Her Forever (Book 3)- Chapter 22

Willa’s POV

Orion had already showered and had his crisp royal garb on. It was an olive green with hints of white and beige with gold threading. He was wearing gold crown that looked like an intricate weave of vines, branches and thorns. In the center near his forehead held a single yellow diamond that sparkled when the light hit it just right.

“Are you sure you will be alright?” He fixed his collar and tugged on his sleeves. The cape or cloak, I’m not sure what to call it, made his look more dashing. Orion looked like one of those regal kings or princes ready to go off into battle and claim what he wanted. My poor body was shuddering at the thought of him claiming me.

“And I’ll listen to all the rules you gave me,” I rolled my eyes.

ed as he walked closer. “You know the punishment if you don

tay quiet, don’t draw attention, wear the cloak, hide my face,” I started spouting off all his rules until h

was gone.

sat on my shoulder, “damn, he is one fine specimen. If I wasn’t banging Annan, I’d try and get up on that. She wave

” I pushed her off my shoulder.

olive-green cloak that matched Orion’s color of the day.

You remind me of my friend Violet, a piece of w

in the room!” I gasped as my face turned tomato red.

and Eudora started laughing.

e door was deafening. I couldn’t believe they heard all that. How could they hear all that?!

Willa dear! The guards are here!

the punishment department!”

w tears hiding behind my eyes. “How. Did. You. Hear?” I spat my words out.

t our aura and scolded us.”  I let out a frustrated sigh and grabbed the bag of coins that Orion gave me and met Eamon, Fionn and Brenden in the living room.

?” Fionn spoke as he took my bag. All three of them were dressed in regular clothes, no royal uniforms, or emblems of any kind. “His highness i

ing what animal, fruit or vegetable his was talking about.

. I’ve never owned a piece of jewelry my entire life and I wasn’t really wanting to start now.

t me sadly through the bars of the cage. The poor thing looked so lonely. I pet his head in sympathy as it nuzzled into my hand. This wasn’t the normal fox you would see on Earth, this one had several tails behind it and was about the size of a raccoon. “They get larger,” Fionn spoke as he gave it a nut to eat. “When they are captured, they

him to let go but the food vender ripped the large loaf of bread out of his hand and continued to scold him.

imes to stop stealing from me! I’m having you arrested!” The fae sneered.

e just hungry!” The man growled.

n was talking to the pet vendor, so I grabbed my coin bag quickly and ran up and stood in front of the boy.

them. “Here, double the price for the trouble.” I kept my head down and the bread smith swiped the money out of my hand.

ily. “Who are you?” one of them spoke cautiously. “Are you new here?”

city and forgot to give him some money.” The boy grabbed a hold of my cloak and didn’t let go.

e ally.

ng with the guard and Eamon and Brenden showed up.

sn’t his fault he was hungry! Why are the chil

o talk to him.

e boy’s eyes welled up in tears. I grabbed him and held him to my chest holding on to my own pain these children are having. I pulled him from me and moved his hair away from his face. “What’s your name?”

he sniffed

was a suspicious look, “Your highness,” he whispered, “you are to keep a low profile.” I glared back at him.

hanage once finished.” Brenden scratched the back of his head, questioning my decision.

were well maintained. Each home was equipped with a garden and a few hen-like creatures and maybe a cow. The orphanage was the furthest house from the initial break away from the f

were misplaced, and a few steps were broken but the roof, walls and doors were intact to keep out the weather and animals. Walking in there was a large living space with rugs, couches and books laying in the room.

and three other women work to earn money so the children can eat but can only bring back so much a day. They run errands and send messages to near by towns of The Light Kingdom which doesn’t pay much. The women needed a flexible schedule to come back during the day if need

them to put the food on the counter. Taking off my cloak and hanging it on the hook many children gasped while

, wasn’t supposed to take th

ally as absorbed started pulling and poking my skin while I laughed or gasped as they pinched me. “I’m human.” An noticeable gasp left their lips again.

thought they were fairy tales, like the ones that get eaten by witches!” A wide toothless grin smiled from across the

formation. “No way!” Cricket yelped. I nodded my head, “yes, way!”

them a warm pot of chili with the meat that Fionn had picked out.

bickered in the corner.

the marketplace fluttered in the door and sat on the kitchen counter while I cooked. “How did you find me?” I asked unamused.

up their dresses.

d,” Eudora said cheekily.

ood into the pot.

e air, children began sitting at the table waiting for me to pour them a large portion of chili when the door came open.

n and held on to the more worn looking fae woman. “Nana! I met a friend today! She made us all food!” Nana whipped her head into the kitchen and stared at my giant posse behind me.

windle. “T-thank you.” I smiled at her warmly and handed her a bowl of chili.

Here, come sit,” I gathered her to a table and gave her the first bowl, she didn’t look old by any means because aging wasn’t a thing here, but she oozed experience. The worry she held in her eyes, the pain, suffering was all there. Several of the older children grabb

wide.  Confusion was set on my face until they all said one four letter word…