Rory POV

Morning came too quickly. The sun rose, and Ema and I had to rush to get everything loaded into the merchant’s cart. Last night was wonderful with Uncle Elias and Madam Kaya giving a sort of going away party. Katar didn’t let my leaving stop his positive attitude and flirty nature all evening. He nearly kissed me on the balcony until I stomped on his foot to send a clear message. This was not the time. I am not his girl or mate, and I certainly wasn't going to do anything to make him think otherwise. He still smiled at me as I left last night, so I don’t think his crush on me has faded, unfortunately.

Ema grabbed her last bag stopping at the door to look back at our sky blue room with two little beds. It had been our home while we were busy establishing our new identities. We made friends in this little town of Pine Row and made memories that I won’t soon forget. However, it only gets harder from here.

“Come on, Ema,” I urged her forward. “The merchant is waiting for us.” Her amber ears drooped sadly behind her head. “We will come back someday, okay?” I tried to comfort her with my words since my hands were full of stuff.

She nodded with misty eyes and headed out of the room. We walked down the staircase to see the merchant waiting for us. Luckily, he didn’t seem impatient as he stood there with a smile. He seemed like a gentle old man from the way he looked, and he had a good reputation with the townsfolk.

“Mr. Applegate, is there anything I can get you while you wait?” The innkeeper asked the merchant.

“No, I am good Bill. Just waiting on the girls to finish loading the cart. We have a long way to go to the city of Hyacinth just outside of the Evergreen Forest. It’ll take us about a month to get there from here.” The merchant explained as Ema and I walked outside to finish loading the cart.

“A whole month of traveling with Mr. Applegate, huh?” Ema looked to me for confirmation.

“Yeah, the Wizard’s Guild is on the other side of the mountains past the Evergreen Forest,” I answered by throwing the last bag into the cart. Ema walked to the front of the cart where two large horses stood. I watched her greet the gentle giants and snuck them some treats from her pocket.

“Keep that up and you are going to spoil them,” Mr. Applegate chuckled at a stunned Ema. “Don’t worry one treat won’t hurt, but if you give them too much they won’t behave as they should.”

“Yes, sir,” Ema bowed her head as she petted the horse’s face.

“No need to be so formal, miss…miss… What was your name again?” Mr. Applegate questioned.

“Emera Rhys, but everyone calls me Ema,” Ema answered him.

“Right, your Elias’ niece, right?” Mr. Applegate asked.

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“Yep, that’s my Ema,” Uncle Elias cut in. Madam Kaya and Uncle Elias came strolling over to us. “Mr. Applegate, I am glad to see you are the one caring for my girls.”

“Anything for my favorite adventurer. Well, that and Ms. Rosewyn paid me well.” Mr. Applegate admitted.

They all chuckled. I stood there as everyone chatted to see Katar coming out from behind Uncle Elias. I guess he couldn’t resist coming to say goodbye. More of the townspeople began to gather around our cart. Were they all coming out to see Mr. Applegate or Madam Kaya? The people gathered around laughing and exchanging pleasantries. It was nice to watch everyone seem so happy.

“Why are you standing over here?” Katar asked, coming up behind me.

“Crowds aren’t my thing. Why are you sneaking around like a thief? Trying to take my money or something?” I asked, sarcastically.

“You wound me, Ms. Rosewyn. I would never,” Katar pretended to sound defeated.

“Two weeks of sarcasm and you still keep trying,” I commented.

Katar chuckled, running his hand through his hair. “To tell you the truth, I almost gave up when you stomped on my foot last night, but your feisty comebacks just re-energize my efforts to win your affections.”

“I am not now nor will I ever be looking for love, Katar. I told you that. Besides, you are an elf and I am human. It was never meant to be.” I responded, honestly. It would be better to squash his fantasy now than later.

Katar grabbed my hand pulling me behind the cart away from everyone. “Listen, Rosewyn, I don’t care about some ancient law. Sure, at first I was infatuated with your beauty, but the more I learned about you…The more my feelings developed for you. I enjoyed hearing the stories of your dad teaching you to work with metal, and your mom training you to fight. The stories of you teaching the kids in your hometown how to defend themselves. I have seen your kindness and watched your hard work and dedication. I know you need to go on this journey to learn more about your family, but when you are done I will be here waiting for you. Please don’t tell me to forget you or move on. I just want an honest chance with you, Rosewyn. That’s all. Please.”

What the hell! I just turned him down, and now he’s confessing and begging for a chance with me. How did we get here? He’s an elf on the outside and a wolf beast on the inside, meaning he has a mate in the valley somewhere. Katar can’t do this to his mate. I can’t let him. “Katar, I know there is a woman out there for you. I can’t be her. I am sorry, Katar, but I can’t be her.” I kissed him on the cheek and walked away. I couldn’t look at his face, but I could feel his heartbreak from here.

Coming up to Ema, I whispered to her in her ear. “We need to go. Now.”

“Why?” She turned to look at me and saw my somber face. Walking away from the crowd, she saw a broken-looking Katar. “Okay, let’s go tell everyone goodbye.”

We walked into the crowd hugging and telling everyone goodbye. Once we got to Uncle Elias, tears streamed down our faces as we whispered goodbye. Madam Kaya hugged us tightly and wished us well on our journey. The townspeople gave us some care packages for our journey and bid Mr. Applegate take care of us. It wasn’t long until we were in the cart ready to go, and Mr. Applegate climbed into his seat to drive the cart. We shoved off leaving Pine Row in our wake.

The goodbye was bittersweet, but I felt bad about Katar. He was sweet and sincere with his words. Katar had truly wanted to try to make a relationship with me. There was too much going against us though. With the ancient law against interracial romances and my illegal hybris status, the relationship would have been doomed. Plus, he has a mate out there although he doesn’t know that I know about his future mate. He’s predestined to someone because he’s a wolf beast. I may have a mate too. I suppose Ema does too since she’s a simian beast. We are the only race to have predestined mates, but some say that’s because we are half animals.

Ema nudged me. “Quit thinking so hard about Katar. I know you feel bad, but we aren’t in a place to entertain love interests. We have a mission to complete, and you have skills to master. Katar will survive. He’s a strong guy, so pull yourself together, okay?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Everything will be fine for him.” I tried to believe what I was saying. I didn’t like hurting people like that, but there was no other way. I just hope that is the last heart I have to break. Please, God, don’t let my mate find me. I don’t think I could put my mate through what I put Katar through.

“Why don’t you girls get some sleep while you can,” Mr. Applegat suggested. “We will need to do a lot of work when we stop this evening, so you should be at your best then. We have a whole month of camping and hunting ahead of us.”

Mr. Applegate was right. We need our rest to hunt our dinners and set up camp when we stop. Ema agreed and quickly got comfortable, using me as a pillow. I leaned back against the cart, looking up at the sky. The sun was shining unlike our last cart ride, which was a good change. Maybe, this journey will be safer than the last… My eyes drifted closed under the warm sun.