Broken Aro (The Broken Ones)

by Wylie, Jen

  Kei pressed a hand reassuringly against her back. "He's gone."

  So was Prince. She hadn't stopped him. Everything had been so confusing. It had all happened so fast. Why had he left so quickly?

  "We should get going," Bo said roughly.

  She nodded and let Kei guide her back to the main city street. She didn't know what to think. Or to say. Kei kept his arm around her as they walked, later holding her hand as Bo and Cain bought more supplies when they finally found the market. Everyone was quiet, so she didn't feel the need to speak either. It gave her time to try to sort out what had happened.

  They left the city before dark and walked down the road toward the next in silence. As the sun began to sink they moved off the road to make a camp for the night.

  They didn't have a fire, though they rarely did. Wood was too hard to come by unless they camped near the sea and could scavenge driftwood. Even when they did find wood they hoarded it, making a fire only long enough to cook meals.

  The area had grown rocky again and Bo and Cain found a spot somewhat sheltered from the wind. No clouds hung in the sky. At least they didn't have to worry about rain in the night.

  After a quick meal of bread and cheese she leaned back against a rock, closing her eyes. Her head still hurt, though not as badly as before. While walking she had started to build up her walls again.

  Tears came to her eyes. He'd pulled them apart so thoroughly, it wasn't easy. She worked slowly, making the walls larger, stronger. Horrible Dragos! She hated him. She fought back more tears.

  Prince had left. She had let him. She could have run after him. She could have said something. She hadn't. Maybe she was still broken.

  No matter how much she tried not to think of him her thoughts kept returning to Prince. She couldn't believe he'd gone. Yet he had been so angry. Perhaps it was for the best as Damon had said. Certainly it would be safer for them, now that he didn't look human anymore. Prince had said once how dangerous it was for an Elf or Were or Fey. Most humans hated them. She didn't really understand that. They'd heard only gossip and stories in their travels here. They'd never come across them on the road or in a city. It seemed to her they left humans alone. Well, except for the Fey. The only one she knew was Kei, and he was different. He hadn't grown up here. The anger rose within her again. It was all Damon's fault. Why couldn't he leave them alone?

  She didn't hate Elves. At least not her Elf. She loved him as a brother, perhaps as something more. She still wasn't sure how she felt. However she didn't delude herself they would be together. Ever. He was a prince and an Elf. She groaned. He was an elven prince! Yet…no matter what he was, he had become her friend. Her family.

  She opened her eyes and sought out the others in the darkness. "We need to talk," she said quietly.

  Chapter 23

  A Prince is a Prince

  "We do," Bo agreed. He turned immediately to Kei. "You knew. About Prince."

  She raised her eyebrows. The thought hadn't even occurred to her. Of course Kei would know. If he could smell she was a girl, he'd certainly be able to tell Elf from human.

  Kei looked down at the ground. "Yes."

  "You didn't say anything," Cain accused.

  The Fey fidgeted as he searched for words. "You don't anger an Elf," he said finally. "I learned that much from my parents. Certainly not an elven prince. He didn't want it known who he was, or what." He looked up at them. "We were never in any danger from him. If we had been, I would have said something."

  "Is that why you two fight so much?"

  "For me, yes." He shook his head. "He is used to the other Fey. I don't think he ever trusted me to be able to control myself."

  "I'm more concerned he's been reading our thoughts all this time," Cain said into the silence that followed Kei's words. He shuddered.

  "I don't think he really was," she said carefully. They all looked over at her and she continued quickly. "I've felt what it's like, with Damon, when he invades your mind. You feel it, you know he's there when he's prying deep down inside. I never felt anything like that with Prince. I never noticed at all. I don't think he was rummaging around in our private thoughts. Just random ones, like what we're thinking right then. Know what I mean? He didn't do it often either."

  Cain grimaced.

  Bo nodded his head. "He didn't touch any of us, not more than normal." He looked over at her. "You however..." he left his comment hanging.

