by J Rose
Even though I wished I could take so many things back, at the same time, it made me
grow and made me more aware of her and what she would need. For that part, I was glad.
“But. I was already broken a long time ago. That day when I got home I just… He was there and… He didn’t want me to leave anymore. You just happened to say something wrong that day too… But. None of that was your fault. You saved me. You always save me. Even when you don’t have to,” Though her words should appease me somehow and they do to a certain extent, I will always regret hurting her. But I will never regret saving her.
At the moment all I can think about and concentrate on is Lyric. How beautiful she, is how much I love her. How much I wanted to kiss her. I don’t want to rush. I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable, so I simply reach my hand up to caress her cheek. When she doesn’t pull away from me or cringe my heart elates and I find myself wishing for more. Slowly I press my forehead to hers allowing her a few more moments to run if she wants to.
“I always want to save you. I know I said I’d give you time to think about it. I. I know I don’t deserve it. Can you just. All I want is a chance,” I say to Lyric, allowing her more time to make a decision, to run away from this. But she doesn’t.
For the first time since coming back I don’t see fear in her eyes, but shyness and
acceptance. Lyric closes her eyes for just a moment and I find myself smiling, knowing she’s allowing me to kiss her. The gentle innocent essence she is, I know this is truly her first kiss. Though I realize I’ve secretly stolen a few kisses that she might not remember, I know she’ll remember this. I’m so close to evaporating the distance between us and moving another step toward her heart.
“Parker! We have company!”
#
Anger. That was what was overshadowing the good at the moment, the fear of losing her. It seemed like Cray had sent a few troops to the outskirts of Archer ready to attack. They didn’t get within our lands but they managed to fight some Nova’s in the sky and others on land, and sea. I knew what this was, a declaration of war. We’d outstretched the shaky treaty for years, my father and his father and so on and so forth, all trying to keep the little peace we did have for our people. This had finally been the ripple that finally caused a wave. Cray wasn’t going to back off that much I knew. Had I been me in his position, maybe I wouldn’t have either. But I loved Lyric enough to want what she wanted and to back away if she’d asked me to.
“Parker you can’t go by yourself,” Spencer spoke up. He, Oliver and I had gathered downstairs in the living room discussing what we knew.
My father was already starting to prepare troops in case of war with Oliver and setting patrols up around our lands to protect our people. I knew it would eventually lead to war but not over this. Not over her. Lyric would not take this well but for her, I would do anything, protect her with my own life if I had to. Still, I also knew I had a duty to my people. I needed to minimize the damage for them as much as I could, and that was what I was going to try to do.
“You can’t go with me Spencer this is my business and I need to handle it on my own.”
“You’ll get yourself killed Parker and for what?” Spencer snapped.
“I’m not going to get myself killed. She’s worth everything to me and I’m not going to lose her,” I snapped back anger getting the best of me as well. I knew he didn’t mean it. I knew he was simply concerned for me but still, Lyric mattered more to me than my own safety.
“I know she does,” Spencer said quietly.
“But you can’t go to meet him there so blindly. He’s a Cray! He plays dirty! Don’t you think he’s going to bring troops with him? You’ll get yourself killed!” Spencer said.
“I know that already,” I tell him.
“He’s a Cray. And they’re not known for playing fair,” I say before turning to look at Oliver who had remained quiet throughout our entire conversation.
“Which is why Oliver is coming with me and so are a few other Nova officers. All flyers to minimize the damage should it lead to that,” I assure him.
“But you can’t come with us. I need you to stay here and take care of your mate and mine,” I tell him. I can tell he’s having trouble within himself now, but he sighs and nods knowing it’s what’s best.
Spencer is strong, stronger than most Nova’s simply because of the blood that runs in our veins. I also knew that if it really came down to a fight Spencer would be able to hold his own and not only protect Crystal, but Lyric as well.
“Fine. Just be careful,” Spencer says.
“We have to go Parker, Cray said midnight,” Oliver speaks up. Standing up from the couch we both head out of the castle walls and shift.
“Come on,” I howled out to Oliver who flew above me along with several other Novas.
#
We made our way out of town, past every single Archer city until we reached the middle of nowhere, the land in between Archer and Cray. Cray was in his Nova form but I didn’t want things to escalate not after seeing the close to dozen Nova troops that ranked him on either side. Shifting back into human form I changed into the pair of clothes I’d brought and simply headed toward him. He seemed to have the same idea because by the time we reached him he’d shifted back to his human form as well; a smirk on his face.
“You brought back up. Didn’t think you would,” Maxwell spoke.
“With you as my enemy of course I did. I don’t peg you for someone who plays clean,” I said. My words only made his smirk intensify.
“You only brought one I see. Are you sure you’re prepared Archer,” Maxwell spoke motioning to the six Nova bobcats that ranked him.
“I’m prepared. Though I didn’t bring as many guards as you did. I’m sure we can take you,” I said.
*Screech*
Above us six Nova eagles and crows began to call out to us, letting Cray know Oliver, and I were not alone. Maxwell knew it too; as soon as he saw them his eyes only intensified with anger and his jaw tightened. Though bobcat Novas were strong, they stood no chance against Nova flyers.
