UNEDITED

Declan viewed her quietly. If her statement had stunned him, he didn't show it.

"I saved you?" He asked.

"Yes." Aubrey replied.

There was a moment of silence.

"That's it?" She asked,"You're not going to ask me to elaborate?"

Declan regarded her,"What's in your past is my future. You telling me may mess everything up."

Aubrey looked at him confused,"How?"

"You never know." He stated firmly,"But if the stakes are so high it's best that you don't tell me anything no matter how curious I may be.If I fail to save you even one out of the four times because of something you tell me then-"

"Will you purposely leave me to die now that you know?" She asked.

For the first time Aubrey saw Declan look... offended.

"Really?" He asked her,"After saving your ass from our psycho History teacher and the pack of wolves you jump to this conclusion?"

"Well..."

"Jeez cupcake that genuinely hurt." He said.

"Wait!" Aubrey said frantically,"I didn't mean it like that!"

Declan looked amused,"I know."

"But have you ever considered the possibility that perhaps it's because I told you that you knew how to save me?"

"I'd save you whether or not you tell me to and as for knowing how to.... I'll find a way. The fact that you're standing here proves it."

"Why?" The question slips out of her mouth before she can stop it.

He looks at her thoughtfully,"I-I don't know."

Aubrey sighed looking down at her feet. This question and answer session was clearly over, even if her queries weren't.

"Let's go back inside." Declan suggested,"I suppose you're already aware that you can't breathe a word about my last-"

"I won't tell her." Aubrey confirmed,"Besides for all you know it might not even happen now that you've got her out of the palace."

"Maybe." Declan didn't sound very convinced though.

They made their way back inside where Raphael and Vaselia were laying down dinner.

Vaselia was the first to notice their arrival and she coldly looked at Aubrey,"Dinner is served."

"I hope it's not poisoned." Aubrey remarked as she sat down. There was a part of her that felt sorry for Vaselia but Aubrey just didn't have it in her to nice to the princess even if she did pity the fate Declan had seen.

"Don't worry the princess can't cook for shit." Raphael says taking the seat next to her,"I've made the food."

Aubrey picked up the spoon to try the soup and was surprised to find how delicious it tasted. It was a simple broth with fish and vegetables and yet it was one of the best things she'd ever tasted.

"This is really good." Aubrey exclaimed Raphael and he beamed.

"Thank you." He responded,"It's always been your favourite."

"I don't doubt it." Aubrey said finishing the last of it,"You have to teach me how to make it."

Raphael laughed,"I already have and in return you taught me how to make your sweet and sour fish."

"Really?" Aubrey's eyes widened,"That's my dad's secret recipe. If I taught it to you, I must really like you."

Raphael smiled,"Of course you do."

Aubrey laughed.
As weird as this entire time traveling thing was she couldn't deny it that it was also extremely cool.

But that thought only lasted for a few seconds because suddenly a plate whizzed in between the both of them making them jump apart with a start as it crashed violently into the wall behind them.

Everybody turned to look at Declan whose plate was the only one that was missing.

"Sorry." He didn't seem to apologetic though,"My powers are all over the place today."

Raphael didn't look surprised. He simply sighed and muttered quietly,"Some things never change."

Vaselia on the other hand stared at the broken plate shocked almost as if she couldn't believe what had just happened.

“I-I'll go get you another one.” She stammered out quickly getting up.

Aubrey on the other hand was the only one who had believed Declan's excuse stated,”Your powers have been funny ever since we came here. Do you really think there is no way of going back?”

“It’s not like I can magically poof us back to our time at will.” Declan responded.

“You can't?” Raphael asked surprised.

Both Declan and Aubrey turned towards Raphael who realised he'd made a mistake,”I'm sorry.” He apologised.

“Wait do you know how he does it?” Aubrey asked Raphael excitedly.

Raphael backed up slightly shaking his head,”No he just does it.”

