Book 3: Chapter 59: Lexy

Book 3: Chapter 59: Lexy
Lexy

“Good morning!” Jamie said as he handed me a blanket. He knew me well. We had spent many years together. He knew my habits inside and out, and Seth didn’t look happy about it. I wanted to giggle thinking he was jealous of a 12-year-old  

“Thanks Jamie,” I took the blanket gratefully, suddenly aware of the cold now that everyone had brought it to my attention.

“Breakfast?” I asked.  

“Yes, please,” Izzy answered.  

“Okay,” I said, wrapping the blanket over my shoulders. “Go wake up Lyssa, and I’ll get it started.”  

The kids skipped away, bound for Seth’s tent, and I gathered my papers up.  

“Where are you going?” Seth questioned as I started to walk away. 

“Oh,” I had forgotten he was there. “To get breakfast, come on, it’s probably packed already.” I said, leading the way to the tent where food would be, knowing Matt was probably already there cooking.  

“Captain Ally!” Someone yelled from behind me, and I turned around, leaving Seth again looking around in confusion.  

Someone ran up and began spouting something at me so fast that I was barely following. But I made a few mental notes before I dismissed the cadet.

"Why did he call you Ally?" Seth asked with a frown.

"That's what you got out of that conversation?" I laughed.

"Yes."

"Well, Lexy Marks was a name that was known everywhere. I was banished and it wouldn't look good if I was going around playing games in other kingdoms, so I created a different personality. Ally Steele. Some people around here know the truth. Some people in Hemingdale the Land of the Unknown know the truth, but most people outside of Calina have heard of me as Ally Steele."

He looked at me with a mixture of surprise and horror. "I've heard the name Ally Steele..." And then it dawned on him. "Wait, you used my name."

The goofy look on his face made me smile slightly.

"I did." It came out softer than I'd intended. "Easy to remember."

"I always thought you wouldn't change your name for me." He gave a nervous chuckle.

"I wouldn't." I admitted. "I like Marks. Plus, there is no us anymore."

He grabbed my arm, stopping us both, a desperation in his eyes that made me swallow hard. "There will always be an us, Lex."

"Things have changed." It was barely a whisper. There was something about him that made me feel so vulnerable, but also honest.

"They don't have to stay changed." He brushed a loose strand of hair from my face.

I shuddered despite myself. His knuckles grazed my face, and it took everything in me not to just lean into his touch.

"There you are!" Annabeth called out, pulling me out of my stupor, and I stepped away from Seth. "Come on, we have meetings."

She frowned as she looked at me. "You can't wear that."

"I'll go change. Did you eat yet?" I asked her.

"No..."

"There's like a mess hall, just over that way. You should eat before we start."

She gave me a look, like she wanted to follow me, but I was grateful when both she and Seth didn't.

I needed a minute to get my head back on straight. Holy cow. I had been about to kiss him. To melt into him. Kissing him last night had been a mistake. A costly mistake that my heart couldn't take. I needed to pull away. From him. From everyone. I was getting too comfortable. We were at war, and they could abandon me at any time. They could turn all the allies I had earned them on me too. I would have nowhere to go. The fear was enough to steady me. It usually was. One wrong choice and everyone I loved would be dead.

I quickly changed into a pair of grey leggings and my black zip-up. It wasn't the official uniform, but it was close... I pulled my hair into a low bun at the base of my neck before going to find Annabeth and Seth, who happened to be standing in the exact same spot I had left them, talking to each other in low voices.

"I met Izzy and Jamie last night." Annabeth said carefully as we walked toward the mess hall.

I smiled slightly. "They're fun, aren't they?"

"They are." Annabeth acknowledged.

I didn't know if she wanted the story about how they had come to be a part of my family, but I wasn't in the mood to talk about it. In fact, I wasn't in the mood to talk about anything.

"Are you okay?" Annabeth asked when I didn't say anything else.

"Yes." I responded with a little nod.

She gave me a skeptical look but didn't force it. We had a quick breakfast and then headed off to meet with King Glorian. Alex was standing just outside his tent with Simon and Jeffrey looked none to pleased to see me, but I just gave him a little smirk as we entered the tent together.

"Back so soon?" King Glorian asked lightly, once we were all settled, but there was tension on his face.

"King Glorian, I am sorry we had to impose the way we did. I believe you remember my dear friend, Princess Annabeth, and this is her older brother, Prince Alexander."

"I am sorry for the inconvenience that our abrupt intrusion has caused," Alex said smoothly. "I know we talked about it being months away and in phases, however, with Vivian becoming so bold, we thought it would be best to move up those plans."

"Did something happen?" King Glorian asked, his eyes narrowing on us.

"Yes," Alex said bluntly. "We are still receiving reports though. I will have it compiled for you once we have all the information."

"Are you bringing danger to my borders?"

"Your borders are already in danger, your majesty." I said softly. "We plan to help keep them safe."

King Glorian gave me a look that told me that I was full of bullshit, but he didn't say anything else on the matter. And I only hoped that I wasn't lying to him. But where I go, trouble always seems to follow.