Evangeline

"Wait! Imposters!"

Evangeline tensed and heard Kaden swear under his breath. They shared one look with each other before they both started to run. They ran down the hall and into another, then another. They were lost and they knew it. They did not know the castle well enough to not get lost.

A desperate window of opportunity showed itself. Literally.

"Window! Window!" Evangeline said breathlessly pointing it out. Kaden nodded and followed her as she climbed out from it. They grabbed on to the bricks climbing down the castle wall. As soon as their feet landed on the ground, they saw guards running towards them and others blocking the gates.

"Trees!" Kaden was the one to point out the alternative exit. Evangeline ignored her fear of entering the dark forest that people had been disappearing in. They ran towards the forest, running deep inside as the yelling behind them increased. The guards had followed them.

Evangeline was ahead of Kaden, she slowed down to keep pace with him not wanting to be far from him case anything were to happen. The further they got into the forest, the more uneasy they felt. The forest felt as if it were coming alive.

Evangeline saw Kaden trip from the corner of her eye. She noticed he wasn't coming up. Evangeline turned around running back to him.

"Eva! Go!" he ordered with authority.

She shook her head. "I'm not leaving you, you scoundrel. Come on, get up!"

"I'm stuck, just go! They're coming," he said as he tried pulling his leg from a root that was tangled around his ankle.

"You're stupid," she groaned pulling his sword away from him before cutting the root. Kaden got up and smiled foolishly as he took his sword back from her. They were about to run when Evangeline fell this time. It was real, the forest was alive. Roots rose up her leg keeping her stuck there. She pulled out her dagger and started cutting only to have it wrap again. The forest was alive. There was magic.

"Kaden," she said nervously. "You need to lea-"

He shook his head not accepting to leave her behind either. "You cut, I'll pull. Go, now."

Evangeline started cutting off the root as Kaden pulled her back before it can wrap again. They began running again until they felt the dark slowly being lifted off their chests. The yelling and footsteps had gotten much closer because of their earlier problem. This was very bad. They had to lose them.

Kaden grabbed Evangeline's arm dragging her with him. He shoved her against a large tree before putting his hand on her mouth to keep her from squealing in shock. He moved his body over hers, as close as he can, to avoid anyone seeing them. The footsteps and yelling got closer. Evangeline was scared for the first time, she truly believed that she was going to die now and that she'd never be able to warn Adaresa about Gywith's magic. Their kingdom was about to go into a war blind and they were going to lose a lot of people. For the first time, she was not able to protect Odette. For the first time she would not be able to support her fellow soldiers. For the first time, she had failed Adaresa.

Evangeline had so many regrets. She regretted all those days that she had spent slaving herself for her father's approval. The days she spent hating Kaden. But there were the good times. He was her oldest and only friend.

"Kaden," she whispered. She wanted to tell him that she didn't hate him, she considered him more than just a rival.

***

Kaden

Kaden was also scared, but seeing Evangeline's pale face he knew he couldn't let her know. She needed his strength. He needed hers too. He cupped her cheek and ran his thumb soothingly. In response, Evangeline grabbed onto his shoulders as if she needed support and just needing him close to her right now. Kaden didn't know what was going to happen next but he knew one thing that would happen. One thing that ran throughout his whole body. Kaden leaned his head down closers to Evangeline's before capturing her lips in his. He could tell she was shocked at first, but it didn't stop her from kissing him back. Kaden knew he shouldn't be kissing her, that it was very wrong but it felt so right.

Kaden leaned his forehead against hers. "You're going to be okay."

Evangeline's chest heaved up and down, as if she was having a hard time regulating her breathing like he was. "W-why did you do that?"

"If we were going to die, I had to at least have you for just a moment," Kaden admitted. As if that one kiss brought clarity to all the weird feelings and thoughts he's had when he was around Evangeline. He couldn't believe how he had never noticed how long he's been in love with her. He thought it was just physical attraction or the fact he shouldn't have her that gave him those feelings and thoughts, but he was wrong. He found himself counting all the times Evangeline wasn't frowning at him. Times where it seemed like she forgot he was a Caderis and saw him only as Kaden. He thought about all the times he had dreamt of kissing her, but it was better than he'd imagined it. And right now, he regretted nothing. He couldn't imagine ever regretting it. Even if it were for just a moment, he was going to cherish it.

***

Evangeline

Evangeline opened her mouth to say something, anything, but nothing came out. The two stood there breathing heavily and not saying a word. After a long while, Kaden took a step back creating some space between the two. Evangeline took in a long breath feeling as if she had been suffocating all this time.

"We should leave before they come back," he said. "Either find a place to camp or somewhere else to hide, we are too vulnerable here in the open."

Evangeline got herself together. Right now was definitely not the time to be acting like a girl.

"There's a village nearby, I memorized the maps before I came here," said Evangeline.

They both needed to act professional, not only were their lives at stake but so was their entire kingdom if they didn't come back with what they learned.

They made their way through the rest of the forest, the uneasy feeling never leaving. They had finally got to the edge of the forest and could see a village. However, it didn't look in great condition. A lot of homes were broken down. The guards must have destroyed it in their search for them.

Evangeline turned towards Kaden. "We can't stay here."

He nodded his head understanding what she meant. They already caused these people trouble. And if they were to stay here and these people found out who they were, who knows how they'll deal with them.

They started making their way around the village and through the trees. A snapping sound came from behind them. He pulled up his sword with one hand and pushed Evangeline behind him with the other. Evangeline grunted pushing his hand down and stepping beside him with both daggers in hand. As much as she needed Kaden close to her, she could defend herself.

