20 Meeting the Twins (1/2)

'Most of that was not your fault James,' Lilly said, starting to limp towards him. 'It's my own fault for spending more time in the midst of Humans.'

James looked at the ground.

Her hand touched his cheeks and he looked up. 'I do not look down on Humans, James. They are just as much a part of this world as are the trees in this forest. I love you.' Softly she kissed him.

He wanted to kiss her back, but could feel Briar's displeasure. So, he let go and held out a hand until he felt Torta move beneath it. 'I should be going. Carthago will need my help.'

'Okay.'

Lilly helped James put Torta's bridle and saddle back on. Then James climbed up and left. Once they were out of the trees, Torta broke into a gallop and hurried back to the castle. James felt numb because of Briar's accusations, despite Lilly saying otherwise. At the stable he picked up the long stick that Asiis gave to him so he could move more quickly on his own. He went to his room and sat on the edge of his bed. Even though he loved Lilly, perhaps it would be best to let her go. His heart twisted and he knew he couldn't do that. He still wanted her close by, yet each time he entered the forest he didn't feel like he belonged there. His pondering stopped when Carthago came in to James' room.

”Well?” Carthago asked. ”Did you bring her back?”

”No. She was hurt again, because of me, and I...I don't want to make it worse.”

”Did she tell you off?”

”No, but...”

”There you see. Her opinion is the only one that matters.”

”Not so. The opinion of her people matters very much to her...and to me.”

”So you're just going to let her go? Forget that you ever knew her?”

”I don't know. I'm too upset to think straight. Maybe I should retire early and see what the morning brings.”

”Okay. Keep me informed.”

”I will. Good night, Carthago.”

”Good night, James.”

James' dreams were filled with horrors. Lilly lay broken, her breathing shallow.

The Adremedians carried her to a place and left her to rest. As all of them passed him, they glared then turned away. Briar refused to leave, cursing and condemning him for Lilly's condition. James watched and wept over her. Several days passed and Briar left. However, day after day, month after month, year after year, James returned until he could no longer get out of bed himself. Grown old, though her beauty never changed. As he took his last breaths, he wept, knowing that Lilly was still recovering because of him.

He woke with a cry and buried his face in his pillow. He cried for sometime before he felt the gentle stroke of Lily's fingers running through his hair. His crying continued as bits and pieces of the dream replayed.

'James,' she said.

His cries softened, but the tears still stung his eyes.

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'James, what's wrong?' Lilly asked

'Your people despise me,' he replied, keeping his face buried in the pillow.

'No they don't. Much of it is misunderstanding.'

'But it's true, because of me you're sick...or hurt.'

'Not because of you, James; because of those around us.'

'Briar doesn't think so.'

'He has come to learn so. The words he spoke yesterday would have never been spoken had he understood the situation better.'

James rolled to his back and her hand rested on his chest. Her other hand hovered above his eyes. Taking the hand she had on his chest in his own, his thumb absently rubbed across the back of her hand. 'Where is he?'

'Taking care of two of our people.'

'Are they sick?'

'No. Just new.'

James furrowed his brow. 'New? Like me?'

'Child new,' Lilly smiled. 'Adremedians can bare children also.'

'I thought that was part of the Forbidden.'

'Only when one partner refuses or is sick.'

'Then why aren't there more of you?'

'We live so long that there is no need for more than we have.'

'Then why the two new ones?'

'We lost two. It was this news that Briar was bringing to me yesterday.'

James gave a nod then rolled to his side to face where she sat on the edge of the bed. 'Why are you here?'

'To see if you are all right.'

'I don't know that I am. So much of me wants to be with you, but I don't want to be the cause of more pain.'

'You can always come live in the forest.'

'I have a hard enough time in the castle because I'm blind. I don't know that it will be any different in the forest.' His hand followed her arm up to her face. 'How are you doing?'

'Feeling tired, but other than that I'm fine.'

'Your leg?'

'Nearly healed.'

'How?'

'Adremedian healing.'

He sat up and pulled her close. Her arms wrapped around him and her head rested on his shoulder. 'Lilly, will you marry me?'

'Yes, James. I'll marry you.'

James lifted her head and kissed her. Then he just held her until Asiis came in.

”Sorry to interrupt, my Prince, but the Generals are gathering.”