Story of A Princess Unknown – Chapter 9 - Revelations
DISCLAIMER - nothing in this is mine except for my characters. All belongs to Gail Carson Levine. And a bit to Cate Tiernan. I know this chapter is short, but I already have the next one written - I'm just going to post them about a day apart. If you guys review quick and beg me I'll be fast! I feel that the next two chapters are some of the best I've written - please tell me if you like!
Jeepers I have so many reviews for this chapter! Thanks guys! Sorry I haven't gotten round to getting you Diet L&P yet. Ahem. Anyway -
Emma-J Riddle – I will try and get Eve to slap Alexandra. Hope you like this chapter.
Smittened By Marauders – I don't know what the hell is with Luke, he just seems to come across like a jerk doesn't he? I wasn't intending him to turn out so mean, but my characters have started taking on a life of their own.
Lady gwen – Yes I love playiing piano I HATE exams and concerts! Have you heard of a NZ singer called Brooke Fraser? She plays the piano and I'm trying to learn some of her songs at the moment – her songs are absolutely beautiful and she is only about 18! I guarantee you will love her. Check her out on Amazon on something!
alphamelodygirl – yes Luke is evil isn't he? Find out more in this chapter!
Odette – Yes I read the stories here heaps too! I am getting a little bit bored with this story but I will continue for you guy's sakes. I'm thinking about just doing a story with no outline, making it up as I go. I'm such an organised person I hate doing stuff like that but I will give it a go!
Emma – poor luke? You really think so?
Pippa – if you come to my house you can have some L&P!
Bananawren – yes she did act a bit childish but, as you said – she had a tough day!
Justwriter – yes read and reviewed it! Creepy concept – although I think that does happen in some countries!
lexi - Amy trembles don't shake fists! I will do ball scene, just read the chapter - soon I promise!
Sorry I have run out of Diet L&P but you can have a hug if you review! BTW sorry if i confuse anyone by calling Eve the wrong name – it's annoying but it's hard for me to remember! Another BTW - I am listening to Jesse McCartney's CD at the moment. I think that "Take Your Sweet Time" is perfect for how Jared is in this chapter! Oh and while I'm at it, "Because You Live" as well!
IMPORTANT – THE BALL IS NOW GOING TO BE TWO DAYS LATER. SO, IN THIS CHAPTER THE BALL IS THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW.
Eve woke in the morning, remembering her embarrassing outburst towards Jared the day before. She shouldn't have acted so childish – Jared didn't know how special her blanket was. I'll go and apologise to him tonight.
Then she remembered another person she needed to talk to. Luke. Today had to be the day. She was scared, knowing that she was going to hurt someone she maybe even loved. But it's the right thing to do. I can't handle everything at the moment.
After another boring breakfast with Lady Cythera wittering on about Eve's lack of dress sense (she hadn't bothered wearing the corset again), Eve went outside, got Frankie, and trotted down the driveway.
As she was cantering down the road towards the city, she heard a carriage coming up behind her. As Eve politely pulled to the side, she saw the carriage deliberately change it's course. As it went by, she was splattered with mud. As she just sat there on Frankie, shaking with anger, she saw a familiar face through the window. It figures. Alexandra. The girl waved to Eve gaily as she went by. I just can't WAIT until I get a chance to ... slap her or something!
As Eve came to the buildings of the city, she had to force herself to carry on. She needed a lot of courage to do what she was going to do. She decided to go to the stable at the palace first to apologise to Jared. As she handed Frankie to one of the grooms with a smile and a thankyou, she saw a familiar person with greeny-hazel eyes making his way towards her.
God, I feel like such an idiot. Jared was thinking. I WAS a jerk yesterday. I've got to apologise.
Eve walked towards Jared. As she neared him, she tripped over a rut in the ground. Jared quickly moved forward to catch her. As his arms folded around her, his eyes twinkled with that look of amusement she knew so well. Eve felt her cheeks flame. But instead of feeling angry, she felt like she wanted to ... STOP IT! She told herself.
