If I remember correctly...

I LOVE THIS CHAPTER

Though apparently I wrote it on a sugar high, which concerns me deeply. Ummmm... this could be interesting.

Song for this Chapter: Red Letter Year → Ani DiFranco

Disclaimer: er…bite me. I don't own nothing capiesh? Except for Romeli and my little hottie James. Haha I own the hot guy in the fic!

Chapter 15: Coming back from the Dead

When Jonathan heard that Romeli had been walking around and was getting better, he immediately sent a runner to fetch her and Daine for him. Curiosity had gotten the best of him, and he wanted to know what happened.

Romeli was a peculiar person. Jonathan heard about the girl and what had happened to her from from a reliable source. Somehow she got stuck in her mind, but how? And when she came back, she was a mess...and why? Something about this Romeli, she had so many secrets. He wanted to own her, make her tell him the things he longed for.

When she heard Daine and Romeli enter his study, he looked up abruptly. Romeli was pale—she looked to be almost—no it couldn't be.

"Hello," greeted Jonathan. "Sit down please." Daine and Romeli walked in and sat down in two chairs across from him.

Jonathan cut down to the chase. "Romeli, I heard about your little event a few days ago, do you know what happened?"

Romeli froze and grew even paler. There was a hint in her eyes, a haunting almost; it scared him.

"Please don't," she rasped in a weak whisper. "Please mom don't make me say," she pleaded.

Daine looked at the king with a slight glare. "Your Majesty, even I don't know more than you do. The only two people who know what happened in her mind, are Romeli and Jameson of Queenscove."

Jonathan sighed. "Very well." He summoned a messenger. "Please get Jameson of Queenscove for me?" the messenger nodded and walked off as he stared at Romeli.

Romeli shook her head and fought off tears. This couldn't be happening, she couldn't tell him, she couldn't tell anyone. It was all linked together, the event in her mind, the Guardians, her Gift. Soon enough Jonathan would know more than just what powers she had. He would ask so many questions that her Guardians would be exposed, and that was the last thing she needed.

Of course she would tell her parents, but not until the time was right, and Jonathan was out of hearing distance. She didn't like the king, it was like he was trying to pry into her life and learn everything about her. Like he was trying to take advantage of her uniqueness. Well, there was nothing for him to learn. She would never tell Jonathan her secrets.

And Gods, seeing James again...it was too soon. He hurt her, walking out on her, nearly telling her to her face that she would never be the same again. She wanted to be friends again desperately. Her life seemed hollow without him...though she didn't know why.

When James came in minutes later, he didn't expect to see Romeli and Daine there as well, and truthfully he was quite shocked. He knew what this was about, and he didn't like it at all.

"Hello James," Jonathan said to the page as the boy sat down. James nodded in reply, emotionless.

"We were just having a talk about what happened to Romeli, though she lacked to tell me anything about it. I do know however that you have a side to the story?"

Romeli looked at James pleadingly. If he said anything...

James continued to stare at the king, his expression unreadable. "I'm positive that there is nothing to say about it, Sire," he said calmly.

"Yes there is," Jonathan returned. "Romeli I order you to tell me."

Romeli hesitated. Was she really going to disobey imperial orders? Damn right she was. "No."

The word hung clearly in the air, as Jonathan fumed behind his desk. He had to know...he needed to know...a force inside of him, he didn't know what, made him cut his patience off short.

"Tell me dammit!"

"No!" Her eyes burned with menace. She had never been so angry in her life. How dare he barge into her personal life? Just because he was royal didn't mean he could indulge himself with the lives of others! Without meaning to, she stood up and whipped out her Gift. It attacked Jonathan with a blast of emerald flame.

Letting go of all of the extra magic building up inside her made her dizzy. She faltered and then blacked out. James caught her before she fell to the ground.

OOO (A/N: I hated that part. Horribly written. Gods…just no.)

When Romeli woke up, she was in her room with Daine sitting by the bed. Her body felt odd—detached almost. There was a piercing headache throbbing at her temples.

"Hello Romeli," Daine greeted as she gave her daughter a cup of tea.

Romeli accepted the mug and took a sip without giving the contents a second glance. "Are you mad at me for what happened?" she asked, fearful for the answer.

"Mad? Gods no Romeli! The king mighty well deserved it. I think you knocked the senses back into him. Sometimes being king can be a little—hectic."

Romeli smiled. "Well then I'm glad it was me who got to beat the king's as-."

"Romeli!" Daine hissed, quite surprised.

"Sorry, Ma," Romeli said sheepishly. She took another sip of tea. It was starting to ease her headache.

