Word Count: 2113

~Aven

Once morning comes, I find myself out of bed early, unable to sleep long.

Stace wakes with me, having slept in the same bed last night. I'm warming to being so close to him all the time, being there the moment I need him. My fear of him has completely vanished, replaced instead by unwavering trust. Maybe sometimes I stare too long at his tattoos and might feel a little apprehensive, but I'm sure that will wear off shortly.

After stoking the fire, I retreat to the circle table in the centre of the room, intending to gaze out the window and wonder what lives within the trees in this Territory, until I catch a glimpse of a piece of paper sitting folded on the surface.

Frowning, I pick it up, smoothing it out.

"Uh, Stace," I say, as my eyes skim over the words. "Can you come here?"

Hearing the concern in my voice, he's behind me in an instant. "Everything okay?"

I stare at the letter, the words taking awhile to sink in.

Daughter,

I would advise coming to meet me as soon as possible. There is nothing more I would love than to be reunited with you, so we can talk.

If you don't desire to meet, I would urge you to reconsider. I have your friend, Eryk with me, and I imagine it's of utmost importance he's returned to you alive.

I'll be waiting,

Mother.

"This was on the table. Do you think she was here?" I ask, horrified.

She threatened me. She blatantly threatened me, by using Eryk. How she got to him, I have no idea, but I know that we have to do everything to get him back. He's done so much to protect me, and now it's time for me to protect him, and save him from the malicious grasp of my mother, whose intentions can't possibly be pure.

"No. This is magic," Stace murmurs, flipping the note over before tossing it back onto the table, irritated.

"We have to go back for him," I say frantically. She could be doing anything to him right now, and she may not know him and I are linked. If she kills him, then I die to, and it's written all over Stace's face that he knows that too.

Stace runs his hands through his hair, pacing back and forth. "She's using him to lure us. We can't just go in vulnerable."

I grab his arm, stopping him. "But it's Eryk we are talking about..."

He watches me quietly, a pained look in his eyes. Part of him cares for Eryk, even if he only hired him to protect me. Stace and I both know that we are going to have to do anything to get him back safely.

"I'll go," Stace decides.

"She wants me, not you." She's just going to turn Stace away, or might kill Eryk to prove a point, unless I'm the one there to meet her.

"I'll explain to her that you two can meet, but it will not be on her terms," Stace says firmly.

I chew on my nail. "What do you think she wants to say to me?"

"I have no idea," Stace admits. It's haunting him, his eyes dark and his jaw tight. Were she not my mother, he would go straight there and kill her himself, no hesitation. "We can stay here, or I can take you to another Territory."

Glancing out the window, the crushing reality that we are either completely alone out here, or in range of someone possibly dangerous that we don't know about it settles over me.

"I can't stay alone. Not when there's nobody around for miles and just this fireplace to keep me company," I mutter.

Stace smiles. "Territory Eight it is."

I don't even get a chance to question why that's his choice, as he grabs my arm, the world disappearing around us. My eyes squeeze shut, not opening until there is solid ground under foot, an earthy smell coaxing me back into reality.

"Woah...Autumn?"

We are standing at the border of a forest, each tree laden with brown and orange leaves, the ground in a similar state. Turning in a circle, I'm amazed, realising we are on someone's estate, the manor sitting in the centre of a large, verdant lawn. Once again, I get the feeling we haven't stumbled upon a simple commoner's home.

Stace winds his fingers through mine. "Perpetually."

"Freaky. Who rules here?" I ask, as we start toward the manor. It's beautiful, the exterior mostly cream and various shades of brown, as if made with the purpose of blending into the magnificent landscape.

"A variety of Kingdoms make up this Territory. It's quite large," Stace explains. "We are in the Kingdom of Lendon. Ruled by Queen Lilia."

"I'm assuming they are inside this massive palace?" I motion to it, already excited to see what's inside.

"Exactly." We make it to the front door, completely unguarded, Stace motioning inward. "Shall we?"

I nod, stalking in after him. His ability to seemingly walk in anywhere he pleases is one I envy. I suppose if I were around for as long as he has been, and have as much power as he has, I would have garnered some close relationships with people in important places.

The place is as stunning on the inside as it is the outside. The moment we walk in, we are approached by a tall woman with dark hair, a kind smile on her face.

"Stace...Oh it's been far too long since I last saw you," she muses, embracing him,

"You too, Lilia," he murmurs as he pulls away. "I'm so sorry about your mate's passing. I can only imagine how heartbroken you are."

A look of pain flutters across her face for the briefest moment before it's gone.

"It's been hard. Harder on the boys, I think, but yes..." she breaks off, tone becoming tight. She knows if she talks about it for a moment longer, she's going to break down, so she casts her attention over to me, hazel eyes searching. "Who is this?"

"My mate, Aven. I was wondering if you could house her for the night while I attend to business?"

"Absolutely." Lilia clasps her hands together. "I have a meeting in town, however my sons will be around, hopefully."

"Perfect," I say.

