“This thing is disgusting,” he grimaced.
“What?” I reached for it defensively, but he moved out of the way quickly. “I love that bag,” I pouted my bottom lip.
“Of course you do,” We began to walk aimlessly around the track, shoulders and fingers in constant contact.
“What does that mean?” I asked, afraid of the answer.
“It means that you’re different,” when I looked at him horrified, he explained further, “I mean you’re different than any girl I have ever met…. ever.”
“Thanks?” I didn’t know whether to be offended or flattered.
“I don’t expect they thought we would ever meet,” he said cryptically.
“What do you mean?” Who was “they?”
“I mean, I don’t think it was in the plans. Neither one of us was ever supposed to come here, and I can guarantee that we were never supposed to find each other,” his explanation didn’t clarify anything, I was more puzzled.
“And why is that?” I hoped for a clearer answer.
“Star-crossed Eden, we’re star-crossed,” he gave me a very sweet smile; unfortunately I returned it with bewilderment.
“Romeo and Juliet?” I asked, giving it one more go.
“Unfortunately,” he took his eyes off me to look down at the ground.
“Things didn’t end well for them.”
“Nope,” he shook his head and kicked at a rock, sending it flying across the red, running track.
I wondered at his reference to one of the greatest love stories of all times. Despite the unfortunate ending he alluded to, I couldn’t help but dwell on the fact that the story was all about unfailing love. I glanced over at him again, but he stared intently at the ground as if working something out in his head.
“Are you going to the Festival?” I asked carefully, although I already knew the answer.
“How do you know about the Festival?” He countered my question, amused once again.
“Everybody’s talking about it,” I tried to cover, realizing I shouldn’t know about the Festival. “I’m just curious, since everything is so new to me.”
“Yes, I’m going. I don’t have much of a choice. I’ll only be gone a week or so though,” he finished his thought as if to assure me.
“Where is it? What is it?” I pried further, truly curious.
“The Festival? Basically the middle of Romania. In Transylvania; it’s near a city called Sibiu. It’s a three day long feast where we celebrate the dead,” Kiran talked about it with small tones of disgust and my hopes were raised.
“Wait. It’s a celebration?” I asked, confused again.
“Yeah, for like all of the Immortals who have died. Everyone comes from all over the world and we have this huge feast and remember the dead, or I guess during that weekend we call them the saints,” he stopped walking near the bleachers and took a seat on the stairs leading towards the metal benches. He dropped my bag at our feet.
“Oh. But what about the trial?” A look of confusion passed over his face and I was suddenly nervous.
“How do you know about that?” Suspicion clear in his voice.
“Lilly was my closest friend before she disappeared,” I spat out with more venom than I had meant to.
“Lilly Mason is a liar, a manipulator and a Shape-Shifter,” Kiran said with disbelief at my outburst.
“She fought to save your life,” I accused.
“She lied to everyone, including you,” he accused right back.
“She never lied to me! And she sacrificed everything when she decided to fight for you,” I threw the facts at him again.
“Fine. But when she did that she also chose to face the consequences. There’s nothing I can do about it now, she’s at the mercy of the law,” he calmed down a little. The initial shock of my outburst dulled.
“I’m sorry, the law? Who’s law? It’s not right, and I demand that she receive a fair trial,” I folded my arms stubbornly.
“Who’s law? Only the law that you and her and every other Immortal are bound to,” suddenly he was very angry. “I’m sorry you’re new to this Eden, but you of all people need to obey the law to the very letter. Do you even understand the consequences for an offense like Lilly’s?” I could tell that he was as livid as me, but I refused to give up.
“Of course I understand. Obey the law or face the death squad,” I replied bitterly.
“That’s exactly what it would be like for you. But don’t be ridiculous, they are not going to execute Lilly. They just want to make an example of her,” his voice was still laced with anger.
“That’s not fair. She helped save your life. She should be like rewarded or knighted or something else as ridiculous! Not be punished because of what your awful and outdated law says!”
“Listen, I am very grateful that she was there that night, but the law is the law, outdated or not,” he quieted his voice, but hardened his tone.
“Then testify for her!” I said exasperatedly.
“I can’t do that,” Kiran replied stubbornly.
“Then I will,” I stood up, determined.
“Absolutely not,” he also stood up to face me, adamant. “There is absolutely no way you will go to that trial. You will not set foot in that country, or outside of this town. Do you understand?” his voice was raised and he ordered me around in a way I had never seen him behave.
“You have no say in the matter. If you are not willing to do what is right, then I will.”
“I have every say in the matter. As your Prince I demand that you remain in your house the entire time I am gone. In fact, I am placing you on house arrest until I return,” he was so angry and so determined that his face was red and I could see real emotion behind his eyes, but instead of trying to understand him, he only made me angrier.
“You can’t do that,” I shouted, stamping my foot.
“Yes I can, and if you push me I will leave Guards at every door and window,” his voice once again softened, but the hardness to his tone was unmistakable.
“I wouldn’t have to push you if you would do what any decent person would do! You have the power to save her, to give her another chance, but you’re wasting your influence. Instead of placing me on house arrest, why don’t you help someone who actually needs it!” I knew I had gone too far, the look that crossed Kiran’s face was pure anger. I closed my mouth, unwilling to step down, but too afraid to say anything more.
“Do not question me,” he seethed. When I opened my mouth to protest he held up one hand and I was silenced. “Do exactly what I say or I will have you thrown into prison. Do you understand?” when I didn’t respond, his voice turned even colder. “Do you understand?” I nodded, but just barely.
Kiran brushed past me with a chilling coldness that made me regret everything that was just said. He blew open the gates with one blast of magic, sending the ten foot, chain link fence flying. I watched silently as he stormed back towards the school without ever glancing again in my direction.
Chapter Thirty-Six
I was there again; wandering the same beautiful and colorful forest, looking for the same person who was meant to share this place with me. My fingers slid over the wildflowers, their velvet petals bending to my touch. A warm breeze swirled around me, sending petals dancing through the air and invoking an intoxicatingly sweet aroma.
I heard the brook beyond the trees whispering sweetly as it ran over rocks and white sand. The sun shone brilliantly in the clear sky above, sending beams of light through breaks in the trees and making a sort of polka dot path of light for me to follow. Butterflies and fireflies buzzed around delicately, their presence was comforting.
I saw him in the distance, his strong build a stark contrast to the delicateness of the forest. The light played off his skin, illuminating him through the flowering trees. His blonde hair glistened and his blue eyes pierced my soul.