Mariettedr’s Comments (group member since Sep 06, 2014)

Mariettedr’s comments from the Write, Wrote, Written group.

Aiden was dressed in his navy clothing, ready for the gathering for Duke Faure when a guard knocked at his door. Aiden buttoned up the last button of his coat before opening the door. The guard’s eyes were wider than usual, stating that there was someone seeking an audience with him.
“He is of the Domain Kingdom,” the guard blurted out.
Aiden stiffened, searching for any signs that the man might be fooling around. But he soon realized the guard was serious and extremely nervous as well. Aiden pushed past the man, finding the urge to run to whoever dared put a foot in his Kingdom.
In the front hall of the castle he found a mountain of a man. He stood tall, taller than Aiden or even Jon. He was the lankiest warrior Aiden had ever seen. He had fine, blond hair that hung loosely around his shoulders. A pair of light brown eyes looked back at Aiden.
“King Aiden Estrella,” the man said, bowing his head. Not low enough for Aiden’s liking, but he decided to let it go. “My name is Eiric Whittaker, brother to the King Jairo Whittaker of the Domain Kingdom.”
Aiden’s spirit fell, his mood gone sour. He stared at the man, not getting a word out. How dare he enter his Kingdom?
“From the expression on your face,” the traitorous Whittaker began. “I can see that I am quite the surprise.”
Aiden found his voice. “What can we help you with? What business brings you here?”
An amusing smile touched the man’s mouth. “I am here to attend Duke Faure Jevric’s gathering in my King’s stead. As representative of the Domain Kingdom.”
“Like I stated, you have no business here.”
“But we do,” the man said, his voice a challenge. Aiden didn’t like being challenged. “As I understand, there will be a meeting of council tomorrow morning. I am here to attend since we expect your new Duke to keep all arrangements made by Duke Faure in the past.”
“What arrangements?”
“Oh,” the man mused. “Should we start the meeting now?”
“Don’t mock me, Whittaker.”
His words only amused the Domain Warrior more. “I am not here to stir trouble with you, Estrella. I am here as representative of the Domain Kingdom out of respect for the loss of an honorable man. My King won’t take kindly to it if I were to be denied the chance to show our respect. Oh, and don’t mistake this as respect for you, since we have none, I am here for the Duke Faure Jevric.”
Aiden clenched his fists at his sides. “I won’t have another disruption on my late Duke’s funeral day-”
“Another?” the man mused, but his smile faded quickly. “Like I already stated, I am not here to stir trouble. You won’t even know I am here.”
“Yes,” Aiden said, taking in the tall Warrior. “Because hiding you would be so easy.”
Eiric Whittaker folded his hands in behind his back. “You are seriously going to let me dress up for this gathering and then deny me access?”
“The moment I see a spot of red coming from you, you will land yourself in the Eldenwood jail. Do we understand each other?”
It pleased the Warrior immensely and he smiled politely back at Aiden. “Agreed.”
Aiden was about to turn away, but the Warrior cleared his throat loudly, making Aiden look at him.
“Will I be having a little problem with your trusted, black-clothed friend?” he asked, cocking his head to the side when he met Aiden’s eyes. “How is the unspoken voice of the Aemazon Warriors these days?”
“Strong and healthy,” Aiden said, his voice sharp. “And not a problem. He will keep his distance if you agree to do the same.”
“That is an agreement I can make,” he said. “But if your little Warrior even attempts to so much as to approach me, I will leave his head for you on your table.” He smirked at Aiden and made his way past him. He walked down the hall towards the gathering as if he knew these halls.
“Find Jon May,” Aiden muttered to a nearby guard.

Still garbed in her black dress, her feet cold on the harsh floor, Nayeli watched as Hael was removed from her side and she was forced into the small council room. Aiden was there with his two remaining Dukes, one Duchess and Faure’s Councilmen. A man with light brown hair was standing over Aiden, speaking loudly into his face. Aiden glared back at him, challenging him to continue his disrespect.
Once the doors to the room closed behind her, every one turned to look at her, to glare at her. She had been thrown into a pit of snakes, she realized. But which one was the deadliest, she would soon know. It was the only way, she reminded herself. The only way to bring the snake to the surface was to provoke it.
“What is this, King Aiden?” the man with the light brown hair shouted again at the King, his eyes on Nayeli. She knew who he was the moment she met his eyes. Duchess Leilani was standing at his side. He shared features with her, but where Leilani was soft on the eye, this man’s features were hardened and sharp. His name was Leynar Kubovy, the Duke of Keldar, and Leilani’s older brother. He was Duke of Keldar and Leilani was the Duchess of Keldarilly.
To Aiden’s left, a young man stood with his arms crossed. He was the young Duke Daniel Parnell of Panit, Nayeli knew. He had a boyish way to his face, but the set of his shoulders made him a man, not a boy. There was a kindness to his hazel eyes, yet stern.
Aiden stood abruptly, startling the Duke of Keldar. The room felt quiet as Aiden glared down at the Duke. Aiden’s eyes were glowing in anger, screaming King. The moment he stood, he claimed his title of authority. The mouths around the room were sealed instantly.
“Take a seat, Duke Leynar,” Aiden said softly, every word a challenge.
A shiver ran through Nayeli’s body, fear clutching her Wild heart. She knew those same eyes were going to turn away from the Duke any moment now, and it was going to rest on her. Her heart’s beat sped up anxiously.
Aiden and his nobles each took a seat at the table. It left her standing at the opposite side. She stared at the lone chair at the end of the table, feeling their eyes on her.
The Councilmen didn’t join the table, they stood a few paces away, waiting for Nayeli to take her seat. Not wanting to offend, she pulled the chair out and sat down. She looked down the table, staring in Aiden’s direction. She should not look to him, she knew. He couldn’t protect her or choose her side. He was the King and not her protector.
“She had gone and publicly declared that she would be volunteering for the title of Duchess of Eldenwood,” Leynar spat, glancing at Aiden before glaring at Nayeli again.
“Enough,” Aiden said, his voice sharp.
“Explain yourself, Princess Nayeli,” Leynar said from the other side of the table. “What is this promise you declared?”
Nayeli felt sweat run down her spine. She was running hot, her blood burning in her veins. Clenching down on her teeth, she straightened her posture. “I have Duke Faure Jevric’s written consent to volunteer for his position if he should die without an heir to his title.”
The Duke stared at her in distrust, in loathing. Yes, there was no love lost for the Native Princess.
“It’s not up to Duke Faure Jevric to decide who have the right to his title,” Aiden said, before Duke Leynar could bark at her again.
“I know,” she said, her voice sharp. “But Duke Faure had taken special precaution in the leading of his lands. The wildlife of these lands and woods are sacred to the people of Eldenwood. Whoever will be appointed must abide by the rules that had been set-”
“That will be up to the new Duke appointed!” Duke Leynar interjected. “These lands are rich with opportunity and Duke Faure refused to use it. It’s time that Eldenwood start offering its opportunities to the rest of Adarmar, Princess.”
Duchess Leilani nodded her agreement at her brother’s words. Duke Daniel Parnell of Panit noticed their approval, meeting eyes with Duchess Leilani. Nayeli wanted to rip her head off.
Aiden spoke before Nayeli could bite back. “Your actions at Duke Faure’s funeral were inexcusable. The people of Eldenwood need to know that Adarmar would take care of them. Not you, but us as a whole. You are part of Adarmar now, Princess. We act together. The folk of Eldenwood needs to understand that we are not divided,” Aiden insisted, his brow furrowing. “Let them understand that we are one in the mourning for Duke Faure. Tonight there would be a gathering in his honor. His life deserves to be celebrated without a divided folk.”
“I agree, my King,” Duchess Leilani said, her face a false façade.
Nayeli kept quiet, looking into Aiden’s eyes. His face was serious, yet expressionless and rid of emotion. He was King, not Aiden. She had been rebuked by the King after creating chaos. But she needed chaos if she wanted to provoke a snake. But to her dismay, Aiden had a way to calm the seas. By tonight order would be restored once the King of Adarmar soothed Eldenwood’s people. He was soothing the snake when she needed to taunt it. Duke Leynar started talking about Duke Faure’s lands again, about the potential his wildlife offered, but Nayeli’s ears felt like they were slammed shut.
Aiden was going to be a problem in infuriating the snake, she realized.
“Our meeting is to take place tomorrow morning as agreed,” she heard Aiden say, cutting the Duke of Keldar off. “I won’t discuss this now. Not with Eldenwood left restless, and not on the day of Duke Faure’s funeral. We will continue our day of grievance and meet tomorrow.” Aiden stood. “I will see you all at the gathering tonight. We will honor our late Duke together.”
Everyone stood, bowing their heads and agreeing to what Aiden had said. Nayeli nodded her head curtly, her eyes not leaving the table. Everybody left the room one by one. The council left first and the rest followed. But once Nayeli turned for the door, Aiden spoke her name. Stopping at the door, she turned around to look back at him.
“A moment please,” he said and his face hardened.
Hael was brought into the room by Aiden’s navy guards. He shrugged the guards off and joined Nayeli’s side. Their eyes met for a brief moment, concern touching their features.
Aiden came around the table to stop in front of the two of them. He looked back and forth between them, his eyes screaming at them. Nayeli wanted to look away from his anger, but held her stance.
“If you ever cause turmoil like that again,” he said, his voice not sounding like the Aiden she knew. “The seas her me, Nayeli. If you ever play in dividing my Kingdom’s people, I will make sure you regret it. You do not want to see me retaliate. I am the fucking King of Adarmar. I am not your toy and my Kingdom is not there for you to play with.”
Hael wanted to give a step towards Aiden, not taking kindly to the threat spoken out to his Princess. But Nayeli caught onto his arm, stopping him from reacting.
“I understand,” she found herself saying.
“Excellent,” he breathed, his eyes not leaving hers.
“We’ll behave,” she added.
Aiden looked relief, leaning back against the table behind him.
“But,” she began and Aiden stiffened. “I won’t retreat easily. I will fight for what I believe in.” Holding his eyes a second longer, she broke their stare and turned on her heel.

