To Learn To Fall (Sequel to the Other Side)

Chapter Twenty Three

"Oh," Thomas said, rolling his eyes. "Stop being dramatic. That's my job." James wasn't the only one who suddenly seemed lighter. He began to walk away from us. "Come on, castle's this way."

"Is the rest of the region like this?" I asked Eliza, who glanced at me and shrugged. The leaves of the trees were a rich, vibrant green. The walkways spiraled around the trees, clinging close to them. The air was nice, temperate, which I did not expect by the looks of this place. A little ways in the distance, I could see small buildings hanging from the branches above.

The terror of being so high passed, and I was overcome with a sense of wonder and awe. The Capital, though simple in most aspects, was beautiful. And it wasn't just birds that lived here. I saw butterflies, of course, as well as insects of all shapes and sizes. I even saw a bat or two hanging from the treetops. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the world surrounding us.

I was about to say something to Thomas, something simple but enough to compliment his home. Maybe to rectify what I said earlier, to fix my mistake. But before I could get a word out, Thomas suddenly stopped in his tracks. His hand went to his sword.

"What's wrong?" Angelica asked, shushing Peggy, who had been going on and on about how much she loved this place.

"Something's following us," he said, turning to face us, but even with the heaviness of his words, his eyes weren't as grave as they usually would have been. It took me a second to place it, but he didn't seem bothered. "I know you're there. Come on out."

All that came in response was a rustle of leaves somewhere behind me and to my right.

"Now," Thomas said. "Or I'll light this place on fire."

"You wouldn't dare," said a feminine voice from the bushes. It sounded young, or at least younger than I've heard in a while.

"Wanna see?"

A streak of white flew past, and was on Thomas in a matter of seconds, hugging him fiercely, and a jumble of words exploded from her mouth. "It's so good to see you! I missed you so much! Why the fuck did you leave us in the first place?!"

"Language."

"And Stars Above, Thomas! What are you wearing?" The girl separated herself from Thomas so she could criticize his clothing further. She held up his arm, staring up at his sleeve. "Hey, James. Been a while."

James waved.

"I was trying to...ease them into this, so to speak." He gestured to us standing behind them, and the girl whipped around to face us. "These are my friends. Everyone, this is Anna, my youngest sister."

The girl surveyed us, and her posture straightened the same way Thomas's would. I had to bite down on my tongue to keep myself from smiling at the thought. Finally, her eyes landed on me, and she turned to Thomas with immediate surprise. "You brought an Islander here? Of all the regions?"

"They're not all Islanders," Thomas said.

"Yeah, but even one's bad enough! Mother will kill you!" She grinned. "Oh, Stars. That'll teach you for running off like that. So you're home? For good?"

"You talk a lot," Thomas teased, setting his hand on her head to emphasize the height difference between the two. "And no."

Anna pouted. "You guys haven't won yet? What are you all doing?"

Before anyone of us could speak and say something we pry would regret, Thomas cut in. "Working hard. Surprisingly, rebelling against an evil totalitarian government is not as easy as it sounds. Anyway, we're headed for the castle. What are you doing out here by yourself?"

She frowned, glaring up at him. "I'm not a child, Thomas."

"You'll always be a child to me," he teased. But he glanced back up at us and cleared his throat, as if remembering we were there. The smile fell, and his back straightened, as if his happiness was a private thing he wasn't so willing to share.

Why the hell should I care? I thought to myself, but I knew the only thing I was accomplishing was making myself feel even worse than ever. I couldn't have stopped myself from staring at the upturned corners of his mouth. I wonder if he caught me looking.

"Hey, guess what?" Anna asked.

"What?"

"I hate you. Let's get moving. I want to see Mother yell at you."

Thomas rolled his eyes. He didn't bother looking back at us, looking back at me, as he continued pressing forwards. This time, his entire attention was occupied by his sister. I watched them walking away until Eliza brushed her hand against my back. "You miss him," she accused lightly.

"No."

"Why are you denying it? You know you miss him. I know you miss him. I'm sure Thomas knows you miss him. Why don't you just talk to him?"

"Why are you trying to bring us together?" I snapped at her, pulling myself out of her grasp. "Of all people, I thought you'd be happy about this." I quickened my pace so I could get away from her. I just needed time to think by myself, was that too much to ask for?

The closer we got to the center, the louder and more lively the world surrounding us became. I observed the people we passed, marking their movements and the way they stopped to watch in awe and delight as Thomas walked by.

"Here we are," he said. There was something in his voice, hesitation in his walk. I followed his gaze to the castle sitting just a ways away.

"You coming in?" Anna asked, her wings expanding as she rose to a platform above us. "Or are you just going to sit here and delay the inevitable?"

James nudged Thomas forwards. "Come on."

"I'm working on it," he said. His head fell and he turned to us. "Thanks for coming with me. I wanted to say that before I forget."

"You don't have to be nervous, Thomas," said Angelica as she walked up to him. "Whatever happens, it's going to be alright."

"I know. I just... I don't know if I can talk to her about... everything."

Anna cupped her hands over her mouth and yelled, "Coward!"

Thomas sighed and lifted himself up to the platform. He looked back at us and paused. "Maybe you all should wait out here for a minute or two. I think I might need to talk to her alone."