Even though Alexandra has reminded me again and again that they mean us no harm, I still can’t be complacent. I don’t think that there is any need for me to explain why I am being wary of them, considering how many times I have been attacked by the rogues.
Having that thought in mind, I did not directly bring them to where the nymphs or the healing fountain is at. I brought us to the edge of the gates separating the enchanted forest from the rest of the kingdom. I did, however, asked the nearby spirits to bring Serena to us while totem guardians of the forest are standing nearby as guards.
“Princess, can the nymphs really help Prince Kellar?” Alexandra asks a few distance from where I am sitting with Kellar still sleeping on my lap. I have specifically asked her to keep her distance from us, to which I am grateful that she agreed.
“Yes, they can. They’re the reason why he is alive for this long.” I say.
Alexandra must have noted the severity of my words from my tone because she starts to lower her voice. “If I may ask, what happened to the prince? Is there a way to save him?”
“If I tell you that there is, what are you going to do?” I raise my head to stare at Alexandra. Among her comrades, I have only agreed that I would be taking her. The rest of her companions are outside the border of the enchanted forest.
“Although the princess does not trust my words, I truly wish to save our prince.” There must have been signs of distrust on my face that made Alexandra sigh. “I heard that you were attacked by a few rogues. You may not believe me, but my team and I have nothing to do with them. Though the rogue share a common goal of locating our prince, there has always been a discord by how one wishes to accomplish such task. While one group wants to do it hastily without caring who gets hurt, another party wants to look for our prince in a peaceful manner.”
“Let me guess, you guys are the later group?”
“You may not believe me, but yes. We want to resolve this peacefully.”
“What do you guys really want? Aside from getting Kellar, that is.”
Alexandra takes a second before she finally gives me a response. Her brows contorting as she closes her eyes. “It’s been years since King Nathaniel has given pardons to the rogues, opening his kingdom and the others so that we would have a place to stay after Tereau was destroyed. Though the king and the other leaders are welcoming, it doesn’t say the same to the citizens. To them, we would always be the traitors, who was once banished. No one would welcome unhinged people like us.” When Alexandra brings her eyes up to look at me, she gives off a small smile. “Even you’re wary of us. Of course, you have a reason of your own. But to answer your question, what we really want is a place where we’ll be welcomed without any prejudice.”
I could not answer her after that. I know that she isn’t trying to get sympathy from me. What she said are all facts that I cannot refute. If Serena did not enter at that time, I don’t think that I could have been able to utter a reply to her.
“Well, I think that I have heard enough of your story to find that your heart is sincere.” Serena falls out of one of the tallest trees and lands right in front of Alexandra. The rogue woman was so startled that she fell on her bottom and stared at Serena with wide eyes.
“She talks! The nymph talks!” She gasps. I can’t blame her reaction since most of the nymphs outside of the enchanted forest don’t talk, but since Serena is one of the original elder nymphs, she is a little different and is able to adopt our language.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that she’s always smart.
“A talking nymph!? Where!?” Serena replies in a confused way, not knowing that Alexandra was talking about her. She quickly moves her head from side to side, as if looking for someone.
“Serena, she means you.” I say with a sigh.
“Oh…” Serena says slowly, dragging the words out like giving a slow nod before turning to address me. “What are you still doing here? Aren’t you suppose to be out looking for your lover’s other soul?”
“What lo—” I stop myself. Now is not the time to be correcting Serena. “I was about to when I was ambushed by the fairy sentinels. Kellar protected, but now he…Serena, can you help him?”
“For now, I can. But there’s little that I can do.” Serena shakes her head. Concern crosses her fair green skin before looking up to address her next words to me. “Stella, if you already know where is other soul is, you have to go and get him. Right. Now.” The elder nymph places her hands on her hips before looking at Alexandra, who seems to be genuinely lost with our conversation. “As for you, come and help me get the prince to the healing spring.”
“I—What?” Confuse look crosses Alexandra’s face, but one look from Serena and she immediately gets back on her feet. I am reminded that Alexandra is a beast man when she showcase her strength by being able to carry Kellar with ease, allowing me to get on my feet as well.
If Serena trust Alexandra, then I guess that I should trust her as well. Serena may sometimes act like an airhead, but she actually has good judgement when it comes to people.
“And you,” It seems like Serena is not finished talking to me when I see her pointing a finger in my direction. “I thought you were smart, but why were you travelling without an escort knowing that your powers have not yet recovered? Are you an idiot?”
“I—”
“Bring Javi with you!” All Serena has to do is scream the panther’s name and she comes running towards us. I see her cating a glance at Kellar and a distressed purr emerges from her throat that is soon followed by a whimper.
“Javi.” I call for her. The panther brings its attention to me. “Can you help bring me back to Gija so I can travel back to the human realm?”
The panther’s response is a purr before showing me its back, a gesture that tell me to ride on its back.
“Wait.” Alexandra voices out as soon as I ride on Javi’s back. “I don’t really understand, but if you are traveling, I would like to suggest bringing the other two with me who are waiting outside. They are good fighters and they can protect you if need be.”
“Thanks, but I rather have them guard the entrance. Javi is a fast runner, almost as fast as Viex, my sister’s fox familiar.” I pat Javi’s head when she lets out a sound of dissatisfaction upon being compared to another spirit animal. “It’s not like I don’t trust you still, but it would give me a bit of an assurance that someone would be guarding the entrance until I am back.”
Alexandra stares at me for a moment before giving me a nod. “Be safe, princess. I don’t really get what is going on, but it sounds like you’re the only one who can save the prince.”
“And that is a responsibility that I will fulfill.” With my current state, it is going to be difficult to act alone, but it is a task that I am going to do nonetheless. After telling that promise to Alexandra, I turn to Javi. “Come on, girl. Let’s go back to the human realm.”