Chapter 22: What Does The Future Hold?

It has been two days.
Evyn has joined Eliana and Jasper on their journey to Drein. He has no where else to go for the time being, while he waits for the chaos back home in Viptan to die down.
Eliana is more uncomfortable. The presence of another Xefol weighs heavy on her mind. She has only recently realized that bringing Jasper to Zaline can prove difficult when meeting her father, but now another one? She wonders about her father, “What will he say when I arrive with two Pivurlion?” He surely will cast them out.
She breathes in, trying to rid her chest of the painful twist at the thought.
Jasper passes her by as she sits in front of the small fire, the moon hanging low, almost hidden by the trees. Soon they will be in Drein and they will no longer have the forest as cover.
Eliana glances away from Jasper as he tosses a pile of branches next to the fire. He huffs, rolling his shoulders. She presses her lips together harshly, pushing her emotions down. With a quick glance, she spots Evyn who is organizing the items in the bag he brought along. There are pieces of bread, dried meat, and a change of clothes. With him now traveling with them, Eliana does not have the privacy to speak with Jasper.
“How will I talk to him about what happened,” she sighs to herself.
Not that she is even sure she would be able to.
Memories begin to run through her mind. The closeness of their bodies; the warmth of his lips on hers. She remembers wanting more. Thinking about what happened, she shivers at the thought of what would have happened had they not been interrupted.
She breathes in deeply, trying to rid herself of the almost painful heat in her chest and face.
“There is a stream not too far from here,” Jasper begins to say, “I will go fill up our water. I will be back shortly.” He glances over at Eliana before picking up the few water skins and disappearing within the forest.
Their small camp is quiet, even more so than before, with him gone. Eliana sighs softly, staring into the fire.
Evyn slowly approaches, his movements awkward, “Is it alright if I speak with you?”
“Of course, is something wrong?” Eliana watches him, her head slightly tilted to the side.
“No, not exactly.” He takes a moment before sitting down near her, rubbing the back of his neck.
Eliana remains silent, waiting for him to speak.
“Jasper and I have been friends for years; I have told you this.”
“Yes,” she nods, playing with the hem of her shirt.
Evyn peers into the fire, his skin dancing with the movement of the flames. “I care for him as a brother. He does not allow himself to show weakness.”
Eliana fights the confusion wracking her mind that tries to contort her features. “Yes?”
Sighing, the Xefol grits his teeth, “I do not want him getting hurt.”
Eliana tries not to scoff at the small accusation she knows he makes. “I understand that he is placed in exceedingly more danger because he is near me. I do not want him harmed either, especially not for me.”
“I do not mean physically.” Evyn swivels his head toward her to make eye contact, “I know what I interrupted back at that village.”
Surprise and embarrassment fill Eliana to the brim. She gulps past the lump in her throat. “I—I—”
“It is not my place to force Jasper to mate, or marry, a certain individual, but I do not want his heart to be broken. His family has gone through a lot and I know mama and papa only wish the best for him. They may show it in odd ways, but they mean well.”
Eliana is only able to blink, remaining speechless as she listens to him speak. She opens her mouth several times, but always closes it when no words come forth.
“As far as I know, you are not using Jasper. He talked you into leaving Viptan, but what happens when you get home? When we are forced out because Pivurlion are not allowed? What then?”
Anxiety builds in her chest, causing an itch to stand and run building in her legs. “I. . . do not know.”
Evyn continues, unaware of Eliana’s reaction. “I know you just want to get home, but please, if that is the end result, do not drag Jasper along. I do not want him to have hope, only for it to be yanked away once you are home.” He sets his eyes back on the Princess, his chest puffing out with concern. His brow stitches up.
Eliana soaks in his words. She did not think about what the future would hold, or what would happen once they reached Zaline. She could only focus on her father and getting home to him. Her heart aches tremendously at the thought of Jasper not being a part of her life.
A branch snaps near the tree line, and Jasper reappears with the water. He places them next to Evyn’s bag. “What is going on?”
“Nothing,” Evyn tosses a few branches into the fire before standing and walking over to grab a water.
Jasper watches his friend for a moment, his expression void of any emotions. He then looks down at the Princess. “Eliana, are you alright? How is your injury?” He crouches down, reaching for her ankle.
She pulls away, hugging her legs tightly. “I’m fine.” Biting her trembling lip, she refuses to look up at him.
As he straightens his back, a dark shadow covers his face.
Eliana says to him in her mind, “I must protect you from myself.”
She whispers into the night, as softly as she can so that she is not heard, “In order to save you, I must sacrifice my own happiness and future.”