Chapter 1

I sat in the nest waiting for my beloved to finish up his dance. I closed my eyes wanting nothing more than his touch. Mother would and still does strongly disapprove me having a serpiente for a mate, but I didn't care. Mother is always say 'crows should stay with crows.' It was extremely annoying. I closed my eyes trying to forget her words, for they've haunted my thoughts for some time now. I smiled as I felt someone's lips on my cheek and turned to see my mate next to me.

"Done so soon Urban?" I asked. He smiled and held me close. My mother's words still troubled me, but when I was with him and he was holding me, nothing bothered me, not even my illness. I was born with a condition that made me black out at any moment in time and I could stay unconscious for a half a day.

"I'll admit, I rushed a bit," he replied. He looked at me closely and his expression changed. "Diana, are you feeling alright?" His perfect voice was tainted with concern.

"I'm fine, just a little tired," I said. I continued to look at him, but his face was still fixed in concern. "Honestly, I'm fine." Unfortunately it was a lie. I felt like I was going to have another fainting episode and he could tell. Urban pushed my head down so it was resting on his chest as he rocked me slowly.

"You know I would rather you fall asleep naturally than have another spell." He spoke softly as if I was asleep, which was almost a reality. I nodded, too tired to speak.

"Is she having another spell Urban?" a familiar voice asked. I looked up and saw Salem, the next in line for the serpiente thrown since Oliza stepped down. Urban nodded in response. I opened my mouth to protest, but no sound came out. My mind was in a fog. Urban gently pushed my head down again and leaned his head close to my ear.

"Sleep now Diana," he whispered. I didn't want to. I fought the fog and was loosing. When I finally gave up, I was exhausted and welcomed the darkness that closed over me.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As usual, when I woke up I was in a daze. It took me only seconds to remember what had happen, but it was taking longer every time. I sat up looking for Urban to find him asleep next to me. I smiled and lay back down. He felt the movement and looked over at me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," I apologized. He leaned closer and kissed my forehead.

"It's not that big a deal," he said. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer, for which I was grateful. Unlike most avians, I longed for his touch. I never considered myself avian to begin with, but some serpiente don't like me hanging around so much. "Though it is late and I would like to get a little bit more sleep." I nodded and snuggled against him. He smiled at me and closed his eyes. I sat staring at the ceiling reliving the dream of her past she just had.

A/N: I've decided to try and make short chapters for this story. This is my first fanfic in first person, so please, be gentle and tell me what you think. R&R please!

-VDG