The Elf Girl (43 page)

“How did she know that?” Galen asked. “Ramsey, what is your power?”

“When she holds both of your hands, Ramsey can see your memories. She can see what your whole life has been so far in a matter of seconds,” Zora explained.

Zora took the liberty of explaining my new power in more detail to the others. Meanwhile, I was busy screaming my head off at Stellan.

“Stellan, I thought you really cared for me!”

“I do care for you, Ramsey! Remember your promise to me? You said you would remember that I cared about you no matter what.”

“That promise means nothing now that I finally understand it,” I said sternly.

“I believed what I had with Zora was important, but when I met you, I realized how wrong I was,” he tried to explain.

I would have none of his pathetic excuses.

“How can you say that? She was
dying
, Stellan! And you didn’t even bother to tell me you had a dying girlfriend!” I shrieked.

“I didn’t know what to say. I was afraid you wouldn’t want to be with me. That you would think less of me….”

“Well, I sure don’t want to be with you now!” I shouted. “What did you think would happen when I found out? You must have known it would come out sooner or later. Or were you hoping I wouldn’t be able to rescue my sister?”

“Don’t say that, Ramsey! It’s not true!” he protested.

“You betrayed my sister and broke my heart. Once we return to Birchwood, I don’t want to see you again,” I said, anger spewing from my mouth and forming into words.

For a final touch, I picked up my shoulder bag and took out the “S” necklace I remembered was still lying at the bottom. I waved it in the air then threw it in his face. “I think you might want this. Maybe you can give it to the next girl you betray.”

I turned my back on him and ran into Zora’s open arms.

“I’m sorry, Zora,” I said.

“You didn’t know, Ramsey. It’s not your fault,” she said, her eyes clouded with tears.

I hadn’t thought about what this meant to her until now. She had been betrayed by Stellan too, but she was staying strong for my sake. I loved her for that.

“Let’s go home, okay?” I suggested.

She nodded, and I followed her out of the barn. I heard Galen ask Addison to help carry Lura, who was still weak after being healed. Aditi had shape-shifted and flew ahead of us down the hill. Brielle shouted an ugly name at Stellan and then ran to catch up to us.

I looked back and saw Stellan walk out of the barn last…and completely alone.

~20~
The Long Walk Home

The walk back to the portal was the longest of my life. We could have teleported with Stellan, but no one seemed interested in doing so. He didn’t seem to want to himself. Everyone was too hurt and shocked by what he had done. Even Galen, who knew next to nothing about me, felt sorry for Zora and me. He also needed to remain with Lura. He had healed her, but she was still weak, and he didn’t want her to escape. He and Addison carried Lura silently the whole way. Brielle asked why we were bothering to take her with us, and Galen responded, “She’s a prisoner.”

Brielle thought that was a poor excuse to keep her alive, but she didn’t pursue it after that. I could tell even she was too tired to fight anymore.

Aditi soared high over our heads. She circled a couple of times and then went a little ways ahead of us. She always came back just to make sure we were okay. I wished I were a shape-shifter. I wanted to fly far away from all this. Our slow procession to the portal was agonizing. It just gave me more time to relive everything that had happened.

How could
this
happen? How could I manage to find and rescue Zora, and then get punished for doing so? How was that fair? The endless tears stung my cheeks. I bit my lower lip to keep from sobbing again. It took me a while to become silent. I spent most of the return trip wiping my tears and clearing my throat. Zora was slightly better off than I was. She cried as well, but I think it was more for me than for herself. Our reunion should have been a happier one. Because of Stellan, it hadn’t been.

Stellan remained at least ten feet behind us for the entire journey to the portal. He hadn’t spoken one word since we left the barn. I was glad. I didn’t want to hear his voice again. I didn’t want to see his face again.

I looked back at the barn that was slowly crumpling to the ground. We had set it on fire before we left. We didn’t want any humans walking in it to find the dead body of a water fairy and blood everywhere. Galen and Aditi explained it was the only way to hide all the evidence. I also think everyone wanted the barn destroyed because of the terrible events that had taken place there. Maybe they thought burning it would help erase the memories, help us find peace. I knew the memories of this day would linger with me forever, like a scar.