Daine put her hand on her daughter's knee. Romeli looked up from her cup of tea, meeting her mother's eyes confused. "Yes?"

Daine sighed. "This is such horrible timing," she started apologetically. "But I must leave for Northwatch...tonight."

Romeli's heart sunk. Her ma leaving too? She would miss her dearly, and if something happened she wouldn't know what to do. But she also knew that her parents missed each other, and her mother was worried about the People up in the north. They needed her there.

"Will you be all right without me?"

Romeli mulled over the question for a moment. "Yes."

"Good. If you need anything, just ask Faleron of King's Reach. He is a very kind man."

Romeli nodded. A small lump growing in her throat. She tried to swallow it down. Crying over leaving parents was not something to do at her age, but she couldn't help it. She would be alone with her parents up in the north.

"I have to pack now," her mother stated gently. "And then I have to talk to the king concerning my trip. Oh and Romeli?"

"Yes?"

"If anyone tries to hurt you, even the king, I give you permission to beat their asses."

"Ma!" Romeli said surprised, she then smiled evilly. "Now look at who has to watch their tongue!"

Daine rolled her eyes and left the room.

OOO

Romeli thought that it was high time that she practice her bladed staff and ride with Shadowdancer.

She picked up her staff and set down the hall, ignoring the numerous stares from people who passed her

When she passed around a corner, she nearly doubled over in shock. In front of her stood her friends all standing in a clump joking and playing around. She nearly smiled when she saw them.

They also seemed quite surprised when they saw her carrying her weapon. They stopped talking and stared.

Romeli smiled and walked past them with a wink. Many of their jaws dropped, but she pretended not to notice. She then ran down the stairs and out the door to the palace stables, a lopsided grin on her face.

"Hey Shadow!" called Romeli happily when she arrived at her horse's stall.

Hey you're back! Shadow announced gleefully as she stamped her feet impatiently. Run with me! Please!

Romeli let out a laugh. Something she hadn't done in a long time. Of course! Sorry I haven't seen you in a while, a few—things—happened.

Oh. Things. Right. Well come on, Let's go!

Romeli laughed, welcoming Shadowdancer's unconcerned and enthusiastic demeanor. She even found the horse's chipper attitude rub off on her. Not bothering with the tack, Romeli lead the mare out of the stables. After managing to mount her horse, she told Shadow their destination, bladed staff in hand. They galloped towards a clearing, tucked into the nearby forest.

Out of sight, her friends scrambled out of a palace door and towards the forest, curious to see Romeli's weaponry at work.

"Let's see here," Romeli said as she held the bladed staff in her hands. It felt so natural. When she started one of the easier pattern dances, she found it took little thought. She did a couple of thrusts and dips, but most of the dance had easy positions like holding it horizontally in front of her and above her head. Feeling comfortable with the staff, she moved on to a harder one.

This one consisted of ducking under invisible enemies, a few jumps, a simple single spin, and many defense positions that could protect her from danger. Once that one was completed with satisfaction, she moved on to the next level up.

This one was composed of many spins. She twirled her staff with skilled hands while also lunging and gliding herself. She took the dance at a slow tempo, knowing that its moves would be too demanding for her rusty skills. After a few turns, she felt like perhaps she was getting the hang of it.

"Shoot," she dropped the staff after attempting to throw it in the air and catch it while pivoting directions. The reward for her clumsiness was a long albeit shallow cut down her arm. She cursed loudly and ripped off a part of her shirt to mop up the bloody mess. Soon enough the bleeding stopped and there was only a slight sting.

She sensed something behind her. So her friends had come to watch? She didn't like the fact that they were purposely spying on her, but she guessed that technically they could do whatever they wanted. It did however make her quite angry. They walked out on her and left her when she needed them. She wasn't sure if she could trust them anymore—even James.

The thought made her heart sink, but she could expect nothing less from two-leggers, her included. Always holding grudges, walking out on friends, hurting feelings, two-leggers were selfish. Somedays she wished she could just leave, transform into a hawk, spread her wings and fly. But people, duties, and feelings held her down with a shackle and chain.

Romeli shook her head to clear her drifting thoughts as she sat down by the river and looked into her reflection.

Did she see a monster or her normal self? Frankly she wasn't sure. She saw her normal green haired self, with changing eyes and developing powers...

Not exactly something she could call normal.

Hey what's wrong? Shadowdancer asked concerned. The horse slowly lied down and let Romeli lean on her side. Romeli did so gratefully, cuddling up to her horse.

