To keep the confusion down to a minimum, I will tell everyone right now, that this chapter is told from Miri's point of view. Not Thorn's.

~Krizsta

18. The "Talk"

Miri felt panicked.

The company had just arrived at the palace in Corus and everyone was now settling back down.

During the rest of the ride here, Miri had ridden on her pony beside Brecc and behind Evin and Thorn. Evin made the otherwise dull ride very enjoyable with his jokes and teasing, and Thorn had been able to lighten up and laugh a few times.

And each time Thorn had laughed at Evin's jokes, Miri had felt a jolt of heartache in her chest.

Miri loved Evin, had always loved him. Since the day she had met him during Rider training several years ago.

Evin, with his bright blond hair, heart-warming grin, and mischievous sense of humor, had always been quite the lady's man. All the ladies had to do was look into his blue eyes and wonderful smile and then they'd fall victim to his never-failing charm.

Evin usually liked pretty court ladies who always wore beautiful dresses and always had the perfect hair. But then, once he got into a specific lady's company and he got to know her better, he became bored of her and looked around for a new pretty face. Affairs like those never lasted more than two weeks.

Evin needed a person who was dependable, someone who had more than just air between her ears. Someone whom he could love and could have a good time with. Someone who depended on more than just her looks to get the things she wanted. Miri had always thought that Evin would someday come to his senses and appreciate her for more than her friendship.

But then he met Thorn.

It wasn't that Miri didn't like Thorn, because she did. And that actually made it worse, because Miri still felt indebted to Thorn for what she did when she was first captured.

But…

Miri had noticed how Evin was always watching Thorn. How he always tried to be by her side so that at any moment, when Thorn needed help, he was there. How he always gauging her facial expression and cheering her up when she seemed depressed. And Miri had seen him kiss her after the picnic.

And it had hurt.

What was it about Thorn that made him act differently with her than with the others? Thorn wasn't pretty. All right, she was. But she wasn't as pretty as Daine. She wasn't as beautiful as Queen Thayet. And she wasn't as eye-catching as Alanna the Lady Knight.

And yet…

There was something about her. With the other three women, there was a chance that a stranger could just pass over them as pretty faces. But not with Thorn's. There was something about Thorn that made you stop and wonder. Something that made Thorn's doe-like eyes and soft mouth seem sad even when she was smiling. Even when she was laughing, that far away look of sadness never fully left her eyes. It made you stop and want to ask what was the matter.

Not to mention that beneath that deceivingly quiet exterior there was a whip-like temper that could spit out insults stinging enough to make you flinch.

But why did Evin treat her so differently?

"If you think any harder, your brain will melt and flow out of your ears." A pleasant voice said.

Miri jumped with surprise. "What?"

Brecc grinned at her. "Have you had lunch yet?"

She shook her head. "No, I haven't." she said distractedly.

"Well, would you--"

Miri spotted someone across the courtyard. "Oh, wait. Hold on, Brecc, I'll be right back." she said breathlessly, hurrying over to the other side of the courtyard.

"Evin?"

Evin turned around and smiled at her. He stopped whistling, but continued to leisurely toss and catch a bright red apple with one hand. "Miri?"

She stepped closer to him uncertainly. "I just--just wanted to talk to you for a second."

"About what?" he asked curiously.

Just say it, Miri, you idiot. Just say it before it's too late, she told herself.

"What?" Evin raised an eyebrow at her.

She flushed. "I--I just wanted to give you something." she said nervously.

"Wha--"

Evin wasn't able to finish his word because Miri suddenly sprang forward, wrapped her arms around his neck, and then gave him a thorough kiss.

And nobody noticed the bright red apple that slipped through Evin's surprised fingers and dropped to the ground.

A.N. - hi everyone. I just wanted to take a moment to say: my worst fears came true. I will not be able to keep up with my daily updating (if I do, it's because of some miracle). School is the main culprit for the situtation. However, I will do my best to update by every other day. I think I'll be able to manage that. Well, that's it. Sorry if you're disappointed by the situation. Good thing that this is my senior year (I could slack more during second semester).

I hoped people thought chapter 18 was okay (can you believe it? I only have a few more chapters to post up). I was a little saddened by it, since I do like Miri. Hmmm…

~Krizsta