I wondered if Stellan had ever truly cared about me. I thought he had. He said he did even after I confronted him. But how could someone who cared act in such a dishonorable manner? Why hadn’t he told me from the start? Why had he kissed me? I remembered his words: “
I believed what I had with Zora was important, but when I met you, I realized how wrong I was.”
Was that the truth? If it was, could I ever forgive him?

I couldn’t answer the question my mind repeated over and over again. I didn’t have an answer yet. I placed my right hand over my eyes to get the thoughts out of my head.

“Ramsey,” Zora said.

“Yes?”

“I know everything seems terrible right now and a huge mess, but I want you to know something.”

“What?”

“You are my sister and I love you,” she said.

“I know,” I said.

“And I won’t ever turn my back on you again.”

“You never did,” I told her.

“I let our parents take you away,” she reminded me, averting my gaze.

“You were only a child, Zora. I read the journal. I know how hard it was for you.”

“It was hard for both of us,” she said, looking up at me.

I nodded. “By the way, your power isn’t cruel, Zora,” I told her.

“What?” she asked.

“In your journal, you said you didn’t like your power. I think it’s cool. Maybe you could try it on me when we get back. God knows I’m going to need help getting to sleep.”

“Not funny, Ramsey,” she said sternly.

I smiled the best smile I could manage, knowing she was right. Brielle joined us a few moments later. “I just wanted to say that Stellan is a horrible rat. Both of you are way too good for him. If you want, I could have him put in prison,” she offered.

“You are not helping the situation, Princess Brielle,” Zora told her.

“Oh, sorry.” She looked down at her feet. “And by the way, don’t call me Princess. Ramsey is my friend, and she calls me Brielle. Since you are Ramsey’s sister, you should call me that, too.”

“Thanks, Brielle. But no more prison offers, all right?”

“Fine.” She sighed. “Let me know if you change your mind.”

“Will do,” Zora replied, a slight smile on her face.

Brielle could make anyone smile. Her special qualities were anything but serious.

I remained silent throughout the conversation. I didn’t want to talk about Stellan, whether it was criticizing him or crying over him. I hoped the pain would go away if I refrained from talking about him. It might have been wishful thinking, but I hardly cared anymore.

A screech from Aditi told us we had finally arrived at the portal. My head hung low as we slowly made our way.

***

“You go first, Aditi,” I told her as she went back to her elfen form.

She nodded. “All right. Once I’m through, send Galen and Lura. Princess Brielle, you come after, and then Addison. The rest of you can decide what to do after that.” With a nod, she turned her back to us and jumped into the portal.

Galen went next with Lura, who was just beginning to regain consciousness. Brielle gave Stellan a nasty glare and then went as well. Addison followed quickly after. The three of us were left alone with each other. Before I could react, Zora had jumped into the portal. What kind of game was she trying to play?

“Ramsey, please wait,” Stellan said.

It was painful to hear his voice, and my emotions were in turmoil. I shook my head.

“Please, Ramsey. Just listen to me for one second.”

I didn’t respond, so he took it as a yes. “I did a terrible thing. I know it was wrong. I should never have kissed you before telling you about Zora. I should have told you from the beginning. I was going to tell you, but then…,” he trailed off and shook his head. “Ramsey, I can’t change what has happened. But can’t you just look past that for a second and remember how you felt about me up until this point?” he pleaded.

“It doesn’t matter how I felt about you, Stellan. Our entire relationship was a lie,” I said bitterly.

“No, it wasn’t. I care about you…
so much
. I feel things for you that I’ve never felt for anyone else. And it doesn’t matter how short of time we’ve known each other. I know in my heart that what I feel for you is real. Can’t you say the same?”

I bit my lip, refusing to respond because I didn’t know what to say.

He stepped forward, reaching out to me but then letting his hands drop to his sides as he thought better of it. “I…I just want you to forgive me, Ramsey. Can you please? Can you
ever
forgive me?” he asked.

