Is he the One.?
All right, hello all of you! I'm trying very, very hard to get this next one out as soon as I can, but parts of it later on are giving me a headache. Ok, I can't figure out how to fix the problem of which chapter comes first, so Discoveries is actually chapter two, The Maze, and the second chapter is The Maze, but it's really discoveries. confusion. I don't know where this one will end up, so I'm sorry in advance for any consternation this causes.
Thanks again for all of the reviews, they are what are keeping me motivated. Also, I don't own these characters, just the maze and their thoughts.
Mel looked at the person she ran into, for a moment thinking that it was the Marquis. But the eyes, they were light blue, not deep, wonderful gray. and much too sinister for her liking. "Good evening, Flauvic." (hah. ticked y'all!)
He smiled. It stuck her how enormously handsome he was; yet she also knew that he could be dangerous. Just because he looked harmless did not mean she could let her guard down with him. even if, in a way, she wanted to. "Good evening, Meliara. May I inquire as to why you are here, all alone? The maze is not safe to be wandering about."
"I came with Nee, but I lost her a while back." Mel admitted with as much dignity as she could muster, putting on her best court face.
He nodded, and then offered her his arm. "I will escort you to the end of the maze myself, then."
Blinking, she looked up at him, trying to understand this new side of him. What she saw in his gaze frightened her, but. well, even she had to admit that she needed help here. So she nodded and took his arm, letting him lead the way.
"So you have never been here before?"
"No. too many things have been happening, I haven't had the time."
"That is what is nice about being in scholarly recluse. you can easily escape."
She looked at him sharply, trying to decide if there was a double meaning to his words. "What is it you study?"
"This and that. some of the illusions I showed you earlier, among other things. Are you still interested in learning?"
Mel nodded thoughtfully. "It would be interesting, but I don't know if I'd be able to do it."
"With a proper tutor, and the right amount of commitment, it could be done." He stopped, gazing at her with a look she could not read. It was typical of Flauvic to compliment her and him in the same comment.
"I'll have to think about it." Unease filled her as his hand ran down the side of her face.
"I do wish. that you could have been taught earlier." He whispered. She half wanted to pull away, to break this spell he was casting on her. but he wasn't really holding her with magic.
All her thoughts stopped when his lips brushed hers, save one. She broke away from him. "Flauvic, I don't think we should be doing this. alone, and all that."
He wouldn't let her go, so she did something that Bran had taught her when she was little, though the Count knew nothing of it. She used her knee to make him let her go, then ran away as quickly as she could, blindly trying to make it through the maze before he could catch up with her. It surprised her when he did not pursue.
She looked back only once, and the maze's magic took advantage of her inattentiveness. A root lifted itself from the ground, effectively tripping her. It would not have bothered her had the foot she tripped with not been the one she had caught in the trap only last year, but as it was she felt a sharp pain as her ankle twisted. She fell heavily into the mud.
Oh, Life, why did this happen to me? I'm lost in some bewitched maze, I can't find Nee, Flauvic's acting so strange, he kissed me. and then there was Shevraeth, who she couldn't figure out to save her life. And her ankle was twisted, so she couldn't walk without someone's help. but it wasn't going to be Flauvic's, she couldn't face him now. Yet he was probably going to come looking for her very soon, and he would most likely find her.
"Things really can't get any worse, now, can they?" She asked herself, tears beginning to stream down her face. Thunder boomed above her as rain began to fall. Mel abandoned herself to laying down, gasping with pain and confusion, her headache returning in full force. Why me? She wanted to scream this, yet she knew that if she did, Flauvic would find her. and she wasn't sure what would happen if he approached her again.
A tall figure with drenched blond hair turned around a corner, coming into view. Mel tried to sit up, but she moved a little too quickly. "Flauvic, stay away from me, please."
A pause. "I am not Flauvic. he would be quick to tell you that he is much more handsome."