As Jared gently set her upright, she looked down at the ground. "Jared – I came here today to ... apologise to you. I'm sorry about yesterday. I shouldn't have over-reacted like that. Can you forgive me?"
"I'm sorry too, Enna. I can be a bit of a jerk sometimes. I ... should have known not to annoy YOU of all people! Don't worry about it."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He thought she was going to yell at him again, but was surprised when she just laughed. She doesn't smile that often, Jared thought. But when she does ... STOP IT! I'm betrothed! I can't think like this ...
"I'd better go now, Jared. I'm just going to – look around the city a bit. Then I was wondering if you'd like to come back to the manor with me? We could have another race on Frankie and Vinny – and I'll win PROPERLY this time!"
"Okay, I'll meet you back here in an hour. Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself in the city?"
"I'll be fine!" She answered quickly. Too quickly. I wish she would trust me. What's she hiding?
Eve felt bad, lying to Jared about where she was going. I'd love to be able to just trust him, no secrets. But he was the king's son – she couldn't do that.
She set off to the Rebel's HQ.
After checking that no-one was watching, Eve crossed the street and slipped inside the door. There was no-one waiting to give her a fright, thank god. Eve knew that Mandy was away for a few days, back in the south, gathering more people. I really could have used her right now. She's the only one who I can completely trust, she thought wistfully.
Eve went along the corridor to the room where she had been with Callum the day before. Her heart gave a jolt as she saw Luke's familiar blonde head in there. He was playing cards with Blake and Morgan. She walked timidly over to them. She didn't know these men – she couldn't tell what they might do to her.
"What do you want, girl?" Blake spoke to her harshly.
"Can I ... just have a word with Luke? Alone?"
Luke abruptly got up and gestured to the door. Eve followed him into another room. As soon as they were alone, Luke turned to her and tried to grab her around the waist.
"Luke, please, not now. I need to talk to you."
Looking hurt, Luke stood back and faced her. He so desperately wanted to hurt her by saying something cutting – but Eve was the only link to his past, he didn't want to lose her friendship for too long. He HAD to get her back for being so friendly with the prince – but he needed time to think about what he would do.
Eve took a while to start speaking. This was so hard. She was sure she still loved him, even though he treated her badly sometimes, he wasn't that bad, was he? Surely Luke would understand.
"Luke ... this is really hard for me to say .. but I think we need to take a break for a while."
"What do you mean, 'a break'?"
"Just ... take a bit of time out for a while. I need to .. sort my life out." God this was hard. She didn't want to hurt him.
Luke was shocked. He hadn't expected anything like this. He forgot his plans of revenge, and thought about how unfeeling Eve was being.
"But ... Eve – I thought you loved me! What about US?"
"There just .. can't be an us for a while," Eve replied softly. "I thought I knew who I was. Now I've found out I have – I HAD parents, I'm the rightful heir to the throne – and I have to spend time with the prince who replaced me!"
"Oh, I get it. You're swooning over Jared like a lovesick noble girl," Luke sneered.
"Luke! You know that's not true! I'm just so ... messed up right now! Can't you see? I need you to be there for me!" Her voice broke with pain.
"Why don't you just get Prince Jared to be 'there for you' instead?" He replied scathingly, then turned and stormed out the door. He felt a twinge of regret, remembering Eve's anguished, pain filled eyes. But he was too angry to care.
Eve stared after him, desperately trying to think of something mean to say in reply. But she couldn't. I won't cry, I won't cry.
Trying to stay composed, she walked out of the building and back to the Royal Stables in a state of shock. She hadn't expected Luke to be that – upset about it. He hadn't exactly been acting as if he wanted to spend time with her lately.
Jared saw her coming. Something about the way she wasn't looking where she was going, as though she had retreated deep within herself, made him think that something was wrong. She looked up and smiled when she saw him, though.
"Enna - something's wrong. I can tell. Please - trust me. Tell me," he pleaded.
