Part 5 - A Blue Eyed Agel

Allana sighed in relief when she was finally allowed to return to her room. She had spent the rest of the afternoon in Selina’s company, smiling and nodding as she feigned interest in the young Lords’ boasting manners. Selina, on the other hand, had spent the afternoon in heaven, charming rich young men, sons of Duchess and Baronesses and, by supper time, the line of admirers that followed her every step had grown to eleven. Of course that meant she was equally hated by the other Ladies just as much, but that didn’t seem to bother her in the least.

Feeling tired after an entire day roaming the palace in the wake of the maddening trip they'd endured from Everlyn, she undressed her blue dress, the hem of her long skirt dirtied and ragged from all the dragging around, and slipped into a simple cotton tunic she had selected as her nightgown. Now that felt comfortable, she thought as she jumped into bed, thankful for the soft mattress that awaited her. All she wanted right then was a long and peaceful night of sleep … but sleep didn’t come.

In the silence of her large room her mind jumped from question to question, from problem to problem, from face to face. She thought about Elipson, from whom she hadn’t heard since they’d arrived. And about Kai, who now knew her secret, hoping he’d really keep quiet about it. Dana popped into her mind, telling her she had no obligation whatsoever to remain in that city, since she didn’t owe obedience to the King, her being Everlyn’s Crown Princess and all. Dana, like Heric, thought that she should just leave, traveling south where it would be safer, maybe find refuge in Leips, as there was nothing she could hope to accomplish by staying in Mithir. And then she saw it again, the burning white houses of Everlyn, the smell of smoke filling her lunges. And in her mind’s eye she saw the palace burning as well, and Lidya standing by the tall window, just waiting for the flames that would swallow everything whole.

She turned around, hoping to cast those dark thoughts away, and her gaze wandered across the ceiling above her head. It was the first time she noticed the beautiful picture painted there, where a garden of green lush trees looked down on her. In the center of the garden there was a fountain, clear crystal water flowing gently, while two beautiful beings with incandescent wings sat beside it. She had never seen such a perfect ceiling fresco, she thought wondering how the artist had managed to paint all that in such a tall surface. And then something caught her eye making her look up with extra attention. She blinked for an instant, telling herself she was surly seeing things, her mind too tired after a busy and stressful day. But when she looked up again she knew she hadn’t imagined it and her heart jumped, beating too fast. One of the white beings, the one with blue eyes, was looking straight at her, his cold, beautiful expression somewhat amused as a sarcastic smile touched its thin lips. She ought to run. Actually she suddenly wanted very much to run away as fast as possible. But her body simply wouldn’t obey, keeping her there, laying on that bed, as if invisible chains were binding her to it.

“I may not see you, little one … But I know you can see me. I’m on my way to claim what is mine. You can’t hide forever. And here is what will happen to everything you touch.” A cold, cruel voice told her, sounding inside her head, and suddenly she wasn’t there anymore, and a dark column of smoke rose towards the sky as she looked down at the piles of black ashes that she knew had once been the peaceful Kingdom of Everlyn, her home.

Screaming she sat on the bed, her damp hair glued to her face, her heart hurting from beating so fast. She looked up without a thought, afraid to see those blue eyes looking down at her, but the winged beings faced each other again, they’re beautiful faces in mutual contemplation. Tears filled her eyes and she dried them immediately. Only a nightmare, a stupid nightmare, she scolded herself thinking how childish she could be, allowing a nightmare to scare her like that.

With a deep breath she pulled back her hair. So much for a peaceful night of sleep, she thought as her heart regained its usual rhythm, and she looked up once again, to that perfect fresco that now didn’t look all that beautiful anymore.

She blinked when she was faced with those blue eyes staring at her again and, in the next second, she was out of bed and running towards the door, a melodic but cruel laughter filling her head.

She ran down the corridor not knowing and not caring where she was going, her heart beating so fast it hurt, warm tears streaming down her face, and she almost fell when she turned a corner, her bare feet practically soundless against the velvet carpet that covered the corridor's stone floor.

