Authors note: I am SO glad you all liked the last chapter; I hope you now know why it took Eva so long to recognise Aikka. Thankies to all who reviewed, you all deserve a batch of triple chocolate virtual cookie! –throws-

Disclaimer: Once upon a time in the la- Oohhh! Pretty!

Blood red skies;

Chapter ten: Allies and Enemies.

Aikka stood in front of a window watching the sun rise, behind him however was a familiar site. Eva- no, she was not just Eva anymore, she was Lady Eva. Lady Eva was lying on a bed behind him with the blankets up to her shoulders sleeping soundly. The truth is he could not bring himself to look upon her in such a vulnerable state, for yesterday she had ran into his arms and burst into tears of…joy? Relief? Or anger? He did not know, and today she slept soundly, she had not woken up since that morning, yes it was only morning that day and she had been sleeping ever since. Surely she would wake soon.

Well, perhaps she thought she knew who he was. She didn't. Not who, not what he truly was. Aikka watched the sun rise in the hope that she would rise with it, he was finding it very had to resist the erg to feed. No, not just feed; feed on her… he cursed the sun rise for it reminded him of what he is voluntarily missing out on. Aikka shook his head hastily, ridding his mind of those…thoughts, Eva was his friend he can't do that to a friend or in particular Eva…

There was a rustling of blankets from behind him. Aikka thanked the gods for this torture to finally be over. Inside his head he was jumping for joy- he no longer had to fight temptation because he had won…and strangely enough, he felt he lost at the same time. He turned to face her, she was now sat on her bed rubbing her eye's tiredly and spoke in a very…morning voice "…Aikka?"

Aikka turned his gaze to the bedside table, not wanting to look at her "I always wanted you to see Nourasia…" he turned to her "but not like this…"

Eva was silent for a moment slightly puzzled at what Aikka was talking about, she had never been a morning person, meaning she wasn't the quickest thinker at that time of day… she was still for a few moments watching him leave but as Aikka put his hand on the door knob "Wait-"

Aikka turned to her giving her a questioning glance "yes?"

"Don't…don't leave me…please?" Aikka gave a half smile and nodded at her request.

"I will wait outside for you to dress, you may accompany me to my duties today…" he said as he left.

For the rest of the woman it was breakfast as usual, they didn't expect neither Eva nor Aikka to show up that day. They had figured a long time ago Aikka would choose to spend some time with this…long lost friend of his. Willow was none too happy about it, for by now it seemed to be an unspoken agreement, Willow was to win the Prince's heart, no-one seemed to want to be the one to win it anyway. Aiyan was far too shy, and to top it off a crog, enough said. Jenneh had no intention to be married to anyone let alone someone from a different race. It's not that she didn't like the prince but she would rather marry her own kind, plus without her here on Byruss would not have an heir. And Yuuni seemed to know she would not be chosen, or at least thought that.

Willow gave and exasperated sigh whilst she played with the food on her plate "I don't like that earth girl…"

"Willow please…she and Aikka know each other, I really must ask you do not over-react" Aiyan stated with concern and placed a hand upon Willow's.

"I agree with the crog, they no each other from the Great race, they cannot possibly be anything more then friends." Jenneh stated plainly sipping her Nourasian tea.

Yuuni was the only one who inwardly sighed, Willow's mind was clouded by jealousy, seemingly the only thing that could stop her from thinking rationally "Ladies, please, we must all tread carefully I feel a change in the winds, unlike anything I have felt before…"

All turned to look at Yuuni with looked of curiousness and concern, it was not no often they heard Yuuni speak- or think as it were, but they learned that when she did it was often something to be heard, not just mindless blabbering conversation, what she said usually had a purpose, a meaning. Willow was the first to speak "…well?"

Yuuni gave a solemn nod before continuing "Five here have been brought, as you know… Four among us will go home, also as you know. Three will eave with out a trace and leave no lasting impression. Two among us will fight for the love of the prince and only one shall succeed, which will result in marriage. The one chosen is destined to be a great queen who children will be even greater" Yuuni shook her head, she stood feeling rather faint "forgive me…I must retire"

All sat in silence until Jenneh spoke "was it me…or was that a prophecy?"

"I- Uhh…I think so…" Aiyan supplied "pardon me, I am going to find Little Aiyan"

"I will come with you, Aiyan" Willow smiled standing up and following her out of the dining hall, sure she had some major planning to do but doesn't mean she can't have fun.

Jenneh hat for a few moments I do not trust that Nourasian…I must find Eva, I have a feeling this will not end well…but first, I must find Yuuni…I will have to speak to them tomorrow…I think they are both busy.

Jenneh stood walking toward the door staring at the floor deep in thought. She figured Willow would pull Aiyan to her side. Aiyan being who she is will follow someone who makes her feel safe and secure because she is so shy. So they could have been considered Allies and to herself, enemies. Of course, if they were her enemies then herself and Yuuni are Allies, she thought for a moment of where Eva's alliances laid but she could not fathom it, she shook her head and dismissed the thought.

(A/N: I am sorry, that chapter wasn't the best but, what can I say? I'm sorry it's rather short)