13 Research 1 (2/2)

'Do you still feel that way?'

'Now is not a good time to be asking that; for I am more likely to answer based on present feelings and not on true, pertinent feelings.' She pushed the plate away and laid her head on the table.

James moved to her side and touched her arm. Slowly, she shifted enough where he could pick her up. He carried her to the stables and put her on Torta before taking them through a less populated area of the city. Once they were out, he turned Torta the other direction towards the forest. The ride was slow so it would be more bearable for Lilly. They were almost there when Korah and the other Adremedian he had seen came to meet them. He gently helped her down to them.

'Will she be all right?' James asked,

The woman looked at Lilly then to James. 'You're James, right?'

'Yes, and you are?'

'Willow.'

Willow let Korah take her into the forest.

'What have you done to her human?!' Willow demanded. 'She was fine not 24 hours ago!'

'I haven't done anything. In fact I've hardly seen her these last 24 hours.'

'Likely story with your noises!'

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'Willow, that's enough!' Lilly reprimanded.

They turned to see Lilly standing unsteadily apart from Korah. Then with uneven steps she moved back towards them. Willow's eyes widened. Lilly was getting better with each step until she was back to full health and standing tall next to Willow.

'Forgive me, Rosae Lilly.'

Lilly embraced Willow and held her tightly. 'The faults are gone and James is not to blame.'

Willow nodded and looked at James. 'Forgive me, Prince. I was out of line.'

'You're forgiven.'

Then Willow and Korah left.

'Lilly?' James asked. 'Should you not go with them?'

She watched the others fade into the trees before answering. 'No. It's best to leave them alone for a while.' Then she turned to him. 'Unless you would prefer I stay.'

'Do you feel well enough to go back?'

'Yes.'

James held out his hand and helped her up behind him. Once her arms were around him, he sent Torta into a gallop and headed back. He took the less used streets and felt her arms fall away from his waist, but as he stopped he could not see her anywhere.

'Lilly?' he asked.

'I'll meet you in the library, James.'

He was confused and several, very different, kinds of questions ran through his mind. Had she changed her mind and gone back? He made his way to the library and was amazed to find her all ready there and working.

'How did you get here before me?'

She didn't answer.

James walked over to her and watched her write. Her letters flowed beautifully from the quill. The only pause was to dip it back into the inkwell. 'Lilly?'

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. Wiping them away quickly, she gave him a real smile and set him to continue the research while she ran books to and from the shelves. He grabbed her hand with a look of concern. She bent and embraced him.

'I'm all right, James. Just trying to find an answer to your question this morning.'

'What question was that?'