She nearly began to cry again at the familiar sound of Shevraeth's voice. His presence was not one she particularly wanted to be in right now, but it was better than Flauvic's. "Well, Flauvic's too much in love with a mirror."
He laughed softly, the rain soaking his hair and his clothes. He looked so handsome. then he bent over, as if to help her up. "Wait! I fell."
"How did you fall?"
"The maze. it tripped me." That sounded dumb, but it was the best description she had right now. "I hurt my foot."
"Let me see." Gently, he helped get her foot out from under the root, and then he began to check her ankle for injury, ignoring the old scars from last year. She tried not to cry out, but when he pressed his fingers lightly into her ankle, she couldn't stop her cry of pain. "My apologies. you've twisted your ankle pretty badly here."
"It's never been the same after. the war. Sometimes I don't even notice it, but that ankles always been a little more delicate than the other." Mel was glad that the darkness hid her blush.
"You have my condolences. but perhaps we'd better get out of the rain." He stood, and then hesitated. "How would you prefer we travel?" This he said hesitantly, as though afraid that he would offend her.
She realized then that she had a couple of options. Try to walk on her own. fat chance. Walk with him supporting her on one side. maybe. Or. she could allow him to carry her. For a moment she considered this, allowing him to hold her. her arms wrapped around his neck. then she shook those thoughts out of her head, horrified. She must be more tired than she had originally thought. "I'll walk, but could you please help me?"
He nodded and helped her to her feet, supporting her on her injured side. Then he began to help her walk through the maze, guiding her down the right paths. "Why did you think that I was Flauvic?"
"I met up with him earlier on. but we got separated." Now she was doubly glad of the darkness, sure that the semi-lie would have shown on her face. Rainwater soaked through her, causing her to shiver. Surprised, she found that Shevraeth was shivering as well, yet he was trying not to show it. Without really thinking about it, she hobbled closer to him, causing their warmth to be shared between them. He looked at her oddly, but she did not see, intent upon her task of staying upright.
"What are you doing out here, alone?"
"I was here with Nee. but I got separated from her a while back, and got lost."
"That is, unfortunately, rather easy to do. ah. Here is the center of the maze."
Despite the rain, and the dark, cloudy weather, Mel could see that the tiny garden was splendidly designed. Dozens of roses surrounded a large fountain. The roses were all colors. red, yellow, blue, purple, orange. and white.
She stumbled when she saw the white rosebush, the only one in the clearing. Shevraeth caught her, supporting her weight easily, yet she hardly noticed.
"They are beautiful, aren't they?" He said softly. "The white rose is very rare. this is the only place that it grows in Court."
"It is lovely." She wanted to go closer, and he obliged, helping her to stand near the bush. "Why are white roses so rare?"
"Because what they symbolize is even rarer."
That made her look at him, unsure what he meant by that comment. Then he silently began walking again, the subject apparently closed.
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Danric just could not believe himself. he let her get hurt again, and then nearly gave himself away at the rosebush. Nee was never going to let him hear the end of it.
They had nearly made it to the end of the maze when they encountered Flauvic once more. Every battle instinct he owned came forward; making Danric wary of the other's every move.
"Good evening, Danric, Meliara." His eyes narrowed as he took in Meliara's injured foot, and the protective arm around her shoulder, which was attached to his least favorite person in the world. "I do believe that you agreed earlier that you would allow me to escort you out, my lady." He offered her his hand.
"That was before she hurt herself." Danric cut in before she could respond, pulling Meliara away from his hand as though it was a snake. "Perhaps if you had not been separated, you would have a just reason for her staying with you. As it is, she has accepted my offer to help her out, which is what I plan to do."
"Ah, but what if she does not want your help? I'm sure that she can find much better rescuers than the one that tried to kill her but a year ago."
"She freely accepted my offer to help her, and I intend to keep my word."
"As do I. Come, Mel." He held out his hand to her again, demanding this time. Danric wanted to hit him, but he was still keeping Meliara upright.
For a moment, she did nothing, looking between the two of them oddly. Then she pointed at a branch that reached to her shoulders from the ground, just resting on the hedge. "Give me that branch, please, Flauvic."