Aubrey sighed looking at Declan, “Well at least we know you'll get a hang of your powers eventually. But wait that means you'll come here willingly then. Why?”

Just then Vaselia entered back into the room placing a plate in front of Declan whose eyes briefly flickered towards her then back at Aubrey.

“Right.” Aubrey said looking down,”Got it.”

“Thank you for the plate.” Declan thanked Vaselia politely who blushed and muttered a quiet,”You’re welcome.”

The girl clearly was head over heels for Declan.

For some reason that bothered Aubrey a little.
Just a little. Technically Vaselia looked like her didn't she? The only real physical difference between the two of them was the fact that the princess had blonde hair while Aubrey’s was dyed black.

Personality wise though the two couldn't have been more different. Well whatever it was clear that Declan, or future Declan cared about her enough to travel back here to save her.

Dinner after that was a quiet affair.

"So what now?" Aubrey asked Declan once they were done.

"I'm tired and sleepy." He stated,”I think it's best if we try whatever we need to tomorrow morning.”

Aubrey opened her mouth to protest but Vaselia cut her off,”I think that's a good idea. I'll take first watch.”

“Watch?” Aubrey asked,”What would you need to keep guard against?”

Vaselia and Raphael glanced at each other.

“Oh come on can't you tell us at least what could potentially kill us?” Aubrey asked exasperated.

“We shouldn't-" Raphael started but Declan cut him off.

“This time I agree with her. If there is a chance we might be attacked it's best if we have an idea of what we might end up facing.” He said,”I doubt telling us what can kill us in the present mess up the past.”

“You're right.” Vaselia agreed quickly and Aubrey fought the urge to roll her eyes. Could she at least try being subtle?

“Atlantis in the recent years has developed a very strict policy against magic.” Vaselia quickly explained,”Forty years ago the previous king decreed all magic as an act against nature and ordered anybody who practiced it to be killed on sight.”

Aubrey shook her head confused,”So you’re telling me before the humans and Fae lived together here before this ban?”

“Yes and it wasn't just the Fae.” Raphael spoke up,”While we were not alive to see it but there was a time when all kinds of magical creatures lived in Atlantis. Vampires, banshees, pixies, mermaids, werewolves and a lot more that I can't even begin to name.”

Aubrey turned to look at Declan surprised,”Is that even possible? Back in our time the Fae are so secretive that I didn't think they'd just mingle like this.”

Declan looked thoughtful,”There was a time when Fae lived with humans but due to obvious differences they thought it would be best to separate from them. I suppose this kind of purge in Atlantis is one of the reasons they withdrew from the humans.”

Declan then turned to Vaselia,”Please continue.”

Aubrey narrowed her eyes, Please? Please? Really? When was the last time Declan had been this nice to her?

Oh that's right.
Never.

Vaselia blushed and continued,”It was my father's second wife who manipulated him. After my mother died, my father met Cecile. She came from a poor family but captured my fathers heart rather quickly. After she gave birth to her son she made my father pass a decree against all magical creatures.”

“My mother's line is directly descended from the Fae and they all have magical blood in them. It was a perfect way to oust me from the competition for the throne and clear the path for her son. By discrediting my family and subjugating my tribe to be hunted down it was only a matter of time before she tried to kill me.”

“I’m sure your father wouldn’t have just stood to see all this happening.” Aubrey argued.

“It was as if he’d fallen under some kind of spell.” Vaselia stated,”He was a completely different man.”

“There is a possibility that she is a siren.” Declan commented,”Their affinity in hypnosis and charmspeak is very high.”

“Charmspeak?” Aubrey asked.

“A sort of hypnosis.” Declan offered,”But more of a seduction kind.”

“You’ve suggested that before.” Vaselia said,”I suppose telling you the result would not be smart. But the bottom line is that I escaped with your help. The administration is obviously trying to pass it off as a kidnapping rather than outright saying that their princess ran away.”

