Stella
King Sartorius’ voice rang out. “Captain Marco, prepare Mr. Guo for his castigation.”
“Please, no!” I cried, straining against Fernando’s hold.
Bolin’s face paled as the last rays of sunlight made his features glow a rusty orange. He had to be in horrible pain from everything I couldn’t heal. I couldn't fathom the effect of a whipping on him. Watching the stable boy receive ten lashes the previous week for whatever crime he committed seared into my mind that such a punishment was to be avoided at all costs.
“He’s too injured,” I shouted, my voice pitched high as my throat tightened. “I came back willingly! I obeyed Prince Fernando’s every command! And you’ll still beat Bolin like he’s some vagabond?”
The king’s features contorted as he turned his full attention to me. Without thinking, I pressed my trembling body against the prince’s hold.
“I’ve had enough of your disrespect, healer. I’ve gone easy on you because of your condition, but no more. Bolin will receive the punishment he requested, and you will as well, right next to him, for your impertinence.”
Prince Fernando’s embrace tightened, and his voice came in a harsh tone. “No.”
“Aevum levare!”
The Celestia words wrapped around me like a warm blanket. Lift time.
An unseen force lurched my body backward, and the courtyard disappeared. I swirled in the invisible wind; the breath torn from my lungs.
Then, I opened my eyes to see Eric and me stumbling through the tall grass again.
Had I dreamed it?
“It worked!” Eric gasped, looking over his shoulder.
Hoofbeats sounded behind us. Wait. We’d already done this. My heart raced so hard I thought it might explode.
“What did you do?” I yelled.
“Do you remember where we were?”
“Yes! The king was going to kill us!”
“The incantation restarted the hour! I waited until the last minute to see the outcome. I didn’t use the magic when we were captured, since it would give us a couple of minutes. This seems to be the best option.”
I shook my head, which was difficult while running and exhausted. He may have restarted the hour, but that didn’t change my fatigue.
“I can’t keep going.” I slowed and clutched my side, gulping air like a drowning fish.
“No, no, no. You’re getting out of here,” Eric said, grabbing my hand and jerking me forward.
Regret pounded in my head, and I pressed a palm to my forehead. “I shouldn’t have escaped.”
He clenched his fists, and his cheeks reddened. “The goddess brought you to me. We must get away!”
Why didn’t he listen to me?
“I’m only human, Eric! I’m exhausted!” His previous words hit like a bucket of ice water. “Wait, goddess?”
“I’ll explain, but you must hurry.”
The horses were gaining on us. They’d take us again. We’d relive the awful confrontation with King Sartorius.
“No. You need to arrive as my brother properly, or they’ll try to kill you and beat me and Bolin again.”
His lips thinned into a hard line. “I’m NOT your brother.”
Heat prickled behind my neck. Why did I listen to voices and flee with a stranger? He had magic and lied about it. I didn’t remember him.
I stopped and turned around.
“No! What are you doing?” Eric yelled.
My tone became cold. “I’m going back before they whip Bolin and try to execute you.”
Eric grabbed my wrist and twirled me to face him. He opened his mouth. I wanted to know everything he had to explain, but the prince and his men were getting closer.
He swore, then whispered, “aevum levare.”
The magic tugged backward more gently this time, though I still gasped for air when the hour restarted. I didn't want to jump through time repeatedly.
“No more magic, please. I’m going back. Come again in disguise so we don’t get killed, understood? Then you can share everything.”
Eric clenched his jaw. “I won’t leave-”
“You will, because otherwise people I love will get hurt, and I’ll never forgive you if that happens.”
His throat bobbed, and he reached out, gently caressing my cheek. I stared into his eyes, wishing I remembered him.
Then I turned from him and walked toward Prince Fernando and the galloping horses. When I looked over my shoulder, Eric was running for the trees.
“Please return to me safely,” I whispered.
I crossed my arms, pressing them against my revolting guts. Tears rolled down my cheeks. Prince Fernando had been right that a lack of freedom was torture.
In minutes, the men reached me.
“Stella!” Fernando leapt off his horse.
I ran to him, sobbing, and threw my arms around his neck.
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