Chapter 8: Sleeping Bear

"Olisnia, please, I beg of you, do not go."

She stares up into the pale, icy blue gaze of the man. "Jacniel, I must go. This is what I am meant to do. I have the same dream every night. It is my destiny to find the descendant of the Kexon. Whoever this individual is, they must be made aware of their heritage and to accept the power they hold. The ability to shift may have been forgotten to them, but they have the ability to reunite this world once more."

"But the power of the werecat has been lost for a generation. This journey is too dangerous, please do not risk yourself for the humans." His long, platinum hair sways in the Ocean breeze. He grasps Olisnia's arm gently.

Her heart races and she tries to hide the blush building in her cheeks. "I am sorry, but I will not forgive myself if I do not try to make this trek. It truly may end horribly, but this is the path I must follow."

"Please, bring your concerns up to the Council first. Hear what they have to say. Let them advise you."

Olisnia shakes her head softly. "No, they will only tell me to stay. I will leave before they will know."

Jacniel presses his lips together in protest. "You will surely leave me behind; forget about me?"

She chuckles softly, caressing his cheek before stepping away. "If you are still here when I return, I promise you, I will accept your proposal."

"Where else will I go?"

"I will rush back, I promise you." Olisnia takes one last look at Jacniel before pivoting away, heading toward the small boat swaying in the water. Her brow wavers, her eyes glistening. She closes her eyes momentarily before breathing in deeply. Once she looks back out at the water, her gaze is set and determined.

Wait for me.

>><<

Jasper's injuries are not as extensive as Eliana first thought. Beatrice has wrapped his wounds and he lays in bed resting.

"Once he wakes, we will finish packing our belongings," Conrad explains as he sits at the table.

Eliana's brow softly furrows. "What do you mean?"

"We are not able to stay. Those rogue bears will be back. This time we will not be able to fight as well. We are both exhausted. It will be days before we are back to normal."

She stares down at her hands, "I am sorry that I am causing you so much trouble."

Beatrice gently touches her head, "Nonsense, we are delighted to have you here. There is no need to be worried."

"We will continue to protect you. The forest is no place for you to be alone," Conrad states. "Now, I will get us some more wood." He stands and heads outside.

Eliana turns toward Beatrice, "Why are you deciding to protect me when you have no idea who I am, or why those rogues are after me?"

Beatrice sits across from the Princess. "I know you are a good person. You could have run off with any valuables that we have, but you are still here. You look after my son and are worried if any of us are injured. You care, even if you are terrified of what we are. For that reason, I am choosing to trust you. It does not matter who you were before or who you are now. We will protect you no matter what. I know that you are from Drein, as your dress has the midnight blue ribbon that is woven into all of their gowns, but tell me, if you can, what village are you from?"

Eliana freezes for a moment, her heart racing. Should she tell Beatrice who she is? She even just said that it does not matter.

Dread fills Eliana's mind and her thoughts run rampant, "No, do not tell her. Your father exiled them. All Pivurlion are cast out of Drein. If they know you are his daughter, they might change their mind on protecting you. Do not tell her the whole truth."

"I am from Zaline."

Beatrice pauses a moment before nodding. "The capital city. It is nice that you live in a place close to the castle, so that you are able to have some semblance of protection in the war. How did you end up over the border, in Murduk?"

Swallowing her fear, Eliana rambles off a halftruth. "I was on a humanitarian mission, heading toward the edge of Climont, when I was attacked by the rogues. They killed my fellow companions and came after me."

Cocking her head to the side, Beatrice narrows her gaze, "That is all?"

Eliana averts her eyes, unsure of how to respond. Why is she so worried about lying? They are only Xefol, she should not be so considerate of their feelings. Eliana opens up her mouth to speak, but no words escape.

To save her from explaining a made-up reason, Jasper stirs in his bed. Beatrice is up in a second and by his side. Eliana sighs and relaxes in her chair. What will they do if they find out who she is? Will they really turn their back on her? She watches Jasper and slowly breathes in the lavender scent. Why is her sense of smell so keen around him? She is not very good at picking out aromas, and yet his is so strong she cannot smell any others. Why? What is it about Jasper that is so special?

Why do you make me feel this way?