more than that to worry about. Well, other than she'd made a fool of herself and made her feelings for him obvious. "You want to do some scouting for the rest of the day?"

  "So you can avoid him?"

  "Exactly."

  He chuckled. "Sure."

  They sat in peaceful silence for a while until Garen told them he’d found a good crossing point. Bo excitedly shared he’d caught a few fish.

  Her stomach clenched and rolled as she helped Kei catch the horses and walked them back to where they’d left their things.

  She kept a careful eye out for Prince, ready to bolt and leave Kei to tell the others they were both going scouting if necessary. However she didn’t see him, so assumed he was still sitting where she'd left him. She didn't know what to make of that. On a good note he hadn't immediately gone and washed his mouth out with soap. Not that they had any.

  They told Garen and Bo their plans. After filling their water skins and strapping on their packs they headed out quickly. She was pretty sure Prince hadn't seen them come or go, and that made her perfectly happy. Unless something went wrong, she wouldn't have to deal with him until they stopped for the night. The thought made her grimace. For once she wasn't looking forward to curling up next to him. How was she going to be able to do that now? Maybe he'd avoid her altogether; otherwise they'd have to talk.

  Chapter 15:

  Words and the Tears They Bring

  She had a wonderful day running around the woods with Kei. Somehow she managed to not think constantly about Prince. Mostly.

  When they returned in the evening to help set up camp she couldn’t stop herself from continuously glancing over at him.

  He didn't ignore her. However he wasn't making an effort to speak with her either. The few times their gazes met he looked merely...thoughtful.

  What did that mean? At least he didn't appear to be angry with her.

  Dinner turned out rather crispy due to her lack of concentration. The boys didn’t comment about it though. They chatted around the fire while they ate and then Kei helped her clean up.

  "He say anything?"

  She shook her head and concentrated on cleaning the pot in her hands. "Not yet."

  "You’re both acting strange," Kei whispered.

  Biting her lip, she closed her eyes for a moment, trying to keep her stupid raging emotions under control. "I hate feeling like this."

  "Aro." Kei bumped his shoulder against hers. "What happens, happens. Stop worrying."

  "I’m trying."

  He grinned over at her. "You always have me. Don’t forget."

  No, she couldn’t ever forget that. Even if Kei didn’t melt her heart, she loved him. He loved her.

  This full out crazy love thing wasn’t something only she had ever felt. Everyone did, at some time or another. Some people fell in and out of love all the time. Kei was right. Prince’s reaction was beyond her control. Whatever the outcome, she’d be fine. Eventually.

  After cleaning, she and Kei returned to the fire. Kei threw on another piece of deadfall and she went to the packs to put everything away.

  Once done she turned and stopped abruptly, finding Prince standing directly before her.

  "Will you walk with me a moment, Aro?"

  Her heart lodged in her throat, but she managed to nod and plaster a small smile to her face. There was no excuse not to, the sun had started to set, but light remained. As long as they didn’t talk too long she didn’t have to worry about being away from the fire in the dark.

  She followed Prince quietly, clenching and unclenching her hands, trying to control her sudden nervousness. She knew what he wanted to talk about. The kiss. She also knew the conversation would likely not go in her favor. Apparently her wish for the whole thing to be forgotten had not been granted.

  She wondered what it sounded like when your heart broke. Glass shattering? The thundering roar of falling mountains? Or maybe the squishy rip of a real heart?

  Prince finally stopped and she did, too, keeping a few steps back from him and trying not to look like she was about to be sick. She sucked in a deep breath as he turned to face her. He wasn't smiling. Not a good sign.

  "Do we have to have this conversation?"

  He raised his brows, clearly startled. "Yes, I believe we do," he said solemnly after a moment.

  She turned her head away, waiting for the worst.

  "You must not do that again," he said finally. "Kiss me."

  Her jaw clenched. Idiot. Like she didn't know what he was talking about. She lowered her head, allowing her hair to fall over her face. It hid the rising color spreading across her cheeks. She concentrated on trying not to cry like some fool girl.

  It was hard to do. She had been rejected. Deep down she'd known she would be, but would have much preferred to not actually have it happen.

  At least she knew what the sound of a heart breaking sounded like. Nothing at all. It just hurt. Deeply, painfully, like someone had stuck a dagger in her chest and twisted. It became hard to breathe, impossible to speak.

  "Do you understand why?"

  She nodded once, still not looking at him. It took a moment for her to gain control, however he patiently awaited her answer. "You're a prince. I'm not…I'm not anything." She grimaced at her mangled words.

  "That is part of it," he agreed. "There are so many different reasons."

  His words hurt, even if she knew they were true. "I know," she whispered. "I'm sorry."

  He sighed. "I care about you very much. I hope you do know that." She nodded. "You should be with someone human," he said gently. "It would be best for you." He paused a moment. "What about Bo?"

  She raised her head and stared at him. Not only because he'd given her a suggestion on who to love, but the person had he chosen. "Bo?" She said the first thing which popped into her mind. "He’s old!"

  Prince stared at her, eyebrows raised as he made his point.

  She realized then the trap he'd set. The Dragos had mentioned Prince had been gone from Elven lands for decades. Decades. Rot it all!

  "I am much older than Bo," he said after a moment. "Very much older. That is why you will always be a child to
me. I am immortal, Aro. Do you know what that means?"

  She set her lips stubbornly and looked away again.

  "All of us, the Were and Fey and Elves, we age until we hit our prime. Then we stop. We do not grow old. We do not die of old age. We also rarely get sick, and never from the hundreds of different human diseases. We are not frail creatures such as you. Your lives are but brief moments to us." He paused and sighed. "This is why we do not interact with humans much. It is too hard on them, on us."

  She grimaced. "Kei doesn't mind." Again, she knew immediately she'd said the wrong thing.

  A dark look crossed Prince's face. "Kei is just as much a child as you are. He also knows little of what he is. Had he been given proper guidance he would never have even considered binding himself to you."

  She shook her head in denial. No. Kei would have. He knew what he had done. He knew she would die one day. He didn't care. Or if he did, he was content to be her family for the time they would have.

  "Aro..."

  "I understand," she said firmly, not wanting him to start again. She gathered what dignity she could and looked up at him. "I apologize. It will not happen again."

  He didn't look happy. He looked...pained. Hurt.

  She didn't really care. "I would like to be alone now."

  He winced and lowered his head. "I am sorry. I–"

  "I know." It became a struggle to hold back the tears. She just really wanted him to leave so she could cry. "I’m not angry. It's not like it's your fault. So...it's fine."

  He took a step toward her, clearly distressed, reaching a hand out to her.

  She stepped back, avoiding him, but not looking away. He needed to know she was serious so she looked him in the eyes. "I'm fine. However I don't wish to discuss it anymore. Or ever again. And I would like to be alone right now."

  He lowered his hand and nodded, dropping his gaze again to the ground. "Arowyn, I am so sorry," he whispered so quietly she could barely hear him.

  She wished she hadn't. His pity for her made her furious. It wasn't her fault he was an idiot and didn't love her back, didn't want to accept her love for him. Fine. She would move on. She would add this to the rest of her messed up emotions and memories. She would learn and grow stronger. She'd survive it and be fine again. Eventually.