LOVE & MAGIC
Chapter Five: As Time Goes By
KazeI was out of breath when I pulled into a halted stop. Running around the Palace was no joke; those freaking marble floors were slippery.
"You're late." Chris declared without moving from his position, leaning against the door to his chambers. "You're always late, Kyle, do you need me to get you a clock?"
"I'm only five minutes late, and no, thank you." I said finally catching my breath. "What's up with you, it's not like you usually mind that I'm late. You aren't exactly a morning person, pal," I said sarcastically.
I had been Chris's guard for almost three weeks, and the first morning I had gone to his chambers, as he had told me, at eight o'clock, the guy almost knocked me over by throwing me a pillow and whining he wanted 'five more minutes'.
"Well, if you had bothered to be on time you would have known," he whined, again, he could be a real baby when he wanted, and he was older than me! "My grandmother just arrived, she wants us to meet her in her chambers in about, I don't know, seven minutes ago."
"Oh." I said. "Us? As in you and me? It's your grandma; I think you can handle her on your own, Chris."
"You clearly don't know my grandmother." He said pushing himself off the wall, "I told her I had gotten a personal guard at her request and she told me she wouldn't believe it till she saw it with her own eyes," Chris was, or so I had learned, famous for escaping all the guards that were assigned to him, the guy just didn't like having people following around all day long. Which was one of the reasons we got along, I hated following people around all day long. "That's how you got awarded with a moment in the presence of Lady Stephanie Windam." I could hear the sarcasm in his voice as he said the last part; he clearly didn't think that being around his grams was such an award.
"Then why didn't you just leaved a message, you could have gone ahead,"
"She told me I couldn't move more than three steps away from my door until you got here, and quite frankly I rather not risk her wrath."
I started to laugh, "Oh, grandma is going to spank you?"
"It's not funny," he said becoming irritated.
We reached Lady Stephanie's bedroom and Chris knocked, I had been living there for almost a month and he never, not for the love of his life, knocks. A very regal commanding voice called "Come in,"
"Hey, grams," he said putting on a fake, cheerful smile. "See I told you I had gotten a personal guard," and to my utter most surprise, Chris passed an arm around me and squashed me to his side, "You wouldn't believe me, but see, this is Kyle."
He kept me squashed against him. I never really had noticed how mushy guys are. I mean, I have female friends back home, okay, one, but whatever, you don't see us squashing against each other or giving the other friendly slaps in the butt the way guys do.
"Well, child, can you blame me for not believing? I always tell you to get a wife, and it's not like you listen to me."
I started to laugh, really, not only Lady Stephanie had called him, the almighty King Christopher – age twenty three – 'child' but he had also managed to make him turn beet read by mentioning the 'W' word. If it was over embarrassment or over fury, I didn't know.
I started to laugh, which made Chris drop the arm and Lady Stephanie look at me. "Kyle?" she asked, I nodded, barely controlling my laugher. Then she said nothing, just stared at me and I could feel myself getting red too. Was my cover about to be blown up? I wasn't sure if Lady Stephanie had magic... what if she was able to look past my spell? "Your eyes," she said to my surprise.
"They are two, right?" I asked. I have an uncanny tendency to point out the obvious when I get nervous.
"They are wary," she said, "Something happened to you that made you don't trust the people around you. You laugh and smile and seem happy, but you know no peace."
"Pardon me?"
"Yes, something happened to you," she continued, still staring right at my face, I wasn't red anymore, I was pretty sure I looked like a ghost. "And it wasn't long ago."
I shook my head, "Milady, with all do respect, I don't know what you're talking about," I said, proud that my voice was not shaking.
"Yes, you know. Someone betrayed your trust."
"Ma'am, if you must know, I wasn't very trustful to begin with. And it's a given that someone betrayed my trust, everyone gets betrayed once or twice, is part of life and part of growing up." I was getting defensive, I the woman was seeing past my spell; well she could just come out and say it already.
"If you say so." Lady Stephanie said, dropping the subject, but I could tell she was only doing it because she thought it was too painful for me to talk about it or something among those lines. Luckily my cover was still intact. But I was starting to see why Chris always seamed irritated when talking about his grandmother.
