Heart's Desire: Part Two
When Aurey reached the gardens, she climbed the biggest tree there, which had ample view of all the best couple spots. She settled against the trunk of the tree, and pulled off her boots, dangling one foot down, and using the other to brace her against the tree. She saw Seph walking hand in hand with Faleron. Aw, thought Aurey, that is just too cute! She sighed, and looked around the garden. Hm...There was Kel with...Cleon?! Aurey wondered what happened to Neal, then settled into the tree a little more. She called out in the unicorn language, something she had just learned to do in her Wild Magic studies. Since Wild Magic and the Gift ran deep in her family, she had classes on each, and a class on how to control two different Magics at the same time. Her magic brushed against that of a unicorn. What is your- She began to ask, when something tickled her foot. She tumbled out of the tree, and into Roald's arms. "Roald!"
"Sorry...Couldn't help it..." He grinned.
"So...Is it...Is it true what you said before?" Aurey mumbled, uncomfortably aware of the feeling of being his arms.
"Of course it is." He said taking her chin in one hand making her look in him eyes. "I've been in love with you since you came here two years ago, a little orphan who didn't care about her position in life, who didn't believe in arranged marriages, and only wanted her kingdom back to help her people. All I wanted was for you to love me. So, is what you told me true?"
"I-Yes. It is true, I'm in love with you. I guess I always have been, ever since my first day here when I didn't know anyone, except Neal, and you showed me around the palace, and warned me about Lord Wyndlyn. You were sweet and funny, and kind, and I wished I was Shinakomi, just because she had you." Aurey said, looking him in the eye, and ignoring the tear that slid down her cheek.
Roald wiped away her tears gently, and leaned closer, brushing her lips lightly with his own. She kissed him back with all her heart, and when they stopped, she was breathless with happiness, and something close to tears. "Oh, Roald...What'll we do? About us, about Shinakomi?" Aurey sobbed, on the verge of tears.
"I don't know...I've been friends with Shinakomi for years, but I'm not giving you up, not even for her. I love you."
They heard a scream from the other end of the garden. "Seph!" Aurey exclaimed. "Roald, I-Meet you in the library in ten minutes, all right?"
Roald nodded, and Aurey ran in the direction of Seph's screams. As she got closer she could tell what Seph was screaming: "OW!!!!!! I've got a rose-thorn in stuck in my foot! Owowowowow!!!!!"
"Seph! Calm down, I'll heal you, just sit down, and try not to scream." Aurey ordered, helping Seph sit down. She took Seph's foot in her hand, deftly plucking out the thorn, then set about healing the cut. She pulled out some of her silver streaked, blue-violet Gift, mending the torn muscles and skin. When she was done, she rocked back her heels, breathing deeply. "There, it's better now. Just be more careful, all right Seph?"
"Yes, Aurey. Thanks so much!" Seph said, hugging her friend, and grinning from ear to ear. "Have fun with your prince!" She giggled, and ran off to find Faleron.
Aurey shrugged, and headed inside to the library. When she got there, she saw Roald sitting at a table, reading something. The back of her neck prickled, and she thought something was wrong, but she shook her head, and walked over to him. It was probably just nerves, anyway. She tapped him on shoulder, and grinned. He stood up, his face serious. "Aurora, I'm marrying Shinakomi. That's final."
Aurey bit her lip and nodded, trying not to cry. When she spoke, her voice was emotionless. "I understand, Your Highness. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some things to attend to." She bowed to Roald mockingly.
"You may leave, Princess Aurora."
Aurora walked away with her back rim-rod straight, and her head held high. For about two steps. Then she broke down into racking sobs, still walking away.
"Wait! There's one more thing, Aurora." Roald calls out to her.
Aurey's eyes flashed dangerously. "You have one minute! And it better be worth my time."
"Right...Um..." Roald gave up trying to say it, and strode over to Aurora. He pulled her close, and tilted up her chin, and kissed her.
She pulled back, startled, and slapped him. "How dare you! If you think for one minute that I'll let you play with my feelings like that, then you are obviously not the man I thought I loved!"
"Cripes! Thought you were a nicer person!"
"Roald, I can not believe you! First, you say you love me! Then, you refuse to break off your engagement with Princess Shinakomi, and now you kiss me?! And then you DARE call me a bad person?!" She began to cry again.
" Aurey! Get away from him. "Another Roald said, running in.
"Roald! Do you know who this is?! He looks like you, and told me..." Aurey exclaimed, whirling around.
"Of course it's me, Aurey. Remember you told me you love me."
"No, it's me!" said the other Roald. "You said you loved me. "
Aurey looked at them both, and points her sword at them, shouting, "Truth of Shape!" As her Gift flowed down her sword and at the Roalds, they both dodged.
She turns to one of them. "Hm...You're not Roald. I know because..." She walked up to him, "You don't have the tiny scar under your left eye...I remember you told me when how you got it...trying to sword fight at age three!" She walked over to the other one, and reached up and traced the scar with her finger. "But you...You're not Roald either."
"But I cured it." said the other one, hastily. "I used my gift."
Aurey ignored the pointless remark, and took the other Roald's hand, holding it palm-side up. "You don't have that odd birthmark on your inner wrist..." She glares at both of them. "Where have you taken him?!"
"Taken whom?" they both answer. "I'm Roald."
She screams in frustration, and stomps her foot. "You do NOT want to see me mad! Tell me where he is, or I swear I shall kill you!" She drew her star-stone sword, going into her fighting stance.
The two Roalds exchange a secretive glance, and bowed to her. They glowed a hazy pink color, and slowly their features change. They become identical goddesses, and as Aurey screamed, a brilliant flash of white light fills the room.
When Aurey opened her eyes, she was sitting on a couch, in what obviously some sort of shrine that had been converted to a palace. Everything was decorated in various shades of pink, red, gold, and white. The two goddesses were sitting on a couch opposite her, grinning like Cheshire cats.
"Where are we? Who're you? And where is Roald?!" She asked, on her feet in an instant.
"Calm down my dear...You're in the Realms of the Gods. We are the Goddesses of Love and Wisdom, and as to where Roald is...Well my dear, it's your job to find him. If you do, we shall give your heart's desire. If you don't...Well, let's just say someone else will get the prize." The Goddesses answered her in unison. They grinned again, and vanished.
"Wait! How do I find him?!" Aurey called after them. As if in answer, a note fluttered into her hand. It read: Take five steps;
and battle death
Or take three to the left;
where you'll find safety,
but is that your heart's desire?
Aurey clutched the note tightly, and stared at steps that appeared at her feet. Her mind was a whirl of confusion. But one thought shone clear: Roald would've gone down the steps. Confidently, she took the first step down.
Author's Note ~
Ok, ok, I lied! I posted this one right away! Sorry, I couldn't help myself! Please, please, please review and tell me what you think! I'd reeeeeeally appreciate it! And Merry Christmas, Happy Channukah, and Good Kwanzaa!