“Ali.”, my name echoes down the hallway. It reaches my ears, making them ring. I cover them up because I can't take the sound.
“Alison.”, again my name is called in the distance. My father peers around the corner, and observes me in my crazed state. He tip-toes over to me and sits down noiselessly. He wraps his arm around me, and my pain is taken away. I smile up at him. The one man I can count on, but even he cannot be trusted. He chose the kingdom over his family, my eyes well up again and the tears flow down my cheeks. He takes his palm and wipes my eyes dry, cradling me in his arms. I cling to him and sob because I'm not sure what else I can do. After a few minutes my sobs have become whimpers.
“Do you want to talk about it Ali?”, he pleads.
“Not really.” I whine.
“It might make you feel better.” he offers.
“Fine, it can't hurt. I've had the worst day ever. Everything has gone wrong, mom took me to see a horrible fortune teller and she said I had two soul mates. Now, Mom is mad at me and she yelled at me, but it's not my fault that I've connected with two boys. She wouldn't talk to me the whole ride home so for comfort I looked for Theo.” I whimper. “I found him, but he wasn't very much help either because he was kissing a beautiful blonde girl.”
I could feel the tears coming again. So I held my breath and thought about something happy, and let my hair fall in my face. Dad brushes it out of my face, and smiles at me.
“Ali. You are a beautiful girl and your mother is just worried because she doesn't want you to choose someone who doesn't really care about you. I don't want to see you hurt either but you're the only one who can choose who your true soul mate is. I'll always be here for you, even though I wasn't a very good dad when you were younger. I'm still a good person, and I want to try to make up for being a terrible father to you.” he declares. I hug him because I know that he's trying his best, and I appreciate his help. He looks seriously at me, “I think you should give Riley a chance, he's a great guy. I think he could make you happy. I know we had a war with the wolves long ago, but just don't make a decision based on the past.”
He stands up leaving me alone in the cold white halls filled with ancestors and heirlooms. I think about what my father just said. I knew that the elves and the wolves had a war, but I had never considered what would happen if I choose Riley. Would everyone hate me? Would I be shunned, never be able to see my family again? Or was the past really just the past and it didn't have to do with the here and now.
“Ali, can I s-s-speak with you?” Theo stutters. He looks remorseful, like a sad puppy dog with his big grey eyes swollen red. “I know I hurt you. I had to kiss her though because it was a deal. It didn't mean anything; you're the only one that I could ever want like that.”
“Theo, can you go away?” I answer. I don't want to see him sad, but I can't let him see me like this: completely vulnerable. His eyes start to tear up, and he nods his head. I can't take it anymore. He turns around and I stop him.
“Wait.”, I proclaim. I pat the seat next to me. I know I should be angry but I can't see him acting like this, I kind of feel bad for him. He rushes over and plops down next to me.
“I know you aren't going to be able to trust me for awhile. I did it to protect you though.” he gulps. I want to make a cynical comment, but I try to stay quiet. I bite my lips so nothing escapes them unexpectedly. “Blair has a special ability. She can read minds if she touches you, then she know everything you're thinking. She can also know anything you've ever thought. I wanted to use her to get inside Riley's head to make sure he was truly here for your heart and this wasn't just a game.” he adds.
“So you kissed a pretty blonde girl for my benefit? Nothing came out of it for you?” I snap. I wanted the truth from him; I really wished for Blair's ability so I could read his mind.
“Do you want the truth?” he asks. “I did want to kiss her. She's gorgeous, but I just wanted to kiss her to see what it would be like. I don't want her the way I want you.” he confesses. I stand up and brush the wrinkles out of my dress. I look seriously at the ground because I can't look him in the eyes, I don't want to see him sad again.