After ordering me not to lose sight of Chris at any moment, launching into a speech about patriotic duty, and how important was to keep him safe – at least until he reproduced and left and heir – and all that stuff that got us Chris and I alternatively rolling our eyes, Lady Stephanie dismissed us.
For a few days – and under Lady Stephanie's orders - I couldn't leave Chris alone for more than five minutes, I even had to move to a bedroom the fifth floor, where his chamber was located, it was a way bigger room than the one I had in the second floor with the rest of the guards, and I actually had a window, but I would rather be back in my 9ft x 9ft room than climbing all those freaking stairs. Finally, we got so sick of seeing each other all day long that we came up with a plan so he could have his alone time and I could have my alone time and Lady Stephanie didn't find out.
We both sneaked out saying we were going somewhere then we would split and meet back at a predetermined point at a predetermined hour. I was very happy with this arrangement, especially because I could lose Lady Carla. Lady Carla was Chris's cousin and had arrived with Lady Stephanie. I had just known the girl for a couple of days when she declared her undying love for Kyle, and then I had her breathing down my neck all day long.
Why had Carla liked Kyle, I have no freaking clue – I knew how my boy-fake image looked, and it wasn't at all impressive, not compared to some of the hunky knights I had meet while living on the Palace - but I was more than happy to lose her for a few hours.
In one of those escapades, I ended up by the side of a river that ran through a forest. It wasn't quite as pretty as Jadzia's forest but it had it charm. I looked for a clear space were Ajax – Chris had given him to me since Ajax seemed to obey me, I guess his pride didn't allow him give it back to Kaze – could drink water and I could rest for a while.
I was starting to doze off when I suddenly heard a lot of sounds, people screaming, but joyful screaming. And soon enough a bunch of guys passed by my side and jumped into the river making a big splash and all I could think off was "thank god the kept their pants on." I hadn't seen a naked guy ever in my life and I didn't want to start right then.
"Kyle?" I heard someone, the only person who hadn't jump yet. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, Chris. I just started to wonder around and got here."
"It's a nice place, isn't it?" he said seating next to me, he had told me he and his friends were going to this place in the woods they liked, he asked me if I wanted to go I said I didn't. Is not that I don't like his friends, I get along pretty ok with Landon and Wes but when I've been around them all, I hear them talking about all the stories they share, the places and people... and it sort of makes me miss my friends more, so is easier just avoid.
"Yeah, is nice," I said and I lay back again, feeling the sun warm, summer would be here soon.
I started to doze off again. But then I was awaked by the sound of laughter. "Like cheesy songs, don't you?" Chris asked me. I sat up again, he was lying on his side, head popped in one of is hands.
"You were singing a song, all girly if you ask me. You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh, the fundamental things apply, as time goes by. And when two lovers woo they still say, "I love you." On this you can rely No matter what the future brings As time goes by," he sang in a rather pleasant voice, I didn't see him becoming a singer but he wasn't totally off of key. "And that's how far you got," he said. "Where the hell did you got that cheesy song from?"
I blinked, "It was my grandmother's favorite," I said, "It's rather catchy, you know, I always find myself singing it, it gets stuck in the head."
"I certainly hope it doesn't get stuck in mine," he said laughing. "Love songs is something I can't put up with,"
"I know, me neither." I said with a bit of a sigh.
"She was right," he said, I must have looked confused because he elaborated, "My grandmother, what she said about someone betraying your trust. Don't bother denying it, I've been there."
"Really?" Somehow, I couldn't bring myself to believe that, Chris was, after all, a notorious ladies' man.
"Oh yeah," he said absently, "Her name was Pamela, I was young and stupid and thought I was in love, I would have married her in a second..." he trailed off a bit.
"What happened?"
"She said she liked me, but not enough to assume the responsibilities of being queen. She decided to marry someone else. Though Pamela did told me that if I ever felt like having a mistress she was all for it,"
"That sucks," I said. "It was something like that with me too," I said without elaborating; let him fill the blank spaces.
"Is that why you left Lhite?"