Oh Gods, Shadowdancer, Romeli said as she let tears fall down her face. I thought I was getting better. I thought that maybe there was still hope for me yet, but what James said is finally sinking in. The real me died, and it's never coming back.

Oh shush you! Shadowdancer said exasperated. I never knew you to be so hopeless...so stop it before you start scaring me! Just because you dropped your bladed stick and a two-legger put you down, doesn't mean you can go wallow in self pity . Come on, let's go back before those spies over there find out that we know they're there.

Romeli smiled and laughed a watery laugh. Goddess she was having so many mood swings today! First she was furious with Jonathan, then relieved when she got her Gift back, then sad when her mother left left, adventurous and daring with her weapon, frustrated with her friends, and now happy again?

Therapy was immensely needed.

She nimbly mounted Shadowdancer with her bladed staff in hand, and urged her to a gallop towards the stables.

OOO

"Okay, Gift," Romeli asserted as she stood in the middle of the living room. Now more than ever, she wished Numair was there. She thought she wouldn't miss him, but clearly she thought wrong. And with Daine gone as well, it left her with no parental unit to skillfully aid her with advice. She then froze—well besides Shadowdancer, Sharpfang, and her Guardians of course.

She closed her eyes and searched for her Gift. There it was, rippling in her soul. Innocently, it burned there, waiting for her to use it and be taken over by demons once again. Well not this time, this time she owned the Gift.

She brought it out to the open with the childish voice taunting her in her mind.

I'm winning! Be my friend! We can play our little game som—

"Oh would you just shut it!" cried Romeli to the voice exasperated. "I've already had enough happening today, and I don't want to deal with you."

She felt like someone was glaring at her, which made shivers run up her spine. No, she had already played enough with the demon, and it was time to call it quits.

"Enough of you and my Gift!" she scolded to the venomous voice. "I'm sick of you and your dumb, unoriginal game! So...leave me be!"

The voice seemed to sigh. For now I suppose, but next time I won't be so friendly.

"Neither will I," she whispered darkly as she stared at her palm. There hovered the emerald fire of her Gift, floating smoothly just like it used to. The girl let out a smile.

"Yes!" she cried as she shot her hand in the air in victory. That however was not a good idea, her Gift turned into a fiery ball and massively scorched the ceiling.

Romeli let out a unique string of curses as she looked at the ceiling. "Shit."

OOO

Romeli was in a much better mood now that she could finally use her Gift without the demon's teasing. But her heart was still sore towards friends. Around now they would be at their last lesson, probably joking and playing around behind the teacher's back.

She also missed her parents, Alanna, and even Neal when they left. At first, she thought it would be nice to have the suite all to herself without her parents always there crowding the space with manuscripts and...feathers. But now she desperately missed her father's somewhat tedious lessons, and her mother's horrible jokes and life lessons. She missed sparring with Alanna and always losing. It grew quite boring without having someone to fight. She even missed Neal's womanly bickering.

She sat at the living room sofa and stared at the still scorched ceiling. So...bored. She already practiced her weapon, Gift, and talked to Shadowdancer and Sharpfang. What frustrated her though was that she had so many things to do, but she didn't want to do them.

"Go away, laziness!" she said loudly as she let out a sigh.

There was one thing that she wanted to do however, but when to do it made her go crazy. She wanted to talk to James.

Over all of the things she had lost in the past couple of days, she missed James the most. She loved the way he smiled his wonderful half smile whenever she talked to him, and the way his emerald eyes twinkled whenever he was up to his tricks. She wanted to tell him that the real Romeli was back, that she was okay, but she wasn't sure if that was quite true.

She would have to see during her next lesson with Sclythe and Old White. Surely if she could resist the evil and conjure the wall, then she was normal again right?

How about you just talk to him anyway? she asked herself. Who cares if he shoves the door in your face? Just to see him, tell him you're sorry. They probably just finished their lesson anyway.

Deciding that was the best thing to do, she walked out of the room and towards the page's wing.

After about five minutes of walking, she was thoroughly lost. She was in the page's wing, but couldn't find James' room to save her life. When she saw a page walk a little ways down the hallway, she turned to ask him.

"Excuse me, do you know where Jameson of Queenscove's room is?"

The boy walked up to her with a smile. His icy blue eyes twinkled and he brushed some of his blond hair away from his face.

"Yes I do, follow me," he said. Romeli followed him as he walked down the hall.

After only a minute of walking, the page decided to forget about Romeli's request and instead slammed her into the wall, knocking the wind out of her. Before she could get her breath back, his lips were smashed against her own.

