Extract from Anaya

Anaya and Lucas on their way back to the ship after dropping off Collin

The walk back was quiet and somehow peaceful, the roads were getting darker and the cold breeze soon appeared blowing through the trees stealing their leaves. I dropped my hood now letting it sit on my shoulders and the wind travelled through my hair the way it usually does when I’m riding the wild horses. I breathed in the cold air in through my nose and smiled at my short moment of freedom. “what are you thinking of “asked Lucas looking intrigued “about Colin his family must have been so worried about him” I replied thinking about mine within a second Lucas had me backed up against a tree with his hands either side staring at me smiling “Lucas!” I shouted trying to move him but he wouldn’t budge “answer me this is your majesty, if you met him before running away would you have married him?” he asked staring into my eyes. I turned my head to the side but he followed “of course not” I shouted out as he moved his head closer then stopped and smiled at me letting go of his grasp “Satisfied I said looking away “Yes” he said and continued to walk leaving me leaning against the tree staring after him. “Wait!” I shouted out and he stopped waiting for me” what is it?” he asked and waited until I caught up with him “How did you know I ran away?”I asked standing behind him “Why else would you be alone so far from home” he answered and continued to walk, I looked at him unable to control myself the words rolled off my tongue “What are you doing here?” I asked then bit my lip and waited for Lucas’s reaction Lucas froze in place and went silent for a while I gulped then stared at his back still waiting for a response but nothing he stood there frozen in place motionless. I was about to apologies for the rude question but he turned around looking down “Lucas I said about to take a step forward until he lifted his head and smiled “Keeping an eye on my wife: Anaya” he laughed, I took a deep breath letting it go but then realized that there was a sense of sarcasm in his laughter and wondered why. He envied Colin “Do you envy Colin?” I asked after his laughter died down “what makes you think that?” he asked letting out a chuckle “Oh nothing I was just wondering” I admitted and waited for his reply. “I envy a lot of people who are free, but him ill have to admit I envy more” he answered and smiled to him with saddened eyes “Do you mind me asking why?” I asked he laughed before answering “his family” he said looking at me “His family I repeated puzzled “Why is that” I asked as he mat my gaze and answered “because I am an orphan” he said looking down shock slapped my face and guilt strangled me, I could think of nothing to say that would ease this awkwardness and remained silence