Through the Eyes of a Fae
Chapter 20

" Oh Kora! I am so sorry, please let me go. You should go after him.” Stella felt terrible. She had ruined her evening, and now her friends. Kora was smiling at her now. She took Stella into an embrace and said softly,

" Why are you crying, Stella, you left so happy a while ago.” Stella hesitated and then hugged her friend back, the tears coming again. Pulling Stella to the couch, Kora poured her a glass of water as Stella explained what had happened. Kora listened and when Stella finished - Kora huffed out a large breath.

You must apologize to him. That is the only way I think. Explain how you really feel about marriage, asking him to have a conversation about it wouldn’t be the worst thing you could do.” Kora’s advice was solid. So, why did Stella still feel miserable?

" What now? Should I go back?” Kora laughed at Stella’s enthusiasm.

“No, wait until morning, I think you both need time to calm down. I know I do.” Kora’s voice trailed off, and she sneaked a sidelong look at her friend.

" Yea, about that whole thing-What the seven hells?” Stella was happy to change the subject from herself to Kora.

“I don’t know, it just … happened. I had no intentions, I swear. I just … missed him. I had gotten used to long times alone with him on the road, and I had not seen him in so long.” Kora’s voice was soft, a blush rising in her cheeks.

“Stella, I’ve never felt like this before. Even the one time I thought I was in love … it was nothing like this.” Kora stopped, and the girls stared at each other. Stella raised her hand slowly and pointed at Kora.

" You said love… You are in love with Ben?” Stella was smiling now because Kora looked horrified.

“Oh, oh no! I cannot be, no, no, no.” Kora covered her face with her hands and shook her head back and forth. No, he needed a noble lady of this age, not her.

Stella was smiling slyly.

" You deserve happiness, Kora. So does Ben. Personally, I can’t wait to see if this pushes that old bat Beatrice over the edge finally.” The women laughed.

“Ben cannot marry me, I have no land, no wealth except what I have earned working for the kingdom. I have no history here. He needs a nobility of this age. One with connections and who is established within the court.” Kora sounded defeated as she pointed out her reasons.

“I’m scared Stella. My last run with love was ... well, to say it did not end well is an understatement. There are scars on my body and heart that no one can see. I haven’t fully healed.” Stella took her friend’s hand in hers, squeezing it reassuringly.

“Ben knows some of the trauma you have faced. To some degree at least. He will not push you any further than you are willing to go. You do not want to miss something so wonderful because of fear, Kora. Just... think about it? ” Stella was sincere in her hope that her friend would replace happiness. They smiled at each other and rose from the couch. Kora nodded , but she didn’t look convinced.

“I’m not sure, Stella. While I don’t think Ben would ever hold my past trauma against me, I hold it against myself.” Kora looked so broken, and Stella’s heart lurched for her. What had this woman been through? She hugged her friend tightly.

“There is no rush. For either of us. We can take this step by step. I’m always here if you want to talk.” Stella offered, and Kora nodded.

Stella bid her friend goodnight one more time, and slowly made her way to her rooms. She needed to rise early and hunt Royce down before he departed.

Dawn came too early, and Stella opened her eyes reluctantly. Remembering the evening, she bounced out of bed, rushing to get dressed. She pushed past the maidservant, and practically ran down the hall, aiming for Royce’s room. Sliding to a stop at his door, she began to bang on it in earnest.

" Royce, please open the door. I need to talk to you.”

“Your Highness?” Stella turned, and a page was walking towards her.

" Sire Royce and Sir Cade met with the king this morning, they just rode out to Karta Village.” The page looked confused at Stella’s expression, and she sagged against the door. She missed him! Tears welled up, but she kept them in check as she thanked the page, slowly walking back to her room. How could she have been so stupid last night? How could she have missed him? It would be a month before she saw him again. She thought of writing him a letter, sending it by magic. Determined to still reach him, she dashed to her rooms to write.