She must be going mad!, was the only thing that crossed her mind, that and how afraid she felt, even thought she couldn’t quite tell afraid of what exactly.

Her trembling hands fought with a door handle for an instant and she tripped into another room, her heavy breath filling the silence around her. Still shaking she took a deep breath and, only then, felt safe enough to stop running. Wiping the tears from her face she looked around, although she couldn’t see much in the darkness. The only light came from outside, from the waning moon that painted everything with a pale, silvery light.

The sound of a murmur startled her and caught her attention, her eyes growing accustomed to the dimness surrounding her, and her heart jumped a beat when she finally realized where she’d ended up.

Walking up to the bed she saw that he was dreaming, his expression one of pure agony as his lips released unintelligible words. His skin shone lightly as the moonlight touched his face pearled with droplets of sweat, making his black hair stick to his brow.

Feeling calmer and once again in control of herself, she sat at his side and lightly caressed his face.

“Elian? Wake up,” she pleaded, trying to wake him as gently as possible, and his eyes snapped open as he took a sharp breath, almost as if he’d been drowning; her wrist caught midair pulling her down, startling her and making her scream.

He blinked once, unable to recognize the frightened face that hung right in front of him, and then his eyes opened wide as he understood what he’d done, quickly releasing her from his hard grip.

“Allana …” he muttered, confused, while she held her aching wrist against her chest, and she moved slightly away from him when he sat up, brushing a hand through his face, trying to make sense of what was happening. “I’m sorry … Are you all right?”

She nodded, avoiding having to face him, and stood up.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t even be here. I’m really sorry,” she mumbled, feeling suddenly flustered. She didn’t really know how to explain her presence there, but the idea of returning to her room scared her even more. Above all she didn't know what had possessed her to barge into his room in the middle of the night, and so she ended up running to the door, feeling too embarrassed to even face him.

“No! Wait!” His body was on the move before he could even think about it and he reached her just in time to push the door shut. “Wait, please …” he repeated, seeing how she cringed against the door, her small body confined by his own, much taller and broader, and he took a deep breath, resisting the impulse that coursed through his mind to simply hold her. “Talk to me. What happened …?” He tried to sound as gently as possible and her shoulders begun to tremble as she lowered her head to hide her face from him.

“I … can’t stop … seeing it …” her whispered voice cut the air.

“Seeing it?!”

“Everlyn … burning … Maybe … maybe Dana is right … and I should just leave Mithir … before it happens here too.”

“Allana … It’s okay. Everything’s going to be all right, you’ll see …”

“No! No it won’t! What happened in Everlyn will always happen … wherever I go …”

“By the Gods! Who told you that nonsense? Was it Dana?” he asked, suddenly deeply annoyed with the idiot that had filled her head with such stupid ideas, but she didn’t answer. “Dana is only trying to keep you safe! That’s why she wants you to leave before Mithir is attacked. Those preposterous ideas are her way to convince you to go, nothing else.”

“It wasn’t her …” she confessed and Elian waited for her to go on. “It was … someone I saw …”

“Someone you saw?! Where? Who?”

Allana shook her head. She could never tell him such craziness like the paintings in her ceiling coming alive.

“In a dream …” she finally answered and he smiled, releasing the door from his hand lock.

“You can’t take to heart all you see and hear in your dreams,” he told her as if he were talking to a child, and placed a comforting hand on her head, gently messing with her disheveled hair. “Come now, don’t be like that. I hate it when you’re sad like this …” She turned in one move and hugged him, her small arms surrounding his waist, robbing him of all coherent thought as she leaned her forehead against his naked chest. Elian stood very still, her soft breath caressing his skin, and he had to remind himself that he had to breathe, since the entire world seemed to have simply ceased to exist. He took a deep breath and smiled when he felt her strengthen her hold on him, as if she feared he might push her away.

She really didn’t know him at all, he thought as he bent down to pick her up, a soft gasp escaping her lips as he carried her to his bed.

