Broken, but Not Defeated

Chapter 47 (Wesley)

I blink and try to school my surprise.

"Wesley?" Anya asks, coming around a corner. She must see the distress in my eyes. "Wesley, I heard what that witch said. I'm sorry." She wraps her slender arms around me, laying her head on my chest. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. But for now, tell no one," I tell her, resting my chin on her head. "I'm so done with this, Anya. First, we had to run from our fathers, then I learned I have another sister who just so happens to be a witch. I also learn that my mother was a witch, and then to top it off, my little sister is also a witch." Leaning down, I kiss her head. She looks at me, tears brimming in her eyes.

"I'm sorry Wesley. I should have told you earlier who I am, but I was...scared," she admits. Bending down I give her a small kiss. She sighs, "Why did we ever argue?"

"No idea. I, for one, am never going to get sick of kissing you," I say as I give her another kiss.

"Agreed!"

"I'm right here!" Cole says, making us jerk apart. "And that is my sister."

"OOO! Someone was caught!" Peter exclaims.

I groan, "I thought you were talking to Esta."

"I was, but then I stumbled on you two, which by the way was not at all what I wanted to see."

"Wait, Cole and Esta?" Matthew says. Oops, I guess I just threw him to the wolves. Cole gives me a look, which says I'll be getting it later.

"There is nothing between me and Esta. Got it? We're just friends."

"Mmhhh, sure." I give him a small smile.

"It's true!"

"Nobody believes you," Anya says. "I've seen the way you look at her."

"I don't look at her in any particular way."

"Sure, you don't give her a starstruck look every time she walks past, or hang onto every word she says when you're training, or follow her like a lost puppy," Peter says, walking to Cole's side. "So whatcha talking about loverboy?"

"Nothing that concerns you!" Cole declares.

"You can tell us," Peter says. He and Matthew start peppering him with questions. Eventually, we make our way to a bench, where we talk. As evening approaches the boys start peppering Cole again.

"Um, guys we might need to have this interrogation later," Aron says, finally speaking.

"Why?" Peter says, turning around then stops. Esta stands a little way back, glaring daggers at the boys, Cole including.

"Um hi, Esta," Matthew says, giving her a small wave.

"This is what you're doing while the queen of witches persecutes and kills your friends and family!"

"Well, she hasn't exactly started fighting," Peter squeaks out.

"Wrong! She has attacked multiple times, and the only reason we're still here is because we need the Fae's help."

"How come? All I ever hear about is how every witch would rather have Caldina than anyone else," I snap.

"Queen Lunetta is using dark magic, and not only that, she's found a way to get the creatures of the dark woods to follow her. Plus, she has promised the Doryukans our land, the land of Caldina, as payment if they fight for her."

"Oh," Anya says.

I look at Cole who doesn't look surprised. "You knew and didn't tell me."

"It wasn't my right, I was told to keep my mouth shut and so was Esta, but..." He trails off when she sends him a death glare.

"Caldina would hide this from me?" I ask, yet more just declaring it.

"She didn't want to worry you," Esta says.

"Worry me! I'm her brother."

"But a human, and besides she was worried you might break with just learning about your sister."

"Break! Where is she!" I snap walking towards the palace, Esta stops me with hands on my arms.

"In an important meeting."

"Without her human commander! Tell her to keep excluding me and she might find herself without a human leader. Wait, never mind I will."

Esta stumbles back, her mouth hangs open in shock. This was the first time I have ever seen Esta surprised.. As I march past her, I spot horses and more Fae. More Ambassadors? I turn to my side when I hear footsteps. Anya on my left, Cole on my right, and the guards flanking us. I walk past the Fae, and they stop and stare at my whisper amongst themselves.

"It can't be."

"It must be Prince Wesley Evanason."

"Impossible, he's a myth."

"But look, the human shifter is at his side, and the captain and his guard."

"I'm telling you they were just made up to convince us to help witches."

I feel my temper grow, Anya's hand slips into my hand causing a gasp to go through the crowd. I squeeze it, thanking her in my head. Four witches scramble to the door as we climb the steps, they yank open the large wooden doors.