Chapter 27

***"SIR** Branch, I must speak to you.” Ivy said to Sir Branch, standing in a hallway. She looked many years older, tired and pale—and had an expression on her face no one would associate with Ivy.

*Fear.

*Branch bowed. “At your service, Your Highness.”

*She pursed her lips. “In private.”

*Branch nodded. “Come, my Queen.” She followed him down hallways, turning right and left, until they reached a deserted passage, lit by a single torch.

*He faced her. “Your Highness.” His tone betrayed a bit of uneasiness, like he wasn’t used to having personal meetings with his Queen. She looked to both sides, apparently making sure no one was there.

*“Sir Branch. I’ve had seven children. They’re all girls, as you know.”

*He nodded, and his face darkened a shade. “Yes, Your Highness.”

*“And you know of my relations with the King.” She continued.

*He took in a breath. “Yes, Ivy.”

Her name. Not her title.

*“Branch. I’ve known you since we were children.” He nodded. “And you’ve always supported me, through everything. Even after my marriage with the King, you’ve been here. You’ve been my best friend.”

*Branch’s lips curved up almost imperceptibly. “And you’ve been my best friend, Ivy. You got me this position here, and you didn’t push me away even after learning of my…feelings. For you.”

*She nodded, sadness softening her eyes. “Yes. I never loved you as you loved me. Since we were children, I took it to be friendship. And then I married him, and you were still there, always with me.”

*He didn’t say anything, waiting for her to continue.

*She sighed. “But Branch, in light of recent events…”

*His eyes darkened still more to anger, like he knew what events she was talking about.

*“My feelings for you…have changed, Branch.” She said the last part desperately, half-afraid and half-joyfully.

*Branch’s face melted to confusion. “What are you saying, Ivy?”

*She bit her lower lip and looked to both sides again “I’m saying, Branch —”

*He waited, pursing his lips.

*“Branch, I…I love you.” She said it like it surprised even her.

*Branch’s mouth drifted open in astonishment. For a moment all was silent except for the sound of their twin breaths.

*“What did you say?”

*“I love you, Branch. I love you!” She said, smiling now. “I suppose I always did—I just couldn’t see it before.”

*Branch’s face still registered complete bewilderment, but a moment later, it was like a bright light had shone on him. His face literally glowed.

*“You’re speaking the truth, Ivy?” He said, like he couldn’t even dare to believe it.

*She nodded, looking years younger now. “The complete truth, Branch. Do you love me still?”

*He nodded, still looking like he’d been blessed with the greatest thing in the Forest. Love from the elf he wished for.

*“Ivy, I never stopped loving you. Never. You’ve always been the only one in my heart.”

*At the same moment, they wrapped their arms around each other, embracing blissfully.

*And the scene faded to black, leaving me with that one image under my eyelids— the two lovers finally together.

***

My eyes fluttered open as I took in the surroundings.

I had been laid on a pallet on the ground, sheltered under a wide tree. It was early morning, the rest of our group—all seven of us—laying down, fast asleep.

I sat up slowly, glancing at the others. White bandages wrapped around them—Terran’s leg, Pecan’s temple, the white cloth peeking out from under Aiden’s shirt. Even around my arm.

I pushed the sheet off me and stood up. The sun was barely out, the birds already chittering in the leaves. I walked to a nearby lake and washed my face before returning to the others.

I sat down on my pallet and leaned my head against the tree. The vision I’d seen…

First, Rowan persuading Ivy to have more children. Because they needed an heir. Then Ivy had turned to Branch—what had happened in that time. She’d mentioned that all the children were girls—was that it?

My eyes turned to the side when Maple started turning in her sleep, muttering intelligibly to herself. Her face was distraught, frightened. I crouched beside her.

“Maple, wake up.” I shook her shoulder gently. Her eyes fluttered. “It’s just a nightmare, wake up!” I said, shaking her harder. Maple’s face twisted once before her eyes shot open and she bolted upright, her head slamming into mine.

“Ow!” I cried, stumbling back. I reached up to my head, grimacing at the sharp pain, before turning to Maple.

“I’m so sorry, El!” She cried, holding her own forehead.

“It’s fine,” I sighed. Maple looked from side to side before standing up and limping over to me. “Are you hurt?” I asked.

