Chapter Twelve

Lillian- "It's good Fal, it's good."

"Well that's amazing, but I would like to know why you are calling me at 2 in the morning? We just had a meeting 3 hours ago."

"I'm going to go straight to the point. You have to get it together Falean, I'm not saying this as queen, but sister. We are the only family we have left. I don't want to remove your privileges as king and give them to someone else, but I need to put my people first. As do you. Your first time running around Yates with half naked supermodels. I will not let you destroy your life, because it's part of mine as well. We're twins Falean. We share a bond more powerful than love, were each other. Stand on your own two feet. I will catch you if you fall, but only if you try. No more cheating morality. When I come back from this excursion, I expect you to have taken some meaning to these words. Luceat Lux Vestra. (Let your light shine." Never give up..."

".....Never surrender. Remember to live, Lil."

Then he just hung up on me. I could have been mad, but I think he got the point of this message. I quickly Closed my laptop still thinking of the words "Remember to live" That I am Falin, that I am.

I don't grab anything out of my room, I figure I'll have everything I need. I run down the hall. Hopefully no one will see, that will be an embarrassment. My boots are clicking against the marble floor. I grab the door handle and jog the rest of the way to the barn. Colin is waiting there for me just standing by the door with Afi's reins in one hand.

"How long was I gone?"

"About 15 minutes."

"Well how long have you been waiting?"

" Only a couple of minutes."

"So, are we the last ones left?"

"No, Ashley and Ace are still there, as is Leon and ...Um...Erin."

"So where we headed to or did you wait for me to pick."

"I didn't know how long you'd be so I chose one, before the good places were gone."

I took the reigns from his hand and started to move from the barn to where I saw a mounting block. I held the reins in one hand and started to move from the bar to where I saw a mounting block. I ever so gracefully swung my leg over to saddle and made myself comfortable.

"Whatcha waiting for Colin?"

" I don't know your majesty. What am I waiting for?" He said sarcasm in his tone.

" just get on and tell me we're we are going already."

"Whatever my Queen wants."

He went from the right side of the horse to the left walking slowly with his hands behind his back as if he were leserly walking. He went to the mounting block and carefully as I was he got on.

"You have yet to tell where we are going."

"What if I make it a surprise, love."

"You know Me well enough to know I hate surprises."

" then I may just tell you, love. Whom it may concern: we are going to the beautiful woods."

" just tell me, it's an order not a request. I rank higher than you. I could seduce you and then behead you how does that sound?"

" I'm all for the seduction part. The beharding Im not so found of, and were going to....."

We are just in a walk so Colin can take a pice of paper out of his shirt pocket.

"Drift Hollow Springs."

"Are we going in the right direction?"

"According to the map, yes."

"Ok, shut up then and hold on."

"What?"

I don't give him time to think. I just make a clicking sound with my mouth and kick the sides of Afi. Colin seemed a bit startled by this action, as he leaned into my back. He moved so he could put his arms around my waist. Are arms brushed causing electricity to move through my arm. When he wraps his strong, toned arms around me I want nothing more than to get of this horse and push him into a tree and explore his body. My stomach has butterflies dancing ever so gracefully inside. My mind racing wildly. Trees passing by in a blink of an eye. It's all making me feel a bit sick; the summer heat and moisture, the fast pace, our bodies in close proximity. My heart is going a mile a minute and I can't think. I feel the color draining from my face. My stomach flopping around. I grab the reins and slow the horse to a walk. When were almost to a stop I hopped off and made a beeline for some trees. Before I can get to far, I empty the contents of my stomach and lean against a tree. Colin comes to my aid immediately and pulls my hair back. He puts the back of his hand on my forehead and I can't help but smile.

"Lil, your burning up."

"Does that mean I'm sick?"

"I'm no doctor but, I would say yes. I don't think we should go to the place, we're closer to the campsite. I think it would be best to get there. I'm gonna get you some water."

He ran back over to Afi, who was now gazing on a patch of grass. He opened the pack and shuffled some things around, before bringing me bottled water.

"Drink this and then we'll start to make are way again. We're not to far only a quarter of a mile."

"Ok."

I unscrew the top of the bottle and bring it to my lips. It's not only a minute until all of the water is out. I press my weight agent the back of the tree. I can tell the sun setting, for there's a pink and orange glow around us. My wight still on the back of the tree I make my way to stand. I don't feel as bad, but my stomach is twirling around on the inside. Colin comes to my side helping me balance my weight. I lean into his side. When we get to Afi I put my hands on the saddle and Colin bends down and puts his hand on the saddle and Colin bends down and puts his hand on his knee to help me get up. Once I'm situated, he pops up right behind me.

We are trotting along, I feel much better and the ride is not fasing me. I am just thinking about how lucky I am to have Colin. Someone who I can lean on. It feels like only a couple of minutes till we get there. A small valley covered with patio lighting. The lights are hung across a small stream which is only one knee deep There is a canopy tent a few feet from the stream. Inside there's a queen bed with a ton of pillows. There's a small campfire right in front with a side table. The table has all the ingredients for s'mores. I almost indlety felt better.

"We are here, your Majesty. Isn't it just breathtaking?"