The funeral took place where the Adarmar River met the Seneca Woods. All the nobles of the Adarmar Kingdom had come to attend. It was something Aiden’s father always insisted on. The most powerful men and women of Adarmar had to grieve together.
Powerful they were indeed, Aiden thought, clearing his throat and stepping closer to his sister. Akira glanced up at him, concern filling her face. Her eyes had not stopped darting around the people of Eldenwood since the moment they entered the Town.
Next to the river a bed was built of firewood. Faure’s people had laid his body down on top of it. Words of farewell would be spoken before the bed was lit, Aiden knew. He had offered to speak, but Faure’s council turned him down. The head of their council, Councilman Loiry would speak the words of farewell. Loiry had been a close friend to Faure for most of the Duke’s life. It was fitting, Aiden decided.
Aiden and his nobles stood to the left of the bed of firewood to give the folk of Eldenwood a clear view of their late Duke’s funeral. The people appreciated it, staring at the cold, pale body on the fire bed.
Everyone was ready for Councilman Loiry to start his farewell, but his eyes were on his people, watching someone in particular. Aiden turned to follow his gaze as The Native Princess came walking through the folk of Eldenwood. She was garbed in a black dress that hung to the ground. Her feet were bare and her black hair was covered in delicate black feathers. The right side of her body was filled with black and white tendrils of paint, running up into her face. He almost didn’t recognize her. She was always so bright. But not today. Today she was grieving. The people made way for her as she walked up to the fire bed. She didn’t join Aiden’s party of people, she stood to the other side, not looking at him or his Dukes. Hael Young was with her, standing to her right.
Councilman Loiry started his words of farewell. Aiden did not hear one word. His eyes were on the Native Princess, his heart beating uneasily. Something was not right, he kept thinking. The set to Nayeli’s shoulders were wrong. Her hardened stare was off. She didn’t glance at him once, her eyes on Faure’s body the entire time.
The people of Eldenwood had tears in their eyes as Councilman Loiry spoke. His words were kind and forgiving, and the people soaked it in. Everyone held flowers in their hands. It was beautiful, Aiden decided, to see a funeral in black lightened up with the natural colors of flowers. Even Akira had tears in her eyes, subtly wiping at her cheeks. He had to refrain from reaching for her and comforting his young sister.
Councilman Loiry’s words came to an end and the council drew closer to light the bed of wood. The people started moaning louder then, feeling the loss of their Duke. Aiden’s been to many funerals, but it was the first time the folk were grieving like this. He tried swallowing the knob that burned in his throat as the bed was lit up in fire.
Then an ice cold, frozen, little finger was pressed to his spine.
As the funeral bed burned and the Council stepped away from it, Princess Nayeli stepped closer. She neared the burning bed, faint tears on her cheeks. Momentarily she seemed scared, Aiden thought, but he could feel her as she pushed herself towards the fire. The entire Eldenwood had their eyes on her, every one of his nobles too.
Hael Young stepped up next to her and he handed her a small knife. Aiden watched as Nayeli pulled the knife down her thumb, tearing it open and lifting her hand to drip her blood into Faure’s fire.
“Purdty,” a man out of the Eldenwood folk said, his head lowered. Aiden didn’t know what the word meant, but Nayeli had inspired it and now the folk of Eldenwood were starting to smile one by one.
“Purdty,” another man said to the folk around him. Aiden stared as the man’s sad face turned upwards into a smile. It was those with Native Blood that caught onto Nayeli’s gesture first. It was those with the blackest hair and brightest eyes that mumbled “Purdty, Purdty.” Their faces lit with hope. Every time someone spoke the word, another echoed further down the crowd.
He turned his gaze towards Nayeli, seeking answers for what was happening around him. But she didn’t look at him, didn’t dare lift her eyes towards him.
Jon May stepped up to Aiden’s side. “It means promise,” he said to Aiden. “Purdty means promise.”
He turned to look at Jon. “Promise?”
“The Princess Nayeli is claiming that she will not rest until the people of Eldenwood are cared for in the same way Duke Faure had cared for them.”
Aiden turned his gaze to Eldenwood’s folk. The tears that left their eyes were different than minutes before.
“Escort the nobles back to the Castle,” Aiden said to Jon.
Jon took hold of Akira first as he left. Aiden turned to follow, but selfishly, he allowed himself a glance over his shoulder. Nayeli’s blue eyes were glowing back at him. She was still standing next to the fire, her hand covered in paint and blood. She held his stare, watching him and lifting her chin.

Chapter Ten - The Eldenwood Folk


The Eldenwood Castle was something to gape at and Nayeli did just that. At the tip of the Seneca Woods, the Castle stood tall with glass windows lining every inch of the building. No matter what time of day, the sun would shine through the castle in light. He had lived in light, Nayeli thought fondly. Faure Jevric had loved the warmth that life had to give. He embraced the innocence of the ancient world that had surrounded him.
The Castle was not surrounded with walls. The Castle had been left open for anyone to enter. It was inviting to every man, woman or child that lived in Eldenwood. Without walls to cut the Castle off from Eldenwood Town, people were coming and going freely as they pleased. To finish off the final touch of his lively Castle, the notorious waters of the Adarmar River led past it and into the majestic forest of the Seneca Woods.
Oh, and the people.
Riding through Eldenwood Town, the people stared and gaped at her. She had to keep herself from doing the same. They shared features, black hair and bright eyes. Like her own. Like Hael’s. There were more Native Blood in Eldenwood than she could ever have hoped. Children lifted their arms as if they were reaching towards her. Admiration shone on their faces.
“They can’t take their eyes off you,” Hael whispered to her, his voice lowered.
Her heart almost left her chest.
But they were just as scared as she was, Nayeli realized. Their Duke was dead and no one knew what would come next. But Nayeli knew what would come to pass, she knew what she had to do.
The astonishing memory, ways and life of the Stag had to live on.
Nayeli dress in black for the funeral, as was their custom, one of the few they shared with the Adarmar Kingdom. Her chamber was made up in bright red and blue, her homeland colors. She liked the respect that was being offered to her. It was not often she felt adored in the Adarmar Kingdom. Mostly people would shy away from her distinctive differences.
It made her smile when she opened a package on her bed. Small, delicate black feathers fell out onto her bed. It was a gift from the people of Eldenwood. Lifting one of the feathers to her chest, she felt herself hugging it with her eyes closed. She stood in silence, sunlight falling into her room.
Her eyes opened when someone stepped into her room and closed the door behind him. She looked up to meet his gaze. He hesitated before stepping towards her.
“Are you ready?” he murmured.
“My voice will be the loudest,” she said to him. “Like I’ve promised.”

Mint wrote: "Done! Finally got to the latest update. Phew! Hoping to read more of this story :D To many questionable things that are yet to be found out."

Hi Mint.

Any questions so far? Anything unclear?

Thanks for reading!
Mariette

“Can we stop and eat something?” Nayeli asked, sagging her in seat.
“We are two hours from our destination,” Hael said over his shoulder at her. “We should press on and get the day behind us.”
Nayeli frowned, her eyes on his back. She brought her horse up next to his. “You haven’t spoken much to me today? At first I thought you might have a headache because of our time last night. But now I think your mood might mean something different altogether.”
“I would just like to get to Eldenwood,” Hael said.
“Oh, come one, Hael,” she said, reaching out to put a hand on his arm. But instead, Hael pulled away from her and steered his horse off the road. Nayeli followed and they stopped their horse next to the flowing river. Jon didn’t follow them, he continued trailing on behind the travelling party. Nayeli dismounted her horse with ease, swinging her legs off the horse. Hael did the same, his back still to her.
With the music of the flowing waters in their ears, Nayeli placed a hand on Hael’s shoulder. “Lunar Brother?” she asked softly. The set of his shoulders were tense and his silence was tugging at her heart.
He turned around abruptly, glaring at her. “You are not ready for what is about to come,” he accused.
She gave a step away from him. “I am ready-”
“You made a promise to Faure Jevric!”
“I know that,” she snapped, instantly furious.
“I don’t take promises lightly, Nayeli!”
“Neither do I!” she said back, her voice raised. “Why do you think I am here then?”
“You tell me!”
She glared at him, unsure what he meant.
“Why do you think I won’t honor my promise to Duke Faure?” she asked.
“Because you have feelings for the man you are going to oppose.”
“This is about Aiden?” she asked in surprise.
“The King,” he reminded her.
“I had been betrothed to the man for ten years, Hael. Can’t you understand that I’ve become friends with him along the line?”
“Friends,” Hael snorted. “Well, it is the friendliest friendship I’ve ever seen-”
“Stop it,” she snapped. “It’s none of your concern.”
“Isn’t it?” he asked, lifting his shoulders at her. “Am I to be an innocent bystander as you get your heart broken by the most powerful King I’ve ever met?”
Nayeli frowned at him.
“He might be “Aiden” to you. But to me he is the King of Adarmar. A King that took the Isles from us. A King that benefit every moment of every day by the hard work of men and women they only regard as mere Natives. But we are not as weak as they think and you know that. We fight with the tiger-”
“Shut up,” she blurted, sudden terror clutching her heart. “What you speak is treason, Hael Young . I don’t ever want to hear you say any of that again-”
He turned his back on her, his shoulders set in fury.
“Where is your fire?” he exclaimed, his navy eyes turning back to glare at her. “Ever since you’ve returned from Adarmar eight months ago, you haven’t been yourself.”
“I am Therian!” she screamed at him. “The fever claimed me the moment my heart turned eighteen, I would say that I have the right to be different after what I’ve been through, don’t you?!”
“You blame everything on your Tiger!” he screamed back at her.
“Yes, I do!” she yelled and grabbed his shirt, lifting it up and away from his stomach. “Just look at you, Hael! Look what I have done to you!”
Tears burned in Nayeli’s eyes, staring at the scratches that circled the side of his body in scars.
Hael tugged the shirt out of her hand, giving a step away from her. His glare softened when he looked up into her teary eyes. “You are my Lunar,” he said as if it could explain everything. As if his words could make it right and cure every wrong she had every done him. Her warm tears filled her lids and rolled over her cheeks.
“You are my Lunar,” he said again, his voice soft. “I would take a hundred more for you,” he said, touching his ribs.
“I don’t want you to,” she said softly.
“I know,” he murmured, stepping closer to her. “I know.”
Nayeli surrendered as her friend pulled her into his clasp. He kissed the top of her head, holding her in his warm embrace. She felt home then, as if The Maya Isles had travelled to Adarmar and were holding onto her now.
“You will help me keep my promise to Faure,” she whispered against his chest.
“Only if you promise to let your fire burn brighter than it had ever burn before,” he said into her hair.