  Yes, Prince had always been touching her, a hand on her shoulder, holding her hand, curling up next to her every night...

  She gasped. "He kept the nightmares away." She looked back and forth between the others to see if they agreed.

  "He did," another voice came from the darkness.

  She whirled around, fear making her heart beat suddenly faster.

  Damon sat leisurely on a rock beside her.

  "What are you doing here?"

  He smiled slightly as she scrambled to her feet and backed away toward the others. "I've returned to make amends."

  Stay out of my head!

  His lips twisted into a smile. I do not wish for you to hate me.

  Anger made her cocky and reckless. A bit late for that isn't it? You hurt me!

  You're such fragile creatures. He sighed. I will try to be more gentle in the future. He paused. Though if you would just let me in, we would not have this problem.

  Her eyes narrowed. Next time try just asking. Perhaps I'll tell you what you want to know. You don't need to be in my head.

  He shrugged. Perhaps.

  She didn't believe him. Not for a moment.

  I don't need to ask. It's the fighting me that makes it hurt. I can wander through any of your minds, and I do. Remember that. Pick your battles, Arowyn.

  "Very well," Damon said, clapping his hands together once. "I will answer one question from each of you. This will make things right between us."

  His sudden declaration put her off guard. What was he up to? She exchanged looks with her men, getting confused shrugs in response.

  Cain let out a deep sigh when no one else spoke. "Why did he lie to us?"

  Damon gave a short tsk. "That is a waste of a question. I'm disappointed in you." At their collective frown he sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "Humans," he muttered into the air. "Your memories are so short and selective."

  He shook his head again before continuing, "He never lied to you. Prince himself answered your question in the past, why he has kept quiet. The answer then being he has many enemies. More so the closer you come to Elven lands. The Elves are not well liked by humans, and for good reason. Humans are considered little better than dogs. They are rarely allowed entrance to Elven lands, and even then, those few are treated like pets. Elves do travel in human lands, usually in at least pairs or more. If not, they conceal themselves with their glamour, their illusions, because they are at least aware of the human's dislike of them." He paused a moment. "In the past, Elves have died because of this hatred, killed by angry mobs or their throats slit in the night."

  She paled a little at the thought of Prince getting his throat slit and looked down at her hands. She opened her mouth to ask a question and closed it quickly, remembering she only had one. She had to make it a good one, but for some reason she couldn't think of anything other than the shock and pain on Prince's face when Damon had removed his glamor.

  They all sat in silence for a while, digesting what the Dragos had said. Again and again the image of Prince kept coming into her mind. She sighed and sat up straighter. "Elves are supposed to be strong and beautiful and have magic," she said. "That was a statement," she added quickly before Damon could even open his mouth.

  He did however, nod.

  "So why doesn't he look well? Why haven't we ever seen him use any magic?"

  "That is two, but I will answer, seeing as the answer will cover both questions."

  She forced a small smile.

  "Prince has been gone from Elven lands for a very long time, decades actuall
y. Normally this would not be an issue. Elves take precautions when leaving the lands they are tied to. And yes, they are magically bound to their land. The problem arose when the slavers took from Prince the amulet that kept him connected to his land. Without it, he had no access to its power. Faint though it would be after being gone so long, and him being so far from it. I imagine what remained of the power within him he used to heal from various injuries the slavers did to him."

  "He hasn't used magic because he had none to use," Bo stated flatly.

  Damon nodded at him and then looked at her. "Quite simply, Prince has been slowly dying."

  The words ripped through her, tearing through her heart. She stared at Damon in shock and horror. Prince was dying? How could he be dying? She shook her head, not seeing how the Dragos could be right. He had to be lying.

  "I am not lying," Damon said irritably. "Of all the races who live and are magic, the Elves are the only ones that have tied themselves to a particular piece of land. They gain great benefits from this, but also there are consequences."