“But wouldn't it be better to just say that?” Aubrey offered,”The people wouldn't support a run away princess.”

“On the contrary they might.” Raphael said,”They might think to take up arms and rebel against the crown under her. Which is why it's a better story to say that she was kidnapped so that they can kill her with the blame squarely falling on us and not Cecile.”

Great, Aubrey thought, She’d somehow managed to get stuck in a political crisis in Atlantic.

“But they aren’t the only ones after us are they?” Declan asked and once again Vaselia and Raphael shared a look. Aubrey was really starting to hate that.

“I’ve seen the protection cast around this house.” Declan stated,”It’s far too advanced to be made just to keep a few mortals out. The only way anyone can enter it is if a drop of their blood was used during the spell to create the barrier. It's a complex one and it's not one I’d create lightly.”

Vaselia and Raphael exchanged glances making Aubrey spring up,”Oh come on! You can't stop now. You've got to tell us so that we can help.”

Vaselia snorted at that,”It’s not like you're going to be capable of doing any damage anyway. You're worse than useless right now.”

Aubrey’s eyes narrowed,”I don't think you're all that capable either. If I'm useless you must be too. After all you have the same powers as I do since we are Diviners of the same Angel.”

Vaselia rolled her eyes,“I am the princess of Atlantis. I've trained with swords and arrows since birth. On top of that my affinity is far higher than yours currently and even if I can't rely on my inherents then I can at least cast basic spells using the old language.”

Aubrey blinked at her blankly and then turned to the boys,”Am I the only one who didn't understand  a word of what she was saying or was she speaking in another language entirely?”

Declan sighed,”You’ve not started your training which is why you're not familiar with any of the terms she used.”

“Wait.” Vaselia interjected,”You don't even know what I'm saying? How in the name of Angels are you so ignorant?”

“Yeah well excuse me Princess I've been training since birth I just found out all this was real yesterday so cut me some slack if I can't understand your fancy terminology.”

“Found out about it-" Vaselia started but Raphael cut in,”Not all of us were born into knowing the secrets of the Fae Vaselia, some of us have to learn about it.”

Vaselia sighed,”Fine but this is still ridiculous.”

“Affinity stands for the amount of magical power one has.” Raphael explained,”It’s kind of like ones stamina to perform magic. Some are born with a naturally high affinity while others have to work hard to increase it. The higher your affinity is the more complex and longer you can continue using your magic.”

“Affinity is what differentiates humans from magical races.” Vaselia spoke up surprising Aubrey,”Each magical races has their own unique type of affinity. While Demi-Fae like us mainly use our affinity for performing magic, full blooded Fae have their affinity linked to their immortality, enhanced strength and speed. That’s why they don't have as much of it left to perform magic which is why we tend to be more powerful.”

“Werewolves use to shape shift, their affinity strongest under the moon.” Declan offered,”Similarly Vampires need blood, Mermaids need water and so on and so forth.”

“Magic is then divided into two categories, Spells and Inherents.” It was Raphael who continued,”Spells can be cast using the words of the old language of the angels while simultaneously channelling and manipulating  ones affinity.”

“Inherents depends on the individual.” Vaselia said,”Its something you're born with almost a reflex. An inherent is something one naturally has control over. It doesn't require any words.”

“So you moving things with your mind is an inherent.” Aubrey asked Declan,”While creating something like the barrier outside is a spell.”

“Correct.” Declan confirms,“Inherents uses considerably less affinity as compared to spells. Most Fae have a particular element as their inherent. Demi-Fae’s are similar but their control over the elements is better. Diviners have almost absolute control of their inherent falling second to only an Original.”

“For example.” Raphael said staring at the water in the jug that suddenly jumped up levitating in the air for a few moments before splashing back down,”Water is my inherent because I'm a Diviner of the Angel of water. All I need to do is think to control it. Of course your level of control increases with practice.”