“You are in a very sour mood this morning,” Aiden observed, watching Akira out of the corner of his eye. “I know I didn’t handle last night well but-”
“Aiden, it’s alright,” she said, her voice sharp. “I apologize for not telling you that I plan to go out.”
“In the future you can just tell me. I won’t make you stay, I just need to know.”
“Yes,” she retorted. “I understand.”
Aiden let it go and he rode in silence for a few more minutes. He thought of the tiger he had seen this morning, savoring the memory of its beauty. It had been such a remarkable moment that he had shared with the wild creature, he almost doubted whether it was real or not.
“Is Duke Faure’s funeral tomorrow?” Akira asked, still not looking at him. “When do we return home?”
“We haven’t been away for three days and you already want to head back? You don’t like travelling, do you, Akira?”
“I do,” she said with a sigh. “I do. And I wish I had more opportunities to do so.”
“Then why the haste home?”
“I miss my things,” she said softly. “What happens after the funeral?”
“Tomorrow night there will be a gathering in Faure’s honor. The morning after that we will have to attend a council meeting with Faure’s old council.”
“Because you have to appoint a new Duke in his place?”
“Yes, but I don’t have to do it immediately. I will think it over before making a decision.”
“Who do you have in mind?”
“Well, Leynar Kubovy would be the first to volunteer for the position.”
“Leilani’s brother,” Akira said with a nod. “Yes, of cause he would. He’s power hungry, Aiden.”
“That is why I’m taking my time on this decision.”
“Do you have anyone else in mind?” Akira asked, leaning forward to touch the mane of her horse.
“Not really,” he said, lowering his eyes. “Duke Faure’s lands are different to the rest of Adarmar. I don’t know if Duke Leynar would be the right man for it.”
“Because of Duke Faure’s regulations regarding his wildlife in the Seneca Woods?”
Aiden nodded his head and his thoughts went back to the tiger he had seen earlier that morning. Glimpsing the exquisiteness of that majestic animal had stayed with him for the rest of the day. He could understand why Duke Faure would like guard the wildlife the woods offered.
“Jon told me that you accused him of bedding me behind your back,” Akira said, glaring in his direction.
“Now, Akira-”
“You had no right,” she snapped. “Jon is good to me. To us both. Now stop your foolishness and point your thoughts to the days to come. What if it won’t just be Duke Leynar that would volunteer for Faure’s position? What if the other Dukes or Duchesses from the Kingdom are interested too?”
“I am considering all my Dukes and Duchesses, Akira. Whether they volunteer for the position or not.”
“What about the young Duke Daniel Parnell?” Akira asked. “After his father’s death four years ago, I only hear good things of the way he’s handled his new title as Duke.”
“The Kubovy family dislikes him.”
“They do?” Akira asked in surprise. “I think you should consider him anyways.”
“But Leynar Kubovy would not-”
“Leynar Kubovy must realize that he is not the King. You are.”
“Yes, yes,” Aiden said, nodding his head at Akira. “I know.”
“Now, about Jon-”
“I will make an effort to stop probing,” Aiden agreed, a smile on his lips, watching his little sister scowl at him.

Jon leaned against a tree, cocking his head to the side at Nayeli.
“Why are you naked?” he asked curiously.
“You’re early!” Nayeli snapped and grabbed her cloak out of her heap of clothes. “Stop looking!” she shrieked and pulled the cloak around her naked body. Jon stepped around the tree, turning his back to her.
“I went for a swim,” she said after a few seconds of silence. He listened to her get dressed, the waters of the Adarmar flushing past them.
“What is it with princesses and taking their clothes off,” he muttered to himself, his thought on Akira beautifully bare chest of the night before.
“I wasn’t supposed to hear that, was I?” she asked next to him.
Jon jumped, stepping away from her. She was dressed and her hair was wet, looking Jon up and down.
“Can we just get this over with?” Jon said, shrugging off her question and stare. “I’ll go easy on you since you probably have a headache this morning.”
She smiled at him. “I assure you that I’m perfectly fine.”
“Then let’s go,” he said, stepping into a clearing between the trees.
Jon watched as Nayeli stretched her limbs with a bemused smile. As each limb is stretched, she walked closer to him, her smile broadening.
“What are you smiling about?”
“I feel refreshed this morning. Ready for whatever you are going to throw at me.”
To Jon’s surprise, she was right. She was even lighter on her feet than usual. She had a different spirit in her fighting, a flex to her legs that helped her to dodge every blow he brought down on her. She danced her way around him, hacking him in the ribs, slapping him against the back of his head, playfully escaping his every move.
Jon curled around, catching her by the wrists and pulling her closer to him. “You’re better than you led on.”
She grinned back at him. “Did you think I would reveal all my cards in the first fight?”
She was ignorant and Jon took advantage of it by catching her off guard and hurling her to the ground. She hit the ground in a heap of dust. He thought it would hold her down, but she rolled away and jumped to her feet.
“You always get up,” Jon said. “That night in the tavern, too. No matter how hard the blow had been, you got back up every time. Well, until you passed out.”
“Always get up,” she said, wiping dust from her face.
“Good girl,” Jon said under his breath, readying himself. He knew she would come back at him quite hard. He wasn’t wrong and he wasn’t disappointed. She fought well. She fought with heart. Her swift feet gave him quite a hard time in catching her.
After dancing around each other for some time, Jon finally caught onto her and trapped her into his grip. He scowled her for not watching his every move, for letting herself get caught. He was hard on her but she took everything in with a frown or a bemused grin.
“Where is your sword?” Jon asked and pushed her away from him.
Nayeli took in a breath, wiping away sweat on her forehead. “I didn’t forget,” she said and retrieved her sword and belt. Tying the belt to her hips, she unsheathed her sword. Jon stepped forward and held his hand out to her.
She gazed down at his hand, hesitated, and then handed him the sword. Jon inspected it, feeling her eyes on him. Carefully touching his finger to the side of the blade, he nodded his head.
“Delinoc Steel,” he observed. “Do you know how scarce and expensive this steel is?”
“I might have an idea,” she said with a smile. “So, you approve of me sword choice?”
“That I do,” he said with a smirk. “Now you just have to learn how to yield it properly.”
“I did just fine in the slums.”
“Yes, yes, of cause. You saved my ass, I’ll admit to that.”
His words seemed to please her immensely. She smiled ear to ear and tucked her hands in behind her back to beam up at him. Loose hair fell into her face and she shook them away from her face to look up at him again.
To his surprise, he found himself returning her grin.

Chapter 9 - A Moment With The Wild

With his feet in the water of the Adarmar River, Aiden sat down on a rock, his eyes on the view of the waters. He hadn’t slept much. He couldn’t stop thinking about what Hael had said. Did he warn Aiden against Nayeli? He replied the words of the previous night over and over in his head. What had the man meant? Was Nayeli in danger?
He cupped a bit of water in his hand, splashing it on his face. It made him feel better, so he reached for another scoop of water. Wetting his hair and face, he took in a big breath of fresh early morning air. The sun was barely out, night still lingering, but he couldn’t sleep a minute longer. He had fled the Inn before the place could start buzzing with people and staff.
He lifted his head, pulling his hand down over his face. He looked up and across the river he spotted the threat. He froze and stared. Across the river stood a snow-white tiger. It stared back at him, its attention locked onto his. It was beautiful. White with black stripes. Aiden don’t know how long he stared at the Wild creature, but eventually it decided that he wasn’t a threat and made its way towards the water. It stopped with its front legs in the water, lowering its muzzle to drink from the river. Aiden couldn’t take his eyes off the creature. They were not far from the Seneca Woods, but it was rare to find wildlife this far away.
Once the creature had satisfied its thirst, it looked over at Aiden again, regarding him. He probably had to run, to take the chance to get a head start on the tiger. But instead, he found himself staring into the light eyes of the creature. It was mesmerizing and inspirational at the same time, as if being eaten alive by it would have been a good way to go. Aiden smiled and it made the creature lift its head, watching him as if startled by his kindness.
But then it turned away from him, its tail lingering behind it. Aiden watched it go, his eyes not leaving it until it disappeared into the trees on the other side of the river.

