Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Youthful Truths

“Let go of me, ye great big lout! Explain yourself Tidas MacArthur! What the bloody hell is goin’ on?! Sense when have ye been a mag-” Skye was cut off by Tidas’ finger on her lips.

“Shhhh, sweetheart. If you start yellin’, the whole castle will hear you. And that will spoil my surprise for you later,” Tidas stared intently into Skye’s eyes as he spoke.

Her eyes had stayed that endless blue shade during their little game. It was how he remembered them; before he left. The grey shade he saw yesterday when he had stopped the wedding had made his heart feel heavy. Skye’s eyes only turned grey like that when she was feeling melancholy. But that was when they were kids, before he had gone off to hone his magic.. Among other things.

Tidas released Skye, smiled, and turned to sit in his chair at the other side of the table. He walked over like a normal person, to Skye’s relief. She stayed standing still while watching him. He sat down and popped a piece of bacon into his mouth like nothing was amiss. He motioned for her to sit, but Skye stood still. She was blindsided by Tidas’ reveal. Her mind ran over a hundred questions, grasping at straws as to why she hadn’t realized it before.

‘When did he get his power?’

If one had any magic within themselves, it was supposed to manifest when the person hit puberty. It was easier to identify in female magic users, albeit much rarer. They normally obtained their powers when their cycle started. That meant he had already obtained them before he’d left.

‘Why did he not tell me?’

.....

Skye looked at Tidas with both enlightenment, anger, and sadness before asking; “Is that why ye faked yer death and abandoned me?”

Tidas choked slightly on his bacon as he swallowed it. ‘Was that what she thought? That I could even do that to Her?! No, no No! Don’t think that!’

“I would Never leave you behind, Skye. Never.. In your heart, you know that,” Tidas’ face held sorrow as he spoke.

Skye had seen it, but brushed it aside. The pain she had felt when news of his false death had reached her resurfaced with vengeance. She immediately channeled it into her anger, narrowing her vision into a glare. Her face began to show a slight shade of pink as her ire raised, and she unleashed it.

“I was told ye were dead!” Tidas had visually jumped this time, and nearly choked on his bacon again at Skye’s words.

Genuine surprise, then pain traversed his face before speaking; “Lord Moonstone and Genie were both notified of the falsehood of my death over four months ago.. They never told you?”

Skye stared at the prince with shock. It was obviously her first time hearing of it. Which both enraged and pained Tidas. ‘How could Lord Moonstone Not tell his daughter?!’

Now her reactions made more sense to him. He couldn’t imagine what went through her head when she’d seen him at the alter yesterday.. How painful her extra months of grieving must’ve been.

‘And the wedding..’ The realization had also occurred to him; if he hadn’t shown up when he did, Skye would be Jacob Fowler’s wife right now..

The thought that infuriated him beyond words. Tidas had made inquiries into Jacob Fowler’s love life, and did not like what he’d heard. To be honest; he was both shocked, and very pissed that Lucas would hand Skye over to such a man. Then there was last night’s dinner.. The prince had not been the only one dodging specific questions.

Lucas Moonstone only stated that, “If a lass’ fiancé dies, it’s only sensible that she’d be found a new one. I had no choice but to go through with it unless ye showed up like ye did. ‘Twas why I had the messenger leave the very night he came. To bring ye word and draw ye here. Any more or less would’ve caused concern and inquiries.”

As Tidas’ mind bombarded him with questions seeking answers, Skye gawked. Her mind fought to keep up with her emotions. Her hand flew up to her mouth upon realization. She turned from Tidas before her expression gave her away.

‘Why would he say that? It can’t be true! father I get not tellin’ me, but Genie?! Wait, is that why he left? He said he was leavin’ to help Mei with her bairn, but was this the real reason? He had seemed upset, and he had left so abruptly..’

Skye put her other hand on her arm in a defensive manner, the pain of the betrayals written on her face. Although Peggy had said it earlier, Skye didn’t realize the depth of her words. Women really were not but a bargaining tool. Had she known Tidas was alive, she would’ve shouted it in Jacob’s lecherous face. Forcing her father to call off the wedding.

‘But why would he even go through with it? Did he not believe the messenger? Why didn’t Genie tell me before he left since he was leaving anyway? Why did no one care enough to consider me feelings in any of this?!’

