Catching Up

Several hours later, I tell my parents good night and walk out of their tent to find two guys waiting for me. I glance at Valen before walking past him and heading straight to Thane. CheeChee jumps from Thane's shoulders and lands on mine with a big smile.

Valen turns around and grabs my hand as he says "Valerie, we need to talk." Thane glares at Valen but he doesn't say anything. I turn around and slowly look up to him to say "Not right now. Anything you say right now won't put this fire out inside me. It threatens to burn everything."

I jerk my hand away and glare at him in silence before turning around and walking past Thane. Thane glares at Valen for a moment longer before turning around and following behind me. I keep going until we're far enough away from the others.

After finding the right spot, I lower myself down next to the tree and lift my hand out. Thane looks to my outstretched hand and smirks before taking my hand and sitting next to me. He lightly rubs the top of my hand as I lean against him.

The sun soon fades from the sky, casting everything in darkness and bringing me comfort. I finally open my mouth and ask "Are you okay?" Thane moves us around and pulls me between his legs. I lean back against his chest as he lowers his head onto my shoulder. CheeChee jumps down and sits between my legs as he starts pulling out some tree nuts he found out of his tiny vest.

Thane tucks his face to my neck and inhales before he says "I'm fine. My father's behavior really hasn't changed. He's always been like this. Are you okay?" I lightly nuzzle my head against his as I say "I think so. It's just a lot."

Thane's hands slowly trace down my arms before taking my hands and asking "You can heal others?" I lightly nod my head as I say "I don't understand how but I'm not complaining. Is your leg okay?" Thane lightly chuckles and says "It's good as new."

We sit in silence and watch the others from the camp moving around and talking together. My parents said that Valen showed up and told them to pack without telling them why. They agreed, along with my uncle and cousin because something was seriously wrong with Valen and the way he was acting. Once they were out in the Void, Valen started telling them how corrupt and dangerous the City really was.

When he found out that I had gone to the Military Academy in his place, he was shocked and terrified. He instantly arranged for another trip back into the City to pull me out but he soon found out I was no longer even in the City.

I was out in the Void. He tried to intercept reports to find out just where I was but by the time he did, I was gone once again. That's when the reports of my kidnapping were found. He tried his best to hunt me down once again but it was like I had disappeared off the face of the earth.

When he got the report of my death, he was devastated and crushed. He tried looking for evidence or even my body but he couldn't find either. He was forced to tell my parents when he came back empty-handed. They all thought I had died...

I asked them what he was doing? What he had been up to but they both looked at each other before looking back to me and saying "We feel like it's better for you two to talk about this. It's better to hear it from him."

I was pissed and wanted to argue but I just smiled and nodded my head. After the initial shock and happiness had worn off, they started noticing my changes. They didn't say anything outright or ask questions but I saw all the glances.

The unspoken words between the two and the constant asking about where I'd been and what had happened. I couldn't even begin to explain it to them but I was lucky they weren't persistent on the matter. They let it slide with uneasy smiles that didn't hide the fear and worry in their eyes.

Thane and I remain leaning against one another, taking comfort in each other's presence as we watch the others down below set up for dinner. Where was this going? What were these people planning to do? And at the end of the day... how were we supposed to fit in here?

I see the looks the others give us. It's full of fear, untrust, and worry. It's mostly directed at Thane but they give me the same looks. They don't want us here... and even though my entire family is here, I don't feel like we belong here.

I watch Valen walk over to us and come to a stop a few feet away. He locks eyes with Thane, anger and aggression can be felt rolling off him in waves but Thane remains unbothered as he plays with my fingers.

When Valen's eyes shift down to our hands, I can see his jaw tighten. Was it the black nails or was it because Thane was holding both my hands in such a casual manner while I sat between his legs? Either way, I don't care. Maybe I would have freaked out before... Jumped up and blushed as I tried to make excuses but I don't even blink as I stare up at him.

Valen grits his teeth in anger and bites out "Dinner is ready." I slowly cock my head to the side as I ask in a low voice "Does anyone down there actually want us down there?" Valen looks slightly surprised before he quickly hides it and says "What the hell, Valerie? Mom and Dad want you down there. Hell, I want you down there."

I silently stare at him before pulling my hands away from Thane and standing up. I turn around and help Thane up as I say "You've met my parents once before. They want to see you again... to thank you for looking out for me."

Thane looks down at me before giving me a small smile and nodding. I take his hand and walk straight past Valen. We would talk but only after I cooled down. If I talk to him now, I'm liable to attack and contrary to belief... I don't want to hurt him... much.