“Are you drunk?” Aiden asked, sitting down on the chair next to her and pulling her mug of ale closer to him.
“My friend is dead. I’m grieving,” she said, glancing at him with rosy cheeks.
Aiden took a sip of her ale. “Where is everybody?”
“You scared them away,” she said, scowling at him.
“I asked Akira to go to bed, that is all. Was I unreasonable?”
She took the mug out of his hands. “You’re always unre…unreasonable.”
A smile touched the corner of his lips. “You’re drunker than I realize, aren’t you?”
“You should be more lenient with Akira.”
“Just this morning I told her to live her life. But I didn’t mean she should sneak out of her bed in the middle of the night.”
“She had a good time.”
“And clearly you did too.”
“Yes, I did,” she said, smiling broadly.
“You play an instrument?”
“Badly.”
She took another gulp of ale, reaching for the jar of ale on the table to fill her cup again.
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Oh, Aiden.”
He remained silent, watching her.
“Drink this. You’ll feel better,” she said and held the mug out to him.
He lifted an eyebrow at her. She leaned closer, putting the mug in his hand. She smiled up at him, holding his gaze. Still watching her, he took a mouthful of ale. She seemed pleased.
“Have you ever gotten drunk in the slums of Adarmar Town?” Aiden asked, and by the expression on her face, he clearly caught her off guard.
“You know about that?”
Aiden’s face changed. “That was you?”
“No,” she snapped, reaching for the mug.
Aiden lifted the mug away from her, knowing she would lean into him to reach for it. Coming closer to him, he took the opportunity to whisper into her ear. “Fighting and drinking. I have so much more to learn about you.”
She pulled away to glare at him. “What makes you think you will have the chance?”
“Oh, I can promise you that I will.”
Her glare softened. “Those letters-”
“Were promises, too,” he said, drinking from the mug.
“It’s inappropriate-”
“Then why bring it up?”
“Because they were extremely unfair.”
“Unfair?” he mused.
“And distracting,” she said and touched her hand to his chest. “You clouded my mind when I needed to think clearly.”
“And drinking helps you think clearly?”
“What is your problem?” she snapped. “If I want to have some fun, I can. I don’t answer to you.”
“Maybe you should,” he said, setting the mug down on the table and pulling her closer to him, folding her into his embrace.
“Don’t kiss me,” she objected, startled by his closeness.
He had her in his lap, her face inches from his. Her gaze roamed his face, stopping to stare into his eyes.
“You don’t want me to kiss you?” he asked, softly.
“I’m drunk. You will think I’m only kissing you because I’m not thinking clearly.”
“Are you thinking clearly?”
“Yes. I don’t know.”
He smiled at her, tucking her hair in behind her ear. “I won’t kiss you.”
She breathed out in relief. “Thank you,” she whispered, leaning into his arms. He embraced her, holding her in his arms. She felt small in his clasp. Not like a young woman ruling a Kingdom on her own. She cuddled herself closer to his warmth, her eyes closing.
“Nayeli,” he whispered into her hair. “Are you alright?”
“Sleepy,” she mumbled.
“Let me walk you back to your Inn?”
“In a moment,” she whispered into his chest.
A few minutes later she was passed out in his arms, breathing steadily. Aiden took hold of her body, lifting her in his arms. He sneaked out of the Tavern with her sleeping in his arms. He kept to the shadows of the street, not wanting to be seen. After about five minutes’ walk, he found the Inn she was staying at. He entered the Inn, glaring at the Inn Keeper.
“Which room belongs to Princess Nayeli?” He asked quietly.
“I’ll show you,” a voice said from the other end of the room. Aiden turned to see Hael sitting next to the fireplace, getting up from his chair.
“Your digression will be appreciated,” Aiden said, his eyes on the Inn Keeper. He nodded quickly, disappearing out of the room.
Hael didn’t say much more as he led Aiden down the hall. The Inn wasn’t much, not nearly good enough for the beautiful woman he had in his arms but refrained from barking that at Hael.
Hael opened a door at the end of the hall, stepping inside. Aiden carried Nayeli into the room, slowly laying her down on her bed. She mumbled something, her eyes not opening. Aiden wiped her hair out of her face, fully aware of Hael’s stare on his back.
“Does this happen often?” Aiden asked, his voice soft.
“No,” he said. “Only when she’s got a lot on her mind.”
Aiden stood, turning away from Nayeli to look at Hael. “Who are you?” he asked, his voice sharper than he intended.
Hael looked amused. “The man that have always been there for her.”
“Are you in love with her?” he found his mouth asking.
It made Hael snort, shaking his head. “Aren’t the world in love with that face? I mean, look at her. And you are the man that gave her up.”
“I gave her what she wanted.”
“She was scared, so she ran. And you let her.”
“What are getting at?”
“I’m saying that you should have married her. Should have protected her. Now it’s too late and she’s on her own.”
“I am still protecting her.”
Hael shook his head, another grin touching his face. A grin Aiden was quickly getting tired off. “You have no idea what is coming.”
“Are you threatening me?” Aiden demanded.
“I’m warning you.”
“I don’t have to listen to this.”
“I guess you don’t, King Aiden Estrella,” Hael mocked and bowed in front of Aiden. It made him furious. He had to refrain from jumping across the room and ripping that smug smile off his face. But instead, Hael turned his back on him and left Nayeli’s room.

“You shouldn’t test your brother like that,” Jon said, closing the door to Akira’s room behind him. She turned to look at him, a frown between her painted eyes.
“I wish he hadn’t intervened.”
“He found your room empty and he panicked. He could have reacted much differently. I think he handled it…well, considering his sister disappeared and he found her dancing with a native.”
“And painted like one too?”
“Well, yes,” Jon said, bemused.
“And he ran to you first?”
Jon’s smile faded. “He thought he was going to find you in my bed.”
“What?”
“He accused me of bedding you behind his back.”
“What?” she snapped again, feeling dizzy on her feet.
“Are you alright? You seem a bit drunk.”
“I am,” she admitted. “And humiliated that Aiden would ask you if you were bedding me. As if.”
Jon crossed his arms. “As if?”
She shrugged it off casually. “As if you would touch me.”
“Would you want me to touch you?”
Her cheeks flushed, heat lining her neck. “Excuse me?”
Jon walked closer to her, his eyes roaming her painted face. “You think I won’t be interested in you?”
“Of cause you’re not,” she murmured.
“Do I have a say in any of this?”
She looked up at him in confusion. “What would you say if you did?”
A smile touched the corner of his lip. “That it’s not a good idea.”
“Then why bring it up?-”
“What would you say about it if I was interested?”
“That it’s an immaculate idea, Master May,” she said, swaying on her feet.
Jon’s hands came down on her shoulders, steadying her. “You’re drunk.”
“Just influenced,” she mumbled. “By you.”
Jon laughed softly, his eyes not leaving her. “You should sleep it off.”
“I’m not that drunk,” she said, turning out of his grip. She stepped closer to her bag next to the bed. She felt Jon’s eyes on her as she took out the Ember leaves he gave her the day before. She used an iron tankard on her bedside table to crush a few of the leaves inside it.
“I should bid you good-night,” Jon said behind her.
Without answering him, she lit the leaves in the tankard at the hearth. Jon watched her as she approached him with the tankard in her hands, smoke travelling out of it. When she neared him, he gave a step away from her.
“You have a black eye,” she said softly.
“Ignore it.”
“Would you stay a little longer?” she murmured softly, nearing him with the burning Ember.
“Akira,” he warned.
She let the smoke travel between them. She breathed it in, her eyes tied to Jon’s. Jon watched her, and eventually, he closed his eyes and breathed in the smoke with her.
“Jon…” she whispered, reaching for him. She pressed her hand against his chest, watching him breathe in the Ember.
Jon took the tankard out of her hand, putting it down next to them. He stepped closer to her, cupping her head in his hand. “I shouldn’t be doing this.”
“Don’t stop,” she said and dared to put her arms around his neck.
He stared down at her and touched her cheek. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered to her.
“I like it when you say that-”
“But I’m not the man for you, Akira.”
She held her arms around his neck. “That doesn’t mean that I don’t want you to kiss me.”
“No matter how many times I kiss you, you still won’t be mine.”
“I know,” she murmured. “But I want to be yours. And I want to be yours right now.”
Jon breathed in another breath of the smoke that travelled the room.
“One kiss?” he asked, and she was surprised to find a hint of a smile on his lips.
“Two?” she played along.
“Fine, two,” he said and abruptly brought his lips closer to hers.
Her heart sped up, his lips inches from hers. He was waiting, waiting for her to make the final decision of pressing her lips to his. Without hesitation, she kissed him back. She thought that he would give her a peck on the lips and then let go again, but to her surprise, Jon took hold of her head and claimed her mouth. His strong arms came around her, lifting her feet off the ground. She yelped in surprise, breaking their kiss.
“That’s one,” he murmured. It made her smile, quickly returning her mouth to his. He took possession of her mouth and started forward, still holding her in his arms. She let him carry her across the room. Her head swam, drunk, fogged by the Ember and crazed with an unknown feeling for the man that held her.
Her feet found the floor next to her bed. Jon broke their kiss and it almost made her go mad. She turned and pushed Jon onto her bed. He sat back onto it, softly glaring up at her. He wasn’t impressed with her idea but she could not care. She touched his shoulders, slowly pressing him back onto the covers. Jon didn’t object, following her lead. She clambered onto him, sitting down on his hips. He stared up at her in silence. She leaned forward, wanting to press her lips to his when he suddenly took her by the hips and changed places with her. Pinned underneath Jon, he leaned into her neck and kissed her behind her ear. A million birds fled her stomach at once. She felt flushed, her breathing accelerating. When his lips covered hers, she moaned into his mouth, her eyes closed.
He whispered her name against her mouth and it made her body react in a way it had never done before. She wanted all of her clothes off. She wanted to feel his skin against hers. She fumbled with her clothes, still dressed in her travelling attire. Jon took hold of her shirt and she lifted herself so he could take it off. Once her chest was bare, he brought his lips down over left breast. She gasped, tangling her hands in his hair. Then he kissed her other breast too. She arched her back, wanting his mouth to travel all of her.
But Jon gave her one more lingering kiss on the mouth before cupping her head and making her look up at him.
“I think that is more than two kisses,” he said, softly.
“Please don’t stop now.”
He shook his head. “I have to go and you have to rest.”
“How am I supposed to do that when all I can think about is you?-”
“Eat the Ember roots and sleep.”
She groaned, shaking his hand away from her face. Then she pushed him off her and grabbed a piece of the bedding to cover her chest.
“If you want to leave, then go.”
“You can’t be mad at me-”
“Oh, yes, I can,” she said, glaring at him. “Why can’t you make love to me?”
Jon got off the bed, pulling his clothes straight again. “You know exactly why, Princess.”
She wanted to scream. And she wanted to curse. She jumped out of bed, not caring that she was half-naked. “I don’t want to be a Princess! I want to be with you. You care for me more than some Duke-husband ever would!”
“Alright, stop,” he demanded. “A few kisses and suddenly you want to marry me? No, Akira. You are just drunk and influenced with Ember.”
“Jon-”
“No,” he insisted. “You wanted me to kiss you and you got that out of me. But what you want after the kisses, I can’t give you.”
“But I-”
“Good-night, Akira,” he snapped and pulled open the door to her room.
“I don’t want you to go-”
But the door closed and Jon was gone. Suddenly tired beyond measure, Akira dropped back onto her bed. She breathed loudly, her heart racing. But then calm took her and darkness claimed her.