Still, how light could she be?, he asked himself, wondering how such a small and frail body could move, speak and talk, and even fight fiercely as he’d seen her fight, or hide such terrifying power like the one she held.

He sat on the bed placing her on his lap as if she were a little girl, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, hiding her face from his gaze and stealing his breath away again.

Now this was becoming too much, he thought as the warmth of her body started to seep unto his. But, as he lowered his gaze, he couldn’t help noticing how small she was, her feet hanging midair, far from touching the floor.

A little girl, he told himself with a sigh, softly brushing her hair. A little girl that had lost everything in one night and had seen her home country burned to the ground. And yet she had faced it all with such an unbelievable regal presence, working side by side with her countrymen, that he’d been left wondering if he’d been able to do the same, should their roles been reversed. Sure she’d been scared, and sad, and lost.

Allana closed her eyes when soft fingers brushed her hair. In the silence that surrounded them she could easily hear his heartbeat and feel as the air filled and exited his chest. She knew she shouldn’t be there; she had tried to tell herself precisely that since the moment he had woken up. And yet … she felt safe near him, almost has if he had the power to bring light into the chaotic darkness that lately filled her mind.

She was startled when he held her hand, picking it up from behind his neck and easily breaking her hug. She peeked curiously at what he was doing, since he hadn’t push her away, and held her breath when he placed a soft kiss on her inside of her wrist.

“I’m sorry I hurt you …” he told her and she retrieved her hand, finally gathering enough courage to release him and sit straight.

“I’m the one who barged into your room … like that …” she replied, still too embarrassed to face him, and somehow she knew he’d smiled.

“I’m glad you did. I was having that terrible dream again … the one I can never recall …”

“Let’s not talk about dreams,” she cut off and he nodded.

“Agreed. But Allana, you must promise me you’ll take those stupid ideas out of your head,” he added, lowering his head to see her face and she looked away. “You can’t possibly be responsible for what’s happening. And I am witness of how you fulfilled your duty and did all you could do for your people. Do you have any idea of how many lives you’ve saved? Just think about that when they start arriving tomorrow.”

Allana sighed, unable to put those burning images out of her mind, and shuddered as she recalled that cruel laughter. Only a nightmare, she repeated to herself.

“How’s Elipson?” she suddenly asked, trying to change the subject, recalling she still hadn’t heard any news about her, and Elian smiled, aware of her escape tactic.

“She’ll be fine. The Emissary from the Temple of Nar is taking care of her. He’s just a young boy but even Melbar recognizes he’s abilities, so I’m certain she’s being well cared for,” he answered and she nodded; and an awkward silence fell between them.

Well it was all her fault, she thought feeling her cheeks burn as she thanked the dim light that allowed her to hide it from him. She’d invaded his room in the middle of the night without so much asking for permission. Sure she felt safe and at peace near him, but that could never be an excuse to her impulsive and shameless behavior. And there she was, sitting on his lap as if she were no more than ten, and he just sat there, bearing her spoiled little girl’s act. Angry with herself Allana raised her head and jumped to the ground, pulling her tunic down since it hardly covered her naked legs.

“I’m sorry I barged in like that. I’ll be returning to my room, now.” she told him, still too ashamed to face him, but the hand that grabbed hers stopped her from moving.

“Are you really going back?” he asked her in a surprising lonely voice and she took a peek at him for the first time.

She’d already noticed it, she thought as his figure caught her gaze making her unable to look away. He wore soft cotton pants but his chest remained naked, his skin glistening beneath the silvery moonlight; a strong but harmonious body built over years and years of training, just like the arm stretched towards her, stopping her from leaving.

“Hum … it’s late …” she managed to answer, not too sure if what she’d just said made any sense, and he pulled ever so discretely, but enough to make her give a step towards him.

“Don’t go.” She stared at him, her heart racing inside her chest, half confused, half afraid. That hadn’t been a request but a firm, unquestionable command. “I don’t want you to go. Stay,” he told her again, this time in a softer tone, and she finally managed to avert her gaze, escaping the dark trap that were his black eyes.

