Chapter 38: No More Secrets

Eliana turns away from Jasper, forcing all thoughts of him from her mind. Her body moves on its own, sending her up behind one of the bears. She reaches out and slashes her claws across the creature’s leg. It roars out and Olisnia wraps her whip around its neck pulling him to the ground.
Jasper, back to his senses, is now on top of the Xefol, ripping into its throat. Eliana latches onto the bear’s back, tearing him into shreds. The metallic taste of his blood coats her mouth and she cringes at the after taste.
The second assassin lunges at Alma who is still atop her steed. She squeaks, trying to move, but her horse that is petrified, bucks the werebird off, sending her tumbling to the ground. She groans with the pain, her arm beginning to bleed. She looks up at the exact moment as the werebear approaches, standing above her and leaning back on his hind legs.
“Alma,” Evyn shrieks, his body growing into that of his bear form. With his newly shifted muzzle, he digs into their enemy’s throat, shredding the flesh.
Olisnia swirls her whip around, latching onto the third bear. She hums softly, small, violet daggers forming out of her tattoos, dancing in the air around her. As she yanks on the Xefol’s arm, pulling him closer, she sends the small weapons flying at him. They each imbed themselves into his large chest.
The bear roars out with pain before falling to his knees, Olisnia releases his arm from her whip before it begins to shift into a glowing bow. The color changes to a vibrant purple. She takes her fingers and pulls on the fabricated string, a thin, shining arrow forms automatically in place. She aims it at their enemy before releasing the whistling arrow. It finds a new home in his forehead. The Xefol sways momentarily before it crumples to the ground.
Once the first assassin is taken care of, Eliana rushes to the second one to help Evyn. She jumps onto the back of the creature and begins shredding him apart. Similar to what she did to the other bear. The Xefol loses it’s fight and goes limp as Evyn snaps it’s neck.
Eliana heaves, her breathing labored. She stands in silence, her body slowly shifting back to normal. Sweat drips down her forehead, exhaustion taking over.
The next comment causes her entire body to go into shutdown.
“You’re a Kexon,” Jasper seethes as his body begins to transform, his arms shrinking. He grabs for his shirt first, yanking it over his head even as it is not completely changed back yet. He walks up to his bag that is on the ground and pulls out a pair of pants that he shoves on as his body almost completes the process.
“I,” Eliana is unable to look him in the eye, her guilt crushing her heart. What does she even say to him? How can she make this better?
“Why did you pretend to be weak,” Evyn grunts with the pain in his arm.
Olisnia rushes to his side to inspect the wound. She begins to hum, a soft light surrounding Evyn’s limb.
“I was not pretending,” she heaves, tears building. “I swear to you that I only just found out what I was.”
“It is true,” Olisnia agrees. “I was the one to tell her and help to awaken her dormant abilities.”
“I don’t care,” Jasper growls, his features contorted. “You did not share that with us before. Is that why Climont wants you dead? Why Drake wants a marriage?”
Eliana swallows her tears, but they continue to build. Does she tell him? Is this the end? Her heart is constricted and a sob wracks her chest. She shakes her head, looking down.
“Then what is it,” he pushes, refusing to move. His body is trembling, an overbearing rage taking hold of his being.
“I. . .” she pauses in order to hold back her tears. “I am Eliana Georgian, Princess of Drein.”
The silence that follows deafens her and fear causes her to not be able to look at him.
“Jasper,” Olisnia shouts.
As Eliana registers her voice, there is a shadow that falls over her. She winces as she looks up.
Jasper is in front of her now, his expression a mixture of boiling anger and raw anguish. Her heart is caught in her throat, her vision blurring.
“You’re royalty,” is all he says, almost on a whisper.
Eliana loses herself into the abyss of his gaze. The betrayal and anger rolling through his features each stab her in the chest. She holds back the groan at the anguish, her lungs tight. She is almost not even able to nod in response, her body fighting her orders.
“I—” she stops, tears beginning to escape her grasp.
Jasper’s face is contorted by a rough snarl, “You lied.”
“No, I—” she sniffles, still trying to hold herself together even though she knows it is useless.
“Enough, Jasper,” Olisnia speaks up once she has finished healing Evyn’s wounds.
“I don’t want to hear it,” he snaps at her, his eyes wild. “You are Princess of Drein. You hid this from us. My parents only wanted to help you.”
“Jasper,” Eliana gasps out reaching for him, her mind a haze.
He steps back, sneering. He bites out, “Don’t touch me.”
She sobs, “But—”
“No, I’m done. I can’t even look at you.”
“Don’t. . .” Eliana whimpers.
“Goodbye, Princess,” he seethes out sarcastically before turning his back on her.
Evyn begins to follow, but he hesitates and glances back at Alma. She clenches her jaw and looks down, clasping her hands together.
“Jasper, don’t go,” Eliana shrieks as he storms away.
She releases all of the tears she had been holding, sobs wracking her chest. She chokes, air blocked from her lungs. Her legs give out and she tumbles to the ground, her entire body shaking.
“Jasper,” she whines. “Please don’t leave me. You’re my mate.”