✧The Earthe of the Elves✧

16

"Mia.." His voice isn't in a warning tone, necessarily, but I can tell he doesn't want to talk about this. I do.

"Knox," I respond in the same tone, not budging. I nearly laugh in joy when he sighs, taking his hand off my arm and stepping back.

"Why do you want to talk about that," he finally asks.

"You were in Earth," I state, watching Knox watch me. His eyes scan my face for something, probably to see what I'm up to.

"It's... Private stuff, Mia. I can't tell anyone, including you. I'm sorry." For a second I think I see a flicker of guilt on his face. I stare for a second, concluding that this does have to do with me if he's feeling guilty for not telling me. I think. I hope. Otherwise I came here for nothing.

Feeling the warmth of inside wrap around me I take off my cloak and hold it, glad to have something for my hands to fidget with. I've never really stood up to anyone this assertively before.

"I want to know why you were in Earth," I say slowly. Knox looks like he's about to say something again, but instead shakes his head and lets out an exasperated breath.

"Why?"

"Because it has something to do with me!" I exclaim, throwing my arms out in frustration. "Doesn't it."

Knox looks at me for a moment, conflicted. He sighs yet again. I wait as he pulls his cloak off his shoulders. After hanging it on a hanger on the wall and pushing his silky hair behind him, he walks back over and looks at me, seemingly weighing his options. He crosses his arms in front of his chest.

"Just tell me already," I snap impatiently.

A ghost of a smile passes over his face at my tone. And possibly a bit of respect. He must figure out that I'm really not going anywhere, because he nods eventually, his eyes looking anywhere but mine.

"I was in Earth to check up on it, like usual."

"But not like usual," I counter, remembering my conversation with Halion. "You're going more often, why?"

He takes a second to answer again. "There are Cin on Earth."

I didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't that.

"What? Why? You mean more than the ones that came after me?" I had assumed the Cin that came into my home were only there for me, and left after.

"Yes. They-" he breaks off, giving me an apologetic look. I raise my eyebrows at him.

"They are watching your mother." He says it like the words are painful to get out, then watches my face for a reaction.

The shock hits me hard. I stare at him.

"Why?" The word barely comes out.

Knox looks away and bites his lip absently in thought. Heat washes over me, and I look around. I close my eyes for a second before looking back up at him.

"They want you, so they're waiting there in case you show up somehow."

As soon as that information sinks in, a surprising emotion overwhelms me: Fear. But not fear for myself.

"But my mom..." All I can picture is my mom, alone at home, with murderous elves around her. Through fear, anger makes its way up in my brain. It might not be Knox's fault, but the least he could've done was tell me.

"The Cin are watching my mom and you didn't TELL ME?!"

"I wanted to, but-"

I cut him off, rage clouding my thoughts. At this point I don't know and don't care if I'm being rational or not.

"I've been in this world for a whole, what- one and half, two weeks? And that might not sound like much, but it kinda is. Especially because I had to leave my home without ever saying goodbye to my mom, then I get brought here and almost get killed, kidnapped, and I'm told I'm some great King warrior's daughter? I didn't know if I would ever see my mom again, Knox! The least you could've done was tell me! She could be in danger! I would never, never forgive myself if something happened to her because of me. I could've gone to see her! She probably doesn't even know if I'm alive!!" I finish, not even caring about the guilt clearly evident on Knox's face. And shock- I'm practically yelling at him, and he looks more shocked than I've ever seen him.

"I know," he says sadly, "I wish I could've told you, but it's not safe. The Cin want you, if you went to visit her they would've taken you. And I did leave a note for your mom, she knows you're safe."

"How do you know that? What did you say, 'hi, this is an elf and your husband is dead and your daughter was almost kidnapped so I had to bring her into another universe?'"

"No, that's-"

"And who cares about me, what about my mom?! I know how to fight at least. What if they take her to gain leverage to get me?" Knox is already shaking his head as I finish my second outburst.

"When your dad married your mom, he... Put a spell on her, so to speak, that prevents Cin from touching her, using magic on her, or anything like that. He loved her, Mia. And as cheesy as that sounds, love is a very strong emotion, it can produce the strongest magic."

I breathe a silent sigh of relief, but anger is still boiling inside me.

"Still, I could've seen her! I mean, maybe if you had told me I would've understood? Instead of just leaving me in the dark? She could've known that I'm safe, I'm okay." My voice wavers as I go on, but I push the emotion down. I can't cry now. "You could've at least told me! I don't give a shit if I get hurt, it would be worth it to see her-"

"I give a shit Mia!" He bursts out in response, nearly yelling. I pause for a moment, not used to him yelling or swearing. It doesn't seem... Like him. He must realize it too, because he calms himself and closes his eyes, clearly a little more than frustrated.

"If you went to your mom you would be with the Cin. If the Cin get you they could do unthinkable things to our world, and yours. I couldn't let it happen. Would you really risk that?"

"So you couldn't even tell me?" I snap, ignoring his question as he did mine earlier. My voice is lower now, but just as sharp. Knox just looks down, not knowing what to say. I nod. I've heard enough for now. Turning on my heel I stride out of his room, pulling the door open and slamming it shut. He doesn't try to stop me.

To be honest, I don't care if I'm acting childish. He went to keep an eye on my mother, whom I didn't even get to say goodbye to before I was swept into this world, and didn't even tell me. He could have explained. It's my family, after all. Shouldn't I know about what's going on in my world?

My world.

As I find my way back to my room, I can't help but turn that last thought over again and again.

Is Earth still my world?

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Not the happiest of scenes between the two- ;)