Akira played with the ale in the end of her glass, stealing a look in Hael’s direction. Nayeli was sitting in front of him, a smile on her lips, while he painted her face. He held the finest brush she had ever seen. His work on the side of Nayeli’s face was so finely done and delicate, she could only stare at it.
They were in an old tavern. The place was surprisingly clean and nicely furnished with wooden tables and chairs. She took a sip of her ale, playing with the taste of it on her tongue. There was music playing in the background, two men playing on drums and a lute.
“Where is everybody?” Akira asked.
Hael looked away from Nayeli to smile at her. “The place is ours for the night. You should eat.”
Arika glanced at the plate of food in front of her. She reached for a grape, plopping it into her mouth and swallowing it with another sip of ale.
She wondered if Aiden would notice she was gone. She had slipped out of their Inn once everyone had gone to bed. The thought of opposing him made her heart jump, but she took a deep breath and another sip of ale.
When Hael was done with Nayeli, she stood and turned to look at Akira. She had to stop herself from gaping at her. The right side of Nayeli’s face was painted in fine floras. Tendrils travelled down her throat, stopping on her shoulder. They were painted in colors of blue, red and white. Her features shouted native, but it also screamed Queen.
Nayeli smiled and moved away from the chair she was sitting in. She stopped next to Akira, leaning towards her.
“Your turn,” she said and reached for the ribbon that held Akira’s hair together, gently removing it from her hair. Her hair spilled down over her shoulders.
Akira stood, hesitated, and then sat down on Nayeli’s chair. Hael smiled at her. His hands rested on his thighs, taking her in. She held his stare.
“Give me your hand,” he asked, waiting for her to respond.
A faint smile touched the corner of her lips, holding her right hand out to him. He took it into one of his, picking up his brush with the other. He didn’t speak much as he painted. A small v formed between his eyes as he worked, concentrating. Arika watched as tendrils covered the top of her hand, moving into her palm, and circling her wrist up to her elbow. His brush tickled, but she kept herself from twitching away. Once the tendrils were done, he painted exotic floras down her arm. They varied in many colors and made her pale skin look even paler.
“You have beautiful skin,” he said, as if he could hear her thoughts.
“I think of myself as average,” she mumbled in return.
It made him smile, stealing a look at her face.
Once he was done with her hand, she relaxed, but suddenly he shifted closer to her and took hold of her chin. Akira froze, staring into his navy eyes. His eyes travelled her face, her lips.
Then his brush was in his hand again. The wet kiss of the brush touched down just above her right cheekbone. She felt him draw a blue line across her face from one cheekbone to the next. The line travelled underneath her right eye, over her nose and underneath the other eye to the other side of her face. He repeated the line over and over, making a slightly thicker. Then he finished the line with a shade of black.
“What does the line mean?” she asked.
“It brings out your eyes,” he said simply. “Now, answer me this, do you like music?”
“Of cause I like music.”
He grinned at her, taking her unpainted hand and pulling her out of her chair. Nayeli got up with them, taking her glass of ale with her. There was a sway in her hips as she approached the two men with their drums and lute. They smiled at her, stopping their music.
“Do you mind if we have a take at it?” Nayeli asked, her words a bit slurry by now. It must have been about mid-night, Akira guessed, feeling a bit light on her feet as well after all the ale. Hael pulled a chair into the middle of the floor, the part she would guessed was a dance floor. He plopped her into the chair and took his place behind the drums.
Hael and Nayeli laughed, looking at each other and hesitating with the instruments in their hands. They spoke names of songs they knew and finally decided on a song to start with. Nayeli touched the strings of the old lute and foreign notes came from it. Hael nodded his head, falling into beat with Nayeli, his hands touching down on the drums.
Their music was different.
The words to the songs were in a language Akira did not understand but it must have been amusing because during the entire song neither Nayeli nor Hael could stop laughing. Their laughter was infectious. She found herself smiling at the two of them, watching as two old friends had their fun with a song. Once they finished the song, they were both shaking their heads.
“We made up the song when we were ten years old,” Hael explained to Akira. “It’s about an old lady that fancied a young lad.”
“It’s quite detailed,” Nayeli explained, her tankard at her lips again.
“Alright, next,” Hael mused, his hands on the drums.
This time they were not fooling around. It felt as if Akira was swift away and landed next to a fire in a native camp. Their tongues clicked and native words streamed out of their mouths. She had no idea what they were saying, but she was entrapped by the fast workings of their hands and fingers.
The beat of the drums echoed inside her chest, shaking her heart into a trill for life. Taking a big gulp of ale, she stared at Hael. As if he knew she was looking at him, his eyes met hers momentarily, grinning at her.
The next thing she knew, she was out of her chair and twirling to the music. They both cheered once she started dancing with the music. Then it was only the lute playing and Hael was next to her. He grabbed her hand and twirled her around and around. She laughed out loud, feeling dizzy once she stopped. Hael held her up, taking her with him. She had to focus to keep up with his fast feet, but she managed, and enjoyed every moment of dancing with him. The way he led was different than the way they danced in Adarmar, but she savored the transformation.
Nayeli kept the music going, pushing all sorts of notes out of the lute and singing the songs. Hael said every word with her as he danced with Akira. She listened to the native words in her ears, not even caring what they meant. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to be swift away to their native means.
To her dismay, Hael suddenly stiffened and he slowed down. Akira opened her eyes to look up at him. His eyes were staring past her and towards the door. Akira turned around and found Aiden starting at them. A few paces behind him, Jon stood in the door with his arms crossed. Letting go of each other, Akira stepped away from Hael.
Nayeli stopped playing once she noticed Aiden and Jon. She cursed softly under her breath, putting the lute down beside her. But Aiden was still staring at Akira. How this must look she had no idea, but she crossed her arms and stared back at him. The paint on her skin was louder than the highest fire.
“So, just disappearing out of our Inn,” Aiden began. “You thought that was going to be a good idea?”
“Aiden-”
“Jon is going to take you back to your room,” Aiden snapped.
It only enraged Akira. “What?” she snapped. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“It is mere hours from dawn. You need to get some rest before we depart again.”
She had no idea it was that late. “I can put myself to bed. I don’t need Jon to do it.”
“So, now I’m in trouble too?” Jon asked from the door.
“No,” she said, lowering her eyes to the floor. “I just meant that I can take care of myself.”
“Well, next time you decide to do that, just let me know, alright?” Aiden asked, his eyes moving to Nayeli.
Nayeli was clearly drunk and trying to keep herself from laughing at them. Hael stepped closer to Nayeli, hissing something at her. It only made her smile broaden.
Aiden let out a heavy sigh. “Please take her to her room.”
Jon remained where he was, not moving. She knew he was waiting for her. Akira turned to look at the two natives.
“Thank you for a fun night,” she mumbled with a half-smile.
“Anytime, Princess,” they both said at once. Lunar bond, Akira thought, and turned towards the door. She passed Aiden, not looking at him, and walked up to Jon. He had a slight smile on his face as they left the tavern.

Akira rode closer to Nayeli and Hael, stopping where their horses stood next to the waters. She dismounted her horse and watched as they came walking out of the water. They were soaking wet from head to toe.
“The presence of a Princess,” Hael said, touching a hand to Akira’s horse.
“Two Princesses,” Nayeli reminded him, catching her horse’s reins. “But if you don’t mind, this Princess is going to go find Jon May. He’s sulking at the back.”
“We’ll join you in a moment,” Akira said, her eyes on Hael.
He was so unreasonably handsome, she thought. His eyes matched their royal color. His eyes were navy. It was the darkest blue pair of eyes she had ever seen, and they were staring right at her. She liked the open curve of his face, his strong jaw. And his full lips were smiling fondly at her.
Nayeli had left them, but they were still staring at each other.
“Would you like to walk with me?” he asked.
She nodded, reaching for her horse’s reins.
They walked side by side, the river pushing past them. Falling into conversation with Hael was easy and comfortable. She asked him many questions, deciding to keep her questions light and easy. He answered every one of them with a smile.
“And how did you meet Princess Nayeli?” she asked, the hooves of their horses like music in her ears.
“On her day of birth,” he said, his eyes almost never leaving her.
“You were there? And how old were you?”
Hael chuckled. “I am exactly the same age as Nayeli.”
Akira frowned at him.
“Do you know what it means to be someone’s Lunar?” he asked and when she shook her head, he smiled fondly at her. “It means being born on the same day but from different mothers.”
“Oh,” she said. “And that made you friends?”
“I was sent by my family to live in Maya Castle, to be raised as her friend and confidant. In a way, I was to be her protector and she mine.”
Akira smiled at that. “Lunar,” she said and tested the word on her lips.
“Oh, I like it when you say it.”
He was flattering her, she realized.
“You are but months older than me,” Akira said. She didn’t know why she said it, but for some reason she wanted him to know it.
“I know,” he nodded. “Nayeli speaks about you often.”
“Good things, I hope.”
“She tells me you dream of tigers and wolves,” he said, his eyes on her.
Akira slowed her step, her heart rising in her chest. Why would Nayeli spread stories of her dreams? It was something she was ashamed off and now she had gone and told everyone. Akira frowned, not answering him. Suddenly she had the urge to get back on her horse and run back to her carriage to hide.
But then Hael took hold of her arm, bringing her to a stop. His navy eyes looked down at her. She wanted to look away, wanted to get on her horse and go. But his eyes held her. Her heart beat sped up once he dared touch her, cupping her face.
“Don’t be ashamed of your dreams,” he said, his voice lowered. “And don’t shy away from it when I bring it up. Nayeli only told me, she won’t tell the world. Not that you have to hide it.”
She wanted to shake her head at him, but she was too afraid that he might lower his hand from her face. Instead she leaned into his hands, staring up at him.
“Does Lunars become lovers?” she found her lips asking.
He pulled her closer to him. “Many of those who share the Lunar bond marry each other.”
He was very close to her. Was he going to kiss her? Her heart drummed in her chest. “What about you?”
He smiled broadly, lowering his hand away from her. “We are nearing the end of the travelling party. From what I hear, I should keep my hands to myself when Jon May is near.”
“You should.”
“Except if you don’t want me to?”
Her eyes widened at the thought of someone touching her with Jon nearby. “I think I prefer our walks alone.”
“Are you suggesting there would be more?”
She shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet. Depends on how dull the roads going to get.”
“And what about your nights?”
Her heart almost left her chest. “Excuse me?”
“Do you like music, Princess?”
“I do.”
“Oh, I would like to hear you sing.”
She remained quiet, watching him cock his head to the side and examine her. As if by looking at her he might be able to tell whether she could sing or not.
“Don’t eat your dinner this evening,” he murmured at her.
“I’ll be hungry.”
“You won’t,” he said and smiled.
Akira stiffened slightly. “What did you have in mind?”
“Don’t look so worried, Princess. I’m not going to claim you as my own,” he said with a laugh. She wanted to ask him what he meant by “claim” her but refrained from doing so.
“If it would make you feel better to know, Nayeli will be joining us.”
“I don’t mind,” she whispered at him. “I would love to go to dinner with you.”