As Skye’s emotions began to get the better of her, her shoulders shook slightly from withheld tears. She would not let Tidas see her cry..

Seeing Skye’s shoulders shudder brought Tidas back. His lightning-fast speed had him behind Skye in less than a second. She didn’t even notice but for the large arms that wrapped themselves around her. Before she could protest, Tidas leaned into her hair and whispered to her.

“I’m so sorry, Skye. I truly am... I thought your father would’ve told you. I thought he would’ve called off the wedding and brought you to me.. I swear I will find out why he didn’t..And then I will let you decide his punishment. For You are the one he has wronged the most.”

Skye was relieved that Tidas couldn’t see her face. Her eyes filled with tears, and a soft smile appeared on her face. This.. this was the only person other than Peggy who truly loved her. The one who had challenged her, grew up with her. Tidas knew almost everything about Skye. And the way she had just reacted to the news made her remember that she did love him..

After she found out about Tidas’ death, Skye had refused to leave her room. Peggy was barely able to convince her to bathe regularly and eat once a day. She lost weight, and her skin had lost its healthy coloring. Her father had forced her from her room three weeks into her isolation. He’d grabbed a bucket of cold water from the well, walked into her room, and tossed it on her while she slept.

Out of instinct, Skye had jumped out of bed screaming, and swung on her father. She hit him square in his mouth, splitting his lip. The room had gone still as Skye looked for to him fearfully for his reaction.

Lucas looked down at his wee daughter, smiled, and said; “Good! Yer still alive. Yer worryin’ old Peggy to an early grave. I know ye loved him, Skye.. Everyone with eyes did. But Snap out of it, lass! Ye think this is what the lad would’ve wanted? Ye dyin’ with him?! The messenger said he died a hero. No Man can find a better end than that. And end, we all do. So live while ye can so ye got stories to tell him when it’s yer time,” Skye’s father finished and walked out the door, pinching his lip to stanch the bleeding while smiling.

Everyone had seen it but her.. ‘Did Tidas see it? Does he still feel the same way as he did back then, at the loch?’

The final time she had seen him, Tidas had fully professed his love to her. The day of his second brother’s wedding, the prince had told her that he loved her for the first time. It had been somewhat surprising to her, but she’d grown to love him over the years as their friendship had grown. To the point of spending time together every chance they got.

**********

Skye snuck out often at night to see him. There was a gap between the trees in her courtyard in the farthest left corner. Only small animals and herself could fit, and it was easily missed if you didn’t know to look for it.

There was a loch about twenty feet away that fed the half moat around the castle, and the wells on the main property. It was partially covered by trees, so they wouldn’t be seen.

The moon was full, and there was little wind. The moonlight shimmered off the loch, reflecting and making it look like there were two moons. The wind never hit the water in the summertime due to the unique shape of the loch, and direction of the wind. Anytime there was a full moon, Skye and Tidas would have secret moon viewing picnics together. But there hadn’t even been time for it. He had to leave right after he’d spoken with her.

Skye sat on their boulder, staring out at the still water when Tidas had wrapped his arms around her. Lifting her to her feet to hold her close. He had explained that even though he couldn’t tell her where he was going, he would always come back for her. That he would always come back to her; no matter what. Because he refused to love any other but her.. She had turned in his arms, wrapped hers around his neck, promising to wait the eight months or so that he would be gone. That she would miss him terribly, and then gave him her first kiss..

**********

Memories Skye had locked away in her mind flooded her heart. She forced herself to forget the last year or so of before Tidas had left. Only holding on to the memories of their childhood; the ones that painted him as her best friend. That way, the hurt that accompanied his name didn’t cause her to break every time.

Any memories that had built Skye’s love for him were forced deep down for her own survival. Being in his embrace again.. Had caused the dam to break.

She twisted in his arms to bury her face in his chest before he could see her tears streaming. Skye clung to his shirt like she thought she’d fall. She cried in hushed tones as Tidas put his right hand on her lower back, and stroked her hair with his other.

As Skye balled, Tidas rubbed her back and comforted her before saying; “There, there, my love.. It’s alright; I’m alright.. Hey? I promised I’d always come back for you..”