19 Adding Salt to the Wound (2/2)

'Then how does she play into Adremedian history?'

'Almost eight hundred years ago there was a war between Adremedians and Gerrabellas. Periculae Marigold was one of the soldiers and ended up confronting the Adremedian leader. Both were wounded, but only the Adremedian leader died soon after that battle. Periculae Marigold recovered, fell in love with a Human captive, who—at the time—was Prince Rapui.'

'Who was the child?'

'Her name was Iris.'

'That's my...'

'Rosae Lilly,' an unknown female Adremedian panted as she came through the trees. 'Are you...? What is he doing here?'

'I'm fine, Star,' Lilly replied. 'Just a broken leg. James is helping me.'

Star looked doubtful as she studied James. 'Why won't he look at me directly?'

'He's blind.… Is there something I can help you with?'

'Just stop over doing it will you? You know we worry about you.'

'Thank you for your concern, Star.'

Slowly Star turned and left. Lilly sat up and gave James a hug. 'Thank you James.'

He just held her for a while, enjoying her closeness. Then he asked. 'Rosae Lilly? Is Rosae the title for Leader?'

'No.'

'Then why do they call you Rosae Lilly and not just Lilly?'

'Out of respect for my mother.'

'Your mother?… Your mother was the leader of the Adremedians?'

'Yes.'

'How can she be your mother if she died in battle hundreds of years ago?'

'She didn't die in battle.' Lilly stood and started to move towards a tree. James helped her so she could stay off her leg. They slowly made their way to the closest tree and leaned against it. His arm moved around her waist. 'My mother died to save me.'

'I still don't understand. That happened so long ago, which means you'd have to be...'

'Seven hundred and ninety-nine years old.'

'That's not possible.' James let go of her. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his legs.

'Unfortunately, it is.'

'How long do Adremedians live?'

'On average? Two hundred years.'

'Then how...?' His sightless eyes, turning in her direction.

'My mother.… I don't understand how... just that... I can never die.'

'But you said not long ago that Torta saved your life.'

'I did. That is because my physical body still acts like that of a normal Adremedian. If it becomes sick enough or wounded enough to kill a normal Adremedian it takes me a long time to recover.'

'How many times has that happened?'

'A few times. It's hard on the others so I try to avoid it if I can.'

'Huh.' James stood and took a few steps away from the tree. 'What does that mean for me, now that I'm part Adremedian?'

'I don't know.' Lilly turned her head to the sound of running.

James heard the sound of something running toward them. He turned toward the sound. His gaze slightly off. The running stopped short. Their breathing hard.

'Briar?' Lilly asked softly.

'What are Gerrabellas doing here? What have they done to you?'

'They came looking for Rosae and did nothing to me.'

'Then why is your leg broken?'

'My horse, Torta, kicked her,' James put in.

'You,' Briar growled. 'What are you doing here? Every time you're around, Lilly gets sick or hurt. Do you not realize how hard that is for us? To have to watch our leader suffer?'

'Briar, it's not...' Lilly started.

'You're right, Briar,' James interrupted. 'She has been sick a lot since she met me, but after learning so much about the Adremedians I have tried my best to make sure that I am not the cause of her pain. Though, in light of what's happened, it looks like I've failed.'