I laughed, "That's what the scummy rat wishes. Actually no, it was because of my sister, she is up to marry in the winter and she kept talking wedding stuff. I was about to go nuts, have I stayed there I would probably had knocked my head against the wall or something, just to put me out of the misery,"
We just sat there for a while, then he stood up, "I'm going in," said Chris, "why don't you come, it's getting warm here."
"Not thanks, I'm afraid of the water" A total lie but what did he know. That was, right then and there my first mistake.
"Oh, really?" a grin full of mischief spread across his face. "Hey, guys!" he yelled to the four or so guys in the water, "Kyle, here, is afraid of the water,"
"Aw." They said as if they were girls looking at a puppy.
And next thing I knew I was being thrown to the river head first. Then everything went black. Next time I opened my eyes, I was soaking wet, the sun was blindingly bright and I had Chris' face over mine. "You weren't joking, were you?" he said half sarcastically half wondering. "With the water thing?"
Oh, now I remember, "No I wasn't joking," I said pushing him off and standing up, only to discover that my head hurt like hell and it was bleeding from up above my right eyebrow. I also knew I had lost control over my spell. Luckily, Jadzia had given me a pendant for occasions such like this, when I couldn't come up with my spell, the magic of the stone she had given me -and that I had hanging from my neck – would sustain the spell for a while, I could feel it as if it was a beating heart hanging from my neck, and I knew it wouldn't last long.
I started towards Ajax, suddenly I felt so freaking tired. I wanted to go home. No my home wasn't in Lhite, I was talking about my grandparents house, when I had been a girl I had been allowed to stay there for months at a time, I would curl up in my soft bed and hear my grandmother sing me lullabies, the fire cracking merrily and my grandpa pretending to read a book while all he was doing was looking at grams. That was home. I had once had a home. Mom never was too fussed up about letting me go, the only condition was that I didn't told anyone that her parent's weren't rich merchants as she had everyone believe, but simple farmers in one of the provinces. That was my mother's biggest secret, and for a home I didn't know of in the Castle, I kept it for her.
I climbed onto Ajax, my head pounding with each movement, and I leaned against him, "Lets go," I said and he started to move, I heard someone calling 'Kyle' but I didn't turn to see, I trusted Ajax to take me to someplace safe, since home was unavailable.
Still by the river side
"Is he crazy or something?" Chris asked out loud, "he wants to ride with his head bleeding like that? People from Lhite are so weird. I mean, is no wonder having the princess they have,"
"Oh, no, mate, not again," Wes, growled.
"What?" Chris snapped.
"You always find a way to bring young miss Kaze Lhite into the conversation." Landon explained.
"Is like you're obsessed or something." Another knight by the name of Thomas added.
"I am not obsessed with the brat," Chris snarled.
"Of course not," everyone said sarcastically.
"Look, I know she caused an impression on you –and I'm not talking about the one in your eyebrow – just because she was the firs person of the female persuasion who addressed you with something else than flattery. But man, you haven't seen that girl in two years and you still bring her up to the conversation. LET. IT. GO." Wes said.
"I don't know what you are talking about, I better go and see that Kyle doesn't kill himself on the way back to the palace," Chris declared and started to get lost in the forest.
Kaze
I walked fast through the hallways of the palace, cursing the fifth floor all the way up; I had almost made it when I came face to face with Carla.
"Oh my god!" she said looking at the blood in the side of my face, "What happened to you, Kyle?" I could feel the magic leaving the stone. One. Two. Three. The magic was gone and all bets where up. "Kyle?" Carla asked blinking fast, "You aren't Kyle, who are you?"
I broke down in tears.
Right there, I started to cry and babble all about Adam and Emily and Melnick and the river and I didn't stop until I was out of breath.
"Wow, wow, wow, slow down. I didn't got a word," Carla said, then he looked at me intently, "You are Kaze Lhite, aren't you?"
"Uh, yes."
"Oh, dear. Then? Oh, ok, listen, you go inside and get out those close and I'll bring something for your head. Ok?"
"Fine. But, how did you know?"
"Oh, I remember you, I saw you and your brother at a dance like three years ago, you haven't changed much. I asked who you were because I liked your brother," Carla explained easily, absently fingering her strawberry-blond hair, "I thought he was cute, anyway, just go inside, I'll be back. And I want the whole story!!!"
