A/N: This is gonna be one EPIC chapter! I just realized that I wrote 4 chapters in 3 days…How awesome is that? I'll stop rambling now…
…Enjoy!
Chapter 4
The color drains out of my face as Caspian looks directly at me. I instantly know that something has happened to Skandar and Star. My heart is hammering as Caspian leads me to the stables and gets our horses ready. Mine is a jet black mare named Midnight. It's just the two of us, Caspian and I. We arrive at my house, and fear shoots through me. The door has been ripped off its hinges, and the windows are shattered. Tears are already pouring down my face as I enter the cottage, and a sob escapes my mouth as I do. There, on the ground, are the bodies of the two centaurs that I would once have called my parents.
"No," I whisper. "I can't lose anyone else. Not after…" My voice trails off as I fall to my knees next to Star's body. She was killed by a person. I can tell that much. If she wasn't, she wouldn't have died as quickly. A few tears fall from my cheeks to hers. I grasp her hand, one last time before I have to let go. I gently kiss her forehead. I move to Skandar's body, and something silver and shinning catches my eye. I pick it up, not letting Caspian see. He's looking around the cottage in shock.
The emblem on the piece of metal shocks me to the core. This can't be happening. He's dead. I shove the metal into my cloak pocket. Caspian comes to kneel next to me. I put my hand on Skandar's cheek.
"Good bye," I whisper. "You were always more of a father than he ever was. I'll always miss both of you." Caspian puts an arm around me, and I bury my head in his shoulder, not shoving my feelings for him aside, for once. Silent sobs rack my body, and even when I've calmed down a little, shivers still shake me. I don't feel strong. I don't feel proud. Everything I've tried to build up, the woman I've tried to be is completely gone. And Caspian, the person whom, I'll finally admit it to myself, and even though I barely know him, I love more than anything, is here to see it. But, for some strange reason, I'm glad. There's no other person who I'd rather be with right now.
"Come on," Caspian whispers into my ear. "Let's go. There's nothing more we can do." I may be stubborn, I may be prideful, but I'm not stupid. We can't stay here much longer. I can't fight off an army. So I let him lead me out of the cottage I once called home to my horse. We go back to the palace slower than we left. It's obvious that I've been crying, so I splash my face with water. I unbraid my waist-long, white hair and run a brush through it. I'm finally able to think, now that I'm alone, in my room. I realize, again, just how much they meant to me. I don't think I'll be able to let go of them so easily. I suddenly realize that I don't want to be alone. Luckily, one of the maids that I made friends with, Cassidy, softly opens the door.
"Aura?" she asks. "Are you alright? May I come in?" Her soft voice brings a slight smile to my face.
"Of course," I say. "I'll be fine…eventually." She walks over to where I'm standing out on the balcony.
"I'm so sorry," she says. "It must be hard, losing your 'parents' for a second time." I told her about my parents, about how they died and who killed them. (A/N: You'll find out in the next chapter or two. ;) I look at her.
"You lost your parents, too," I say. "And here I am moping about losing them. You had no one. At least they were there for me." Cassidy sighs softly.
"But then that gives the Witch more people to snatch away from you," Cassidy points out.
"The Witch didn't kill them," I say, my eyes narrowed in hatred. I show her the piece of metal with my brother's insignia on it. "Will did, the same person who took Marcus and my family from me." Cassidy doesn't look surprised.
"I figured," she says. "What are you going to do about it?"
"I don't think there's anything I can do," I say. "If I did find him, what could I do? I'd be too weak around him." Cassidy puts a hand on my arm.
"I hate to say it," she says. "But you're wrong. Aura, you are one of the bravest people I've ever met. No one in the kingdom can beat you at archery or fighting, armed or not. You've rushed into battles that no person would dare go into, especially not against their own brother. Don't you dare tell me that you're not brave enough." I'm silent, because I'm afraid if I do reply, I'll burst into tears again. "Now, do you want to know the real reason I've come?" I just nod, tears coming to my eyes at the tone of her voice. "Caspian is really worried about you. He wants you to meet him in his study after dark. I know you're not going to dinner. If I were in your position, I would be the same way. But this is Caspian we're talking about. I know you're in love with him, don't try and deny it." I open my mouth to do just that, but then close it again. We share a smile.
"I wouldn't admit it to myself for a while," I say. Cassidy starts to laugh, and suddenly, despite what just happened, I'm laughing, too. "Tell him I'll be there." She nods.
"Come to dinner, at least," she says. "For Caspian." I shake my head.
"I'm sorry," I say. "It's too soon. But tell Caspian I'll see him later." I give her a final hug and she heads off to set the table for Caspian, the council, and their families. I let out a sigh and look out over the kingdom. The kingdom that should be mine.
A/N: OOH! Whatever could she mean? You'll find out in a few chapters. I actually cried when I wrote this chapter. I didn't break down in tears, but still. It…was…just…so…SAD! *sniffles* I really liked Star. And Skandar. But anyways, reviews make me happy!
