Chasing Aurora
Chapter 20

I stepped back from the mirror with the gears in my head whirling. I played the conversation I had with Prince Phillip in my mind. There had to be an explanation. Some reasons my eyes would like Aurora’s. I lifted my hand to my mouth, chewing on my nail. It was a horrible habit, but we all have our vices.

“Piper. You should really sit down.” Robby said from the bathroom door.

“I told you. I’m fine.” I pushed past him and surveyed the room, “Where are we?”

“We stopped at the closest town. You had a crazy high fever. I wanted to take you to the hospital, but the aunts said they wouldn’t be able to help you.”

“Where are the aunts?”

“Getting ice. We were using it to cool you down.”

“That’s why it felt cold,” I said as I sat on the untouched bed. I looked down at the other one, the sheets were wet and towels were everywhere. “How long was I out?”

“Almost two days.” Robby said as he sat down beside me, “What happened to you in that bubble? I heard you scream and suddenly you were unconscious with a fever and weapons. I was terrified you were going to die.”

“I’m harder to kill than that.” I said as I leant on his shoulder, “A fae Prince wants me to kill Maleficent. He said the only way I could do so is if he awoke my fae side. He even gave me his sword and shield to do it.”

“So, is that why you now have green eyes? Because he awoke your fae side?”

“They’re Aurora’s eyes. I think they’re going to help me replace her. I just have to work out how.” I sighed.

“You’ll figure it out. You always do.”

We were silent for a moment until I dared to ask, “Did you tell anyone that I was basically in a coma for two days?”

“Only Ella. I knew that if we called your parents, they would be on the next flight over and you wouldn’t want that. Ella wanted to fly over too to see if she could help with her magic, but we talked her out of it. We knew you’d be pissed if we let her come over, besides the aunts said it wouldn’t help. Fae magic and witch magic are apparently very different.”

“Thanks Robby. If I had died my parents would have probably murdered you though.”

“Oh I know. I was debating about calling them right before you woke up. You’d gone quiet for over an hour and thought that had to be a bad sign. Thank god I was wrong.”

“You usually are,” I said earning myself an elbow to the side. After that, we fell back into a comfortable silence while I tried to work out exactly what my next step is. I had lost two days. I need to figure out a way to get to Aurora.

Suddenly, the world started shifting in front of me and suddenly I was standing right in front of Aurora. She was kneeling on the ground sobbing, her entire body shaking. I fell to my knees beside her and pulled her into my arms. Her entire body jerked as she looked up at me with her beautiful electric green eyes. Her tears didn’t stop as she threw her arms around my neck in a death grip. “I-I-I th-thought y-y-you died!” She sobbed, barely able to get the words out.

“I’m not dead yet Princess,” I said as I ran my fingers through her hair. I marvelled at how I could feel every strand of hair, the electricity that passed through my skin as she touched me. It was like I was awake even in our dream world. I sent Prince Phillip a silent thank you as I am sure this was because of him, “I’m sorry I scared you. I never wanted to do that.”

I held her as I explained everything that happened. Her sobs calmed down until she was just curled up in my arms. Once I was finished, we sat there in silence before she spoke. “You need to stay safe. Promise me that you’ll be safe.”

“I promise.” I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, “But I am going to have to kill Maleficent. There is no way around it.”

“Well, how many members of my family do you think she’s killed over the years. How many more people she will kill if you don’t stop her. I hate that you have to have this on your conscience, but you’ve always been a warrior.” She suddenly let out a light laugh, “I still remember when you were little you always loved pretending to be a knight and now you are one. That’s pretty cool.”

“Yep, you can call me Sir Peanut Butter. I’m here to rescue my damsel in distress.” I laughed as I squeezed her closer to my chest. She started laughing from deep inside her for a few moments before she relaxed in a sigh.

“Being a damsel in distress is seriously boring. You have a much better job.”

“I don’t know. I’ve been stuck in a van with Robby and the aunts. It hasn’t exactly been the most interesting trip of my life.”

“Oh Robby. I cannot wait to meet him. I need to thank him for making sure you don’t get stuck in that head of yours.” She tapped her finger right in the middle of my forehead for good measure, “I can’t wait to meet all of your friends, your parents, my parents, ooh and see more of Samson! God, he is the cutest dog ever.”

“He really is the best. My mom is probably spoiling him rotten right now. She sent me a video the other day of him playing fetch with my dad. Really made me miss them.”

“Well when we get back, we’ll spend the first day just spending time with our family.”

“Only one day?” I don’t think I could wipe the smile off my face if I tried right now. Hearing her say our family made me all warm and tingly inside.

“Yes, because after that we are going to be locked in your fancy apartment for a full week. Hopefully most of it in your bed.”

I laughed again and squeezed her a little tighter, “I think I could be convinced to do that.”

“I also want to meet all your friends. Oh, and you need to meet mine! I wonder what they think I’m doing right now. I hope they’re not too worried.”

“You do remember that you’re literally being held hostage by an evil fae who wants you dead right?”

“Yeah, but my knight in shining armour is going to rescue me so I’m not worried.” Even though she tried, she couldn’t hide the yawn that fought its way out of her.

“You’re tired. You should get some sleep.”

“But I don’t want to sleep. I want to stay here with you... forever.”

I chuckled kissing her forehead again, “If I stay here with you forever, then I can’t rescue you.”

“Right. I’m going to nap then while you go and be heroic. I love you Sir Peanut Butter.”

I gently laid her down on the meadow floor and smiled down at her. I loved these moments with her. When we could forget about our worries for a moment and just have fun. I can’t wait to do this for the rest of my life. “I love you too Princess.”

The world shifted around me and I was sitting back on the bed with Robby as if no time had passed. I felt a strong pull in my chest. A smile broke out over my face as I slapped his arm. He turned to me with a questioning face, “What?”

“I know where Aurora is.”