“Look I didn’t come here to fight.”
“Really Archer? Because that’s exactly what I came here to do,” Maxwell said his voice tight and filled with anger.
“She’s mine Archer and you know it!” Maxwell spoke up shaking with rage.
“She’s made her choice Cray. Stay away from her,” I said, but I knew that Maxwell wasn’t going to go away quietly.
“I’m giving you one last chance Archer. Either you hand her over to me. Or I take her and your kingdom by force.”
“Two things that don’t and will never belong to you,” I said grabbing him by his shirt. Still, Maxwell only smirked and kept his cool.
“Really Archer. Because that’s not what I hear. I’m sure you remember Scott,” Maxwell speaks up, and I can see in the lines of bobcats a single black panther.
Of course I remembered this scumbag. Just thinking about the way he’d treated her, my Lyric, made my blood boil.
“I remember this scumbag,” I spoke to them.
“So you’ve left Archer and traded sides. Why does that not surprise me?” I said to Scott.
“You know exactly why!” Scott hissed out in anger.
“You deserved what you got,” I spoke to him.
“And now you’re going to get yours!” Scott hissed out but a hand from Maxwell stopped him from attacking and he retreated glaring angrily.
“You think you deserve her Archer? After what you did to her? Scott here told me everything," Maxwell said, a satisfied look on his face.
“You don’t love her Cray all you want is to have her.”
“What would you know about what I want,” Maxwell said, his eyes threatening before pushing me away from him while he chuckled.
“But you're right. I do just want her. Because it means you won’t have her and I will. Another something that you won’t have.” He said.
“A
nd you don’t even realize what it is we’ve taken,” Maxwell said a hint of arrogance to him that I couldn’t understand.
“Not that it matters. Because she will be mine otherwise, I’ll kill her,” Maxwell said.
“You won’t get near her. I’ll make sure of that,” I threatened.
“What makes you think you can stop me Archer? Either you give her to me or I’ll kill you and her.”
“Your choice,” Maxwell threatened.
“How about I kill you and solve the problem now,” I threatened.
“Parker,” Oliver spoke, pulling me back from Cray who simply smirked.
“That’s what he wants. Remember what the council deemed as law for both the Archer and Cray kingdom. If either prince or king should die by the others hand, the other kingdom has the right to attack unless the other surrenders their kingdom. This is what he wants. For you to attack first and lead us into war. Don’t you see that?” Oliver spoke up, his eyes menacing while he glared at Maxwell.
Oliver was right. If we fought, and I died or killed him because I attacked first it would give his father enough ammunition to start a war with our kingdom. My father was a fair king and I knew he would not want our people to be harmed. When it came down to I knew my father would have no choice but to hand over the Kingdom to the Crays.
“Have it your way then Archer,” Maxwell spoke up.
“But know this isn’t over and I will have her.”
CHAPTER 15:
OLD FRIENDS
(Lyric)
Fireflies. There were so many of them. In the field glowing, leading me away to something great and beautiful. They lit up. But in the middle of it all, I saw a beautiful pink orb. The one I had seen so many times glowing at me.
“Come on,” It spoke to me. So I did, following her onto a field until I saw him, Parker. He was in his Nova form. A brown wolf, strong and powerful. Parker moved over to me laying on the empty field, fireflies around him while I followed after him, sitting close to him with the pink orb on my lap.
“You and Parker have so much in common,” Angel said.
“Who are you really? Why are you here?” I asked her. Though I only knew her name, there was so much I wanted to know.
“I can’t tell you. He’s going to trust you more than Parker. More than anyone. I want him to love you too,” Angel said to me.
“Who?” I questioned.
“You’ll know when the time is right. Tell him I’m sorry. You understand more than you know. And you don’t know how lucky you are to have found your soulmate. I wish I would have been stronger like you,” Angel said.
“I’m not strong”
“You’re stronger than you know. Be there for him. He’s going to be there for you too.”
#
I hadn’t stopped thinking about it. Not since I had that dream a week ago. I couldn’t understand what that meant. Who did I also need to love? Parker? I already agreed I would give him a chance that I would accept his love. It seemed like a good idea at the time. That night had felt so magical. Something that I never thought I could experience with anyone. Much less Parker Archer. Crystal said it was what falling in love felt like. A feeling that makes you feel breathless, nervous, happy, confused, afraid, all at once. Love. It seemed laughable to think that I could ever fall in love. It seemed out of reach for such a long time. I’d learned never to wish for anything, never to want anyone. Why was it that I now felt hope? Parker had always ensued such confusing feelings from me. Why had I said yes?
“Because you felt hope again,” The little voice in my head spoke up.
When I first saw Parker back in high school that feeling I had when he looked at me. Maybe deep down I knew who he was meant to be. However, the shield I had put up for myself had been so high up that like him, I unintentionally hurt us both. I couldn’t love him. Not right away because that wall was still up, but it seemed to lower since that day in the sky with him. I needed to open up if I was willing to give him a chance that much I knew. I needed to give myself that chance to be happy.
