"Do you really think he will come?" I asked Reuel.

The fae stared thoughtfully at me as they hung upside down from a low branch of the elfenberry tree. Their long, wavy, white gold hair was loose, trailing down onto the soft mossy floor of the forest.

"I don't see why not. He always comes around at about this time," Reuel answered with a smile. "Are you nervous Taya?"

"How could I not be?" I replied, clutching my hands together tightly. While I waited, deep in the sacred forest, I wondered if anyone had noticed I was missing. I was supposed to be napping back at camp at least for the next hour, so no one would come looking until then. I hadn't told my sister Aurora where I was going mostly because she had refused to believe my discovery in the first place.

I pulled out my necklace, a large cameo with a special secret. Inside was a photo of my parents, but the locket could only be opened by people who shared my bloodline. I pressed my thumb over the front of the locket and it clicked open, revealing a portrait of my mother on one side and my father on the other. My eyes narrowed angrily as I took in the image of my father, so I focused on my mother instead. I was admiring her bright violet eyes and brilliant silver hair falling in soft waves around her face. In my youth, I wished many times that I could look more like her. While I did inherit the color of her eyes, that was where our similarities ended. Although many people told me I looked a lot like her when I was angry, which at least was something. A sudden pang of grief struck my heart and I had to close the locket with a sharp click. The death of my mother was still too fresh in my mind. I placed my hand over my mouth, willing myself not to cry. I felt a soft touch on my shoulder and I raised my head to see Reuel standing at my side.

"Are you okay?"

I sniffed, rubbing my eyes as I nodded. "I'm fine."

Reuel smiled at me and their freckles shimmered on their cheeks. They opened their arms to engulf me in a hug and I pressed myself against their slim frame, enjoying their warmth for a moment.

"I'm so glad I've met you, Rue," I whispered.

"Just wait till you meet Azar," they giggled, pulling out of the hug. "I know you'll love him too."

"I just hope I don't scare him off," I gulped. As if on cue there was the sound of footsteps and a voice calling out.

"Yo Reuel, where are you?"

I fought the urge to run and hide, reminding myself that I was royalty and to hold my head up high. I stood up straight, adjusting the waistband on my pants nervously as I watched Reuel leap towards the newcomer.

"Az!"

Reuel jumped, using their air ability to float softly into Azar's open arms. I eagerly examined the fire elemental's face, which was striking, to say the least. He was handsome with a slim nose, sharp jawline, and an easy smile. His burgundy hair was long, falling down to his waist in a ponytail that was woven together with braids and ribbons. I could see his pointed ears sticking out from under his hair and the hint of his fangs when he smiled. His bright red eyes focused on me, a quizzical look on his face.

"Hello," he said simply, lowering Reuel to the ground.

"I have someone I want you to meet!" the fae chirped, taking his hand in theirs. Reuel led Azar over to me and I could feel my heart beat faster. I prayed that he would listen to what I had to say.

"Hello, I'm Princess T-"

"I know who you are," Azar said bluntly. He eyed me warily as he pulled an okashi from his pocket, lighting it with a flick of his finger. "What I don't know is what you are doing here in the sacred forest, and all alone for that matter."

"I came to see you!" I blurted out, cursing my nervousness. "I mean, I wanted to talk to you."

"Well, I'm flattered Princess but I already have a lover," he replied with a sly smile.

I blushed deeply, dropping my arms to my side as I gasped. "W-what?! I didn't mean...! What I wanted to say was... I mean, I already have a lover too!"

"Yeah, you're engaged, right? To that Dark Prince fellow?"

"Alpheus? Yes, well I am. I mean I was, but I'm not talking about him," I said. "And why would I want to marry the son of the man who murdered my parents?"

"Woah, calm down princess. I was just joking around," he insisted, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"It's not funny!" I shot back, my cheeks still red. I couldn't help but glare at him. I was displeased that in just mere moments he had gotten me so flustered. I noticed he was examining me and I felt self-conscious.

