Chapter 45: The Calvary Is On The Way

“Jasper, where are we going,” Evyn sighs running his hand through his hair.
The boys are resting near a grove of dried up bushes. A town stands half a mile away, the noise of the villagers reaching them on the breeze.
“Back home,” he responds gruffly. His brow is in a constant state of tenseness. There is a rough shadow of a beard forming on his jaw.
“What are you going to do when the chief comes after you? He knows where the cottage is.”
Jasper remains silent for a moment, staring off at the village. He watches a group of children run circles around one another. They are all giggling, their cheeks coated in dirt. His shoulders relax at the thought that the Climont soldiers had not reached this far inland yet. He thinks of Drake and wonders how many citizens he must have killed on his way to Zaline. He may be betrothed to Eliana, but he is still a Climont Prince. He has blood on his hands. Jasper’s heart twists as he imagines Eliana standing at the altar, hand in hand with Drake. Nausea builds in his chest and he clenches his teeth together.
It is over. She will run home to her father and bear the Prince his children. She will become Queen of Drein very soon.
“Jasper, are you okay?” Evyn waves his hand in front of his friend’s face, snapping him from his reverie. “What is going on in your head?”
“Nothing,” he growls out. “Do not worry about it.”
He raises his brow, not believing him. “You are acting very strange lately.”
“I am perfectly fine,” he states.
“Then why—”
Evyn is cut off, both werebears’ heads whipping around, their noses flaring.
“Is that. . .”
Jasper bolts up, rushing towards the village. He moves around the houses, trying not to gain too much attention. Evyn is close on his heels, huffing as he runs.
There, standing just on the other side of the town, are Beatrice and Conrad Darcy.
Both of them break into relief filled smiles, their bodies relaxing.
“Oh Jasper,” mama exclaims, rushing to her son.
They barrel into one another, wrapping their arms around each other.
“Why are you here,” Jasper muffles into his mother’s shoulder.
Conrad steps forward, looming over his son. “We came looking for you son.”
“Never do something so stupid again,” Beatrice hisses slapping him on the back of the head.
“I am sorry I left so suddenly,” he says taking a step back and rubbing where his mother hit. He stares at the ground momentarily before straightening his shoulders. “I had to leave.”
Beatrice’s gaze softens, “I know sweetheart.”
“You do?”
“Yes, of course. You loved Eliana, even though she cannot be your mate. You wanted to at least try.”
“There was a better way of going about it,” Conrad mumbles. “You left behind a girl needing to be mated. Her family has turned their backs on us just on the sheer embarrassment of it.”
“I am truly sorry. I did not leave to be with Eliana, though. I left to bring her home. I did not want her to be forced into a marriage she did not want,” he crinkles his nose, “Even though she is engaged now anyway.”
“What,” Beatrice gasps, “Why? She just left the chief. Does she not want you?”
Jasper cringes, his heart twisting. A grimace contorts his features. “It is not that. She. . .”
Evyn steps up, patting his friend on the shoulder, “She is the Princess of Drein.”
Both Beatrice’s and Conrad’s eyes widen, shock causing them to open their mouths.
“Are you sure,” papa wonders.
“Yes, she told us herself.”
“Oh my,” Beatrice blinks rapidly, trying to process the information. “She hid this from us.”
Jasper’s shoulders tense and his brow furrows once more, “Yes, she—”
“Jasper, Evyn,” the squeak of Alma’s voice has Evyn twisting around, his body lighting up.
The werebird gallops in with Olisnia sitting behind her, a pale violet mist surrounding the horse. Evyn takes a step forward reaching out to her, but hesitates, lowering his arm.
“What are you doing here,” Jasper growls out.
The only thing running through his mind is the fact that Eliana might be alone right now. His heart tightens.
“Eliana was captured by the rebels,” Alma chokes out, tears in her eyes. “They will kill her if we don’t stop them.”
“Oh dear,” Beatrice releases a pained sigh. “How do you know they have not already?”
“Because I have looked into the eye of the crows living in the courtyard of the castle,” Olisnia explains. “Eliana is being held down in the dungeon. They are preparing the gallows for her as we speak.”
“We might not get there in time,” Conrad grumbles, eyeing his son. He moves to his side and places a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“They are waiting for more of the Climont soldiers to arrive before they execute her. They want it to be a big spectacle.” Alma’s expression twitches with her anguish. She glances down at Evyn who refuses to take his eyes off her. His hands ball into fists.
“Why are they going through such trouble for killing her,” Beatrice wonders. “I understand that she is the Princess, but it is normal to be quick about it.” At the sight of her son cringing, she reiterates, “I am not saying I wish they would get it over with, only curious why they are waiting.”
Olisnia eyes Jasper once before cocking her brow, “Has he not told you?”
“We were about to,” Evyn explains, glancing away. He rubs the side of his neck as he turns toward Beatrice and Conrad.
The Drulian speaks up instead, “Eliana is the Princess, yes, but she is also the last remaining werecat on the mainland.”
Silence falls over the group as the information sinks in.
“What,” Conrad bellows, “That is impossible. They have been killed off.”
“No, they only migrated North, to Shidon. Though one in particular stayed and had a child with her human lover. Eliana is the granddaughter of that Kexon.”
Beatrice moves to her son’s side, grabbing his arms and forcing him to look her in the eye, “Darling, tell me the truth, is this why you love her? Is she your mate?”
Jasper fights another wince, his body trembling. Should he say no? Would that be easier? Eliana will be dead soon and it will not even matter. He does not utter a word, but simply nods his head once before hanging it low, staring at the ground.
Mama holds back a gasp, instead rubbing her hands on his arms for comfort. “I am so sorry. I wish that I had known. I would not have been so harsh.”
Conrad remains silent though, a war ragging under his tight expression.
“We must go now, before it is too late,” Olisnia explains. “We still have time before the execution. I can get us all there in time, but it will take a tremendous amount of magic.”
“I will go,” Evyn states, eyeing Alma. “She does not deserve to die.”
The werebird smiles softly, relieved.
“I will save her as well,” Beatrice states.
“What are you saying,” Conrad growls.
“There is no way that I will allow her to die just for who she is. Is that not what we have been fighting for, for years?”
Conrad sneers, rolling his shoulders, but soon gives in, nodding. “Fine, I will come as well.” He eyes his wife harshly before his expression softens. “Anywhere you go, I go.”
“I will not go,” Jasper almost whispers. The group freezes as they stare at him.
“What,” Alma squeaks.
“She has lied too many times. She is the Princess and her kingdom has fallen. This is the way the world works. If she is executed, then it is how it is meant to be.”
“Jasper,” Beatrice bites out. “She is your mate.”
“Like you both have told me countless times, I cannot be with her anyway. She is not of our clan.” A rough rage rolls across his skin and lights his eyes up. “You go, if you so wish, but I will not.”
Olisnia snarls, crumpling her pristine features, “Fine, we do not need you anyway. Whoever is coming, get close. I only have enough magic to do this once.”
“What is it,” Beatrice eyes the Drulian suspiciously.
“I will transport us to the edge of Zaline.”
“Is that even possible,” Conrad questions, staying close to his wife.
“Of course it is,” she sighs.
Once everyone is standing near the horse, Olisnia’s eyes fade completely to violet. She glances down at Jasper as her tattoos swirl around each other, a pale mist whirling around the group.
“I hope you are happy with your decision,” she bites out before they all slowly start to dissipate.
It takes only a minute before Jasper is left completely alone with only the sounds of the village nearby as his companion.