“Princess.”
The brushing of the bushes moving caught my attention first. I could only offer a smile at Olive whom stoically stood in front of us. Parker had been gone for the past few days. He was taking care of things I assumed had to do with the kingdom. In the end, it was Oliver who was left in charge of me. He never left my side.
“I’m fine Oliver. Just thinking,” I said to him.
If there was really one thing I loved about this giant mansion that made me feel a bit out of place it was the garden. There was a fountain of two babies. Small little birds bathing in it. Playing in the water. There were so many flowers of multiple colors, trees around it that led to the forest. Of course, everything was protected by a large wall and the guards. There had been a lot more lately since I chose Parker and rejected Maxwell.
“He’s not going to stop is he?” I questioned. My words lingered in the air with the breeze to a soft silence that we both knew assured what I already knew. Still, Oliver said nothing and chose to sit next to me on the small bench.
“You shouldn’t be here protecting me. Maybe you should be helping Parker.”
“He cares about you. A lot,” Oliver spoke up smiling.
“He wants to keep you safe.”
“But-”
“He can take care of himself Princess,” Oliver spoke.
“He has troops with him. His father would never leave him unprotected but I don’t think Parker needs it,” Oliver spoke, slipping from his usual firm and retreated demeanor.
“What do you mean?” I asked, causing him to chuckle.
“Both Spencer and Parker are naturally stronger because of the blood that runs through them,” Oliver spoke up.
“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” I admitted to him, emitting a natural laugh from Oliver.
“It’s not supposed to make you feel better. You’re his mate. It’s natural to worry about him, to care for him,” Oliver explained.
“But. I… Is that normal? I mean.”
“Yes,” Oliver said, a smile on his lips.
“He doesn’t talk about it, what happened between you two. At least not to me.” Oliver spoke his words making my stomach churn.
“But he feels guilty. He’s an average idiot like the rest of us guys. Just don’t hold it against him too long. He does care,” Oliver said. Somehow his words felt reassuring that giving Parker a chance was definitely the right decision.
“Which is why he sent me to take care of you while he’s not here.” Oliver ended.
“Thank you,” I said to him.
“It’s my job Princess,” He said.
“Lyric. Just Lyric,” I said to him. I didn’t want people to be so formal with me much less call me Princess. For such a long time, even now I still did not know who I was, but it didn’t feel right to be called Princess.
“Lyric,” Oliver finally said.
Once again silence ensued, but a tranquil one that brought a bit of peace in the air. For a second I closed my eyes enjoying the summer breeze on my skin, the soft little breeze that still remained from the past season. It was like a soft symphony, a guitar strumming in the wind the soft wind carrying beautiful notes. The notes felt familiar like in a dream but when I opened my eyes, I realized that they were real. The sound of a guitar playing was real. He was standing there, blonde sandy hair that fell just above his eyes, a pair of green colored olive eyes, that 500-watt smile. It was Andrew.
There was immense relief that I felt upon seeing my friend. Beside Andrew stood Jane, with a smile on her face as bright as his. A few feet away Crystal and Spencer both stood with similar expressions on their faces. Something kept flickering in both their eyes that I could not understand but for the moment I was happy. Andrew who had seamlessly been playing the same tune when we had met stopped the strumming of his guitar and set it down. Turning back to me he simply walked towards me and hugged me. His arms were tight around me and I found myself
smiling more so when Jane ran toward us in order to join our embrace.
“Andrew. What are you doing here?” I asked quietly once he pulled away from both Jane and I.
“We,” Jane corrected happily.
“Came to see you,” Andrew spoke up cutting Jane off though there was a look of anger that crossed his features when he spoke.
“Right,” Jane spoke up before Spencer and Crystal made their way toward us.
“Andrew,” Spencer spoke. Immediately Andrew tensed upon hearing Spencer’s sharp voice but otherwise nodded in acknowledgment.
“I don’t mean to be rude but I’d like to talk to Lyric on my own. Catch up with her,” Andrew said.
“That’s totally fine,” Jane said her voice filled with excitement.
“Oh. Okay,” Crystal spoke her voice quiet.
“I’m not sure that’s a very good idea,” Spencer said his eyes met Andrew’s and both of them expressed anger towards one another.
“My brother made arrangements for Lyric to be kept safe.”
“Were on Archer grounds. There are Nova guards everywhere. Besides. I’m sure I can keep her safe. I may not be Archer ranked but I come close to being as strong as you. Wolf,” Andrew spoke his voice low and threatening. His tone confused me, I’d only ever heard that voice a few times. Something that Jane herself registered because a look of worry crossed her features.
Whenever Andrew felt the need to protect Jane and I Andrew completely changed from happy to angry. It was also why Jane secretly liked to call Andrew Dr. Jekyll.
“It’s alright,” I spoke up, not wanting for things to go further. I couldn’t really understand why the atmosphere was so tense.
“Princess.” Oliver spoke up, the tone and the way he was looking at Andrew made me realize he was not using the title for my sake but for Andrews’. I realized then that everyone had already figured out the way Andrew felt about me.