Chapter 65:

We both went quiet after that, too caught up in our own thoughts to even talk. Although the further we flew without complaint from the others, the more comfortable I got. When we stopped in a clearing to let the familiars drink, the prince asked about it, and Xavier explained that the camp would not only be out of the worst parts of the forest, but also be nicer for the familiars, considering it would give everyone a comfortable amount of space to land. Luckily, even with Genie's knowledge of these woods, she completely backed Xavier, saying that it would be our best bet to actually not have to be on guard tonight, so in the end the prince hadn't even put up any sort of fight. 

By the time we landed, Xavier had actually relaxed once more, and I was really glad to see it. We landed in a large open field of thick lush grass. Rather than the starved strands at the edge of the forest, this grass was a dark lush green, and while it was still about waist-high, it didn't grip onto you as the other had. The soft trickle of a river or creek nearby lulled me into a sort of peace as I simply took in the field as the setting sun bathed the land in rich golds and orange. 

Bane trampled down a spot for us to set up camp, and it was actually rather nice. We were far enough from the forest that we were safe from any of the predatory plants, but still had enough cover from the thick grass around us that it was actually one of the more comfortable campsites we've had. 

Between Xavier and Genie's knowledge of the surrounding lands, we decided not to post guards tonight. The forest wouldn't be an issue, and there shouldn't be anyone or anything this far into Fairy. After we ate a quick dinner, Lexi, Genie, and I, along with Nova and Kira, all went to find the stream that we could hear. What we didn't expect to find was the small natural spring that trickled out into a small creek and wound its way through the tall grass.

"I honestly wouldn't have even thought to land here. Sure, it's a little out of our way, but it's a hundred times better than having to camp out in the forest." Genie said with a smile, and I just grinned at her. 

"I guess that's the perk of having a seasoned pro with us," I answered, and she just nodded as she started pulling her clothes off to bathe. 

"I knew it would be nice having someone with more knowledge of everything with us, but I honestly wasn't expecting him to be as helpful as he's been. Not to mention that he's actually been quite nice about it." It was Lexi this time, and I just nodded to her. "Not to be rude or anything, but I was honestly kinda expecting him to be far more cocky about knowing everything about where we are and where we're going, but he's really not. He's not rubbing it in our faces or anything, unlike what anyone else would've done. He doesn't act all high and mighty just cause he's more experienced than us and has all the information that we don't. Not to even mention the challenge he took on for us at the palace."

"I know, but honestly, he's not like that. He never has been, well... unless you piss him off. Then he's going to enjoy throwing it all right in your face, but unprovoked, he's actually quite different. He's one that will tell you the best course of action, but if you decide to change it or argue with him, he's going to sit back and let you, but you better be ready to dig yourself out of that grave because he sure as hell isn't going to help you." I told them, and they both just giggled at me. 

"I could definitely see that." Lexi smiled as she slid into the water. 

"Don't they normally send him on missions by himself?" Genie asked, and I just nodded. 

"He told me that before I came here, they would typically just send him off to different camps that needed a hand in their fighting efforts. He traveled all over the realm last year, although most of his time was spent in the Frontline camp." I answered her as I slid into the cool water, and Nova jumped up onto my shoulders to take the chance to bathe herself.

"That had to be rough. Even though he's not exactly a social butterfly, everyone needs some sort of human interaction every once in a while. I couldn't imagine being isolated like that." Genie whispered as she washed through her hair. I wanted to say that he had been isolated for far longer, but that was far too personal to share with them. 

"Me either," Lexi agreed as she slowly washed over her body. "And you wouldn't even talk about that camp when you came back. Everyone knows it's the worst one, but I was reading the other day and found something that said no one had ever been transferred out of that camp once they're a permanent resident. Not even the leadership there is permitted to go anywhere else. From what I found, only soldiers associated with the academy are able to move in and out of that camp. It's pretty much a prison sentence." They both looked at me then, and I shuddered just thinking about that place again. 

"That place is a fucked up mess, and I hope you never have to see it," I whispered as they both really focused on me now. "From what Xavier told me, that's where they send all of the ruthless men. The commander of the camp is a psychopath who believes women are playthings to be passed around until they're broken. Then they'll publicly humiliate them or just straight up kill them. They do the same with prisoners. It's why all of the worst are sent there. The only reason that I made it back to the academy was that Xavier publicly threatened every single one of their heads if they laid a single finger on me, and he's actually scary enough to back that threat up. I'm not even gonna lie, I was less scared of the Beastial prison than I was of that camp. You don't survive that place if you show a single ounce of fear or back down in the slightest. You can't show the slightest emotion because they'll eat you alive." After that, we ended up just finishing up quickly. We were all too tired to actually enjoy it at this point. 

The three of us just lay around the fire as the guys washed up. I couldn't help but smile as Xavier came back, putting his things away before climbing in behind me. I turned to face him, wrapping my arms around his waist as I snuggled in against his chest. His arm wrapped around my waist, holding me there against himself as I happily used his other arm as my personal pillow. 

I greedily took in his warm spiced scent as I pressed my cheek against his bare chest, allowing the steady rhythm of his heartbeat to lull me into a sense of complete safety. Everything in me knew that tucked in his arms was the safest place in the world for me. His hand sent warm tingles up my spine as he rubbed soft circles over my back and brushed a soft kiss over the top of my head, curling in further around me as I drifted off to sleep.