Who Is My Husband
Scene 26

The wind gently tossed Kailee’s hair, playing with her lower caramel strands as she stood staring at the empty forest. She felt like every time she was given some information she was thrown into an even deeper hole. She wanted to know how it was that she even knew Trey needed her. Was it because she was connected to him since they were married? For some reason she felt like there was more to it than that.

They were going to take her? Who was and why? She would have to make a choice? What kind of a choice? Her parents had sacrificed their lives for hers… so what about her aunt? Was she just caught in the crossfire? And what was bothering her the most right now was that this stuff was all getting pushed to the back of her mind. Her body was being pulled and her mind was being flooded with Trey. It was getting hard to think about anything else but him right now. Was he injured right now?

Lance stood there with his hands balled into a fist. His breathing was a bit heavy as he tried to control his anger. He would not tolerate it. He would not allow for anyone to do something against Trey. He could not stand to see him suffer if Kailee were taken away from him. He turned and looked at her. Her brown eyes looked lost and confused. She had her lips pursed together and was blankly staring into the woods. He looked at her fingers that were slightly trembling. It must have been too much information for her. He put his arm around her shoulders and rubbed her arm.

“Kailee. Let’s get you home.” Lance said in a low gentle tone.

“No.” She looked up at Lance. “I need to see Trey.” Her eyes were set with determination.

Lance sighed and shook his head. “He is okay. We will see him this evening.”

Kailee held her hands in front of her. “I need to see him though. I don’t think this will stop until I see he is okay.” She said in a whisper as she held her wobbly fingers. “I can’t explain it… but-”

“You don’t have to explain it. I understand what you are trying to say. And I understand it. I would be like that too if I thought my wife was in danger… but I still can’t take you to Trey, Kailee. I’m sorry. But I can’t.” Lance frowned. He understood exactly what she was explaining because that is how their kind would react as well. But this was not something he could do. He was under orders by Trey. And for him, those orders were absolute.

She sighed and nodded her head. She looked out into the forest and turned away from it. “I’m going back into the village then. I can’t just go home and sit around. I need to keep my mind busy.” She started walking boldly towards the village and once on the main path slowed down. She waited as Lance walked up to her side and she turned her head slightly to look at him.

“What… what do you think of me?” She looked up to him with her big brown doe eyes. “I always thought I was a normal person. I don’t know what to think now.”

Lance smiled and placed his hand on her head. “Who wants to be a regular human? I like you even better now. You don’t realize this, but you make even more sense to me.”

Kailee offered him a weak smile. “I don’t even know what I am. I could be some hobgoblin or hydra creature.”

Lance laughed loudly. “Kailee, it doesn’t matter. You are my family. Like my little sister. And I like you just the way you are. Even if you are part salamander.”

“I don’t think those are bad people.” Kailee said softly. “I don’t want there to be a fight over me.”

Lance’s face grew serious. “If they try to take you there will be a fight. You… you are an important family member. Plus, Trey would be beside himself if something happened to you.”

“I wonder if I should hear them out though. Just to see what it is that they want. She said I had a choice to make.” Kailee could see Lance shaking his head.

“I’ll do what Trey wants me to do. And I can tell you know there is no way he is letting those petal hopping pixies take you anywhere. Maybe if they bring him along with you, he might agree to that. And that is a big maybe. You’ll have to take this up with the one who makes the decisions.” Lance smiled sheepishly with a shrug. “Are you hungry? Let’s get a bite to eat.”

“Okay but hold the spice this time.” Kailee’s mind couldn’t drift away from Trey. What had happened? Had he put himself in danger or was it just a coincidence? And the scary thought was what if this happened all the time? She did not understand why but this terrified her. The fact that he could be in a lot of danger every time he left her had her heart rate picking up.

“Are you okay?” Lance asked as he looked at her from the side. He could hear the sound of her heart rate quickening. He glanced around but nothing looked out of the ordinary to him.

