AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s not stupid,” I lean forward, bracing my elbows on my knees. “Honestly, I’ve always felt like that, too. She was my one and only. She was my Amari. No one’s Lily and no one ever will be.”
“You want to know the worst part?” Junie asks, and I turn to look at her.
She moves forward, matching my positioning.
“My memories of her are so faded. I can only remember glimpses of her. Her details feel erased from my mind. Sometimes I can see her hair, but I wouldn’t be able to pick her out of a crowd,” Junie confesses.
I let my head fall between my arms. “I know exactly what you mean. But the worst part is the nightmares she plagues me with. I can never see her face. Just her red hair, even though I’m not even positive about the color anymore. The most vivid memories for me are from the day she died,” I say grimly.
Junie inhales sharply, placing her hand on my forearm. An icy chill runs up my spine as if Lily’s spirit is tracing the length of it, and I fight back the shiver.
“You know, there was nothing you could have done to stop King Oren. My father told you as much after speaking with him. He sensed her power after the nobu attack and came after her,” she says reassuringly.
I place my hand on hers and give a gentle squeeze, but I don’t look at her. I know by the sound of her voice that pity is etched across her face.
We both remain silent for some time, existing in our own grief over our lost friend. Raising my head, I notice Nathaniel looking in our direction, and I know we need to leave. Turning to Junie, I see she is staring back at him. A deep feeling of longing is evident between them.
I lean close to Junie, “Acted upon, or lusted after, Princess?”
My voice is only loud enough for us to hear in our little space. She jumps at the question, knowing I caught her staring at Nathaniel.
“What?” Her voice is soft and laced with embarrassment.
“You and the lieutenant, Junie. Have you acted on those feelings, or is it still in the wanting phase?” Her cheeks turn a shade of red I’ve only seen in flowers. I give her hand another squeeze.
“It’s ok, Junie. Like I said, we don’t have to get married. And even if we do, we won’t have to bewitheach other,” I say, hoping she understands my meaning.
Her only response is to let out a long breath while eyeing Nathaniel.
Out of the corner of my eye, a navy-blue figure enters the field.
My father.
I stand, knowing my time is up. I extend my palm to Junie. Her smooth, delicate hand slides into mine, and I place it in the crook of my arm. We set off toward the group, stopping at the edge of the field.
“Please come back, Theo. I already buried one friend. I can’t bear to bury another. I need you to come home,” her voice cracks as she fights back the tears threatening to overtake her, and my heart hurts for her.
The pain of losing Lily a decade ago was the worst either of us has ever felt. If Junie loses me too, I’m not sure she would survive.
“I will. I promise. I will come home, Juniper,” I say pulling her into the tightest hug I think her thin body can handle, and she squeezes me right back. The lavender scent in her hair gives me a lovely goodbye. She hides her face in my chest so no one can see the tears fall.
Releasing her, I place a kiss on her wet cheek. When I turn around, I find my father staring at me with a look I have never seen on his face—approval. As if my affection toward Junie was anything more than two friends saying goodbye. I stride right past him, not acknowledging he’s there, and take the reins back from Nathaniel. Giving Nathaniel a pat on the shoulder, I mount my mare, ready to leave. Junie is still standing in the spot I left her, appearing frozen with fear.
“Take care of her while I’m gone, Nathaniel,” I say without taking my eyes off Junie.
He looks over his shoulder at her. “Of course, she’s the princess. I will keep her safe.”
Staring at him directly in the eyes, I say, “I’m not asking as a captain to a lieutenant. I’m asking as a friend. Please keep her safe.”
He nods.
“Words, Nathaniel! I need to hear you say it.”
His posture tenses at my shouted command, and he stands at attention.
“Yes, Theo, I’ll keep her safe.”
“Thank you. I will see you when I return. Until then, the guard is yours.”
