The Royal Within

Chapter 30

------Meanwhile

We were rushed to a tree house for cover when the attack happened. "Will our friends be fine?" I shouted to Delphine. She nodded, and glanced down to the mer people.

Luke paced back and forth in the room. "Can we go and help them?" He pleaded. "Do you want to die?" Delphine asked sharply.

He rolled his eyes, and continued pacing. I couldn't help but become even more anxious by Luke's pacing.

"Lucas?" He stopped, and glanced to me. "The pacing...is not helping." I said with a weak smile. He nodded, and enveloped me in a hug.

I felt all warm inside, until Delphine spoke. "Are you two married?" My face became red, and Luke smirked.

"And if we were?" Luke asked her, adding to my embarassment. I slightly elbowed him in the ribs, but he kept his hold on me.

Delphine smiled. "I just couldn't help but notice. I am known for being able to spot when people are in love."

Luke's eyes widened, and his smirk dropped. His arms fell to his waist, and he backed away. My heart sank with disappointment.

Delphine arched her eyebrows, and glanced between us. "Interesting." Delphine stepped closer to Luke. "Luke,  my dear companion, I'm a pixie. I'm not like most, I can't manipulate emotions. I can feel them." She turned to me. "I can feel both of yours." She sighed. "I'm not allowing you to leave until you guys get things set straight." She said with a gleam in her eyes.

She left the room, but eyed us on the way out. "Start talking!" She said from on the other side of the door. "How much do you want that mermaid scale?"

Luke sighed, and walked closer to me. I didn't know what to do. "Uh-" I was stopped by his intense gaze. He lowered his face closer to mine, snd when our lips were inches apart, he slightly moved his head. He gently kissed my cheek, causing me to swoon. I started to feel light headed, and he wrapped an arm around my waist to secure me in place.

He pulled his mouth away, and smiled at me. His arm remained around my waist, and I tried not to smile like a maniac.

"Does that tell you how I feel?" Luke whispered, and I couldn't move. I felt like screaming and squealing at the same time. I felt like running away, but also being closer to him.

Luke half heartedly chuckled, but he was nervous. "You going to say anything?"

I couldn't. I was still in utter shock. So I did the thing that meant something special to me.

I wrapped my arms around him, and pressed my head against his shoulder. He relaxed as he realized I felt the same way as he did.

We stood there, just happy to be in each other's arms. I was so happy to be his embrace, but also scared I would lose him. But there was another emotion I've never felt before.

'Love.'

Luna said it so simply. I love my family and friends, but this was different. This love consumed me, and excited my in a way I didn't even know was possible.

Delphine opened the door, and I started to pull away, knowing Luke would want to. But he didn't. He held me there, and didn't let go. I was shocked, but I also couldn't help smiling.

Delphine smiled, and grabbed my hand. "I need to speak with her for a second." She tried to pull me away, but Luke groaned.

"No, I just got her." He said while he buried his face into my shoulder. He wrapped his arms tighter around me, and I giggled.

Delphine was still smiling, but her patience was running thin. "Come on loverboy. Give her up." Luke frowned, but released me. As I was about to walk towards her, he gave me a quick kiss on my cheek. "Be careful." I nodded, and tried not to skip towards the door.

Delphine took me to a separate room. "You're welcome." She said with a smile. I grinned, and tried not to giggle. "Thank you."

Delphine grabbed my hands. "What you guys have is so pure... But it will be put to the test." I raised an eyebrow. Delphine clarified. "You two both love each other so much, if I didn't see it, I think I would be blind. But, in the near future, something will happen to your boy. And he will either be corrupted, or you can persuade him to be good."

I was shocked. "What do you mean corrupted?"

She leaned in closer, afraid for anyone else to hear. "He was the figure in the dark." She didn't have to say anything else. I gasped, and looked to the direction of Luke.

"No that couldn't be him." I told her. Delphine sadly shook her head. "Why do you think you met in the middle of the night? You were already attracted to each other, and the magic only pulled you closer."

"But he has no powers!" I cried. Delphine smiled sadly. "He will, dear. And when he gets them, they will try to overtake him. For they are not like yours, that become your emotion. No, they are dark powers. I was afraid no one could help him, but here you are. You may be the key to saving everyone."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "What?!"

"If he overcomes his power with his love for you, then he could control them! Which, in the process, would save everyone. So I will do everything in my power to make that boy head over heels for you."

I uncomfortably shuffled my feet. "He isn't head over heels for me now?" I felt stupid for asking, but I was worried. I felt head over heels for him.

Delphine laughed, but stopped when she realized I was serious. "Sweetie, you aren't even head over heels in love yet. That just comes with time, and a bit more time to talk to each other. Being here, that could be hard, but I can do it. Tonight, you the have a date."

I rejected her idea. "There's a war down there-"

"And my people will handle it. They are fine. Now if that boy loses control, we all die. This is our top priority."

I still felt bad for leaving every body else to fight. "Are you sure?"

Delphine laughed. "Honey I'm positive. This is definately more important."

I nodded, but still wasn't convinced. Delphine opened her mouth to tell me more, but then Luke opened the door.

Luke's POV

The girl's eyes widened as I stepped in on their little chat. Ruth, looked extremely guilty as I smiled at her.

"Can I have Ruth back now?" I turned to Ruth, whose face turned red. I tried not to laugh at that. I love it when she gets so embarrassed.

Ruth looked apologetically to Delphine, and I couldn't help but smile. She was so kind and innocent. The trip didn't change that about her.

What if you never went on the trip? The thought tumbled in my head, and I didn't have an answer. Ruth just seemed like a part of my life. A part of me. We would have to meet, even if we didn't go here?

I would like to think that we would. Even if we weren't dating, we would at least be friends. (Although if we were friends, I'm almost 100 percent sure I would fall for her...like I did here).

Delphine cleared her throat, but I didn't take my eyes off of Ruth. I couldn't. Ruth glanced to Delphine as I continued to stare at her. A smile lasted on my lips, knowing that she felt the same way I did.

"You guys have a date tonight!" Delphine announced.

I smiled. Tonight would be the night. The night I finally ask her. It will be perfect.

Ruth blushed at the thought of our date, and I wrapped an arm around her waist. She smiled sheepishly, like she always does, which just makes it all worth while.

"We'll be ready." I said, while winking at Ruth. She looked away as her blush deepened.