He hesitated a moment but obeyed. To both of their surprise, she took the branch and used it as a makeshift cane, beginning to hobble in the general direction of the end of the maze. "If you two want to guide me the rest of the way, you are welcome to."
The two rivals glanced at each other uneasily, thrown by what she had just done. Then they set off after her to make sure she would not get lost.
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Thinking back to that last part of her journey, Mel almost could have laughed. She was as wobbly as a newborn colt on the cane, but she wouldn't allow the two men to help her other then telling her which way to go. Whenever she nearly fell, both would jerk as though they wanted to try to catch her, then reluctantly back off when she glared at them in turn. Then they would look at each other over Mel's head, obviously wishing that looks could kill and that Mel would not be so stubborn as to refuse their help, for she was obviously in pain and it would have been so much easier for them to assist her.
Finally, they reached the edge of the maze, where Russav and Nee waited for them.
"Mel! Are you all right?" Nee rushed forward to help Mel, Russav close behind. When Mel saw them coming, her legs nearly gave out. Russav caught her before she fell, much to Flauvic and Shevraeth's annoyance.
"My dear Meliara, what did these two do to you?"
"They did nothing, Russav. I fell and twisted my ankle. they helped me find my way out of the maze."
"You shouldn't go in there anymore." Nee said firmly. While they were distracted with bringing Mel inside and finding a healer, Shevraeth and Flauvic remained outside, and their eyes locked as their wills fought.
"Until another time, cousin." Shevraeth said.
"Stay away from her, cousin. She is too good for the likes of you." The Flauvic turned on his heel and left.
I know, I know, hate me. It's another cliffhanger, just for all of you! Now, if I'd had more time to write, it may not have been one, but you said you wanted the update ASAP. oh, by the way, the whole "curiosity killed the cat" thing back in chapter 2, I am going somewhere with that. thanks for pointing out the next line for me, RenaissanceGirl523.
All right, hello all of you! I'm trying very, very hard to get this next one out as soon as I can, but parts of it later on are giving me a headache. Ok, I can't figure out how to fix the problem of which chapter comes first, so Discoveries is actually chapter two, The Maze, and the second chapter is The Maze, but it's really discoveries. confusion. I don't know where this one will end up, so I'm sorry in advance for any consternation this causes.
Thanks again for all of the reviews, they are what are keeping me motivated. Also, I don't own these characters, just the maze and their thoughts.
Mel looked at the person she ran into, for a moment thinking that it was the Marquis. But the eyes, they were light blue, not deep, wonderful gray. and much too sinister for her liking. "Good evening, Flauvic." (hah. ticked y'all!)
He smiled. It stuck her how enormously handsome he was; yet she also knew that he could be dangerous. Just because he looked harmless did not mean she could let her guard down with him. even if, in a way, she wanted to. "Good evening, Meliara. May I inquire as to why you are here, all alone? The maze is not safe to be wandering about."
"I came with Nee, but I lost her a while back." Mel admitted with as much dignity as she could muster, putting on her best court face.
He nodded, and then offered her his arm. "I will escort you to the end of the maze myself, then."
Blinking, she looked up at him, trying to understand this new side of him. What she saw in his gaze frightened her, but. well, even she had to admit that she needed help here. So she nodded and took his arm, letting him lead the way.
"So you have never been here before?"
"No. too many things have been happening, I haven't had the time."
"That is what is nice about being in scholarly recluse. you can easily escape."
She looked at him sharply, trying to decide if there was a double meaning to his words. "What is it you study?"
"This and that. some of the illusions I showed you earlier, among other things. Are you still interested in learning?"
Mel nodded thoughtfully. "It would be interesting, but I don't know if I'd be able to do it."
"With a proper tutor, and the right amount of commitment, it could be done." He stopped, gazing at her with a look she could not read. It was typical of Flauvic to compliment her and him in the same comment.
