Sorry this chapter's a bit short, but I didn't want to tack in on to the last one and it doesn't fit with the next, so...here it is!
CHAPTER 3
Jeb knew it was at least an hour after midnight, and here he was staring at the dark ceiling of his quarters mulling over the day's events. After the…eventful meeting that afternoon, he caught up with his father on his way to the queen's office.
"You knew about Azkadellia and this supposed possession?"
"I did."
"Do you believe it?"
Wyatt sighed as he stopped walking, then looked his son straight in the eye. "The only one there was DG, but she has no reason to lie to protect the witch. The witch wanted her dead. I've also had an opportunity to observe Azkadellia's actions over the past few days and I'm telling you, it's not the same person. So yes, I believe it."
Jeb valued his father's opinion highly, but wasn't ready to accept it as his own yet. It was possible that Wyatt's view was skewed by loyalty to his new friends. A good Azkadellia was an idea simply too farfetched to take in.
He threw his bedcovers back. A walk might clear his head. The halls were empty and he had nearly completed a lap of the wing and was coming around the staircase when he found in front of him the very princess in dispute.
He was so startled, his reflexes sent his hand to his knife. Azkadellia, equally surprised, jumped back against the banister. For a brief moment, the two stared wide-eyed at each other. She looked different to him, less severe. Her hair was loose and flowing and she wore a simple frock.
The princess found her voice first. "Are you going to kill me, Jeb?" she whispered.
This did not seem sorceress-like at all to him. In fact, he was surprised he wasn't already dead, a grey corpse on the floor.
"I was thinking about it," he gritted. "But I was wondering why you hadn't killed me yet. You've sure tried hard in the past."
Her response was the complete opposite of the vicious rage he had expected. She started to cry. Not the silent tears kind, either. Turning from him, she tore down the hallway.
His overwhelming curiosity at this seemingly new Azkadellia sent him following her quietly and from a distance as she navigated the palace layout. She ran through the door leading to the gardens and he slipped out behind her.
--
Azkadellia kept running until she was deep within the garden. She finally stopped to catch her breath and sank to her knees, tears flowing freely. While she had never come face to face with Jeb Cain
before, she recognized him from the numerous wanted posters she had issued, requesting him dead or alive. By her orders, his father was imprisoned and tortured. She still couldn't fathom how Wyatt had found it in his heart to forgive her. A bit of overzealousness on the part of Zero led to the death of his mother. She'd destroyed his life. How many countless others had she ruined?
"I deserve to die!" She sobbed to the empty garden.
A tiny white blossom from the flowering trees dropped on the path in front of her. She gently picked it up and was examining it when she heard footsteps approaching.
"Come on, Your Highness." Wyatt Cain extended a hand to help her up. She looked at him through her tears for a moment before taking it and he hoisted her to her feet. She didn't ask how he knew where she was. It seemed Cain had nearly supernatural powers for locating missing princesses. She simply allowed him to guide her silently back to her room.
--
Jeb didn't move from his hiding spot until long after his father escorted Azkadellia back inside. He had a hunch his father had known he was there. Thankfully the princess hadn't. Despite my best efforts, he thought cynically as he rubbed the throbbing spot on the back of his head. He was looking backwards and walked right into a low tree branch. He had bit his tongue trying to stifle a cry. Luckily, the branch had only shaken once, sending a single flower floating away.
But he had heard her clearly and was certain the sorceress would never admit she deserved death. In fact, she would have sucked the life out of him back in the palace. Perhaps this was a new person. But was it really possible? He finally stood and brushed himself off. As he headed back inside, his mind was swimming with a new set of questions.