"Cozy is what it is. In my kingdom we have a place like this only much bigger, on islands and instead of horse we sail. Everyone knows how to sail."

"You know how to sail."

"Yep. I was on my kingdoms Navy sailing team, capation, of course, before I became queen. How about you."

"I have no clue how to sail."

We dismounted Afi and tied him up near a tree He grabs the saddle bag and I go over to the fire. I see a pair of camping skewers and place a marshmallow on each side. There are two chairs and I bring one closer to the fire. I place my marshmallow by the fire.

"You couldn't wait for me?"

"If it comes between you and chocolate. I'm choosing chocolate."

He puts a hand over his heart and sadly says ", Nice to know where your loyalties lie."

He grabs the other chair and pulls it near, and then plops down into it. I watch as the marshmallows go from white to a toasted brown. I take the graham cracker with chocolate and slide the marshmallow onto it using the other graham cracker. Colin reaches over and grabs the other marshmallow.

"What was that for?"

"That was for my stomach."

"There's plenty more for your stomach over there."

"But if I got it from over there doesn't mean I get to annoy you. I guess something I ate didn't sit well."

"Well as long as your feeling better."

"What else is in that saddle bag of ours."

"I don't really know."

I eat the last of my s'more while Colin move the saddle bag to his lap. He opens the flap and gently pulls out each idem.

"Water, a bag of random things, and game rings."

"That's it? No food! I'm starving."

" Well. there are s'mores."

"Thats not a meal Colin."

"Ok. there has to be food somewhere because I'm also hungry."

" I'll go look in the tent."

I walk over to the tent. The bed is in the middle of the 'room' and there is a table in the left corner with lots of snacks. Chips, fruit, veggies, dip, snack mix, other things I don't know the name of.

"In here."

I make my way to the table and grab a couple of carrots.

"Also the chairs."

"I come bearing gifts."

Colin walks into the room carrying the chairs while I am nibbling on carrots. He sets them down near the table and we both sit down.

"What's this game thing you were talking about."

"It's like one of those games you play as a teen, when your with a lot of others."

"So like spin the bottle.... Kiss, marry, kill....Ummm..."

"Yep. here's a sheet of the rules," he passes me a folded piece of purple paper. I quickly skim over the sheet.

" Am I reading this correctly."

He laughed ", Saucy truth or truths. We don't have to play if you don't want to."

"OH NO, Colin nikko Theodarkirs, I want to play."

"Lillian Marcella Salivacia."

"Yes."

"Put this ring on."

He tosses me the ring and I slip it on my finger. He slips one on his as well.

"You first." I say as I crunch down on a chip.

"Why have you never had a romantic relationship befor?"

"Because I have always been too busy, between cleaning up my brothers mess or running my country, and it never really mattered. I had those people I 'dated' for publicity or as a detection . I never really had time for myself. It was always my people. I have always put them first. Always befor me, but under friends and family." The ring tuned green.

"I got the crown at fifteen almost sixteen after my parents died. If they were still alive I would be getting the crown now."

"That sounds really.."

"Crappy?" I cut him off.

"Yes."

"What should I remove."

"Shoes?"

I laugh and quickly untie my high tops and use my toe to get of my heel, then switch sides.

"Would you forgot the crown?"

"Yes maybe, I don't really know." His ring flashes green. " I mean I have never really thought about it,It's always been a given that I would ascend to the throne."

"I understand, it's been like that for me too, now take of your belt." He roars with laughter making me let out a restrained chuckle.

"Did you lie when you said you haven't had a relationship befor?"

"Yes," I say hesitantly. The ring lights up green" How did you know?"

"Well I like you, so I called in a favor and I had someone tell me everything about you."

I stood up. "You basically stalked me." He stood and grabbed my wrist as I made my way to leave. His hand traveled to my face and cupped my cheek, then lifted my head to meet his. Are eyes interlocking.

"I thought you were beautiful, smart, confident, and all around perfect. I wanted to know I had a chance and if I did how was I going o win you over," he moved closer so that we were only and inch apart. Are breaths mixing.

"To be honest." I hesitated " The board of advisors wants me to chose Xander, Leon, or Grayson. That's way I was so annoyed this morning. There not keen on giving you a chance you 6th person on my marriage list, some of wich aren't at the palace. They want me to fly back too, because the public isn't responding well to any of this. My brother isn't accustomed to the throne yet ether. It's all just a big mess."

He leans in my heart going a mile a minute, my brain feeling fuzzy, and my mouth making a smile. Our lips meet and passion initiatives with every second. My hands fly to his hair, my fingers twisting his perfect locks. My body is a sea of emotion. His hands are in my hair as well, playing with it. I move my hands to his chest, trying to unbutton his shirt, since my hands are shaking it because harder. He breaks away.

"We go from mad to eager."

"Oh shut up."

He helps me with his buttons and the shirt falls to the floor. I look at his muscles, you know with his shirt on that he works out, but with it off I could practically melt. Are lips reconnect, all the passion returning. Our pace quickening. We take steps back, his hands exploring my back. Our tongues fighting for dominance. The back of my legs hit the mattress. My top comes off of my head and is thrown somewhere. My nails dig into Colin's back as he kissed my neck. And well...