A/N: Here's Chapter 6! Thanks to all my faithful reviewers!Sorry for such a long update, but I've been having some writer's block when it comes to this chapter. I hope you like what I have here, and please enjoy!
Disclaimer: None of this is mine.
A Whole New World: Chapter 6
"Nara?"
The unfamiliar voice came again, and Yasmin spun around to face the speaker, confused and flustered. She looked around, finally spotting a tall blonde nearby who was staring at her intently, a welcome smile on her face. Standing next to her was another lady who looked identical to the first, except she had gray eyes and golden-brown hair. The third had brown hair and brown eyes, while the fourth had black hair and hazel eyes, and they were all looking at her like she should recognize them.
While Yasmin stood there in confusion, they bore down on her, suddenly surrounding her in a circle of skirts and perfume, stifling her. Suddenly, four voices broke into chatter at once, and Yasmin could only make out bits and pieces.
"Oh, my dear! You're finally back at court! After all these years--"
"Why such the strange looks, darling? Don't you remember us?"
"Of course she does, we're her family! After all, after Alex died--"
"Oh, don't bring up Alex! It must be too painful for the poor thing! Isn't it, my dear?"
"What about Aidan--"
"Don't bring up Aidan, either! Can't you see the poor thing has feelings?"
"My dear, your eyes! They used to be such a charming blue-black! What happened?"
"There are potions for that, you know and--"
"Shhh! Don't bring that up, you might insult her!"
"Oh, I heard the rumor that you were pregnant! Oh, my poor dear, how is the baby faring without a father to take care of it? How are you doing?"
"Do you have another fief? If you have nowhere to go, you could stay with us--"
"Yes, of course! Why didn't I think of that before! Yes, you can stay with us Nara, and we'll be a family again. Bring the baby with you, we'll make room--"
"Yes, we haven't had a baby to pamper in so long!"
"Oh, my dear, we missed you!" Before Yasmin could protest, she was swept into a tight hug. Her mind whirling she tried to breathe and not choke on the lady's overwhelming perfume at the same time.
"Excuse me," she managed, when she regained her footing and her bearing. "I don't know who you're talking about."
"What are you talking about?" The blonde replied, her brow furrowing in confusion. "You're Nara of Kudarung Falls, aren't you?"
"Yes," the golden-brown one piped up, her gray eyes bright, "you're our sister-in-law."
"No," Yasmin said patiently, "I'm Lady Yasmin of Wolf's Peak." She fixed the four sisters with an imposing stare. "Who are you?"
"I beg your pardon," the blonde said graciously, trying to beat a hasty retreat. Her sisters grouped around her, and as Yasmin watched them, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place as her mother's final warning rang in her ears. Stay away from the Seaport ladies. The bits and pieces of conversation she had heard were confusing her, but the parts she understood astounded her.
She moved towards the ballroom's exit, she ignored the fact that it would be rude to walk out on Gavin, as well as the monarchs, but she didn't care. She needed to see Shadow. They had a lot to discuss.
Bursting into her suite of rooms, Yasmin startled Kiyo from his perch. What's wrong, Flower? He asked, concerned and following her every movement. What happened?
"I need to get to Corus," was his only answer as Yasmin donned her breeches and shirt and slipped out the door. Following, Kiyo sighed. He had a feeling this wasn't going to turn out well.
"Yasmin?" Shadow looked up from his maps at the Dancing Dove to find his daughter staring down at him, her green eyes a stormy sea. He stood, surprised, moving to embrace her, but she moved away. The next thing she said shocked him, causing him to stop in his tracks.
"Are you my father?" The confusion in her eyes prompted him to respond, and Shadow heaved a sigh as he ran a hand through his already messy hair, looking for Nara. She could help him explain, but she was out and about. He was on his own.
"No."
Yasmin stared at him, startled. That was the last thing she had expected, and instead of being mad, she was just confused. "Then who is?"
"Nara is your mother." Shadow told her, sinking back down in his chair and motioning for her to take a seat. Yasmin complied, Kiyo swaying on her shoulder.
"Nara used to be a court lady," Shadow began, rubbing his face tiredly. "She was the lady of Kudarung Falls, a fief near Corus." Yasmin nodded but said nothing. "She had a husband, Alex, and a baby boy, Aidan. She came back to her fief one day over eighteen years ago to find her home burned to the ground and her husband and son dead. All the kudarung were gone, save one: Kele."
"So," Yasmin murmured, "that's where he came from." Shadow nodded slowly, then proceeded to tell Yasmin of all that had transpired before her birth. Yasmin only interrupted him at the name Falcon's Harbor.
"Falcon's Harbor?" She murmured with a sinking heart as the pieces fell into place.
"Yes," Shadow murmured, his green eyes flashing dangerously. "Why?"
"I met a knight at the palace," Yasmin mumbled, avoiding eye contact.
"A suitor?" Shadow asked sharply, and the blush on the girl's face was all the answer he needed.
"His name is Gavin of Falcon's Harbor." Yasmin murmured, so softly she hoped Shadow hadn't heard. She risked a glance towards her foster father, and winced as she noticed his face slowly beginning to turn red.
"You are never allowed to see him again," Shadow said slowly, glaring.
"Da!" Yasmin protested. "Please!"