I thought about it for a moment. Could I forgive him? I probably could. Did I want to? No way.

“Ask me about it in the morning,” I said sarcastically.

I turned around and jumped into the portal before he could say any more.

***

Zora and Addison were waiting for me when I arrived. I went back to Zora’s arms and waited until I stopped shaking before I spoke.

“Where are the others?” I asked.

“Galen and Aditi took Lura and Brielle to the Queen. We are to meet them there shortly. However, you can go to your room if you want. Everyone would understand,” Zora said.

“No, I’ll come with you. It’s the right thing to do,” I said. “I should face the Queen.”

They both nodded and helped me get back over the bridge. As we walked to the palace, I heard Stellan climbing onto the bridge and following us.

Eder stopped us before we reached the palace doors.

“Can we talk?” he asked, looking away from me once when he noticed Zora’s presence. However, he didn’t say anything about her return. Instead, he waited for my answer.

“Sure,” I said, hoping he had changed his mind and was going to let me in on a few of his secrets.

He led me away from Zora – who clearly wanted to say something but didn’t have the chance – to a secluded area near the palace.

Not removing his hand from under my elbow, he asked, “Are you okay?”

“I’ve been better,” I admitted.

He didn’t comment on the fact that I should be happy about my sister being safe, and I was grateful. Even though he had no idea of what went on between Stellan and me, he respected me enough to leave the subject alone after noticing how upset I was.

“I just wanted to express how relieved I am that you’re safe,” he told me, so earnestly that I felt tears welling up in my eyes.

His eyes became wide with shock. “Hey, it’s all right,” he said, pulling me into his embrace.

Even though I knew it was probably inappropriate to be hugging the Queen’s guard in front of my sister and Stellan, I couldn’t deny the sense of comfort I felt at being in his arms. He was the strength I needed in such a bleak situation.

He released me from his grasp and stepped back, clearing his throat in doing so. I could tell he was back to his professional mode. “Has Zora told you anything of your secret yet?”

I shook my head. “There hasn’t really been…enough time.”

“She’s avoiding it. She doesn’t want you to know,” he said abruptly.

“You don’t know that,” I retorted. “Once she’s back home safe, she’ll probably be open to telling me.”

Eder shook his head. “No, she won’t. I was expecting this….”

“There you go!” I said. “Back to being vague again.”

“I’m sorry; it’s just the only way….”

“Stop,” I said, “you’ve already told me the story. Thanks for the hug, Eder, really, but I’ve got to go meet with the Queen.”

I started to walk away, but his next words stopped me cold.

“I’ll tell you if she won’t,” he said sincerely.

I spun around, my heart beating rapidly in my chest. “You mean…you know my secret?”

He exhaled deeply. “Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I was told to allow Zora to tell you,” he explained.

“Told by whom?” I asked.

Before he could respond, Zora came up and started tugging at my sleeves. “Come on, Ramsey,” she said, “it’s time to go.”

“Wait, we’re in the middle of something here,” I replied.

“No,” she said sternly, with anger filling her voice. “We leave
now
.”

Confused as to why she was acting so harshly, I looked from her to Eder and back again, trying to decide my next move.

However, I wasn’t the one to make it; Zora was. She pulled me away from Eder and led me toward the palace doors, where Stellan was waiting with a suspicious look upon his face.

“Zora!” I cried. “Stop. I’m serious!”

She paid no attention to me. I was surprised she could be so strong after being tortured for months.

“She won’t tell you!” I heard Eder yell. “Trust me! You have to find another way!”

I couldn’t even reply; Zora was pushing me through the palace doors. The last thing I saw as I turned around – before the doors swung shut – was a concerned Elvina resting her hands on Eder’s shoulders, as if to calm him down…or maybe even to restrain him.

***

Once inside, Danica, Thane, and Jacqueline took us to the Queen. We followed silently up the many flights of stairs to her quarters. Galen, Aditi, and Brielle were already there with her. I saw Lura being heavily guarded by Wren and Gavin. The two shape-shifters’ eyes never once drifted away from the air fairy.