She winced. “A bit. The Guard were well-trained.”

“That they were,” I said, sighing. “Did you make it through safely?”

Maple nodded. “Remember that village where everyone introduced themselves?” I nodded. “Aster remembered their names, so we used those. We still had to plead a lot to get through—” She stopped and winced at this point, like by plead she meant something else.

“But we made it through. We went to the town and got weapons before coming back. We watched while you tried to cross. When they attacked—”

“You came.” I finished, nodding. “What happened after I fainted?”

She sighed. “We ran away and hid here. Everyone was tired, so we just wrapped up the wounds and went straight to sleep.”

“They’ll be looking for us now,” I said. I was sure the Guard knew how I looked—they’d know I was alive and where I was.

“We’ll make it,” Maple said softly. I only nodded.

The two of us waited for the others to wake up. Terran and Aster were up next, brushing off our concern for their wounds. Soon, Arden and Pecan woke up.

Aiden, of course, remained blissfully asleep.

We ate breakfast, exchanging stories of what had happened.

“So, that’s why you were half-naked when we came,” Aster murmured, her eyes flitting to the boys.

Pecan and Arden turned bright red. Terran, though, maintained his composure. They’d put on some clothes, at least, once we’d returned.

Maple stifled a laugh, and both Pecan and Arden shot her offended looks.

“I’ll wake up Aiden,” Arden said, once he’d finished. I watched, pursing my lips, as he shook Aiden hard—getting no response.

“May I try?” I offered. Arden looked back at me and shrugged. I stood up and grinned, curling my fingers into fists. Water from the lake seeped out and flew through the trees, landing with a satisfying splash on his face.

Aiden bolted upright, his eyes shooting open. He seemed to understand what had happened when the rest of us started laughing. He glared at me and shook his head violently, water droplets flying out of his hair. “I’ll get you back for that.”

“If you say so,” I grinned.

“We have to move,” Terran said gruffly, his smile fading as he picked up the pack.

We’d restocked on weapons, thanks to Aster, Aiden and Maple. Only our supplies were left behind, but we’d pick up new ones in the village.

I sidled up next to Aiden as we walked. He glanced at me curiously.

“What exactly happened when you tried to cross? They didn’t give details,” I asked quietly, glancing at Maple and Aster, who were far ahead.

He sighed. “Nothing, they—it took a lot of persuading to get across.”

“What kind of persuading?”

“They made us beg. Get on our knees and—” Aiden looked away, running a hand through his hair. “Then I had to spar with one of them. I lost on purpose. He gave me a good thrashing.”

I pressed my lips together, looking down. “If we win, I’ll change all of them. The Guard won’t be so cruel.”

“I’m guessing things will be very different in your reign, Princess,” Aiden said softly.

I nodded. “They will.”

***

After days and days and days, Terran informed us that we were reaching another Territory Guard.

The way we’d get through this one was through a tunnel in a shop in a nearby village.

It was eerily similar to the time we’d travelled from the first camp—when Acer had died because of me.

We changed our appearances, splitting up again. I pulled on a dress again and went with Terran and Arden.

This time, we’d go first and wait in the tunnel for the others. It wouldn’t take as much time, though.

“See you soon,” Maple said, smiling. I nodded at her.

“It’ll be different this time,” Aiden whispered. I blinked at him. How had he seen I was worried?

“Come,” Terran said.

I nodded and we walked away, slipping into one of the narrow, dusty lanes between the small houses. We got a few glances, but we’d covered our heads with scarves.

We entered the small shop. It was empty, the shopkeeper probably gone out, his wares—little trinkets and jewelry—displayed in glass cases.

Terran crouched beside a brick wall and slowly pulled a few bricks out, creating a hole big enough for us to crawl through. Luckily, the tunnel widened and was large enough for us to stand in.

When we went inside, he put the bricks back in. They were chipped, so I could just barely see inside the shop.

Only a little time had passed before the other four entered. We crept back as Aster walked up to the wall and did the same thing as us.

They were in a hurry. They crawled in quickly as we moved back to make room.

“The Queen’s soldiers are taking over the village,” Maple hissed as Aster shoved the bricks back in.

Just then, there was a loud crash from outside. We froze. Aster crouched, bending to look through the hole, and straightening up. She mouthed something at us.

*Soldiers.