Their next day of travel felt tedious, dragging on forever. They had left The Klink late morning, not getting a head start on the day. It annoyed Aiden. He was planning on getting out of The Klink as dawn broke. But clearly that wasn’t Duchess Leilani’s plan. She insisted they sit down for a served breakfast and then insisted they drink warm tea before going on the road again. If her ways wasn’t tedious enough, she liked travelling slow as well. This was by far the slowest he has travelled upriver. But the Duchess insisted that her carriage go slow because she tended to get nauseous easily.
Leilani also fretted over Nayeli’s absence at breakfast, implying that it was rude and disrespectful. Why she did not join them, Aiden had to wonder, she usually didn’t mind sharing a table with him and Akira.
Aiden stiffened in his saddle, sighing restlessly. Great seas, this trip upriver was going to take forever. He fiddled with his reins impatiently. Closing his eyes, he wished for something exciting to happen.
So when laughter nudged at his ears, his eyes open.
The hooves of Nayeli’s horse drummed on the road, the feathers in her hair dangling behind her. She was riding at full speed and her friend, Hael, was chasing her. She surged ahead, coming past the front row of the travelling party. Passing by, she glanced at Aiden and laughed again.
She was free, he realized. That was what she had wanted and what she now enjoyed. Wasn’t he supposed to feel the same way?
Hael chased Nayeli past them, going out ahead. Aiden wondered where Jon would be sine he was not joining in on the fun they were having. Aiden decided to do the same and stay put, watching them ride carelessly up the river. It was only when he saw them plunge into the water that a sting of jealousy pinched his heart.
He had shared these waters with her and now she was plunging into it with someone else. Who was this man anyway? Maybe he really was her lover. The thought nearly drove Aiden mad and he couldn’t take his eyes of them. They dove into the water, clothes and all. The horses had retreated onto the river’s bank, but the two of them floated in the water. Hearing Nayeli laugh with someone else was maddening.
“I wish I could be like that,” Akira said, riding her horse up next to him. “I wish I was impulsive enough to do it.”
Aiden frowned. “Why do you think you can’t?”
“I don’t know,” she said, her voice soft. “Sometimes it feels like I’m too scared.”
“You shouldn’t be scared of living, Akira.”
His sister looked at him and smiled. “I can’t help it.”
“Is that why you hide in your room every day?”
Her smile faded. “Why didn’t you invite Jon to come to Eldenwood?”
Aiden let out a sigh. “What would an Aemazon Warrior do at a Duke’s funeral?”
“You know he goes where we go. He’s protective of both of us.”
“I have enough men to protect me. I can survive one trip without him.”
“You’re trying to separate me from him,” she accused.
“And what if I am, Akira?” he asked, holding her gaze. “You’re a Princess. You need to make friends other than Jon May.”
“Someone like Duchess Leilani?” Akira asked, not sounding very interested. “She brings me apples and speaks to me like I am a child.”
“You’re not a child. You are seventeen and old enough to choose the friends you like.”
“Anyone but Jon May?”
Aiden hardened his stare. “Jon is…unbound.”
“Unbound?”
“You know,” Aiden began. “The Aemazon Warriors will only be loyal to me until the next person wins their favor. What if that happens and Jon leaves, Akira? I’m afraid that you forget this at times.”
She shook her head. “Jon is not leaving. He’s loyal to you.”
“He is unbound. There is no way in telling who his next King might be.”
Akira remained quiet for a while and he was glad that she was thinking his words over. Because they were true and a thought he had dreaded himself since the day he had befriend Jon. He was a devoted friend. Aiden trusted him, confided in him. But he couldn’t let him love his sister.
“I should live my life,” Akira said after a long while of silence. “You’re right. I should make friends – and I will do just that.”
Akira turned her horse away from Aiden and turned it away from the travelling party. Aiden watched in dismay as his sister rode downriver. She wasn’t going to Jon, he knew. She was going to befriend Nayeli’s absurd friend.
“Yes,” he muttered to himself. “Urge her into befriending the native. This is going to win her so much favor with the rest of Adarmar.”

Jon hurled her to the ground.
She tasted sand and blood in her mouth, and groaned in frustration. Dawn was gaining on them and she had yet to get a successful punch in. Nayeli pushed away from the ground, rising to her feet with the Adarmar River running past them. She glared at Jon, covered in dust.
“Come one, Little Princess,” he mocked. “Imagine me as a drunkard in a tavern, would that help?”
“You’re a very gentle teacher,” Nayeli said, wiping blood off her lips.
“Luckily you don’t bruise easily,” he observed.
“Excuse me?”
“After you fight in the slums you didn’t have any bruises on you.”
She licked her red lips. “You picked up on that?”
“Of cause I did, Princess.”
She lunged for him and was met with his wall of a body. He easily caught her, grabbing her wrists and swinging her around. With her back to him, her wrists still in his grip, he murmured into her ear.
“You’ll have to do better than this.”
“Then I shall,” she said through gritted teeth and with that she managed to rip her hands out of his grip. She turned on him, bringing an elbow into his face.
Jon exclaimed in surprise, kicking her away from him. She fell forward, her hands digging into the unforgiving ground. To her liking, Jon was holding a hand to the side of his face.
“Great,” he muttered. “I’m going to have a black eye.”
She smiled in satisfaction. “That is for throwing me to the ground so many times.”
“Isn’t that how you learn?”
“Consider me learning then?” she mocked and stepped closer to inspect his eyes. “It’s nothing.”
“I’ll survive,” he said, not pleased with her at all.
“Dawn is breaking. We should get cleaned up.”
“I’ve noticed that you own a sword,” Jon observed.
She wiped a hand over her dusty face. “Yes. It had belonged to my mother.”
“Bring it along tomorrow and I will show you how to use it.”
“I know how to use it.”
Jon smiled to himself, eyeing her carefully. “Sure you do, Princess.”

They reached The Klink as the sun started to set. Rewarded with a beautiful sunset, they entered the town. It was called The Klink because it was established in a turn made by the Adarmar River. From Adarmar Castle, the River went North until it reached The Klink, from there it turned sharply East. The road next to the Adarmar River lead straight to Eldenwood and was the safest road to travel with.
When they reached the town, the travelling party was already unloaded at their different posts. Aiden had arranged rooms for everyone at various Inns. No surprise that the Nayeli, Jon and Hael were booked into the same Inn as Aiden and Akira. Also the same Inn as Duchess Leilani.
Their horses were taken from them, being fed in the stables. Hael had insisted on seeing to his own horse. Even after Nayeli assured him that it won’t be necessary, he insisted on following their horse to the stables. Jon shrugged it off and escaped their company immediately.
Jon disappeared to his room and was not seen for the rest of the day. Nayeli went to find the room Aiden had arranged for her, planning to collapse on her bed and sleeping through the night. She was exhausted by the day’s ride.
But when Nayeli entered the Inn, she faced Aiden, Akira and Leilani sitting together at a table. She groaned quietly to herself.
“Princess Nayeli,” Leilani exclaimed falsely and stood. “I hear that you’ve been travelling in my dust the entire day without me even knowing it.”
“She was too far away from the travelling party to see your dust,” Aiden said, his voice sharp and unforgiving. Nayeli knew she disobeyed his request to ride closer to the party, but she simply refused to stare into the back of Leilani’s carriage the entire ride to Eldenwood.
“You fell behind?” Leilani asked. “Probably tired of riding a horse the entire day. You should invest in a carriage if you are not a strong rider, Princess.”
Nayeli wanted to scream at her. “Maybe I should,” she said calmly.
“Come have a seat next to me. Dinner will be served any minute now.”
Nayeli glanced at the small table she would have to share with the Duchess. It was too small, she decided. In fact, the entire Inn was too small to share the company of Leilani Kubovy.
“I’m tired,” she said. “I think I might head to bed early.”
“Already, Princess? Without eating?”
“I’ll bring food to your room,” Hael said and appeared next to her. He stank of horse and the stables.
“And who is this?” Leilani chirped. “You have a new man in your life, Princess? And a native like you, nonetheless.”
Hael glared at her, not very subtle in his dislike.
“Yes,” Nayeli found herself saying, too tired to explain. “A native just like me. Aren’t we a just the perfect match?”
“Indeed you are-”
“Good night, Duchess.”
Nayeli turned away from her, feeling the Royal eyes of the King and Princess on her back.

