Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I own nothing T^T
Lief's POV
Lief stood under the full moon, gazing out over the kingdom of Deltora; it was so peaceful now that the threat of the Shadowlord had been lifted. The joyous chorus of people celebrating and dancing on the streets floated in the early night air, pale light touching the land with silver fingers. It made him happy to see that after too many years of fighting and corruption the people were still able to find hope.
Lief, however, unlike the land was not at peace. The young King sighed; his heart was in turmoil. A thousand emotions ran through it at a time, most of them the conflicting feelings he felt when he thought of a certain raven haired beauty that had enthralled and mystified him from the moment they met, so long ago now. At first he had excused the emotions for brotherly affection but over time had come to accept his true feelings for her, now he just hoped it wasn't too late. Parts of him still stubbornly refused to let him act on his feelings, knowing that it would probably ruin their friendship if he did, and after everything they had been through together that was the last thing that he wanted.
"Hello Lief.'' A soft voice spoke from behind him. He did not need to turn to know that it belonged to the one and only Jasmine. He acknowledged her with a nod and they fell into a comfortable silence that only friends could share, knowing that nothing needed to be said.
"Everything will be different now, wont it?" she asked quietly, standing beside him and looking longingly across the vast expanse of the city to the forest, silhouetted green against the skyline.
"I guess it will." breathed Lief, tilting his head to look at her. In that moment it hit him just how important she really was to him. She had left her home to follow him, a young prince who she barely knew and risked it all on a seemingly impossible quest. He never would have made without her, when he felt like giving up she had always been there, she had kept him going. He was nothing without her.
The two friends turned back to watching Del below them and the flickering stars far above. Another comfortable silence between them ensued. Lief snuck glances at her when he thought she wasn't looking, his breath caught in his throat when he saw a bright flash of emerald and caught her doing the same. Long grass rippled like silver crested waves in the moonlight from a cool breeze created by circling dragons that hid above a light blanket of grey clouds.
Jasmine shivered; her short sleeved silken garment that Queen Sharn insisted she wore to the earlier celebrations offered little protection from the cruel bite of the night air.
"It's getting late-" She chattered as she began to retreat back inside the fortified walls of the palace.
"Jasmine! Wait!" Lief hastily laid his hand on her arm. He blushed shyly as he felt his fingers trace the Goosebumps beneath them. "I can't do this anymore!"
"D -Do what?" Jasmine questioned curiously
They were facing each other now. So close. It was too late to go back Lief decided, taking a deep breath and looking into her deep green eyes.
"Pretend that you don't mean everything to me."
"Lief, what are you saying?" said Jasmine, her voice barely a whisper. A rosy blush had formed on her cheeks and she was struggling to hold his gaze.
"I'm saying I...I love you Jasmine." Lief took a step forward, closing the distance between them and brushing his lips against hers in a chaste kiss.
Jasmine touched her fingers to her lips, her eyes shining with brief confusion
"Lief." she said softly
"I'm really sorry Jasmine but I had to tell you, I couldn't keep it a secret forever, I understand if you don't see me in that way but... ugh! What am I saying? I've completely destroyed our friendship! I wouldn't be surprised if you hate me now, and I won't be hurt if decide to return to the forest-" The jumble of words that fell from his mouth were cut off as Jasmine grasped him by his collar and roughly crushed her lips against his pulling him into a passionate kiss. They stood like that for what seemed like hours. Reluctantly she let go and Lief found himself getting lost in her beautiful eyes. Her pupils were dilated and stars were reflected inside their depths.
"I love you too, more than I can say" She said, pressing their lips together again. As they did the Diamond on the belt around Lief's waist began to glow brightly, like a star that had fallen from the heavens. The Diamond is the symbol of true love after all.
PLEASE NOTE:
As of 24/07/2014 This story is currently being re-written from the beginning, do not be surprised if some of these updates change the plot of this story slightly.
The titles of re-written chapters will be set out as follows:
Chapter number: Chapter title
Chapters with titles not set out like this are still awaiting changes.