I didn't run away. But I walked away. Fast. There was nothing left for me in that barn. I'd somehow managed to make a bad night worse and in the process lose my one ally....yeah, I needed to leave.  

Destination? Anywhere. Away from Kheelan, from Elena....from him.  

As I passed the group of men at the door, the way seemed to clear, almost as if I were a monster of sorts....well wait, I was. And not only that, it seemed I had one inside of me too. A few men flinched as I passed, reaching for their guns but I just stared at them and they froze. No, not because I was doing it, but because they must've realized I was no real threat. For once, they saw me for who I really was, a girl...a confused, heartbroken and lonely girl.  

They could've drawn their guns, their knives...it didn't matter to me. I screwed up. Ivan told me we shouldn't have been there, in that sacred place, but it all seemed so right...guess I was wrong.  

I walked and walked further and further in the encircling night just heading somewhere. The cool gusts on my skin did nothing except magnify the burning sensation running down my exposed back... those damn marks. Letting my head fall back, I let my gaze wander to the stars mapping out millions of destinations in the sky...what the hell had I done...? Hoping my conscience would offer some sort of advice or comfort, all I heard were footsteps. Turning, the elderly man from the barn followed me...  

...with a machete in his hands...  

Stopping in his tracks, he followed my eyes darting from the machete back to him, back to the machete.  

"Oh, don't worry about this..." he tossed it on the ground and approached, holding his hands in surrender, "I've just come to talk..."  

Maybe I was just tired, but without a word, I turned my back on him and toward the open fields. Within seconds, he joined.  

"My name is Robert...I am the shaman of our tribe..."  

"Charlie..." I replied, focusing forward. I mean when it came down to it, Fae or no fae I still had manners...  

Silently, he just stood. Looking out with a similar fondness of the open space, he leaned back into his stand; "You killed a lot of our men..." he finally spoke, without an ounce of emotion in his voice.  

I chuckled dryly, letting it settle into a simmering sigh. A lecture? Seriously? Sniffing, I shook my head, "They would've killed me...and kheelan...and..." I couldn't say his name. Not without having the urge to vomit.  

"I'm not accusing you child" he cut me off kindly, "I just want to help you realize what's been done because once your conscience begins to accuse you...I want you to remember me saying that you did the right thing..."  

My head snapped to him where I found a gentle smile, "the people who attacked you were no longer of our people Charlie. They abandoned our beliefs and took it upon themselves. And you're right; they would have killed you..."  

Taking a moment, I stared at him...then turned back to the open. His eyes remained on me though.  

"Such an enormous amount of power..." he spoke in awe, as if the first time he'd realized it, "...but in essence you're just a child--" he put a hand on my shoulder and turned me kindly to face him. Looking at him, I couldn't even hold his gaze...  

Tilting my head up, he nodded "You're a child with a pure spirit. Great care must be taken to assure that you are not broken before you've had a chance to flourish into the great power you will become..."  

I blinked away, trying to control the consuming emotions. How could I tell him it was too late? I was already broken.  

His hand dropped from my shoulder and he slowly stepped before me. Taking my hands into his, he closed his eyes and lowered his head. Suddenly, a melodic chant escaped his mouth, resonating with a sadness that punctured me. Though I didn't understand what he said, his words were...beautiful. Surrendering, I closed my eyes as well and let his words surround me.  

When silence resumed again and his hands let go of mine, I remained with my eyes closed letting the words settle. Blinking open, the first tear escaped.  

"You were chosen because of your pure heart Charlotte...It is your duty to keep it whole and untainted. It is what makes you special"  

I shook my head, "How? I've lost everything" I confessed aloud, my voice abandoning me.  

He offered a slight nod, "That is your journey to take and it's only just begun. It will be a long one, full of much pain and heartache..." he pressed a frail palm to his heart, "but it is your journey to take and its outcome depends on the state of your soul in the end..." he smiled, "and who said you lost everything?"  

Letting his eyes drift over my shoulder, he nodded once and in trailing his sight, there was Kheelan standing in the distance. I bit my lip, fighting the urge to cry, but my heart...my heart...quivered.  