  She closed her eyes, wishing she could ask more questions. Was Prince going to get worse? How long did he have? Would he get better if he made it home?

  "Yes, not long, and probably." Damon said flatly.

  Her head jerked up as the others looked at him in confusion. He had answered her unspoken questions. Thank you.

  I will not make a habit of this. His voice spoke in her mind. However I have treated you ill today. I have now made amends. Yes?

  She discovered she could actually agree and silently let him know before turning to the others and sharing the unspoken questions he had answered.

  Damon turned to Bo and Kei. "Next question."

  Bo sighed and looked over at her, clearly at loss. He thought a moment before slapping his thighs and sitting up straighter. "So then. Since you seem to know what goes on in everyone's head, including Prince's, why has he stayed with us? We have not only been traveling slowly, but stopped for the entire winter. It doesn't make any sense if what you said is true, about his needing to get back home."

  Damon's iridescent eyes swirled. "Do you truly wish to know? He will not thank me for answering or you for asking."

  Bo looked around at them all, and everyone nodded. Yes, they all had been wondering why Prince stayed with them.

  "Very well. It is for the same reason you have all asked only questions about him, the one who you believed had lied and betrayed you, when I offered to answer any question at all."

  They all stared at him and then looked around at each other. A blush came to her cheeks that the obvious reason had never crossed her mind.

  "We're friends," she said quietly. "Family."

  Damon smiled slightly and nodded once.

  "Well now I feel stupid," Bo said.

  Damon looked to Kei. "Last question."

  "What was the prophecy about me?" Kei asked, his eyes faintly glowing.

  "Very good," Damon answered, clearly surprised. "I see you are learning, young one. This is good. Prince is not what you should be concerned about. Your future is." He paused a moment, looking at everyone, as if making sure he had their attention. "Your son will make the Queen and he will remain by her side bound to her by three."

  Kei frowned, his eyes starting to glow. He shook his head. "I don't understand."

  Damon smiled. "You will."

  "Wait," Aro interrupted. "How do you know that's even about Kei?"

  Damon glanced over at her. "Because his mother was the recorder for the Queen's Seer. For centuries she took note of every prophecy the seer spoke and recorded them, and deciphered them. Dalsia was also the seer's only child. Kei was her only son."

  Aro frowned, trying to make sense of it all. "But it doesn't say I'm this queen. Even the prophecy you said is about me doesn't specifically say that. It doesn't make any sense."

  "You will understand, in time."

  Or you've got it wrong. She forced a sweet smile when Damon stiffened for a moment, however he didn't otherwise react.

  He rose gracefully.

  "I shall be watching, to see how your story continues to unfold."

  She rose as well, though no one else did. "You're a lot of trouble," she told him. "But thanks."

  He smirked and his eyes sparkled with mischief. "You are most welcome, little queen-to-be." He gave her a short bow and faded into the shadows.

  She grimaced after him. "I wish he'd stop with that nonsense." She turned back to the men. "So..."

  Bo sighed. "That was…interesting."

  "Everyone agree he's talking nonsense about the prophecies?" Everyone grinned and nodded at that, except for Kei, who looked off to side, still lost in thought. She changed the subject quickly. "About Prince, it doesn't really matter, does it?"

  "No," Cain answered, a wry smile coming to his lips. "It doesn't."

  "The Dragos was right," Bo continued. "We're friends."

  "Family," she added with a little smile.

  Kei frowned, paying attention again, and his eyes changed from golden to orange. "Prince and I have never gotten along. Mostly because I knew his secret, and he demanded I never share it. I am sorry for that." He lowered his head.

  "We understand," Bo said.

  Kei shook his head. "There are so many things I do not know. About my people, and our customs and laws. Especially concerning the Elves. It is frustrating." He grimaced. "For all I know he was aware of that and used it to his advantage."

  "I wouldn't put it past him," Cain said quietly with a small smile.