Nayeli stepped closer to Hael, watching the Princess Akira run into the Warrior’s arms. He took her into his arms carelessly and Aiden’s disapproval showed on his face. They glared at one another, the air thick with an uncomfortable tension. But Akira didn’t care about her brother’s silence, she smiled ear-to-ear at Jon’s presence. To Nayeli’s surprise, Hael was smiling as well. She lifted an eyebrow at him.
“Who is that?” he asked, a whisper between them.
“She is the Princess Akira,” Nayeli answered. “Aiden’s younger sister.”
“Princess Nayeli!” Akira observed and moved towards them. She walked up to Nayeli and embraced her. The Princess Akira’s arms around her was surprising and somehow felt comforting.
“And who is this?” she asked once she stepped away from Nayeli again.
“Princess Akira, this is Hael Young. He is a great friend of mine.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess,” Hael said, holding her gaze.
Akira smiled at him. “It’s the first time I’ve met a friend of the Princess Nayeli.”
“Oh, she has lots of them. But I’m sure I’m her favorite.”
Nayeli’s heart thudded at his words. Oh, how they must sound! Hael had only joked, but now people were really going to assume they were lovers. Akira’s gaze narrowed, looking back and forth between the two of them. Nayeli’s cheeks felt warm, her ears heating up. She wanted to groan out loud and shout at Aiden’s watching eyes that he was her Lunar, not her lover.
“With eyes like yours, you would be my favorite too,” Akira said and it felt like Nayeli might just faint. Hael and Akira were staring at each other like they were dinner.
Nayeli cleared her throat loudly and tugged her horse closer. “We should get going.”
“Aiden and I rode out here to tell you that you were falling behind,” Akira said, her eyes still lingering on Hael.
“You shouldn’t be back here by yourself,” Aiden said, speaking for the first time. He moved his horse closer to Nayeli. “Would you like to move up to the front with us?”
“We are very comfortable here,” she replied and mounted her horse.
“You’re too far back. Get closer to the travelling party.”
Ever so demanding. Nayeli glanced at Hael and she was met with bemused eyes.
“Yes, King Aiden,” she said and saw Hael smile out of the corner of her eye. Their jest didn’t go unnoticed by Aiden. His face hard as stone, he turned away from them.
“Will it be alright if I ride with Jon, Aiden?” Akira asked, causing Nayeli to stiffen uncomfortably in her seat. “I tire of my carriage.”
Aiden held out his hand to her. “Get on the horse, Akira.”
She scowled at him, remaining in her spot. “Jon will return me to my carriage before we reach The Klink.”
“Just get on the horse, Akira,” Jon said, coolly.
Akira looked at Jon, frowning at his sudden coldness. Then she reached for her brother’s hand and mounted the horse with him. Her eyes were shouting questions at Jon as Aiden pulled away and if Nayeli had ever wondered, she knew now. Aiden didn’t approve of the friendship between the Princess and the Warrior and it was probably the reason why Jon had not been invited to go to Eldenwood.
Nayeli nudged her horse in the sides, urging him forward. Hael fell in next to her. A moment later she heard Jon mount his horse and started his trail behind them.
“So, the Princess Akira-” Hael started to say but was cut off by a glare from Nayeli.
“Don’t even think about it.”
“Think about what?” Hael mused. “How beautiful she is? How very alluring she is?”
Nayeli gazed over her shoulder uncomfortably. Hopefully Jon was out of hearing range. “I’m not going to help you when you get beaten to a pulp.”
“Don’t lie, my Lunar Sister. You’ll be the first to throw a punch in my defense. You always have.”
“Not in this regard.”
“Had the King seen you throw a punch before?” Hael asked, a grin on his face and nodding his head. “Of cause he had not. Otherwise he would be madly in love with you.”
Nayeli smirked and shook her head. “I don’t plan on throwing punches in front of Aiden.”
“Aiden,” he repeated and shrugged. “His name rolls effortlessly over your tongue.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.
“Just observing, Princess, just observing.”

Chapter 8 - That Is More Than Two


They had been travelling for two hours when they reached the Adarmar River. Then they travelled about three hours more before they made their first stop. Jon was impressed by his two companions. Neither of them complained about the long hours of travel. In fact, it seemed that they enjoyed it. They must have known each other for a very long time, Jon decided. They kept their horses close to each other, sharing whispers and jokes with one another. They played with conversation between them like few friends could.
Jon trailed behind them during their journey, watching them. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but they were enjoying each other’s company. Once Nayeli realized they would have to travel behind Duchess Leilani, she basically recoiled from the travelling party. She sat in her horse, her arms crossed until a good thirty minutes had passed before they made their way out the castle gates.
If they wanted to, they could catch up to the party within minutes. But obviously Nayeli wanted the Duchess out of her sight. She knew then, Jon mused by himself, she knew then that the Duchess had a case of the lovethrills for King Aiden.
They made their first stop, allowing the horses to drink from the river. Hael took out bread smeared with strawberry jellie and shared it with Jon and Nayeli. Nayeli’s eyes couldn’t move away from the river, chewing away on her bread. She stared at it with such a yearning, Jon couldn’t help but watch it as well, staring at its magnificence.
“Have you been in the water before?” Jon asked her after a few minutes of admiring the blue waters.
She swallowed the bread she was crewing on and turned to look at Jon. She seemed to be searching his face, looking at him as if he might be mocking her. But he wasn’t, so he held her gaze.
“Yes,” she said, taking another bite of her bread.
“You should try it in the winter’s time. When it’s snowing,” Jon said. “The water stays warm. It’s warmer then, actually. It’s quite the experience.”
“I’m sure it is,” she said quietly.
“Shall we continue on?” Hael asked over his shoulder, putting the leftover bread away. They both nodded but stopped once they heard hooves on the road. His eyes met with Nayeli’s for a second.
“It’s coming from the travelling party,” Jon said. But she didn’t seem to relax, her gaze narrowing towards the road.
Navy clothing came riding over the hill and Jon’s heart calmed. He didn’t know what he was expecting, but Nayeli was restless and it seemed it affected him as well.
“It’s the King,” Hael said behind them and Jon’s eyes shot back to the rider. “There is someone on the horse with him.”
Jon knew who it would be before he could even make out her face. Akira. She was going to be difficult, he decided. He didn’t have the chance to tell her that he had found Ember, didn’t have the chance to reassure her that she wasn’t going to Eldenwood alone. Right now she would be thinking that he had allowed her to leave without greeting her. And, well, Aiden did not know that Jon was accompanying the Native Princess, his friend’s previously betrothed.
Nayeli turned towards her horse, leading it away from the river. She was readying herself to go, but Jon remained in his spot until Aiden and Akira stopped in front of them.
“Jon!” Akira exclaimed and jumped off the horse. Aiden’s face was a façade of stone as he watched his sister run to him. She jumped into Jon’s arms and he caught her in his grip. “I knew you would come with us!”
Jon didn’t reply, his gaze locked with a furious King.

The travelling party had pulled away by the time Jon May walked his horse up next to Nayeli and Hael. Nayeli turned in her saddle to meet eyes with him. He stared back at her, clearly not pleased to be in her riding party. Or maybe because she had given him the Ember, she thought. She didn’t like Ember and the people that used it regularly. She would definitely advise against it. But something in Jon’s eyes in the slums told her he was desperate for it.
“Princess,” Jon said in greeting, slightly bowing his head.
“Jon,” she greeted, looking him over for any signs of red eyes or a clouded head. He seemed to be himself, clear of mind. “This is Hael Young.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” Jon said, looking Hael over.
Hael merely bowed his head, fully aware that he was a man carrying Ember and that his princess had provided him with it. Nayeli shrugged it off.
“The King’s guard and men are all dressed in navy, the King’s color,” Nayeli smirked. “Since you’re not travelling with him, would you like to wear my red and blue?”
Jon glared at her, his clothing a shockingly black in the morning sun. “The Aemazon Warriors only wear black.”
“A bit glee for me,” she teased him. “How about a feather in your long hair?”
Jon remained silent, glaring at her. He was clearly not impressed by her notions. Hael chuckled next to her, not being able to hold his laughter.
Jon’s glare turned towards Hael.
“It’s a joke,” Nayeli said, her voice kind. “I was only trying to lift your mood. You seem awfully dull-spirited about sharing the road with us.”
“I mean no disrespect, Princess.”
“Oh, come on, Master May,” she mused. “We’ve gotten to know each other quite well, sharing some secrets along the way. You can call me Nayeli.”
“I want no part in your secrets,” he said, his voice soft.
His words did hurt, but Nayeli shrugged it off. “Very well, Jon. Very well. But the road is long and I would prefer it if you would stop glaring at me. Or if you have something on your mind, speak it now.”
“There is nothing on my mind,” he said, his stare softening.
“Great. Shall we leave then?”
“Our party is to leave last,” Jon said.
“I think the King and his guard is already out-”
But Nayeli’s words were cut short once a carriage in dark green started its trek towards the castle gates. A cold finger touched Nayeli’s heart. Duchess Leilani Kubovy. Surrounding the carriage, about twenty of her men were on horses. She was joining their travel to Eldenwood. Nayeli cursed underneath her breath and Hael immediately lifted his brow and followed her stare towards the carriage in green.
“She’s also traveling to Eldenwood?” she asked, her attention on Jon.
“Yes,” he shrugged. “Of cause. One of her fellow Dukes is dead. She has just as much reason to travel to Eldenwood as you.”
Nayeli remained quiet, her glare on the carriage.
Jon whistled loudly, a bemused smile on his lips. “You don’t like the beautiful Duchess Leilani, do you?”
Her carriage left the castle gates.
“Why would you make such a remark?” she asked. “I’ve gotten to know her quite well. I believe she even calls me one of her friends.”
Jon laughed, his mood suddenly lifted. Nayeli was surprised to be relieved by his smile. For a moment she had thought they will trek upriver in uncomfortable silences and awkward glares.
“Let’s just say that we were not made to swim in the same ponds,” Nayeli murmured to the two men next to her. Smiles found both their faces.