"I should get back..." Robert exhaled heavily, "there will be a lot of questions and a lot of people to answer to..."  

"I'm so sorry-"  

"Nonsense child..." he stopped sharply, "And, before I forget..."  

Reaching to his neck he retrieved a necklace from the many adorning him. The chain was silver and clasped to it was a circular charm. A ruby adorned the front and it held a sandy substance inside. Looping it around my neck, he stepped back, "It is only temporary but it will help. It contains ashes from our ancestors. Whenever you need them, they will offer you extra help..."  

A rogue tear ran down my cheek. Smiling at him, I nodded, unable to form a single word lest I breakdown.  

"You're welcome" he smiled, fully understanding my muteness, "And if you ever need anything, know that faeries aren't the only ones with magic" With one last smile, he walked away....  

Turning back to the open night, my stomach clenched. It was coming. The unknown. Kheelan would come and say something...but what? I didn't know....and that's what terrified me.  

A cold breeze passed and with it came a gentle hand on my shoulder. And that's when against my best intentions of seeming strong and unaffected, I fell into silent tears.  

Coming from around me, Kheelan pulled me tightly into his chest, letting me cry my girlish sobs into his body. His grip would tighten when my sobs intensified, knowing I needed him more.  

Smoothing down my hair, he gripped it gently, inhaling deeply, "I'm so sorry..." he whispered over and over as if in prayer until finally breaking, "I shouldn't have told you to give your all. There's no way you could have known how to limit how much of yourself to give..."  

I gripped him tighter. It wasn't his fault. He wasn't responsible yet he apologized as if it were all his doing.  

He continued, "I should have told you...Ivan should've-"  

"Don't mention his name...please"  

That name burned me. It literally seared my skin. Pulling away from him, I hugged myself against the wind.  

"Sorry love..." He stepped close beside me, "My brother, he lacks in the compassion department but you have to understand him-"  

"Understand him? Kheelan, he treats me like I'm responsible for ruining his life-"  

"You are" he said flatly. My eyes shot to him, "Well no, not you Charlie, God I wouldn't be so cruel" he chuckled lightly.  

A smile surprised my lips. I don't know how he did it, but he made things so easy...and better...  

"There we go...I missed that smile" he whispered, running a single finger down my cheek, the rest tucking my disheveled hair behind my ear.  

"I'm really sorry Charlie-"  

"Stop apologizing" I lowered my head, "It's not your fault-"  

"Well yes, for that too but what I mean is that...what's inside of you....Maris..." he said with some difficulty as if her name were forbidden to say, "...she is the reason Ivan was banished from our realm..."  

Stepping back, I gripped my hair in a hysterical fit of laughter. Why wasn't I surprised? "I should've known..." I laughed furiously, pacing around like a mad woman. Was he serious? When was someone going to shake me violently until I woke up?  

Kheelan's brows joined, "Known what?"  

I shook my head, "nothing...it doesn't matter--" my laughter dissipated into an overwhelming anger.  

"Charlie, look at me" he turned me to face him, his face unusually stern "I know this must all be hard to accept but I need you to help me. I will do my all to help you navigate through this as best I can. You're lost, you're hurt, but you're not alone" he wiped a falling tear, "Regardless of whether Ivan wants to help, I have a duty to my Queen, to my people...a duty to you" his eyes pierced mine, "I will help you get through this Princess, but I need you to help me by telling me everything you know..."  

His blue eyes seemed almost purple, like two mood stones staring down at me. Before I could take another breath, I found myself telling him everything, from the day in the classroom to the murder accusation...to our fusion...  

He went pale....and mute. Smiling bitterly, I shrugged, "and that's the end of it..."  

Nodding, partly from shock and....well nodding from shock period, he pulled me back into an embrace, "We'll figure this out Charlie..." he kissed my head gently, rubbing my bare back. His smooth hands slowly eased the burning, no magic required. Just a gentle touch from a gentle man...  

"Seems there's more at work here than I originally thought..." he spoke as if meaning to think it rather than say it.  

I wanted to ask what he meant by that, but there was something more pressing that lingered in my mind, "Kheelan....who's Maris?"  

His hand stopped in its tracks, then continued its course down my spine...  

