Never Not There

Part Two- Chapter Twenty-One pt.1

Chapter 21

"What, darling, did you think I was gone?" She asked, twirling her chocolate brown curls between her fingers.

I ignore her question. "Why are you here?" I ask, glaring.

Rose's expression morphs into one of hate, and her eyes pierce mine. "I assumed you heard of Nia?"

The words stung as I spoke them. "That Kane captured her?"

Rose snickered. "Exactly. Who's fault do you think that was? Yours. The Ardish soldiers have been ordered to capture just about anyone you spoke to. Luckily, that wasn't a whole lot of people..." She trailed off.

"Except you, Nia, and Grayson." I realized. "And it's my fault..."

"Exactly!" Rose said, clapping slowly. "Perhaps the princess has a brain after all! I was forced to leave, and hide in that wretched town for days." She sneered at me. "The filth in that place- disgusting! But then, little miss princess had to run away, and the soldiers all flooded into that town, forcing me to leave there as well!" I bit my tongue, not mentioning that they were there to attack my kingdom, not get me back until recently,

"I remember you." Jess said, her eyes narrowing. "You were that prude, selfish brat that came to the bar everyday, flirting with every rich male in sight." She sneered. "The second you got some money, you ditched them."

Rose rolled her eyes. "Please. I was only doing what I had to."

Jess took a step forward. "You were also the girl that spilled your drink on me, on purpose, and humiliated me in front of the whole town."

Rose smiled a sickly sweet, fake smile. "Ah yes. I remember you. The poor, ugly, orphan brat that was good for nothing more than picking up after the slobs in that town." She smiled. "How did you become an orphan? I bet your parents disowned you the second they saw your face. Such an ugly thing!"

Jess let out a little snarl. "Can we just kill her already?"

Rose smiled. "I'm afraid that would be a very bad idea, dear."

Jess straightened. "I doubt anyone would miss you."

Rose smiled. "Ah, yes, but when Grayson sees you hurt me, do you think they'll really let you stay? I doubt they trust a former thief much anyways..." She trailed off, and I could see that Rose had hit a nerve. Jess had just only got her new family, she couldn't loose it.

"Fine." She muttered.

I sighed and turned to Rose. "So, what do you want?"

Rose smiled. "Just to have a little talk with Grayson."

---

The ice crunched under my shoes as I walked through the trees towards where Grayson was making a fire. He knelt by the twigs, carefully arranging them, his face scrunched up with concentration. I felt a tug at my heart, wondering how he would react to Rose, who strolled behind me, fluttering her eyelashes at Grayson.

"Grayson." I whispered, and he jumped, concentration lost. His beautiful eyes snapped up to me, and a grin tugged at his lips. "Jane! What is it?"

I felt myself lost in the way that he called me Jane. Not Avery. It sounded so much better coming from his mouth, instead of my mother's or my father's or anyone else.

My thoughts shattered as a high pitched squeal erupted from behind me.

"Grayson!" A streak of shining chocolate curls, porcelain skin, and red lips streaked towards Grayson, who had just enough time to step back before Rose slammed into him, hugging him tightly.