"I'll have to think about it." Unease filled her as his hand ran down the side of her face.
"I do wish. that you could have been taught earlier." He whispered. She half wanted to pull away, to break this spell he was casting on her. but he wasn't really holding her with magic.
All her thoughts stopped when his lips brushed hers, save one. She broke away from him. "Flauvic, I don't think we should be doing this. alone, and all that."
He wouldn't let her go, so she did something that Bran had taught her when she was little, though the Count knew nothing of it. She used her knee to make him let her go, then ran away as quickly as she could, blindly trying to make it through the maze before he could catch up with her. It surprised her when he did not pursue.
She looked back only once, and the maze's magic took advantage of her inattentiveness. A root lifted itself from the ground, effectively tripping her. It would not have bothered her had the foot she tripped with not been the one she had caught in the trap only last year, but as it was she felt a sharp pain as her ankle twisted. She fell heavily into the mud.
Oh, Life, why did this happen to me? I'm lost in some bewitched maze, I can't find Nee, Flauvic's acting so strange, he kissed me. and then there was Shevraeth, who she couldn't figure out to save her life. And her ankle was twisted, so she couldn't walk without someone's help. but it wasn't going to be Flauvic's, she couldn't face him now. Yet he was probably going to come looking for her very soon, and he would most likely find her.
"Things really can't get any worse, now, can they?" She asked herself, tears beginning to stream down her face. Thunder boomed above her as rain began to fall. Mel abandoned herself to laying down, gasping with pain and confusion, her headache returning in full force. Why me? She wanted to scream this, yet she knew that if she did, Flauvic would find her. and she wasn't sure what would happen if he approached her again.
A tall figure with drenched blond hair turned around a corner, coming into view. Mel tried to sit up, but she moved a little too quickly. "Flauvic, stay away from me, please."
A pause. "I am not Flauvic. he would be quick to tell you that he is much more handsome."
She nearly began to cry again at the familiar sound of Shevraeth's voice. His presence was not one she particularly wanted to be in right now, but it was better than Flauvic's. "Well, Flauvic's too much in love with a mirror."
He laughed softly, the rain soaking his hair and his clothes. He looked so handsome. then he bent over, as if to help her up. "Wait! I fell."
"How did you fall?"
"The maze. it tripped me." That sounded dumb, but it was the best description she had right now. "I hurt my foot."
"Let me see." Gently, he helped get her foot out from under the root, and then he began to check her ankle for injury, ignoring the old scars from last year. She tried not to cry out, but when he pressed his fingers lightly into her ankle, she couldn't stop her cry of pain. "My apologies. you've twisted your ankle pretty badly here."
"It's never been the same after. the war. Sometimes I don't even notice it, but that ankles always been a little more delicate than the other." Mel was glad that the darkness hid her blush.
"You have my condolences. but perhaps we'd better get out of the rain." He stood, and then hesitated. "How would you prefer we travel?" This he said hesitantly, as though afraid that he would offend her.
She realized then that she had a couple of options. Try to walk on her own. fat chance. Walk with him supporting her on one side. maybe. Or. she could allow him to carry her. For a moment she considered this, allowing him to hold her. her arms wrapped around his neck. then she shook those thoughts out of her head, horrified. She must be more tired than she had originally thought. "I'll walk, but could you please help me?"
He nodded and helped her to her feet, supporting her on her injured side. Then he began to help her walk through the maze, guiding her down the right paths. "Why did you think that I was Flauvic?"
"I met up with him earlier on. but we got separated." Now she was doubly glad of the darkness, sure that the semi-lie would have shown on her face. Rainwater soaked through her, causing her to shiver. Surprised, she found that Shevraeth was shivering as well, yet he was trying not to show it. Without really thinking about it, she hobbled closer to him, causing their warmth to be shared between them. He looked at her oddly, but she did not see, intent upon her task of staying upright.
"What are you doing out here, alone?"
"I was here with Nee. but I got separated from her a while back, and got lost."
