Chapter 10- Arcerian Secrets

Rael resisted the urge to tap his fingers on the table and stared at Yaslana across from him. Rael would bet that Yaslana was just as impatient as him but all that was apparent in the man's posture and face was cool boredom. Rael was imitating his feigned lack of care but it was really annoying him.

Where is this Black Jewelled friend of Sadelles? And how many more surprises can she have! She is a virgin! A Queen, in a court like this, a virgin!

Rael also reigned in the fierce protective streak he felt at those thoughts. He could not afford to get involved in her problems unless they concerned him. He also had to be careful not to let on that Yaslana had told him about her, if she knew he knew she was a virgin... she might panic.

His attention was stolen by the figure entering the room, heading toward their table. Is it her? He was disapointed when he noticed the witch wore the Tigers Eye. Not her then, Damn. And yet she sat down at their table.

Rael looked at her. "Excuse me this table is occupied." The witch looked him and Yaslana in the face and then made as if to leave. It was then Yaslana spoke up.

"No stay." Rael concealed his shock at Yaslana's actions.

.: Why did you tell her to stay:.

.: Because I think she is who was supposed to be meeting us:.

"You are Queen Mirina, yes?" Yaslana asked politely extending his hand.

"I am. And you might be?" She asked, grasping both his hands from underneath in the traditional greeting, wrists exposed. Again Rael concealed his surprise, and from the looks of Yaslana, he was too.

"I am Lucivar Yaslana." Was the cool reply.

Rael could feel Yaslana's anger when Mirina paled but he could see she shook herself mentally and regained her composure.

.: How can she be the one we are meeting:. Rael inquired of Yaslana.

.: Not her. Someone else. I believe she represents someone else:. Yaslana mused.

How could someone else trust her in a court like Dorothea's, how could they send her without protection!... unless they were there with her... But then how could they remain unnoticed? It's not like someone wearing the black will be forgotten easily. Think Sastar.

Then it hit him. A sight shield! Someone wearing the Black would have enough strength for a formiddable sight shield to be maintained for a while...

.:Could her friend be here now? With a sight shield:. suggested Rael

.: Hell's fire, there is more than just a pretty face to you after all, Prince. Yes, I do believe the Black Jewelled mystery is here under a sight shield. Daemon uses one all the time:. Yaslanaa replied thoughfully.

Rael repressed a shiver at the thought of Sadi using a sight shield. Rael was loyal- completely loyal to Sadi and whoever he thought would do what was needed to restore the old ways of the blood but that much power... And Sadi- there was something about him. They didn't call him the Sadist for nothing.

Yaslana didn't waste time screwing around with small talk, Rael had to admit.

"So. Who is your sight shielded Black Jewelled friend?" He said casually, straight out.

Mirina went dead white. Her mouth dropped open. She stared at him and Yaslana in horror.

"She told you?" she gasped.

"She meaning Sadelle I presume." Yaslana interpreted.

.: Sadelle has a LOT of explaining to do:. Rael agreed with Yaslana on that one.

Then Yaslana saw a tear run down the side of Mirina's face. Rael knew Sadi would never hurt an innocent and obviously Yaslana had taken that point too.

"Listen. We figured it out for ourselves because Sadelle wouldn't tell us. Whoever your witch or warlord friend is he or she can talk to us. We havent told anyone." He said intensely to her.

"Hey, come have a drink..." Rael asked the air around them casually, hoping to entice the mystery person to reveal themselves.

Strangely, it was at that statement Mirina perked up. She looked at them, trying to size them up, Yaslana, then him.

To nowhere in particular she casually said "Well, do we trust them?"

It was then Rael felt hot breath on his ankle. From the look on Yaslana's face he felt it too. Slowly and carefully reaching over, they looked under the table cloth...into green, Arcerian eyes.

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