Romeli tried to pinch him or do anything to get free of his grasp, but the squire pinned her arms behind her back tightly with one of his arms. To her distaste he was abnormally strong.

The page's other arm was wrapped tightly around her hips, and she felt her lips, arms, and hips begin to badly bruise from unwanted touches. She closed her lips to make him stop, but instead the page bit her neck and collarbone, leaving red marks. She gasped in pain, and once again his lips were on hers.

Right when the page began to get the shirt lacings halfway undone, there was a cry from down the hallway.

"Leave her alone, Gerardo!"

The page stopped his kisses, but instead tightened his grip on her arms and hip to keep her from struggling. She winced in pain as she felt her bones protest from the pressure. Romeli looked over towards the voice and nearly choked with surprise.

Gods James you idiot, she thought as she tried to break free from Gerardo's grip. She even tried to use her Gift, but couldn't find the concentration to do so.

"Let her go, Gerardo," James repeated dangerously. His grew louder with fury.

Gerardo sneered. "Why should I?" he asked. "She's too beautiful to resist. I think I'll keep her." Once again he put his lips on Romeli's, she tried to fight it, but only tears came down in silent shrieks.

James grew red with fire, and instead of speaking with words, he spoke with his fists instead. He punched Gerardo in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. When Gerardo was about to strike, James rammed his fist straight into his jaw, breaking it in the process. He then ran over to Romeli and held her tight.

"Shh," he cooed as he led her to his room not too far away. "Come on." Romeli immediately stopped her tears at the sound of his comforting voice.

James closed the door behind him when they entered. Romeli then tried to lace up her shirt, but her fingers shook too much to do so. James walked over and laced it for her, trying not to blush at the sight of her bare back. He sat her down on the floor and settled on the ground across from her, his back against the wall. The distance between them was close, and Romeli deliberately looked down as James stared at her.

"Where did he hurt you?" he demanded sternly, his emerald eyes as cold as ice.

"He didn't hurt me," Romeli lied.

"Mm hmm, that's why there are bite marks on your neck. Now tell me."

Romeli glared daggers at James as she looked up at him. Then with a sigh she said, "My arms, hipbone, neck, mouth. Happy now?"

"No!" he spat out angrily. He couldn't stand that someone had hurt her like that. It was abuse, and men who treated women that way were monsters.

"Can you show me?" he asked.

Romeli hesitated, then held out her arms to expose bruises in the shapes of hands and fingers running all the way up. Her right arm sported a massive hand bruise where he put the most pressure. It was already growing a nasty color of purple. She then with somewhat of a struggle lowered her pant hem just low enough to show a massive bruise on her hipbone—and her emerald wolf tattoo.

Romeli paled and quickly covered the tattoo with her hand. Gods no, this cannot be happening, she thought as she closed her eyes. If James found out about—oh Gods please no.

"Romeli, what was that?" asked James in a clipped voice. At first thought he thought it was a curse or something worse, but when he looked closer at it, it was the shape of a wolf. Probably more secrets.

"It's nothing," she said as she slowly closed her eyes, not wanting to meet his.

"It sure is something," he retorted. "Romeli if it's something that hurts you then…"

"It isn't," she said interrupting him. It only hurt when she got the tattoo. "James I..." Romeli opened her eyes and stood up too flustered to sit anymore. She put her arms on top of her head and walked away with her back towards him. She stopped in front of the door, sensing his eyes on her.

"Romeli—."

"I can't tell you," Romeli said as she turned around to face him. James was shocked to find that her cheeks were shiny from tears. "You have to understand, there are things that I can not say. I'll get hurt, people will get hurt..." They'll get hurt, she added silently.

James stared at her. He really wanted to know, to help her with whatever she was going through. But when he saw the outcome of what happened to Jonathan, he knew he would just have to trust her until the time was right. She had many secrets, and probably for a reason. Getting hurt for hiding those secrets would just have to be a tolerable consequence because of it. Especially with the latest event, everyone had been asking about it. What the king did, violating her privacy...it was almost like he wanted to take over her and force her to do anything he wished. It was wrong, and it made him sick to see Romeli treated that way. He nodded. "I understand."

Waves of relief rushed over Romeli as she smiled at him, James smiled his half smile as she settled back down across from him with a wince.

"Romeli," he started nervously. "I don't want you coming into the pages wing again, or the knights and squires for that matter. Not without someone with you."

Romeli looked at him curiously. "Why not?"

