Chapter 10:

Rath walked into the throne room and saw Ava smiling and laughing with some of Zan's advisors. He cleared his throat and they dispersed quickly, leaving he and Ava alone and Alakiah at the door.

"Miss Ava."

"Hello your Majesty. I am here to see his Highness, King Zan."

"I'm afraid that will be impossible." Her smile slowly faded and she stood up from her seat.

"Several minutes ago I was informed that he was in. Has something happened?" Rath's face expressed his boredom and he looked like he could be anywhere else, like blowing up a planet for example.

"He will be involved in an important conference all day. However, if you really need to see him, you can make an appointment or you can wait to see him at tomorrow night's ball. You are more than welcome to attend." He smiled, an arrogant smile that made her blood boil.

"Can I see you out?" He walked her to the doors and she reluctantly walked out. Alakiah nodded and walked down to the gardens to find Vilandra. Mayala walked in and it was just Rath and herself in the room. The tension was thick as she looked up into his heated glare.

"Follow me." He seemed to demand it more than request it and she quietly walked after him towards the upper chambers. She walked in and he closed the doors behind them. She turned to face him and before she could speak, he had her against his door as he attacked her lips.

"Wait... wait shouldn't we speak?" She tried to get the words out, but he kept kissing her, refusing to allow too many words to come between them.

"I don't believe in words. They mean nothing." They kept kissing and in between breaths she'd think of something clever to say.

"So you are an action kind of man?"

"Please... shut up." He kissed her even harder and as much as she was enjoying it, she found herself pulling away.

"What now?"

"I just think that perhaps we should think about this."

"You think too much!"

"You don't think at all! You simply act on all your instincts! That may be okay for you, but you forget that I am not in a position to make those types of decisions!" She was furious by now, her blue eyes glaring up at his own threateningly, her messy hair falling all over the place.

"Why do you have to make things so complicated!?"

"Because that is my life! It is complicated! You take me whole or you don't take me at all!"

"You can make this simple Mayala. You can just enjoy yourself for once."

"No. I refuse to believe that the gods' only plan for me was to be the concubine of Antar's second in command. I am smart and I am talented and I... somewhere in this body I am beautiful. I got your attention didn't I? I deserve more than a run around. I'm sorry. I simply can't give you what you're asking for." She walked away from him and sat herself on his bed as she sighed loudly. This was much harder than she thought.

"So you are saying you don't want to be with me?" Rath shook his head in confusion and scratched his eyebrow in frustration. He went to her and kneeled to be at eye level with her sad face.

"Mayala? What is it that you want?" By now he seemed to be pleading and he didn't even recognize his own voice. What was she doing to him? Why would he have to subject to her? To her insane ideas of equality and passion?

"I do not know." She felt the tears begin to compile in her eyes and she refused to let them fall.

"You know what? If you don't know what you want, how do you expect me to know what you want!? I can't read your mind Maya! I can only go by what I feel. What I feel right now is... I don't know! It's crazy, it's wild, it's new! I want to breathe you and feel you twenty four hours a day. I dream of your kisses and yet I dread seeing you. I imagine your touch and prepare for our battles. Is that even normal?"

"I do not know. I am afraid I do not know anything right now. I'm sorry." She walked to the door and he ran after her getting in her way.

"You're not leaving."

"I must go."

"I will not allow for you to leave until I understand what the problem is."

"There is no problem."

"There is because you are quiet and drawn! You are angry at me?" He said the last part with a sudden realization. She was upset and he didn't even know why.

"YES! Of course I am upset! We meet at this magical ball where you're whispering all sort of sweet promises in my ear and you kiss me and you touch me and I am playing along just as well. Then you find out who I am and you act like suddenly, it is to your benefit because you owe me nothing! Well, I owe you nothing!! All I ask is a promise from you... your word as a royal of this household that you will not use me and throw me out. Because I refuse to be your slave. I get enough of that from everyone else!" Rath stared at her, his eyes wide in amazement. This woman had no boundaries.

"Well, if you feel so strongly about it, then leave." His mind was fighting his very own thoughts. He didn't want her to leave. But his pride was too strong. He would not let her speak to him that way. And yet, in some sick way, he enjoyed her anger and what it did to his system. It made him want to hold her and never let go. But he knew how treacherous his heart had been before. He would not allow some woman's wiles to disrupt his perception. How foolish he'd been. All women were the same. Incapable of returning the simplest of feelings.

"Fine." With one word she was out of the door and out of sight. But his heart was hurting in his chest and he felt like he'd kill the first person he saw. He slammed the door behind her and in anger caused the windows to fly open and then break, his mind was now working over time and his emotions were out of control. How dare she? He followed quickly after her. She would not have the last word. He rushed down the main corridor and saw her headed past the library. He rushed up to her and grabbed her arms as he pushed her into the library and locked shut the double doors with his mind.

"What...?!"

"What do you think? That this is some democracy? That you have some sort of say?"

"I am through discussing this with you!"

"Well I am not finished!"

"FINE! WHAT? What is it that you have to say?!" They stared into each other's eyes angrily for a couple of seconds and his body did what came naturally. His hands reached up to her face and he grabbed her in to kiss her, all of his frustration and anger as well as his heartbreak and loneliness were expressed when she suddenly felt the saddest feeling in the pit of her stomach. She broke away and looked into his eyes, suddenly seeing the feeling lying there, staring right back at her. She had felt it. She had felt his loneliness.

"Mayala... I...." He tried to search for words to describe what he wanted to say. She reached up and placed her fingers on his lips.

"It's ok. You don't have to tell me." And suddenly words didn't seem to matter in comparison to the feeling still lingering inside of her heart.