Ok so the work I had for this chapter became too big so I ended up splitting it into two parts. Because of this, chapter 4 should arrive very soon and I can guarantee it will be more interesting than this one. What is revealed in chapter for has been the inspiration for this story. All of this said; I am really desperate for some feedback from you guys. I really do appreciate your reviews and input more than you know. So please, I am asking you to review as you read the story and in return I promise that there will be a reward for your review. More than likely it will be a sneak peak to future updates. I really hope you guys like this next chapter (I know it's a bit slow but bigger and better things are to come) Thank you so much for reading! Without further ado I give you…

Chapter 3: Rising Concerns

The sun was now cresting the eastern horizon but the ship still lie asleep. I had already been up and dressed for some time and now I stood on at the bow of the ship looking out into the water. Try as I might to divert them, my thoughts repeatedly returned to the past night and my time spent with Ido. When I thought of the tall commanding man my heart fluttered and my cheeks flushed. What am I to do? Hearing padded footsteps I turned around. The thick bodied form of Rykko stood before me; Lady Dela was by his side, her arm locked around his. She looked at me and smiled then they glanced at each other in silent confirmation and Dela released Rykko's arm. I watched her walk away with all the grace and beauty expected of a courtier and I envied her smooth control.

Turning back to Rykko I greeted him, "Good morning Rykko".

"Good morning my lady", he replied coolly, "I would like to speak with you briefly if you have a moment".

"Very well, I am free now", I replied.

"Thank you" he said, inclining his head towards me. "Eona you know I have never been one to meddle and I want you to know that is not what I am doing now. I am also not one to talk around an issue so I will speak plainly with you. Eona I can feel the turmoil of emotions within you and I know who they center around. I can feel it through our bond and I can see it plainly in you now. The situation you find yourself in cannot be turned aside. It is understandable that you are confused and feel lost. You and Lord Ido are the last two Dragoneyes and still have a large role to play in this war. You need him to teach you the ways of a Dragoneyes but I can also sense more between you though I don't fully understand what it is yet. I also know that you need The Emperor and he needs you in turn. The Emperor is young but he is a good man and I would like to think he would do right by you", at this he raised an eyebrow. "Simply put Eona, I am urging you to consider all things. Dela and I want what is best for you, whatever it may be whether we like or not. But I also want to make sure that your feeling of hopelessness does to compel you to act rashly. Consider all things and be wise in your decisions. It is unwise to form unnecessary enemies but it is also unwise to ignore the wanting of your heart and cause it pain. That is all I will say." Rykko stepped closer to me and placed his hand on my shoulder. Our eyes met for a moment and then he continued on in the direction Dela had gone.

I was left alone again, on the deck, to contemplate what Rykko had said. Had he and Dela just given me there approval of Ido if I wanted him? Is that what I want? Perhaps Rykko could also sense the change in Ido. Maybe they knew that the man truly loved me and was a new being. Ido can never undo what he has already done but I can fell the regret and sorrow within him from his actions. Knowing he will live with this pain forever is enough for me to respect his sincerity. I know at this point everyone expects me to be with the Emperor, even I had expected it. But I couldn't help remember that he was an Emperor and had certain duties that were expected of him that I could not come to terms with. I am not of royal blood therefore by the laws of the land I cannot marry Kygo. I have also determined that I will never be a concubine. I would rather lose Kygo than be a concubine, locked within the royal walls of the harem. Then I thought, even if Kygo and I found a way to marry, could I be happy with that life? Could I live with the responsibilities of the court and still be the same woman? No, I do not think I could be happy. Being a Dragoneye was hard enough and came with enough responsibility and I do not think that I could take on any more. Things would be simpler with Ido, normal even. He and I could live a life like any other couple. Oh what should I do?

After my talk with Rykko, the remainder of the day dragged on and I met with Kygo by early evening. We spent several hours convening with Master Tozay before he bid us far well leaving Kygo and I alone in the cabin. He seemed preoccupied with the tasks before him and paid little attention to my presence. I stared at him while he worked and studied his features. His face was so perfect. Every contour and ridge seemed to have been chiseled from a fine stone like the great sculptures standing in the palace court yards. Kygo was everything I had ever dreamed of having in my younger years. Now he stood before me, the great Pearl Emperor. I knew I could have him for he loved me. Yet as I thought longer I knew that Kygo loved his land more and he would do whatever was necessary for it; even if it meant forsaking our love. He could not simply override an ancient law immediately after being crowned and it was an ancient law that would prevent us for being together. I was also weary of his hunger for my power and feared that once I no longer had it he would forget me. My gaze swept over the glowing form of the pearl nestled in the hollow in his neck and I again felt a rush from Kinra. Perhaps her need for the pearl was all that was drawing me to Kygo. Whatever it may be it seemed that fate had designed it not to be. I was slowly coming to terms with this realization however much it hurt. I did love Kygo but whether or not the love we felt for each other was real I could not tell. Our destinies were intertwined but it appeared more and more that the bond was for the sake of mutual survival then a romance. Perhaps the promise I had made to him on that distant night at the palace was more prophetic then I had ever intended.