She brushes past us, heading out the front door. I can see why she is a ruler, it seems so much a part of her there is no questioning it. I wonder if I'll ever appear as she does, once I am expecting to rule beside Stace. Right now it seems impossible, but I've vowed to myself not to worry so much about it.

"Stace?"

A voice tinged with the same foreign accent as the Queen. When I turn, I'm faced with an approaching man, a large smile on his face.

He's handsome, dark brown hair swept back, eyes golden like molten honey. There's a sword strapped to the back of him, which Stace seems unbothered about, as he strides forward, almost tackling the man into a hug.

I've never seen Stace be so boyish with anyone.

"Kovic. It's great to see you," he exclaims, grasping Kovic's shoulder's as he holds him out, looking over him. His brow creases, seeming to find something off about him.

"I would stay to talk, but I have to go," Kovic explains, glancing toward me. "Hunting a lost Princess."

Stace lets him go, still frowning. "Since when did you start hunting?"

I'm assuming hunting doesn't mean animals for the dinner table. The sword on Kovic's back, the black leathers and knives accompanying him say that much. Is this one of the Queen's son's? He doesn't look like a Prince, or dress how I imagine one would, but how else would Stace know him?

"Since I decided I didn't want to be King," Kovic says, shrugging, confirming my assumption of his tittle. "Zei, my younger brother, will be taking the position, and marrying the Princess if I can find her."

I want to ask him who she is, and why he is chasing her, but it seems wrong to interrupt, and I'm not sure the answer will make me feel any better.

"Is she running because she doesn't want to marry him?" Stace asks.

"It's complicated," Kovic merely says, coming to the conclusion it would only arise more conversation if he divulged any information. "Good day."

He pats Stace on the shoulder, before striding out, grinning at me as he walks past.

I follow him out with my gaze. "Strange..."

"He's a good man. So is his brother, Zei. Not sure who the Princess is, though, but I assume they belong to one of the many Kingdom's here," Stace says, holding his arms out as if to show how large this Territory is. Impossible to explore in my lifetime, I imagine.

"You should go. I'll be fine here," I assure him, still concerned about Eryk as time passes. "I've always loved the idea of autumn, so I would like to have a look around outside."

Stace's expression softens. "Be safe, alright?"

"I should be saying that to you." I push at his chest with flat palms, raising a brow. He looks reluctant, but he vanishes.

Closing my eyes, I trace the interior of the foyer with my eyes before stepping back outside. I love autumn, or the thought of it at least. Back home, it was snowy and cold most of the time, and not pleasant like it is now.

The forest beckons me, as I stalk closer to it, wondering where Kovic went, and where this brother of his, Zei, resides.

I turn, only to see a figure lingering in the trees. Squinting, I realise exactly who it is.

"Seriously?" I call out, deciding there is no point in being afraid, or running back to the manor for my life. I'm going to face this, even if I'm risking my life. "This infatuation with me is beyond disturbing."

Larea steps through the trees toward me, looking apprehensive.

"It's just me. I want to talk to you," she says quietly, glancing back at the manor. As if I believe that. Senna and Castiel are likely close, waiting for a vulnerable moment to strike. If they do that, I won't mind setting this entire forest on fire if it means killing them.

"I want you to stop following me," I growl.

She stops only a few feet from me. "You should know why I'm here, first."

"What?"

"I made a mistake, siding with them," she breathes, running a hand through her long hair anxiously. "They told me they wanted to protect you against our father. But I found out the truth, and it's horrible."

My blood goes cold. "What is it?"

"They are going to kill you, to spread the curse," she explains. The word curse seems so insane I almost laugh, yet the cold seriousness in her eyes has me pausing, realising that she's telling me the truth.

"Curse?" I question warily.

"Yes, Aven," she says, a ferocity in her tone, a desperation. "They believe you are cursed, that everyone will suffer unless they kill you."

"Who told them this?"

"I don't know. But Senna and Castiel are pushing it. They want you dead, but they have to sacrifice you in a special way. That's why they are trying to get your trust first," she tells me, grabbing my hand. I flinch, but she holds them tightly, her fingers icy cold.

Realisation dawns on me, my throat drying. "It's my mother...She's behind this."

Larea frowns. "Your mother?" If she truly is my sister, her and I have different mother's, allegedly, which I'm sure she would be grateful for if she knew the hell Stace and I are being put through right now.

If Larea truly is on my side, which by her reaction accompanied with what she is saying, I get the feeling she is, then I can't allow herself to put herself in danger. "You need to go Larea. You need to go far, and don't come back..."

"But you're my sister-"

"If what you're saying is true, you will walk away," I demand. The less people around that can be used against me, the better. "And I'll find you. When I'm ready."

She hesitates, but eventually steps back, the sadness in her eyes hurting my heart. "Goodbye, Aven."

"Goodbye, Larea."

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If you guys want to read more of KISSING DANGER you can find it 10 chapters ahead on Radish (:

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~Midika 💜🐼