"No," Shadow snapped back, secretly pleased that she still thought of him as her father. "I've already lost Haunt, Lightning, and Silver. I'm not going to lose you to some noble who doesn't know anything."
That brought Yasmin up short. "What?" she asked, her voice rising. "What happened?"
Shadow sighed, rubbing his face and looking older than Yasmin had ever seen him. His green eyes were shadowed. "Haunt's missing, possibly dead." He said hoarsely, staring at her in despair. "Lightning told me she hadn't come back from a raid, and went to look for her. He didn't come back either." He stared at her, tired. "Silver gone too, and their bodies are showing up dead a few days later. Ten more Rogue have died since last week, and no one knows who or what is killing them."
He stared at Yasmin. "The Rogue's numbers are dwindling, and I can't lose someone else I love." He swallowed hard. "If something happened to Sprout or your mother…" Yasmin leaned across the table to hug him.
"We'll stop it," she promised. "I'll go back to the palace, find the spies, and return. We'll find out who's doing this." Shadow laid his hand on her, his eyes serious.
"Be careful," he warned her. "some courtiers have turned up dead, too, inside the palace walls." Yasmin stared at him, shocked, and he stood up.
"You should get back to the palace," he murmured, kissing her forehead and squeezing her tight. "I promise we'll be here when you come back."
"Good-bye Da," Yasmin murmured, her mind whirling with everything that had happened and that she had heard.
Shadow released her and turned away, heading for Malik's room as Yasmin slipped out of the door, unaware that she was being watched.
"You want Yasmin pulled from the palace assignment?" Malik asked, his face creasing in concern. "Why?"
Shadow leaned forward, bracing his hands on the desk. "You know as well as I do that the Rogue are dying," he said quietly. "The killer is not stopping in the Corus slums, he's getting bolder, striking the palace courtiers. Spies or not, I want my daughter out of there now, along with Amadahy." He sat back in his chair, then continued.
"I promised Haunt I would take care of her," he murmured, his green eyes large, "if anything…" he swallowed hard, "if anything should happen to her." His voice broke. "I will not abandon you, Majesty," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "but I will not have my daughter in harm's way."
Malik bowed his head. "Everything you say is true, Nirav," he murmured slowly, his gray eyes shadowed with the heavy burden he carried. He brushed his blonde hair out of his face and continued. "I will take Yasmin out of the palace, as you ask." He sat back, and Shadow knew that the conversation was over. Standing up, he nodded to the King of Thieves and walked out of the room, leaving the other man alone with his thoughts.
"We have to what?" Amadahy stared at her friend, her blue eyes wide. Yasmin nodded, saddened by the fact that they had to leave the palace. She had gotten used to this life.
"We have to leave," she murmured, sadly, gathering up the rest of her belongings. Kiyo watched from his perch on the window, and said nothing. Amadahy nodded, packing her bags as well. Yasmin's heart wrenched as she thought of Haunt. She hadn't the heart to tell her friend that her foster mother was dead, and so Amadahy thought her mother was waiting for her back at the Dove.
Packing the last few things, Yasmin let the servants take them down to the carriage. Locking the door and giving another servant the key, she turned and bumped into a familiar figure in the hallway: Gavin.
Blushing, she tried to brush past him, her father's words still ringing in her ears, but Gavin's hand on her arm stopped her. She turned to look at him, green eyes meeting blue. "Yasmin?" Gavin asked, confused. "What's going on?"
"My father has called me home," she told him, dropping her gaze. Gavin brushed his hand over her cheek, bringing her gaze back to his.
"Do you have to go?" He asked softly, brushing the strands of hair away from her face.
"Yes," Yasmin murmured, suddenly aware of how close they were.
"I'll miss you," Gavin murmured, watching her face. Suddenly, he lowered his lips to hers, kissing her sweetly. Yasmin drew in a breath in surprise, her hands going to his shoulders as his wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. They stayed that way for a long time, and when the parted for need for air, Yasmin stared up at Gavin.
"I have to go," she murmured, tearing herself away.
"I know," Gavin murmured, grabbing her hand before she could get too far and pulling her back into his embrace, once again placing his lips on hers.
Yasmin enjoyed the sensation, but to her, something seemed to be missing. She permitted the embrace for only a few seconds before tearing herself away again. She glanced at him one last time before heading down the hallway, tears stinging her eyes and feeling very confused.
Weeks later, Yasmin was back at the Dove. She was once again working at the tavern, serving customers and dreaming about her life at the palace. Kiyo was with her, as well as Amadahy, and Sprout seemed happen to have his older sister back.
Making her rounds, Yasmin stopped by a table with only occupant. As the man looked up, Yasmin stumbled backwards and tried to turn away, but the man's blue eyes held her captive.
"Hello, Yasmin," Gavin said calmly, seeming not at all surprised at the fact that she was in breeches in a shirt, her hair was in a simple braid, and her green eyes were large at the sight of him.
"Gavin?" Yasmin asked finally, not understanding what was going on. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to find you," was the calm reply, but Yasmin merely stared, baffled.
"Why?" She asked bluntly, and Gavin gave a simple smile and stood to take her hand.
"Yasmin," he asked grandly, "will you marry me?"
A/N: Yeah, I know, a bit sudden, but like father, like son, right? Anyway, tell me what you think by reviewing, and no flames please!