"That is, unfortunately, rather easy to do. ah. Here is the center of the maze."
Despite the rain, and the dark, cloudy weather, Mel could see that the tiny garden was splendidly designed. Dozens of roses surrounded a large fountain. The roses were all colors. red, yellow, blue, purple, orange. and white.
She stumbled when she saw the white rosebush, the only one in the clearing. Shevraeth caught her, supporting her weight easily, yet she hardly noticed.
"They are beautiful, aren't they?" He said softly. "The white rose is very rare. this is the only place that it grows in Court."
"It is lovely." She wanted to go closer, and he obliged, helping her to stand near the bush. "Why are white roses so rare?"
"Because what they symbolize is even rarer."
That made her look at him, unsure what he meant by that comment. Then he silently began walking again, the subject apparently closed.
************************************************************************
Danric just could not believe himself. he let her get hurt again, and then nearly gave himself away at the rosebush. Nee was never going to let him hear the end of it.
They had nearly made it to the end of the maze when they encountered Flauvic once more. Every battle instinct he owned came forward; making Danric wary of the other's every move.
"Good evening, Danric, Meliara." His eyes narrowed as he took in Meliara's injured foot, and the protective arm around her shoulder, which was attached to his least favorite person in the world. "I do believe that you agreed earlier that you would allow me to escort you out, my lady." He offered her his hand.
"That was before she hurt herself." Danric cut in before she could respond, pulling Meliara away from his hand as though it was a snake. "Perhaps if you had not been separated, you would have a just reason for her staying with you. As it is, she has accepted my offer to help her out, which is what I plan to do."
"Ah, but what if she does not want your help? I'm sure that she can find much better rescuers than the one that tried to kill her but a year ago."
"She freely accepted my offer to help her, and I intend to keep my word."
"As do I. Come, Mel." He held out his hand to her again, demanding this time. Danric wanted to hit him, but he was still keeping Meliara upright.
For a moment, she did nothing, looking between the two of them oddly. Then she pointed at a branch that reached to her shoulders from the ground, just resting on the hedge. "Give me that branch, please, Flauvic."
He hesitated a moment but obeyed. To both of their surprise, she took the branch and used it as a makeshift cane, beginning to hobble in the general direction of the end of the maze. "If you two want to guide me the rest of the way, you are welcome to."
The two rivals glanced at each other uneasily, thrown by what she had just done. Then they set off after her to make sure she would not get lost.
************************************************************************
Thinking back to that last part of her journey, Mel almost could have laughed. She was as wobbly as a newborn colt on the cane, but she wouldn't allow the two men to help her other then telling her which way to go. Whenever she nearly fell, both would jerk as though they wanted to try to catch her, then reluctantly back off when she glared at them in turn. Then they would look at each other over Mel's head, obviously wishing that looks could kill and that Mel would not be so stubborn as to refuse their help, for she was obviously in pain and it would have been so much easier for them to assist her.
Finally, they reached the edge of the maze, where Russav and Nee waited for them.
"Mel! Are you all right?" Nee rushed forward to help Mel, Russav close behind. When Mel saw them coming, her legs nearly gave out. Russav caught her before she fell, much to Flauvic and Shevraeth's annoyance.
"My dear Meliara, what did these two do to you?"
"They did nothing, Russav. I fell and twisted my ankle. they helped me find my way out of the maze."
"You shouldn't go in there anymore." Nee said firmly. While they were distracted with bringing Mel inside and finding a healer, Shevraeth and Flauvic remained outside, and their eyes locked as their wills fought.
"Until another time, cousin." Shevraeth said.
"Stay away from her, cousin. She is too good for the likes of you." The Flauvic turned on his heel and left.
I know, I know, hate me. It's another cliffhanger, just for all of you! Now, if I'd had more time to write, it may not have been one, but you said you wanted the update ASAP. oh, by the way, the whole "curiosity killed the cat" thing back in chapter 2, I am going somewhere with that. thanks for pointing out the next line for me, RenaissanceGirl523.