I heard a knock on the door. I winced. It was so late. Who could that be? Dad maybe? I stood up from my bed. Even if it was late I was still dressed with my clothes. White loose shirt and dark grey tight jeans. I told that someone to come in. It was...not dad. It was Erik. Eikko. What was he doing here at a time like this?
‚What are you doing here?' I asked demanding. For a moment he didn't say anything. Just stood there and looked at me.
‚I thought you had so much work to do...and I...was sure you aren't sleeping. So I was thinking maybe do you want to walk with me, clear your head? I know you had a lot on your mind, Eadlyn.'
‚You do?' I asked fiercely. I liked Erik, but this was a bit too much. ‚ What do you think coming here at this time of night? You're not suitor, Eikko.' My words sounded a bit harsher than I thought, but he didn't show emotions at that moment.
‚You are absolutely right, your highness. I don't think a suitor would walk here this late. I just thought you might need a friend, with this much going on.'
‚I...' I didn't know what to say. Eikko was right. I needed a friend, now that Ahren was gone. ‚ Yes, you're right. Where do you want to go?'
‚I don't care.' Erik said.' Wherever you want to go.'
‚I guess we could just wander around the castle or outside.'
‚You would need a sweater, Eadlyn, for outside. It might be a bit cold.'
I took my sweater. And we turned to go. It felt really weird, but pleasant. In the middle of the night. A walk with a boy, who isn't even my suitor. Strange. But I liked it.
We wandered around the castle and talked. We talked about Henri, the problems of Illea, about my mom. Erik asked me about her selection. I told him that I don't know anything more than an average person. I sighed. I hoped I could ask her about it.
Eikko told me about his life. He told me about the places he had visited and that made me want to wish that I would go to those places.
We stepped outside. It was like inside, just fresher. It was not cold, but I liked that I took my sweater. We walked to the flowers, nears ome wall of stone.
‚I like flowers.' Eikko said. I laughed.
‚You brought me a dandelion.' I said cheerily. He smiled.
‚That is a flower, Eadlyn.' He said seriously.
‚Or a weed.' I smiled and grinned. We both laughed. But suddenly I stopped and looked at him.
‚Eikko...when the selection ends, and...and I will have someone by my side. I would like a friend.' I hoped he understood what I meant. He was a great and understanding friend. He could know what I feel.
He didn't say nothing. I walked closer to him. The wind ruffled my loose hair. I suddenly felt how little space was between us. I felt his scent. I saw the line of his nose, which was so elegant, his skin. I felt an urge to touch him, but I knew that it would be inappropriate. I looked at him. His eyes were grey, like the sky before a storm. I repeated his name, wanting that he would agree. That he would continue be my friend. He opened his mouth and I was prepared to hear what he has to say.
‚Eadlyn..I don't want the selection to end...' he said embarassed. I tried to back away, suddenly sorry that he felt embarassed because of me, but realised the stone wall we saw was now against my back.
‚Why?' I asked, wanting to know the asnwer. Suddenly we were very close again. And I realised one thing. I wanted to be kissing him. Really much. I blushed.
‚Because...' he breathed.' I want to stay close to you.' He said and I looked into his face. He wasn't embarassed now. He was blushing. I didn't think about what might others think, there weren't anybody here right now. I believed he wanted to kiss me too. I leaned towards him. He understood.
And then he kissed me. Just pressed his warm lips against mine. It was just that. Then he looked at me, as if questioning. I gently pressed mine against his. We were kissing. A queen and a translator. But then everything changed. It was no warm kisses. I wanted him. I needed him. I suddenly felt alive. I spread my hands around his neck and he put his fingers on my cheekbones. I never wanted it to stop. But after a long time we stopped. We looked at each other, but didn't say anything. But after a moment I said:
‚I wouldn't want to lose you, Eikko.' And I meant it. I saw the pain in his eyes. He was sad because he watched all those boys competing for me and didn't get a chance to love me.
‚I will be your friend whatever happens, Eadlyn. I won't leave you.' he said. He knew that I kissed Kile and Henri too, and I think he was a bit afraid. Henri. He would be terribly sad if he knew about this.
After sitting more against that wall we went to sleep. But it was hard to do it, because I couldn't stop feeling Eikko's lips on mine. It felt surreal.