"Remember when I told you of The Shattering...and the treaty bound to Queen Alistrina's half human child..."  

He didn't need to say more, "Dear God..."  

"Yeah" he sighed, "but there's more..."  

My stomach plummeted...the murder accusation...  

"And remember your murder accusation...." He echoed...  

The world stopped. I thought the ground shook, but it was my head, shaking from side to side. Too much...too much information and too much of everything happening at once.  

"It's okay Charlie, breathe sweetheart, just breathe...."  

I struggled for air. How the hell was all of this connected, and how did I end up in the middle of it all?!  

"I can't do this" I swatted him away, "This...this is too much. Kheelan, please don't ask me to accept this because I can't, I can't-"  

"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you that don't have a choice Charlotte, not in this. It's all tied to you somehow-"  

"Why'd he kill her?" the question rolled out unwarranted. Kheelan stepped back, crossing his arms on his chest. We looked at one another, just staring. He was debating something, maybe whether to tell me or not. I was debating how the hell to climb on his back and beat the answer out of him if he didn't....  

He haled in a breath, "Charlie, maybe Ivan should tell you-"  

"Ivan?!" I yelled, "Ivan can't stand to look at me! He hates me Kheelan-"  

"He doesn't-\"  

"He hates me! I disgust him and he can't stand to look at me-" the words stabbed my stomach, "He won't tell me anything. Kheelan please...." My voice broke. My eyes bore into his with an openness I'd never experienced. I'd always accepted things as they were...but not anymore. Everyone knew more than me when it should be the other way around.  

Sighing, he ran a hand through his face, letting it linger at his mouth before dropping to his sides.  

He nodded, "Back in Hillenia, we are all parts of different circles...just like on earth you have doctors, lawyers and so fourth. Ivan belonged to the sages and, I to the circle of healers"  

My leg shook uncontrollably as I wanted to shake my answer from him. It was coming, but I needed it stat!  

He continued, "Ivan was very good at what he did. He was an amazing teacher and admired by many. Queen Alistrina entrusted Maris to his care as one of his students. She was exceedingly beautiful" he said as if imagining her before him, "but required more help because she was just as powerful. Ivan thought he could teach her and refused to admit that she had certain inclinations towards a Xanthurian way. As a healer, I have access to parts of a life-forces that remain restricted to others and once, in healing Maris, I saw her inner force...and it was dark. Too dark to ever be good. I told Ivan but he assured me it was under control...it's a line you'll get used to hearing a lot in your time with him" Kheelan chuckled. His optimism wasn't contagious. I didn't think Ivan and I would be spending any time together.  

"Though it was prohibited, Ivan and Maris began a companionship. He was...happy. For once I can say he was truly happy which for Maris was extremely convenient. I had my suspicions but I kept quiet. Who was I to ruin my brother's joy? Months passed and everything was fine, Maris even made it to Ascension, which is when a budling becomes a full fledged Fae. Anyway, to make a long story short, Ivan asked Maris to become his common..." My heart sank. Kheelan must've noticed.  

"No, not in the same way you two did. In our world, you can request to be bound to someone but it is entirely different when it happens naturally between destined souls...as was with you and Ivan... Those marks you bear are proof of that..."  

Looking down at my arms, I trailed my fingers along the black marks that were no longer swollen but had settled into my skin as if they'd always been there.  

"It's a beautiful experience Charlie...but that's a tale for another day" he smiled compassionately though it quickly faded, "As for Maris and Ivan's union, only Queen Alistrina can perform a Commonship ceremony" Kheelan sighed heavily, "On the day of the ceremony, at the point where Queen Alistrina turns toward the setting sun to tie a strand of each of their hair, symbolizing their union, Maris withdrew a dagger she had hidden underneath her gown..."  

I gasped, "He had to kill her..."  

Kheelan nodded, "Ivan was beside himself. Maris charged toward the Queen, using spells she'd learned from Ivan to dissolve any who got in her way. Alistrina could have killed her...but it was her only child...her only proof that love could exist between human and fae and so she stood there waiting for a certain death. At the very last moment...Ivan reached for her and using a forbidden spell of sudden death...drained her lifeforce in its entirety..." Kheelan paused. The silence around us seemed to hammer in my veins.... My heart broke for Ivan. As much as he hurt me, all his anger had a source...and I held her within me.  

