A/N Now I know that everyone of you will want to kill me after reading this little chappie but think of it this way at least I updated. I'm sorry it is not only a horrible cliffhanger (hehe) but also very short. I will try to update during the weekend. I also want to apologize because I hope that this isn't too fluffy, I have desperately tried not to make it fluff but it may be a little bit. I have realized that I am really bad at writing romance (maybe that is why all my love poems suck). I can write crushes and I can write jealousy, because I am very familiar with both of them, but I am not familiar with romance. I know it is sad but even though I am 16 I have never had a boyfriend or have gone out on a date (I do go to a boarding school though and they control our lives). I'm very happy so many people asked for a sketch, I hope you all liked it, and that you all got one. Ok on with the thanking of people. Purple Blue thanks for the review. Ammarice, I hope you never thought Falkin was shallow, he was just confused, thanks for the review, and keep up the writing. Shang Unicorn and Blue Eyes thanks for the reviews. Golden Goddess, I'm sorry you will find this little chappie a bit short, I don't write really long chapters, I like to end in the middle of things and pick up in the next chap and so often they are short (this one is shorter than usual though), sorry. Zurizip, yes Jasson is very jealous. M'cha I think that Feudalage is a word, the spell check says it isn't but I like it anyway, maybe tribute is a better word for what I meant but it doesn't sound as good. The Old Magic explanation was kind of an add on but I think that I probably should incorporate it more fully into the story I just didn't know how. In order to answer your questions you will just have to keep reading, won't you? Thanks for reviewing. Daemon, Blondechic and Alyse Thanks for the reviews. Lexie I'm glad you think it is good, that makes me very happy. Lady Redbird I hope it doesn't get too mushy, and I'm glad you like it enough to reread it. Emerald I'm the only one who knows the answer to that (well actually that's not quite true all of my friends know too) you'll just have to keep reading.
Whew my A/Ns are getting as long as my story. J
Chapter XVIII: Jealousy
Dancing there, Zira felt light and airy. She was acutely aware of Falkin's hand on the small of her back, and where their palms touched. She looked up at him; he smiled down at her. Brown eyes met amber ones. For the first time in her life she looked away first, but moved in closer to Falkin. His hand gripped her waist tighter and they continued dancing. The music stopped but they were reluctant to let go. Zira took Falkin by the hand out into the garden. Their relationship before this had been based on talking, conversation, but now neither of them had any words. Standing there they just looked at each other.
Jasson saw them go. He left the ballroom, out onto the balcony. He was a shadow up there nothing more. He had to know; did Zira love Falkin. He saw them, standing there surrounded by the summer roses, looking at each other, nothing more. Falkin was the first to move, he leaned down gently, and his lips met hers. They were separate except for their mouths, and yet they were one, standing there in the velvet night. Jasson left the balcony, into the dull brightness of the ballroom. She loved Falkin; he had lost her. Bright dresses swept past him in a blur of color. Couples flirted. He walked to the darkest corner of the room and slumped against the wall. He hated his life.
Zira leaned against Falkin, her head against his chest. She smiled slowly, and looked up at him. Her eyes asked the question that her lips never had the courage to voice before. Falkin leaned down again and gently kissed her, she smiled. It was as she had always wanted it to be. Finally after standing there silently, she drew back and they reentered the ballroom.
Jasson saw them come back in, he watched them, he felt like crying, screaming, kicking, biting, something, anything, but his limbs felt like lead he couldn't move only his eyes could. They followed them, misty and wet. But Jasson wasn't the only on. There was another person in the room whose eyes followed Zira; someone who did not know why he could not tear his mind away from her. He only knew he needed to keep her in his sight, forever.
Falkin looked at Zira, in his arms and instinctively brought her closer. Her black hair fell over his hand and he took a strand between his fingertips, rolling it back and forth. He never knew how much she meant to him before this, that even without words they belonged together, even without conversation they could understand each other. The steps flowed together, all he knew were amber eyes on his. She stiffened, looked over his shoulder, and almost stopped dead. Falkin looked over his shoulder and saw flaming red hair, and a violet gown.
To Zira the world was a blur looking up at Falkin, his eyes held her. They turned and twirled through the crowds. She was grinning wildly, giddy and excited. Then she saw her. She was dancing with a tall man with sharp hazel eyes and greying brown hair. The Lioness was in the same room as Zira. She glared at the laughing violet-eyed lady. She stiffed and felt Falkin's hand tighten. He looked over his shoulder. Zira stopped dancing.
"Falkin, would you get me a drink please," she said. "I will wait by the wall." Falkin looked at her concern flooding his eyes. She smiled weakly then looked down at the floor. He took her gently by the waist, and guided her to the wall. She reached up and touched his cheek softly. He turned slowly and walked across the ballroom to the refreshments.
Zira stood there coldly observing the Lady Knight, noting every wrinkle and grey hair. "You are not so young as you were before," she thought mercilessly, her cruelty surprised even herself. "I should take It now. Jonathan said that It shouldn't leave her side. So she must have brought it back with her." She felt out for It. It was there, within her grasp, glowing, wanting to return to her side. Her palms itched for It, she had never held it but she knew that when she did she would be whole. Antitheos would be whole. She sensed every inch of Its surface, feeling the tiny rough spot where the chip had been removed. She looked at her ring, it long to be back beside its source. She longed for It, to use it, to end the drought, the famine, the death. She let it go though. It wouldn't do to steal it now. So many people, so many mages.
Falkin fought his way to the table that held the drinks. There were many people talking and flirting, he reached out and grasped a cut glass cup and filled it with sweet pomegranate juice. He moved slowly, trying not to spill the drink.
Zira was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't feel a light hand draw her dagger from her hair. A strong muscular arm reached around her waist. She started and reached for her knife, it wasn't there, and she was drawn into the embrace.