“So affinity is your ability to do magic, inherent is the kind of magic that comes naturally to you and spells are the ones you must cast by using words.”, Aubrey was starting to get confused all over again,”I feel like I should be taking notes.”

Declan cracked a small smile,”It's best if you don't. When your training starts you'll have to play dumb.”

“That shouldn't be hard.” Vaselia murmured.

“What is your problem?” Aubrey finally snapped looking at the blonde haired princess.

“You.” She said,”I've never liked You before but now you're worse than useless.”

“Well I didn't ask to come here.” Aubrey shot back,”But now that I am, I'm trying my best to catch up. So if you could stop shoving attitude my way and just attempt to work together that would be nice.”

“I don't want to work with you.” Vaselia spat,”I'd much rather die before that.”

“Well you don't have to worry about that because I'm in half a mind to kill you myself.”  Aubrey retorted.

“With what exactly?” Vaselia taunted,”Words? Face it Aubrielle, then or now, you're still just a liability.”

Aubrey snorted,“And you're just a petty princess who is throwing a fit because Declan isn't giving you the attention you want.”

Vaselia’s eyes narrowed dangerously and she whispered something under her breath and suddenly Aubrey couldn't breathe.

She clawed at her throat trying to get air as she fell to her knees.

“What the hell, Vaselia!” Raphael slammed his hand on the table, the water from the jug getting a life of it’s own by rising and splashing violently on the blonde princess face.

The spell broke and Aubrey could finally breathe.

“That was foolish.” Declan commented looking at Vaselia who was dripping wet.

Aubrey was still hunched over and Raphael rused to her side putting a hand on her back.

“Are you alrig-" Raphael didn’t finish instead he scrambled away his back hitting the chairs behind him.

The world was suddenly plunged into darkness, the temperature falling by several degrees and the air hummed with a sort of electricity that pressed down ominously.

Aubrey raised her head.

Her eyes were no longer blue but silver, Iiquid silver that glowed in the darkness that surrounded them.

The windows were thrown open violently, wind rushing in and rattling the chairs, breaking the plates and swirling around Aubrey as if she'd been the one to call them.

Aubrey stood up, those silver eyes of hers solely focused on Vaselia and the blonde princess found herself paralyzed, her back against the wall.

“How dare you?” Aubrey hissed, her voice no longer her own had a strange other worldly quality to it.

Dark clouds rolled across the sky hiding the dim moon and the air around because heavier, sharper as if it had taken up arms against an unknown enemy.

“How dare you touch your queen?” Aubrey’s voice was poison, poison that seeped through the cracks of the wall, the tiles of the floor and very seams of life  

Lightning flashed, thunder roared and rain fell down in sheets.

Aubrey took a step forward.

The Earth beneath her rumbled and groaned as if it was tearing itself apart.

“D-De-demon.” Vaselia managed to harshly whisper causing Aubrey to give a twisted smile.

Lightning flashed lighting up the world around them for only fraction of a second but it was enough, enough to see the shadows that had taken shape behind Aubrey.

The shape of wings.

“Wrong.” Aubrey said,”Angel.”

The earth screamed in agony and the sky cried in fear as death’s shadow fell over the world eclipsing all life.

“Aubrielle.” Declan’s voice was quiet but it somehow managed to ring over the chaos,”Come back.”

Silver eyes met gold and everything stopped.

Time stopped.
And then it started again.

The wind halted, the dark clouds disappeared and the earth stilled under them. Light came back on and life went back to usual as if nothing had happened.

Aubrey stood in the middle of the room her blue eyes clouded with confusion.

“What happ-" But she couldn't finish her sentence because her knees gave away beneath her and she collapsed to the floor like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

_____

AUTHORS NOTE

I missed this book so so much, does anyone even remember it?  I will do this book justice though, I promise.

I hope you do like it though and if anyone needs things got be clarified because they are confused and it's been so long, hit worg your questions.

And thank you for being patient.