The look she gave him was sad and regretful, but then changed. It was as if a shutter had fallen across her face, and a smile replaced the sad expression. "What do you mean? I'm fine!"
That couldn't be further from the truth. But I can't tell Jared. I can't. But it's good to know that someone's worried about me.
Jared sighed. How could he get her to trust him? Then an idea came into his head. It's risky - if my father ever found out! But it would get Enna's trust in me.
He helped Eve get up onto Frankie. A tingle of electricity went through them as their hands brushed. Eve turned her face towards him in surprise, then smiled. They didn't know it, but both were filled with the same sense of longing that they had felt earlier. But both knew that it could not be.
They set off back to the manor.
When they were halfway back, Eve decided that it was time for their race. "And NO letting me win, just because I'm a girl, alright, Jared?"
"Alright … but don't get sulky when I win!"
"YOU are the most arrogant prick that I have EVER met!"
Yesterday this remark would have hurt Jared, but today Eve said it with a teasing smile and he smiled too.
She nudged Frankie into a canter. Thankfully, having been riding for a while now - she didn't fall off!
Jared was taken by surprise. "No fair! You CHEATED!"
He clicked to Vinny and she quickly followed Frankie. She wasn't going to let a puny gelding beat her!
Five minutes later, Vinny had kept her promise and Frankie pulled up a few metres after Vinny.
"I WILL win next time!"
"Yeah, sure." Jared dismissed her statement with a wave of his hand. "Can we go fo a ride in the forest now?"
Eve didn't want to be left by herself to brood on what had happened with Luke, so she readily agreed. It was cool and peaceful in the forest, and the two horses and humans walked along in companionable silence. When they came to a familiar spot, Jared gestured to Eve to dismount.
Eve turned red. AGAIN. I AM SUCH AN IDIOT!
She's cute when she blushes, Jared noted.
"Remember this place?" He asked teasingly. They both sat down on the grass by the familiar stream.
Eve nodded, looking at the ground.
"I didn't mean anything by it, Enna. I just happened to be here by accident."
"I know. I think … I think I knew that from the beginning. I was just - having a hard time that day, and I needed someone to blame it on. In fact, while I'm at it - you have no idea how hard this is for me - I apologise for how I've been acting the whole time you've been here." Eve HATED apologising.
"I haven't exactly been that nice either," Jared replied softly. "As you said - I can be a jerk sometimes."
They sat in silence again, just staring at the stream. Eve replayed the scene in her mind of the day Jared had seen her swimming. I remember the surprised look on his face. It WAS an accident after all.
Jared was thinking about what he wanted Enna to do with him. It was big magic - but he wanted, needed her to trust him. He hesitated - then spoke.
"Enna - I need you to trust me. I know you're scared, and you don't think you know me well enough - but I need to know who you are. I know a way of doing this that means you can see the same about me."
Eve looked down at the ground. "I guess I wasn't very convincing. I want to trust you, Jared. But - I'm not sure I can put everything into words."
"You don't have to. When I was a bit younger, a strong mage named Morgan came to Kyrria. My father hated her, as she was such a powerful witch, but he was obliged to be nice to her. I admired her - and she taught me a secret. I'm not a fairy - I don't have magic blood in me - but she gave me her knowledge of how to do this. Enna - I can see inside your head, and you can see inside mine. If you want to, we can see all each other's secrets and memories. But only if you want to."
And at that moment, Eve forgot who Jared was. She forgot that she was a spy, that he was the son of the King who she hated. She even forgot about Lucas. She knew that she wanted to do this thing with him - her secret was too much for her.
"I'll do it." Eve spoke bravely, but Jared could detect a tremor of fear in her voice.
He took her hands, reassuring her. "I'll take care of you, Enna. I won't let anything happen to you."
Like it? Don't? Sorry if it's short - but the next chapter will be up within 2 days. IF you review! Taintedpromises - you should recognise Morgan! HEY i just had a GREAT idea - this story crossed over with Sweep for my sequel! MAYBE!