"The look on his face as her body withered....it haunts me to this day" his voice cracked and he turned from me, "He begged for me to save her....As a healer I could've harnessed her life force as it left her until we could find a new vessel and I almost succeeded...but it appeared Maris had reinforcements. King Xanthus's men ambushed us and I...I failed..." He shook his head. As much as I wanted to comfort him, I couldn't move from where I stood. He turned, offering me a weak smile, "But someone obviously succeeded...and bound her to you..."  

"What happened....why is Ivan no longer in Hillenia?"  

Kheelan shook his head, "Once the dust settled and Xanthus' men were destroyed, Ivan was then accused of conspiring against the crown--"  

"What?! But why? He saved her--"  

"Because he knew what she was capable of but....he loved her. He thought he could change her...until it was too late. And so he fled before his trial, and with Elena's help...they ended up here..."  

We stared at each other.  

After what seemed like a lifetime of silence, I managed to speak, "I'm sorry...." Was all I could say through the shock.  

He smiled, his purple eyes regaining their bluish intensity, "You did nothing Princess..."  

"No..." I stepped to him, finally able to shake myself back to life. Gripping his t-shirt, I closed the space between us, leaning my head on his chest. Inhaling him in his entirety, I closed my eyes, "I mean I'm sorry...for everything. Here I was wallowing in pity thinking this all had to do with me...but this is so beyond me, and you've had to live with it for so much longer. You and Ivan both...and I'm sorry. For what happened with Maris...and back at the hospital...and now...I'm sure you regret saving me back at the hospital..." I chuckled regrettably.  

He was silent. I wanted to look up, but we were so close and I needed him as much as I think he needed me...  

Tilting my head up, his finger trickled down my cheek, the intensity in his gaze was intoxicating...  

"If this all wouldn't have happened, I wouldn't be here with you right now" he squeezed my shoulders, "And that I would regret..."  

My heart stopped. Those blue eyes that seemed to go on forever absolutely disarmed me and where he held, there was an unmistakable fire that threatened to do us both in.  

He smiled, "Besides, if I wouldn't have saved you, I wouldn't be here wondering if you have the same mischievous thoughts running through your pretty head..."  

I laughed harder than I had in a long time. Only Kheelan....  

Slapping him away from me, I shrugged, "Why couldn't it have been you I got bound to? I'm sure you probably would've been just as angry but I don't think you could ever be so...cold"  

He ran his hands soothingly through my hair, "It would have been a pleasure to be bound to you Charlie. And as far as my brother, he's just...very difficult to deal with but you'll discover soon enough he means well. Ivan just has a very distinct way of showing it"  

I stepped away instantly remembering all of Ivan's hateful words. Though I finally knew the reasons for them, it still hurt. I didn't care about his distinct manners or his good intentions. The pain was the same. The Ivan I knew was one I didn't want to know and who didn't want to know me. Who didn't care enough to explain things to me the way Kheelan had done. But we were stuck together and I almost wished I would've just stayed in that hospital bed and let Dr. Romo send me to an asylum.  

Falling further into my pitiful thoughts, I hugged myself tightly looking at the marks that would always remind me of my stupidity... of our fusion...of him pushing me away...  

"It's funny" I blinked back the tears that welcomed themselves back to my eyes, "Usually with humans...after they fuse...the guy holds the girl, even if for a minute..."  

In the infinite silence and under the watching stars that slowly disappeared to the distant, coming sunlight... I swore I could hear my heart breaking. But I was wrong. What happened next was what completely shattered it...  

Stepping before me, Kheelan's cool hands unwrapped my tainted arms from around me. Linking them around his waist, he brought me to his chest..."I'm holding you Princess..." he whispered, softly kissing my head, "...for as long as you want or need me to..."  

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Thank you so much for all the comments on the last chapter :) You guys are hilarious lol  

There was a good amount of info in this chapter that should have answered some questions while bringing about some more which I loooove hahaha  

Ok, vote and fan if you haven't and comment!  

<3love