"So a lover and a fiance, I gotta say princess you don't seem like the type," Azar chuckled, "but, who am I to judge?"

"I would never-"

"Azar, don't be mean to her!" Reuel cried out. "She's my special friend."

"Oh, I thought I was your special friend?"

"I can have more than one," Reuel pouted, puffing out their cheeks.

Azar reached out to rub the top of the fae's head, messing their hair as he did. "You can have as many friends as you want, Rue."

Reuel grinned happily, grabbing Azar's hand so they could swing it back and forth playfully. I was in awe of how close they seemed. It reminded me of when my sister and I were younger. I cleared my throat to call their attention back to me, worried that I was running out of time.

"Right, I forgot. Taya needs to talk to you! Please listen with an open mind," Reuel lectured, their expression serious.

"Okay," he replied, taking a slow drag from his okashi. Reuel reached into Azar's pocket to snatch a spare fire snack, grinning as they did. The fire elemental didn't seem to mind, offering to light it for them but the fae shook their head, tucking the stick into their pocket.

"I'll just be over here," they said, motioning off to the side. In the blink of an eye, Reuel had taken flight, using their air abilities to float to ascend into the branches and out of sight.

Azar turned to face me, placing his hands into his pockets. Under his intense gaze, my nervousness returned. There was a long stretch of silence as we stared at each other, my prepared speech flying from my head.

"So...?" he prompted, waiting for me to talk.

"W-what I have to say might seem strange but please listen until the end," I begged.

"This whole situation is beyond strange," he grumbled.

"It's about your parents."

Azar stiffened, his eyes narrowing into an intense glare. "My parents are dead."

The chill in his voice gave me pause, but I pressed forward anyway. "That's not true. Your father is still alive."

He was silent, but I could feel his suspicion and rage. I could also tell his feelings were muted, much like when people would wear disguise talismans. I took in his appearance, wondering why he only showed the fire elemental characteristics of one of his parents.

"Please, I am not your enemy," I said, clasping my hands together. "I know you are wary but I just wanted to confirm my suspicions and if I am wrong, I will apologize."

"I'm not sure why you are being so damn cryptic, princess," Azar fumed. "Just spit it out already."

"Do you know who your mother and father are?" I asked, my voice faltering.

"I'm aware," he responded, glancing off into the forest. "Queen Helena and Fire Lord Pyrrhus. Is that what you wanted to reveal to me? You're too late, kid."

I felt my heart drop, stunned that he already knew. "So you know that we-we're... half-siblings."

He laughed bitterly, running his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, just call me big brother or whatever."

"Why are you laughing?" I snapped, embarrassed. I was so afraid of telling him that we shared the same mother, worried about how he might take the news, and here I found out he already knew. I was expecting tears or perhaps some denial but not this indifference.

"Look, sorry if you're upset but she wasn't my mother," Azar said with a shrug. "She may have birthed me but she certainly did not raise me."

I felt my temper flare, my hands clenched tightly into fists at my side. "She did that to protect you!"

"And how would you know any of this?" he argued. "Are you telling me the Queen, your mother, just confided in you about her secret love child?"

"Why would I lie about that?!" I countered, frowning deeply. "Just what would I have to gain by lying to you?!"

He groaned loudly, scratching at his head as he moved to sit down on a nearby tree stump. "I don't know, jeez. Are you always this loud?"

"I could get louder!" I threatened as the volume of my voice climbed higher.

"This is the Sacred Forest you know, have some respect," he retorted, hiding a smile behind his hand.

"Y-you're laughing at me!"

"I'm sorry, your face, it's just so un-princess like-"

"You are just rude!" I cried out. He broke down, laughing louder now. I was stunned because his smile reminded me of my mother's. I felt my anger subside as I watched him. I groaned loudly, crouching down to pout. I hugged my knees close to my chest in an attempt to calm myself. I heard Azar quiet down as he watched me silently. There was the soft shuffling of footsteps as he got up to walk over to me. Slowly he came down to my level, sighing softly.

(To be Continued in Part 2)