Chapter 3
As she watched Jonathan stuffing vegetables into his mouth like a steamshovel, Lana glanced to her side at Michael. Since he got back with the food, Michael had been apologetic and quiet. Lana gently put a hand on his arm, and when he looked up she smiled at him.
He smiled back weakly and took her hand. They walked out of the cabin into the star-lit woods. Lana looked back over her shoulder when she heard Jon giggling.
They strolled under the heavens on that peaceful night, Michael's arm snuggly around Lana's shoulders. As they headed back to the cabin, Michael pulled Lana into the trees and moved his hands around her waist, pulling her against him. She gasped as his lips met hers, warm and firm, yet gentle. They held each other a few minutes longer, then Michael released her waist and took her hand as they went back to the real world.
The next morning, Lana woke to find Michael gone. There was a note on the stating, If you ever want to see him again, turn yourself in, Queen of the Rogue. Signed, Sorcerer General Naboril.
It was at this time that Lana realized the government thought she was her older sister! She had to get Michael back, but to do that, she would have to break the law of the Rogue and turn her sister in! The Sorcerer General was the strongest enchanter in the country. Michael was strong, but obviously not strong enough.
She knew that she had several options. She could turn herself in and wait for them to figure out that she wasn't the Queen beg her sister to turn herself in, go to the police and point out their mistake. But would any of them leave her and Michael together? The sorcerer general wasn't known for being nice to his prisoners. In fact, he used torture more than anything else to get information. Michael was strong, but what if he didn't survive?
This thought worried her more than the one that he might reveal any number of things to stop the pain. She couldn't give her sister to the General either, so she went to try and get him out on her own.
When she arrived at the jail, she saw Jonathan and Michael were both there. Michael was surrounded by a forcefield which was draining his energy. Jonathan was lying against the wall, pale in color, with a streak of blood running from his temples. Lana threw a bolt of magic at the forcefield around Michael, but to no avail.
When a guard came running towards her, a tendril of magic shot out, leaving the guard unconscious against the wall. Jonathan stirred as Michael fell down in his forcefield, weak from the energy drain. Jon saw, and without any warning, shouted a single arcane word that made the field dissolve. Michael slumped forward as Lana stared, shocked, at Jon. Very few people even knew how to use that spell, and her little brother was throwing it around like a simple, everyday word!
Lana finally snapped out of her shock, and ran to Michael's side. He was barely breathing, and was very pale. She bent down over him, and took a packet of herbs out of her pocket. She ran them underneath his nose, and he woke up with a start. She breathed a sigh of relief as his pulse sped up, and his breathing returned to normal. He looked up at her, almost gratefully.
"Now we're even." he said with a grin, but Lana shook her head gently.
A look of confusion crossed his eyes, which were still dark and clouded. Then he saw Jon standing above Lana, his eyes brimming over with power. A look of understanding flashed across his face. He struggled to his feet as Jon walked silently away from them, and gently tugged Lana to him. She made sure he wasn't severely injured, even as he said, "I'm okay, milady." She grimaced at the title and asked, "When did you figure it out?"
He smiled at her and pointed to Jon. "Only nobility know that word he used, and since he's your brother..." She looked down shyly, and then fiercely stared back up at him and growled, "Don't let this change what we have, Michael. I may have been born noble, but I've been an outcast for over a year."
He grinned comically and mouthed, "I won't." as he pulled her into a long, fierce, passionate kiss. When he released her, Jon came over, frowning worriedly. "We have to leave, and we can't go back to the cabin. Where should we go?"
Then, to everyone's surprise, Lana looked up and stated, "To the king."
Michael looked at her, shock on his smooth features. "Why, Lana?" he asked wearily.
"Because it's time for use to take our places with him as the only available heirs to the high council seat currently occupied by the Sorceror General." she stated with vehemence.