Kailee smiled and nodded her head. “Yeah, I’m okay.” She lied. But it wasn’t like anything could be done. Even if he put himself in danger everyday, what was she to do about it? If her uncle was the cause of everything before then he was probably the cause of things happening now. She would be damned if her uncle took any more precious people from her. Leeta had said that her parents were strong. So that should mean that she is strong too, right? She looked at the bracelet on her wrist. It would have to come off soon. She needed to be ready so that she could protect her family this time. She finally has people she cares about in her life again. She couldn’t lose any of them.

As they walked up to the food stand, she gripped onto her resolve. She would replace out about herself. She would learn about the choice she had to make. And she would learn about her powers and who she was. She did not want to be the one constantly being protected. If she had the power, then she would use it in order to protect those around her. It would be better to fight with all your might and die in the process than to be protected. To be protected and left alone again. The idea that Trey was injured terrified her and made her physically upset. If something happened to him, she was not sure how she would be able to move on.

Lance led Kailee over to a stone bench. She was being fairly quiet for her. He really wished she would let him just take her home. But maybe he could distract her here. He handed her a sandwich and sat next to her.

“Are you any good at skipping rocks?” Lance asked with a crooked smile.

“I can’t say that I am.” Kailee giggled and looked up at him.

“Well then you are in luck. I am the champion of rock skipping. I’ll be your master and teach you all I know. Yes, my pupil you are going to learn the art of skipping rocks. I shall pass onto you, my secrets.” Lance said as he tried to speak like a wiseman.

Kailee giggled. “What if I end up better than you at it?”

Lance chuckled. “Not possible.”

“Where are we going to skip rocks at?”

“Deckers pond will be a good start. It is just down over the hill here.” Lance nodded his head behind them. He watched as Kailee looked out over the village. She was obviously looking for a familiar face. “They are just fine, Kailee. Trust me. If there was any chance, there was a problem then I would go to him myself. Grum and Reggie will be back soon too.”

She nodded her head as she slowly chewed her food. She was subconsciously checking for Trey’s scent. She inhaled slowly and looked up at the bright blue sky. She knew there was something else that was true in her heart. Even though she tried to deny it she couldn’t. Somehow, she had given her heart to Trey. She could not refute this fact. The reality slapped her right in the face the moment she felt him in trouble. It made her realize her feelings. And even though she still thought it was crazy… she was in love with him. Maybe he was wearing some poultice that confused her mind and made her fall in love with him? Okay, she knew that wasn’t true. But she just never imagined she would ever fall in love this fast and this hard for someone. Let alone someone whose face she has never seen. She felt like a naïve stupid fool.

In either case, she might have realized her feelings, but she didn’t have to say anything just yet. She did not want Trey to know yet. She was hoping she could tell him after she found out about herself. This way she knew what she was involving Trey with. What if she was a succubus or something? It would be fair for him to know this too. And she knew that if she told Trey, she loved him it would be a sealed deal for him.

Though if she reasoned with herself, she did not know what Trey was. And she knew this did not change anything for her either. She did not know what he looked like behind his mask, but she already knew that it wouldn’t matter with that either. It was already too late. All of her thoughts were being swarmed by him. As if he was her oxygen and she needed him to live.

She watched as white puffy clouds floated by. The light breeze moved them slowly overhead. The sun was shining brightly and kissing her skin with its rays.. She stood up and stretched her arms above her. She needed a distraction. In her heart she was still concerned about Trey. She didn’t feel like he was being hurt but she felt like there was something wrong. The feeling just wouldn’t leave her.

“Alright master. Teach your pupil.” Kailee turned and flashed him her white bright smile. She would force herself to get through the day until she could see him again.

Lance grinned and stood up. “I need you to remain focused and disciplined. This is a special craft, and I will be revealing to you my most secret techniques. You must promise to only use this for good and never evil.”

Kailee giggled. “Yes, master.”