As I readied to leave the cabin Kygo turned up from his papers and clicked his tongue in realization of his rude behavior.

"Naisso, please wait. I am sorry for ignoring you. I am just so caught up in this mess and I am trying to make sense of a winning strategy that does not result in total loss."

I turned back and walked closer to him. "It's alright your Highness; I understand the importance of your tasks. I was simply leaving you to your work." I had not intended for my comment to come across so harsh and unfeeling but it had. Kygo sensed my mood and admonished himself again.

"Eona I truly am sorry" he said, lowering his head.

"No Kygo it is I who should be sorry. You truly are dealing with a lot in this moment and I am simply feeling overwhelmed by..." I stopped realizing my almost confession to him.

"Overwhelmed by what Naisso? Am I relying too heavily on you?"

"No no hardly. I am just overwhelmed by nothing of importance and ready to be off this blasted boat." I said with a weak smile. Another lie, I thought. How quickly and easily they were streaming from my mouth it seemed. So much for his truth bringer, I thought harshly.

Though he looked at me doubtingly Kygo seemed content to accept my excuse, for now. "Very well, Naisso. Why don't you retire to your room for a rest?"

"I think I will" I replied with a shaky voice. I was suddenly feeling exhausted from the turmoil of emotions within me and I knew I had to leave before they spilled out and Kygo learned the truth.

Seeing my instability, Kygo crossed the small distance between us and caught me in his strong warm arms. For one glorious moment everything felt right and secure in the world. All of my troubles and confusion faded and I felt safe. Kygo leaned his head down and nuzzled the top of my head. I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed tightly. His gentle hand cupped my cheek and pulled my face out of his chest to look him in the eyes. They were dark and inviting but did not hold the strange allure that Ido's amber eyes possessed. My mind began to wonder to Ido but I pushed the thoughts away so that I could enjoy Kygo's embrace. He bent his head further and our lips met with remembrance. It was a gentle, slow kiss that was filled with mixed emotions. I rested my hand on the strong corded muscle of Kygo's chest and felt his heart leap; my own was beginning to pound harder. Then I thought of Ido again and remembered the feeling of his lips against mine. This time I could not push back the thoughts and I pulled away from Kygo. He looked at me with a bit of hurt in his eyes but then it vanished. He looked down, almost embarrassed for some reason I could not tell.

"I am sorry Eona. You wish to retire and I am keeping you. I can sense that you do not wish to be here right now and that you need time." He said with a hard voice.

"But Kygo…" I started to argue but the words fell from my lips into silence. How could he tell my discomfort? How could he sense the turmoil within me? I thought. I stared at him in shock and he stared blankly back at me.

"Eona it's alright. I understand. You may go for now. We can talk about this later." He said and briskly returned to the mound of paper work before him.

I was too confused and in too much shock to argue with him. Somehow Kygo seemed to know what was happening to me. Fear set in as I wondered if he knew about Ido. I glanced at him one last time but he had already resumed his work so I turned to walk out. Before I stepped through the door I heard a whisper form Kygo.

"Goodnight my Naisso. I…I hope you know…" he began to say but trailed off.

I looked him but he continued to look down. Bracing myself I replied, "I think I know Kygo. But I think you know my reserves as well."

At this he raised his eyes to stare into mine and said, "I do, for I share them." We each nodded, a sadness filling the room and with that I turned and walked away. We had silently agreed to continue this conversation after we both had time to think. I returned to my own cabin, seeking the solitude it could bring. As I closed the door behind me I leaned against its cold hard wood and closed my eyes. Tears began to well and for the second time I let myself cry out my conflicting emotions. It poured from me in a blurry burn. Wrapping my arms around my body I stood there, alone and sad, and I wept.

…..

OK everyone, that's it for now! Again I know it was a bit slow but I hope you liked it. Please please please review, you will be rewarded. I am looking forward to feedback. I will try to hurry on chapter 4. Thanks again!