That honesty of his always disconcerted her, rendering her unable to argue or deny him.

“Hum … I really should go …” she still tried, but he was already pulling her again, and her body obeyed him without her consent.

She looked angrily at him, ready to give him a piece of her own mind, but the victorious smile that glowed across his face erased all her thoughts. His smile always made her heart skip a beat, she thought in defeat, allowing him to lead her as she laid down beside him, resting her head on his pillow. His arms held her unceremoniously, as if she were no more than a doll caught on a child’s embrace, freezing her in place, and she practically forgot to breathe when his fingers slid lightly down her back.

She raised her head, a protest brimming on her lips, and swallowed dry when she was faced with his dark gaze fixed on her, eyes that had no light as if they were doors to a world of darkness.

Oh, this is bad!, she thought lowering her head again and placed a hand against his naked chest to push him back.

“I really should go …” she whispered, fear coursing through her body as she tried to sit up, but he simply held her hand, keeping it against his chest as if it were a precious gift, making her look up at him.

“Stay!” An order again, she thought, her heart beating so fast she was sure he could hear it. “Stay and I’ll protect you,” he added and she blinked, noticing his skin was somehow glowing … until she understood that it wasn’t his skin, but the silver locks amongst his dark hair that seemed incandescent. “He can’t reach you here,” he went on and she blinked again, startled.

“He?! What are you talking about?” she asked but he placed a finger over her lips, silencing her as he smiled, that same smile that made her heart miss a beat.

“Just trust me,” he whispered and his finger slid down to her chin while warm, soft lips touched hers.

He kissed her gently and a searing fire ran through her entire body, leaving her breathless. Startled, she pulled away, too scared especially of the way he seemed to leave her thoughtless, unable to think coherently, almost as if he could control her mind. But he followed her movement, kissing her again, this time deeper, making her lips part and dance with his, all the while watching her intensively through heavy and shadowy eyelashes. His tongue invaded her mouth, making her tremble all the way down to her core, and she was completely lost.

A deep sadness she couldn’t comprehend brought tears to her eyes, and yet it was as if a part of her, that she didn’t know she’d missed, had finally returned. His hand on her neck held her firmly in place but his thumb drew small, warm circles on her cheek. And when he slowly released her lips to mark a trail of soft kisses down her neck she didn’t push him away, on the contrary. Her arms seemed to move on their own and wrapped themselves around him, her hand diving into his soft glowing hair.

She knew she was gasping for air but she couldn’t hear a single thing beyond the beating of their hearts, how they had synced with one another, sounding as one. She was completely his to do as he pleased. And the only thing that occupied her mind was how to make him hers in that same way.

She felt her body grow hotter in the places he touched her; her waist, her back, her naked leg. He held her hand, lacing his fingers with hers, and place the full weight of his body on top of hers. And all she could do was look up at him, at his inhuman beauty, the silver in his hair glowing magically, his lips reddened from all the kisses he’d left on her skin, his eyes deep pools of darkness unable to reflect the smallest sliver of light. He was both beautiful, and scary. Both dazzling and domineeringly imposing. And his determined expression told her what she already knew. That no matter how wrong and twisted, she belonged to him.

He bent his head to kiss her again and she raised her head to meet him halfway, inviting his touch, allowing him to explore her mouth at will, filling her with his warm, fragrant taste. When he finally released her she felt numb again, her cheeks burning, her lips moist and tingly. She wanted to keep looking at him, to keep filling her mind with his image, but suddenly her eyelids felt too heavy, and it took everything she got just to keep her eyes open.

“Rest,” he told her in a deep, gentle voice, and placed a warm hand over her eyes, forcing her to close them. A soft, silent darkness surrounded her, making her so sleepy that even though she didn’t want to, she couldn’t help but fall asleep.

* If you want to know more about this book or simply access earlier updates, please visit the official site at http://carpersanti.net/arnae/