"Oh, dear." I said but I went inside my room anyway, and I changed and when Carla came back I explained everything.
She took it pretty well. Carla said that she was happy to know that 'Kyle' hadn't liked her because 'Kyle' was a girl – me – and not because she was losing her charm. She also said she would help me, Carla seamed to have something against arranged marriages, and she swore to keep my secret from Chris and the rest of the guard. Her only condition was that I introduced her to my brother, I said I would; Marco needed some lovin' after all.
And she took it seriously, when she was closing the door of my room, I heard her arguing with Chris.
"No, I won't let you in." She said categorically. I had told her that I couldn't focus because of the pain in my head and I couldn't cast the spell again, and that the rock would take a few hours to recharge and cover up for me again.
"Why not?"
"Because he is asleep, you almost killed him Chris." Carla said, dramatically, "You really are going far in the whole 'I don't like to be babysat' thing. You could just have said so, no attempt murder!"
"I wasn't attempting murder!" Chris cried. "Look, I feel awful, ok? I want to apologize."
"Serves you well to feel awful!" Go Carla. "Now, go. Leave the poor kid to rest."
"Suddenly is a kid? What happened to you undying love for him?"
"I have decided I want him as a friend. Plus Kyle is too young for me. He hasn't turned nineteen yet! Imagine how that would look!!!" She shrieked in terror about being with someone younger than her. I smiled. Carla might be a pain in the butt as a potential girlfriend but she was pretty good as a friend.
Chris
I fully meant to apologize last night, but Carla wouldn't budge.
I opened the door to Kyle's room. There was him on his bed, just that as I came closer, to see if he was awake, I swear to god it was a girl. I blinked, and no, it was Kyle.
"What the hell?" Kyle asked, voice rough with sleep, when he noticed my presence. "I'm not going to work today, I'm taking a sick day. Now get the hell out of my room."
"It's my palace, I can be wherever I like," I answered, still confused. I could have sworn it was a girl.
"I don't give a damn. Get the fuck out." Kyle said, throwing me a pillow. "I swear if you make me get up to throw you out I just might as well kill you. Now, GET OUT!!!"
I got out, ok.
But I could have sworn it was a girl, and that it looked a lot like Kaze Lhite.
Maybe my friends are right. Maybe I am obsessed.
Kaze
What a nerve!
The guy could have knocked the door, couldn't he?
Oh, god, my head hurts. Thank good Jadzia's pendant is working again. Just in time, it started to work just before I realized Chris was in my room. I almost blow it with someone else and that is something I can't afford.
But really, Chris could have waited till I felt better if apologizing was his intention, that didn't look like it was but whatever.
What does a girl needs to do to get some rest?!!!!
End of Chapter Five
Notes:
Just a few quick notes. The Song it's called "As time goes by" and it's from the movie Casablanca.
Chris did saw Kaze, but just as he blinked the magic of the pendant started to work again and then he saw Kyle. Chris does have magic, only that he is too lazy to practice it, and Jadzia's magic is much more powerful than his, that's the reason why no one has seen pass the spell
gatorchick007: Thanks :D
angel-kiss7: This one is even longer :D
Jessieness: Hi!!! Did I told you I loved Clair de Lune (sorry if spelled wrong) you rock!
sealednectar: I try, but school often gets in the way.
UnangelicHalo: Hi Kat!!!
jammi: I try :D thanks for reading
EreshkigalGirl: It common knowledge that Chris has had his share of affairs. And I'm not sure about how to pronounce the name, I was told it was "Kah-Seh" but I'm not sure, I know it's japanese and it means Wind or Brezee.
Trinity: I said about Chris in this chapter, and look to what I wrote to EreshkigalGirl about Kaze's name. Yes she did wrote those things, then properly distroyed it. I actually don't have "is" "its" and "it's" miked up, they just slip away because I'm doing like twenty things while I write. English isn't my first language either :) I speak spanish. I don't know how far I can go wit the arrasing.
LindyLou78: I updated :)
Thank you all for reading.
Gotta run
Bye.