James looked into her eyes sternly, not caring that he couldn't look away any more. "Because I don't want you to get hurt again. You have to understand Romeli, you're prettier then you think. And some of the men and boys in the palace, they don't know how to treat women right." A wave of emotions came over him. He was angry that people did such things to women, and sad that it had happened to one of his friends. It was hard enough with Ryoku..."Gods Romeli—if I didn't come in time—please, just do this for me. I never ever want to see you get hurt like that again. Promise you wont come here."

Romeli stared at him with their eyes still glued. He was so serious about this and it made her heart sink. She looked down, unable to stare into broken eyes anymore. "I promise."

Relief flooded over James. Romeli winced as she rubbed her badly bruised arm.

"Here let me help you," he started as Romeli winced once again.

"That's okay, James."

James glared at her. Were they really going to start this again? "Romeli…" but his sentence drifted away as he observed her with shock. Romeli produce her own Gift and started to heal her own wounds.

Romeli felt much better as she healed herself. Her bruises, instead of throbbing, only slightly ached as they faded into faint marks. Her lips went down in swelling, and the bite marks on her neck were replaced with red smudges.

"You used your Gift," James uttered amazed as she rubbed one of her arms.

"I see you're observant today, James," Romeli pointed out wickedly.

Did she just joke with me? James asked himself even more amazed. Maybe the real Romeli didn't die after all. "Glad to have you back Romeli."

Romeli smiled sweetly at him. "Glad to be back."

OOO

Later that night Romeli sat on her sofa in the living room as she thought about what to do with the scorch mark on the ceiling. She took a sip of grape juice and sorted through her mind to see if there was a spell that could fix it. Her mind, however, kept on drifting to the incident with the page.

It was so scary being taken advantage of like that, it made her feel helpless. Above everything else, she hated the feeling of helplessness. It sent shivers down her spine! If James hadn't come in time...she didn't event want to think of it.

Fortunately she didn't, for a knock on the door made her thoughts vanish. With a sigh, Romeli stood up with stiff legs and opened the door.

"Yes?" she asked to a short man with the King's Messenger colors on his attire.

The messenger bowed. "Lady Romeli Salmalin, the king needs to speak to you. It's Numair. Something has gone wrong."

Haha. Good thing you don't have to wait for an update. Quick! To the next chapter, ho!

Replies:

HyperLittleCatisLazy: such a lazy cat…how silly:looks flattered: you're just saying that! This isn't your favorite story! Yes you are a suck up…but I don't have a problem with that at all. Since I am class clown, I have to play suck up all the time. I'm just crazy that way. I'm sorry it made you sad, it wasn't supposed to. But I'm glad you like James. He is really hot. Hotter then Neal, just remember that. Alas they are back together again! And as for Romeli's other friends…well…I'll get to that later. That was YOUR secret hide out! I'm sorry! I blew it up with your flame-thrower because I thought it was CIA headquarters! Hey look on the brightside. We can share my evil lair in Hawaii!

Ephona: Thank you for the accurateness of the time! I was wondering if it really was 1: 40…lol. Sorry about the shortness of this one. I kind of lost my long chapter ability…

Anonomyous: er…isn't it spelled anonymous? Well never mind about that I'm sure you were typing quickly. Do I know you? Are you one of my normal reviewers who just didn't want to be rude by putting that under a signed review? I think I know who you are…but I'm not saying. It's under moose code three point five. Anyway, if it just happens to be, no offense is taken. Do not worry! Character flaws are coming in winter! Well GOA winter anyway…yea. Well she hates the cold. She like refuses to live in the cold or ice-skate or do anything but sit in front of a fireplace because she hates it so much. Since she's used to living in the south she can't stand it. And she has a fear of beans. And she can't snap her fingers.

QueenThayet12990: I liked that chapter too, but this chapter was horrible. Never write a serious story when you're sugar high! Neal is going over there to help heal a plaque gone around in Mastiff. And he can too fight! He just hasn't for a while. Heehee. Who said I would put Romeli and James together! I may put Romeli and Gerardo together for all I know. Well actually I already know who I'm pairing her up with…I'm just not saying. I'll give a clue in my website how bout that?

Nothing else worked: sorry about not understanding it! It was kinda confusing. It's in the chappie Chaos Thoughts. M—cough. Is the name of the person well not the cough part. And does "I think I found it." Ring a bell to you in more then one way? I would tell you more, but I think that would just make it easy! Heaven forbid that! I also thought it moved fast when I read it over, but it was so long that it makes up for it right? Don't ask about our school schedule it is totally messed up. Instead of spring break in March we have it in April and that is just crazy. Stoopid school. Let me guess—you're going to complain about the cliffie again right?