A young boy stood on the other end of Kaden's sword with his hands up in surrender looking frightened. He looked around ten to twelve years of age.

"Ease down Kaden," she told him but his sword remained up.

"He's just a boy," she tried to reason with him but Kaden remained like stone.

"We were both children when we learned to fight," Kaden pointed out.

He did have a point, they had been training for as long as they remember. However, the boy looked like he might have wet himself. Evangeline doubted he meant harm. "Kaden, we don't hurt children."

Kaden took a deep breath before lowering his sword. She could see that reason had finally reached him. If he did do anything, Evangeline knew that Kaden would never come back from it. Despite being a lethal soldier, she knew he had a big heart.

The boy looked thankfully at Evangeline, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Why are you following us?" Kaden came out with it.

"I-I thought you were the people the guards were after," he said.

Kaden swore under his breath, he looked ready to run.

"No! No! It's not like that! I wanted to help. The king... he killed my father. We would do anything to bring him down. He is not good to our village," he said with shining eyes. Evangeline watched Kaden untense. He believed him, that type of emotion was not faked.

"How will you do that?" he asked.

The boy offered a small smile. "You can sleep at our house, my mama can make you a warm meal and give you some clothing to blend in. You can take our horse before sunrise and leave the village."

Kaden and Evangeline looked at each other before nodding. They followed the boy back into the village keeping close to the shadows. They went into his house where an older woman, probably the boy's mother, looked frightened.

"Mama, these are them. The ones the guards have been after," he said.

The mother looked around shushing the boy. She ushered them in seating them on a wooden table.

"Your son told us what the king had done to your husband and that you would be willing to help us," said Evangeline.

She nodded, determination burning in her eyes. "Anything that would take him down. He's a cruel ruler, all he thinks about is power. Taxes are too high. He's been taking men and children to the castle and no one is to see them again. Lots of people want him gone."

"A lot more people are about to go, a war is coming. A big one, that's why we need all the help we can get to go home and stop it," said Kaden.

"You will find ally's on your trip. A dictator does not represent his people," she said. "I have a friend I can trust. I'll be back with some clothes that aren't ripped. Meanwhile, have some porrage. It's still warm."

The woman placed two bowls on the table. Evangeline and Kaden said their thanks before digging in forgetting all proper eating etiquette as they just wanted to satisfy their hunger. They were hungry for seconds but did not want to ask the poor family for more because they did not know how much they were able to financially give.

Licking the last of their spoon, the boy had reentered the room. "I've warmed up the bath for you."

They both stood up to follow the boy. Kaden then snaked his arm around Evangeline's waist brining his lips close to her ear. She held back a shiver once his breath hit her skin. "You know, we can always share the bath. It'll be better for these people."

Evangeline's cheeks burned red before pushing Kaden away from her. "Better for them or for you?"

Kaden gave her a lazy grin. "What can I do? You're irresistible."

Evangeline rolled her eyes but a smile somehow found its way to her lips. "You're crazy."

"Only for you Eva," he said but this time the look on his face turned serious.

The boy took them to a room towards the end of the house where a large tub was filled with warm water. Evangeline thanked the boy and waited for him to leave before addressing Kaden. "You need to leave too."

A frown fell on to Kaden's face. "I thought you might have been joking earlier."

"I'm not taking a shower with you Kaden," Evangeline scowled. "I- I really need a moment alone, please."

This would be the only moment alone she had to think about everything that was going on around her. She needed this alone time.

Kaden's expression softened nodding his head. He turned to walk out, but not without dropping one more innuendo. "Call me if you change your mind."

"Kaden!" Evangeline yelled.

He only pretended not to hear her as he left the room. Evangeline stripped off her clothes and entered the warm water. She felt her muscles sooth and the dirty feeling slowly slip away. She closed her eyes for a moment, appreciating the relaxation. She knew she couldn't stay long, one for fear of being ready to run if need be, and two for fear of Kaden being Kaden and potentially walking in on her.

Kaden.

Her fingers reached up to touch her lips.

She couldn't believe he kissed her, and even more so that she kissed him back. The way he had been looking at her, it wasn't just lust anymore, there was more... Could he possibly like her? Did she like him? Was that why she kissed him back? Was that why when her mind was screaming of how wrong it was to kiss him, every part of her body went against it. He ignited every inch of her.

Sure she knew she didn't hate him, but like him? More than a friend? How did that happen? How could it even happen? He was a Caderis, she was raised to hate him. He was suppose to be her enemy. But she didn't hate him. He was the only person who understood her. They both shared strict father's and the drive to satisfy their wishes. They both understood the struggle of always trying to be perfect and a lot of times not succeeding, or when they did succeed, it was never enough. Despite all their arguing, they've shared a lot of laughter and memories together. But feelings? Did they share feelings along the way?

There was also that fear in the back of her mind. Did Kaden just lust her? Or consider her as an accomplishment? Was it a strategy, for him to use against her? Or was it in the heat of the moment? If they were to go to Adaresa, would he still have feelings or would he ignore or forget them? Would Caderis come first? Would their families even allow them to even like each other?

Evangeline couldn't risk any of these. She couldn't risk losing her family. She couldn't risk losing her title. She couldn't risk losing her pride. Most importantly, she couldn't risk losing her heart.

-------------------------

Soooooo..... What do you think?

That is a picture of Odette for y'all.

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