  Kei caught her watching him and the light in his eyes dropped back down to golden before fading away altogether. "He has protected Aro. Taken care of her. For that alone..." His voice trailed off and he looked away, refusing to finish his thought.

  "So we are agreed?" Everyone nodded. She turned back to Kei. "Do you know where he is?"

  Kei grimaced. "He left the city, heading south. We can catch up with him tomorrow."

  "Good. That is what we'll do," she decided, planting her hands on her hips and daring the men to argue.

  Bo laughed. "We had better get some sleep."

  Chapter 24

  Family is Family

  She ran, her feet thumping rhythmically along the dirt road. Each step sent a jab of pain through her head and she cursed Damon under her breath. Despite the pain, she kept her pace steady.

  They had headed out early, moving quickly through the morning and keeping a watch out for Prince. She had begun to worry they would never find him. The rolling rocky landscape kept him hidden from view until nearly noon. She'd spotted him then, a slowly moving figure walking along a hill far in front of them. She'd run ahead, leaving the others amused behind her.

  She ran up another low hill and paused at the top to catch her breath. Seeing him in the dip below brought a smile to her face and she started off again. She slowed as she neared him, thumbs worrying the leather of the straps over her shoulders. What should she say? She had no idea. Of course, she didn't know if he was still angry or not.

  All through the night and morning she had thought about Prince, about what she would say, what she wouldn't. Various scenarios played out in her mind. The headache and broken walls in her head didn't make thinking easier. The only thing she knew was she had to get him back. It didn't matter what she had to do or promise.

  Dropping her pace to a walk as she neared him, she let out a sigh of relief when he turned and stopped when he saw her. He hadn't ignored her.

  He stepped off the road and removed his pack.

  As she narrowed the distance between them he stared off to the side, not looking at her. Not a good sign, but she worried more about how worn out he seemed. He looked tired, more than tired, exhausted. That's right, he was dying. She forced such thoughts aside. He wouldn't die, she wouldn't let him.

  From somewhere he had gotten a floppy hat that covered his ears. He looked ridiculous. She smothered a laugh. It was easy to do. She didn't know if he was going to tell he
r leave him alone or not.

  Her breath caught as she drew closer. She didn't want him gone from her life. Not yet. She slipped her pack off her shoulders, letting it drop to the ground, as she impulsively darted forward and flung herself into his arms.

  She didn't know if he had expected it, or just had really quick reflexes, yet he caught her, swinging her slightly as she clung to him and buried her face against his chest.

  Still, he held her tentatively until she thought strongly at him, I'm sorry!

  His arms tightened around her and he lowered his face to her hair, letting out a deep sigh.

  I hope that is a happy sigh, and not one of annoyance, she thought carefully in her head.

  He let out a deep laugh, the sound of it surprising her enough she raised her head.

  His lips were pulled back in a large smile, eyes twinkling in happiness.

  She pulled back a little and swatted his arm. "Stupid prince!"

  He laughed again and shook his head, a smile still playing on his lips. "Troublesome child."

  "I'm not a child," she snapped in mock fury.

  He laughed again. She couldn't remember the last time he had laughed so much. She liked to think maybe it was because she had come after him.

  He still had an arm around her and she leaned back against him, wrapping her arms around him again and squeezing tight. "Don't leave again," she whispered.

  He actually kissed the top of her head. "I won't."

  She looked up. "You're back then?"

  He hesitated. "The others..."

  She smiled. "You're family, silly. Just stop keeping so many secrets. We can't handle the shock!"

  He smiled at her jesting tone. "I assure you that was the big one."

  "Good. I don't like secrets." She worried her lip. "You should apologize, for not telling us. It will make things better." He frowned and she continued quickly, "Not that you have to mean it, but you should try."

  He shook his head as a smile again crossed his face. "Very well."

  She beamed up at him and hugged him tightly again before running to retrieve her pack. Taking his hand she tugged him further off the road. "They aren't too far behind. We can wait."