Breakfast was being served in the great hall. But when she wasn’t there, Aiden found himself looking for her. He couldn’t help it. He asked the guards, the servants, anyone that might know where she was. Finally a young servant lady smiled at him and told him she was in the south kitchens. Those parts of the kitchens would be cleared of staff by now and hope touched the smile on Aiden’s lips.
But the moment Aiden neared the kitchen door, he heard her laughing with someone. He stopped to quietly peek into the room. Like a six year old boy, he was peeking around the corner of a door to steal a peek at a girl.
He felt his heart move once his eyes rested on her. She sat with her back to him. Aiden couldn’t help himself, he thanked the seas that it was summer again. Nayeli was wearing native clothing, which meant she had a small piece of red fabric that covered her breasts and upper body, tying together behind her back. It left the rest of her stomach and back exposed, her shoulders bare. From the waist down, a faint blue skirt wrapped around her body and stopped just above her knees. To his surprise, the feathers in her hair were white, not the usual blue and red.
Aiden’s eyes travelled over her and marveled at the part of her back that she had left exposed. There was a tattoo on her back. And not a small one. He cocked his head to the side, taking in the bird that covered her left shoulder, sticking out from underneath her clothing. That was definitely something new.
“You were right,” a man said and sat down next to Nayeli, his back also to Aiden. Aiden was so focused on Nayeli that he almost forgot that there was a man with her. Judging by his attire, he must be a native too. He had dark hair and a tanned skin. Like Nayeli’s.
“What was I right about?” she asked the man.
“They really are different.”
Nayeli playfully nudged him with her elbow. “Be polite.”
She pulled bread and preserves closer to them. She handed him a plate and took one for herself as well. Just when Aiden wondered why they weren’t having breakfast in the great hall, his question was answered.
“So they sit at their high tables and wait for servants to serve them?” the man asked.
Nayeli shrugged. “It’s their way.”
“Did you like being served when you visited this place?”
This place. Was this how they regarded his kingdom, Aiden wondered.
“No,” she said and placed a slice of bread on each of their plates. “But I didn’t want to offend them.”
Them.
“Did you have servants in your room?”
“Yes,” she said and smiled at him. He smiled back at her, shaking his head.
They used only one knife, he noticed. She used it to cover her bread with butter. Then he took the knife from her, covering his bread with it as well. Then she took it back, applying preserves to her bread. Once she was done, she licked the knife clean. The man smiled at that, pulling the knife out of her hand and plunging it into the preserves as well. Aiden frowned by himself.
“Strawberry preserves were always your favorite,” he said.
“They serve it here every morning.”
Aiden’s frown deepened. Why didn’t he notice she liked it before?
“You are spoiled by a rich king,” the man snorted.
“Oh, he never spoiled me,” Nayeli said and took a bite of her bread.
“He gave you a Ploca Stallion for your eighteenth birthday-”
“It meant to say he didn’t spoil me when I was betrothed to him. The stallion came after I broke our father’s agreement and you know that very well, Hael. And well, it was my birthday. The horse was a gift.”
Hael laughed. “Can I have it?”
“You want my horse?”
“Yes.”
Nayeli let out a sigh. “The King will take offence of that.”
He leaned closer to her, watching her. “Then you should keep it, I guess.”
They ate in silence for a while longer, comfortable in each other’s quietness. Then she looked at him, chewing her bread.
“What would you like to be called here?”
He frowned at her. “My name is Hael Young.”
She shook her head. “You belong to a very rich family in the Maya Isles. In Adarmar they will call you Lord Hael Young.”
Hael snorted. “Please don’t call me that.”
“And if they ask what you are to me? What do I say then?”
“I’m your Lunar.”
“They don’t even know what a Lunar is.”
“Then you should tell them I’m your lover.”
Aiden’s cheeks reddened, a heat lining his ears.
Nayeli laughed. Never before had he heard her laughed like that before.
“How about I just call you my friend?” she asked, still laughing.
“That sounds ridiculous. But acceptable.”
They leaned closer to one another, their eyes tied together. “My rich friend?” she teased.
“I’m nobody, Nayeli.”
She shook her head at him. “Not to me. You should have stayed home.”
“I knew Faure too. I want to be here.”
“I know. But I’m worried that you might not understand the people.”
Hael pressed the last piece of bread into his mouth, holding her gaze. “No,” he began. “You’re just afraid I won’t like your new King.”
“Our new King,” she corrected him. “And I don’t know if he will understand you.”
“We came for Faure. Not for the King.”
“Sometimes when Aiden speaks, he tends to demand. It’s not what he intends, he doesn’t want to claim my attention… But it’s like he doesn’t know how to ask for it instead of demanding it.”
Hael scratched his head, a playful smile on his face. “This is going to be very interesting.”
“All I ask is that you don’t intervene.”
Hael’s smile faded. “You don’t want me to say anything when he is rude to you?”
“He’s not rude to me.”
“If he wasn’t rude, why did you cry for weeks when you returned home eight months ago?”
“Because I was the rude one,” she said, her voice soft. “Let’s leave it there and eat more strawberry preserves?”
“These preserves?” Hael asked, his smile returning. He plunged his thumb into the jelly of the preserves and before Nayeli could stop him, he smeared his thumb over her lips. She ducked away from him, licking at the smile on her face.
“Will you go greet the King?” Hael asked, licking his thumb clean.
She smiled. “Oh,” she mused. “The King will come to me.”
The words barely left her lips when she turned around to look at Aiden in the door. He refrained from jumping, already caught eavesdropping. How long had she known he was there? A smile touched his lips, leaning against the frame of the door. Their eyes met, the room silent.
Hael stood and Aiden was fully aware that he was looking him up and down, sizing him up.
“King Aiden Estrella,” Hael said and bowed his head.
“This is Hael Young,” Nayeli said.
“It’s a pleasure to meet a friend of Princess Nayeli,” Aiden said and stepped forward. “Welcome to Adarmar Castle.”
“Thank you,” Hael said. “I will give you some privacy,” he added to Aiden’s surprise. Hael left the kitchen, sharing a quick glance with Nayeli before disappearing out the door.
Aiden’s attention returned to Nayeli. There was still jelly on her lips.
“How long have you been standing there?” she asked, breaking the silence between them.
“You cut your hair,” he said, ignoring her question.
“Yes,” she said, slightly frowning.
“And you have a tattoo on your back.”
“Not just on my back,” she said softly.
They shared a silence.
“You don’t like it?” she asked.
“I haven’t seen them. Would you show them to me?”
A faint blush touched her cheeks, her eyes lowering away from him. “They are very personal.”
“Would you like to explain them to me?”
“Not really,” she said and looked at him again.
Aiden nodded his head. “I understand.”
Nayeli loosened a breath. “How is Princess Akira?”
“I wrote you letters.”
Nayeli cleared her throat loudly. “I replied to every letter your council had sent me.”
“Yes, to their letters you replied. But not to mine.”
Nayeli crossed her arms. “A few of them were a bit inappropriate, don’t you think so?”
“Which ones?”
“You know exactly which ones.”
Aiden smiled at her. “So, you did read them? I’m glad you did.”
“Who knew you had such a way with words?”
“When I’m not being demanding?” he asked, his smile fading.
“You heard that too?”
Aiden moved towards her. Nayeli’s eyes widened as he approached her, leaning closer to her. “Your favorite jelly is still on your lips.”
She reached for her mouth, but he caught her hand before she could wipe it away. He had her pinned under his stare, blue eyes staring back up at him.
“Aiden,” she warned him.
“What?” he asked innocently. Then he wiped his thumb over her mouth, ridding her of the preserves. He licked his thumb clean.
She gently pushed him away and he gave a step back.
“Aiden,” she said again. “I know it was impolite not to write you back when your first letter came. But you shouldn’t have sent it.”
His stare softened. “I wish I could take that first letter back.”
“And not the passionate ones that followed?”
“I thought of ways to erase that first letter from your mind. And as each one left my desk, I realized I only made it worst.”
Nayeli chuckled softly. “You were very creative.”
“Thinking about you… And the afternoon we had spent in the Adarmar River… It inspired me immensely.”
She looked away from him, heat touching her cheeks.
“Well,” she said, still not looking at him. “It was still your first letter that clouded my mind.”
Aiden sighed. “I apologize, Nayeli.”
“Don’t,” she said to his surprise. “They are words I hope every woman hear once she had made love for the first time.”
Aiden wanted to reach for her, but he refrained from doing so. They watched each other, their eyes tied together. He couldn’t stop. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from that tanned face and blue eyes. And he couldn’t stop his mind from wondering to the time they had spent at the Adarmar River.
Nayeli finally looked away from him, absentmindedly touching her lips and making sure there wasn’t any jelly left on them. Aiden shook his head, trying to rid himself of the thought of her lips.
“I wanted to write you when the news of Duke Faure came,” Aiden said, his voice soft. “I know how well befriend you were.”
Nayeli held her gaze on the floor, nodding her head.
“I’m sorry for your loss of a friend, Nayeli.”
“And I’m sorry for your loss of a Duke,” she said, her voice soft.
“We leave in about twenty minutes for Eldenwood,” he said. “I hear you will be accompanying my travelling party up river?”
“If you won’t mind? We will be following behind you.”
“How many in your travelling party?”
She smiled at him. “Just three.”
“Three?” he asked, a smile on his lips. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear you say you travelled from the Maya Isles to Adarmar Castle with only two men to protect you.”
“I can take care of myself-”
“Yes, so you have told me.”
They smiled at each other.
“I guess we should get going then?”