Chapter 10:

The sun hit her face in bright bursts as she exited the fortress. She looked behind her at the door they came out of only to find: there was no door. "Uh, Jeshua where'd the door go? We did just come out of the castle, right?" Chloe looked bewildered at the elf. All that remained where the door should have been was a forest, not even the castle was in sight. "The castle's gone too." Jeshua gave a chuckle that made Chloe frustrated. "What?!"

"Ever hear of magic, my dear lady?" He always had a way with his words. "This is the only way we can stay protected from Zered. Every creature's lair or domain is made invisible. Technically, this whole forest has a barrier around it. It makes it harder for the transformed Unicorns to detect. Only those pure of intention can remain in this barrier." He carefully explained as they walked down a trail.

"I hate to say this, but I have no idea about any of this. You all consider me your Savior, but I am nothing more than a….than a….." She stopped and realized she had no idea what the hell she was doing here.

"What's the matter?" Jeshua had noticed that she had stopped and turned around. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. "To show such weakness isn't like you. What happened to the feisty woman who frustrated me last night?" He was doing his best to cheer her up.

"I am nothing. I will be of no use to your quest." With her confidence breaking down, she put her hands on her face. "I'm only a beginner. There's no way I can defeat Zered."

"You'll have help, Milady. We still have a little bit of time before we attack. Practice makes perfect." The elf tried and tried to reassure the fae that she could do it. "We have Royals to meet, Milady."

"I don't care! I can't do it! I just want to go back to my old life! What happened to my normal, boring life?!" She screamed. Just then a blur of light whizzed by.

"What's this? The Fae is crying? Right before she meets my parents. You did something, didn't you?" The small ringing voice said almost mockingly. Chloe looked up at the faerie with puffy red eyes.

"Zeri, leave her be!" Jeshua commanded.

"This is an outrage, my love! She is not fit to help us, look at her. I bet she couldn't even kill a fly, let alone The Dark Prince!" She laughed in Chloe's face. Jeshua sighed. "But aren't I right, my Lord?" Chloe glared up at the sparkling faerie in her golden gown.

"Look Tinker-bell! Shut the hell up! I'm sorry if I'm just a little scared to face The Dark Prince. You all don't have the power to defeat him; am I right?" She wiped her eyes and got into the little faerie's face. "I will try my best; I can't guarantee I will win, but I shall try. So back off, you little bug!" Chloe marched away in a huff.

"I must follow her, but thank you Princess Zeri." He raised her tiny hand with his fingertip and lightly kissed her hand. Her light turned a light pink and she flitted about.

"What did I do that pleased you, My Lord?" Zeri said softly like she was in a daze.

"Oh nothing. I must get going! Milady!" He called as he joined up with her. Chloe looked rather flustered and kept marching on. "Do you know where you're going?"

"I'm going to kick Zered's ass all the way back into hell! You got a problem with that?" She hissed. Jeshua only shook his head and laughed. "What? Am I that funny?"

"You go from being utterly unconfident, to 'I want to kick Zered's ass!' in less than fifteen minutes."

"Oh shut up! It's called being a woman!"

"Oh I thought you were a girl." He joked.

"Bite me!"

"Bite you?" He cocked his head to the side. "Seriously? I'd rather not." It was Chloe's turn to laugh now.

"Don't take everything I say so literally. It means: Fuck off! Only in a nicer way." She explained.

"Oh. Interesting terms." He strolled ahead. "Are you alright now?"

"Oh so you actually care how I feel?" She sighed and flipped her hair.

"Yes." She looked at him unbelievingly.

"Truly?" Chloe was surprised that he said it so bluntly and clearly. She blushed and looked off the side of the trail.

"Yes. You are the only one who can help us. If you go a little crazy it matters." Chloe sighed once again and realized he couldn't possibly like her in that special way. She was only here to save Talmor; as if that wasn't enough on her plate already. The fae only hoped that maybe this handsome elf might feel something more about her than just her help. "Are you lost in thought again?" His green eyes peered at her.

"Of course, I have a lot to think about. Are we almost there? My feet are starting to hurt. In fact, I think I'll take these shoes off." She untied the ribbon that tied the high heals to her feet and began walking barefoot. She wished she had her tennis shoes. "Now I have to carry them." She sighed in defeat. "Wait a minute."

"What?"

"I can transport them back to my room, can't I and if I lose them I lose them. Might as well try." She smiled. "Now my mom said if I was pure in my intentions I could cast spells. Let's see here." She placed the shoes in her hands and began a spell: "Shoes I have a great need, please transport to my room with speed!" The shoes elevated and in a flash were gone from her hands. "Whoa. I did it." Jeshua only looked at her funny.

'Simple magic, she's still a beginner though.' He thought to himself. "Now, may we move on, Milady?" Chloe laughed.

"Of course, My Lord. I just had to try it." She laughed a little louder. He couldn't help but laugh with her. It had been too long without joy and happiness in their land. He wished he could someday keep her happiness all for himself.