A/N: Oliza, and her mate, Nassin, are Rose's adoptive aunt and uncle while Chu'si is her adoptive cousin. I know Oliza isn't Salem's sister, but in a sense, she seems that way. So, for simplicity's sake, I've made Oliza, Nassin and Chu'si related to Rose in a close, family-type way. Hope that makes sense.
Rose sat down at the table, across from Namid and beside Chu'si, who was speaking with the wyvern queen. Looking stunning in avian gold and serpiente red, Oliza sat, hands folded in her lap, and listening quietly. "Well you know, Chu'si, men will say things they do not mean sometimes." She replied to her daughter's earlier statement.
The wolf-cobra rolled her eyes and took a sip of her fruit juice; she had no time for men. Dressed in a modest gown of silver and blue, Rose thought that, to attract men to her by way of scantily dressing and beauty, was a silly way to meet them.
"Let Talen have his space, Chu'si." Rose interjected, "He doesn't need you to fawn over him all the time."
Chu'si gave Rose a look, "Like you'd know better." "You probably pick a thief for your mate if he was attractive enough and had a good taste in books."
Oliza frowned, "Chu'si."
Chu'si's father, a attractive, serious wyvern named, Nassin, took her shoulder, "Now, Chu'si, that's no way to treat your cousin."
The wyvern princess turned to her father, "Adopted cousin, Father."
"But your cousin nonetheless." Nassin replied, with a stern look.
"We aren't even related. Only on Mother's side." Chu'si insisted.
Namid inwardly winced at the discussion, and she bowed her head, not saying anything.
Rose sighed softly and bowed her head, "Excuse me, for a moment." and gathered up her skirts, closing the door behind her as she left. What did Chu'si know? She went through men like changing weather! And she had no right to insult her heritage like that.
The princess heard the callings of her mother, "Rose?" "Rose!"
She whirled around, "What is it, Mother?" her tone was like ice.
Namid caught up with her, "Chu'si didn't man to insult you like that—"
"Then what did she mean?"
"She meant—Rose it's my fault." Namid looked up into her daughter's eyes and continued, "When Chu'si told that to you, she was also referring to me. In more ways then one."
"Why?" Rose replied, confused.
"I—Years before you were born, Rose, I lived with the Lupine tribe, my people. Well, there I also met a friend. Rakab was his name, and"—Namid swallowed hard—"soon he was driven out of the tribe, for reasons not even the gods knew, and I never saw him again…" "Until, while I was traveling here, he found me and told me that he loved me."
"Really?"
"He did."
Namid sighed as she walked with her daughter down the halls, "I told Rakab that we couldn't be lovers, that we had duties, but for the next few days, I was able to love him and soon we became lovers. I wanted him as my mate, but I knew it was impossible for I had an alliance to keep." "But then, after I came to Wyvern's Court and became your father's mate, Rakab remained as my guard."
"Where is he now?" Rose asked.
Namid smiled slightly, "He was soon captured by other thieves after I became pregnant with you and for seven months he was missing." "I worried over him constantly and for another sixteen years I waited…but he hasn't come back until two nights ago."
"Two nights ago?"
"Yes. That's when I told him to leave, that it was over." Namid sighed and the lines on her face briefly deepened.
Rose felt a stab of sadness for her mother, "Over?"
"Over." Namid nodded. "I do not know if it was also the end of our friendship, but I hope not."
Rose smiled, "Nyesh spoke to me today in the marketplace."
"He did?"
"Asked me if I would accompany him to a walk in the gardens tomorrow night."
Namid grinned, clutching the locket at her throat, "Go then, by all means, have some fun."
Rose smirked, "I believe I will, Mother."
Namid smoothed stray strands of hair from her daughter's face. "Oh, Rose, you've grown up so fast, I hardly recognize the girl I used to play with."
Rose chuckled embarrassedly, "Mother!" Please, stop it."
"You're not a child anymore, I know."
"No, stop denying that you still love the man."
"Your father? Of course I love him."
Rose laughed lightly, "I meant the thief. Nyesh's father."
Namid's face went blank, "Rose…"
"That's the awfulness of love isn't it, Mother?" "You find out your in love, but then there's duty to consider."
"Rose…I never meant to betray your father like that, by still loving Rakab but—"
"But he never noticed did he?" Rose replied.
"Oh, believe me, he noticed." Namid answered, "He was angry as well."
Rose walked outside, to the gardens and plucked a lilac flower from a cluster, sniffing it. "Mmm…" "Springtime is lovely, isn't it?"
Namid chuckled, "This is about the time I found out about Rakab's dilemma …" "I remember I was by that arch of ivy over there," Namid pointed to a silver arch almost covered in small white flowers ands ivy. "And Bialas told me."
"Who is Bialas?"
"One of the Sheeva Intre. Rakab is the leader of that group, the last I heard from them was when you were born. The healer, Sheila, had come to help me get over the long and tiring months when I was pregnant and also helped when I gave birth. After that, I have heard nothing of them or of their whereabouts…"
Rose cocked her head, "You miss them?"
"Sometimes I—I dream. Of that one night when we danced the Hara'Jaud dance." "Nothing else seemed real, only the music, the dancing and him…"
Rose smiled, "Well you'd better get back to Aunt Oliza."
Namid took Rose's shoulder, "Listen, whatever happens in the future," she sighed; "I will always love you, no matter what."
Rose nodded, solemnly.
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Nyesh watched from the bushes as Namid left and smiled, "You are beautiful, Rose." He murmured, "Even in Demi-form." He chuckled and took a necklace from his pocket. It was of a red rose on a golden chain with the words: "La'vehelars'beat'in'sheeva'intre'yet'a 'bloom' in'toth. " engraved on the back of the flower.
Our hearts beat in cold silence, yet to bloom in love.
Nyesh grinned, "You've captivated me in a spell I cannot break."
Élan smirked, "Thought you hated her."
"I did…until a god came to me, a few nights ago, and told me to protect her from a threatening force, soon to strike."
The panther laughed, "Which god was that?"
"The Lupine's god, Helaku." Nyesh replied.
"You're an odd one, my friend." Élan grinned, clapping Nyesh on the shoulder. "Very odd."
"We thieves are odd." Nyesh replied. "A favorite saying of mine."
"Since when?" Elan raised a questioning brow.
Nyesh shrugged and smiled crookedly, "She's a beauty."
Élan rolled his eyes, "You do realize she hates you?"
"I do." Nyesh replied, his voice distant.
"Then stop ogling her, lover-boy." Élan took his friend's arm and led him away, "You know what you need, Nyesh?"
"What's that?" Nyesh answered.
"A very stiff drink."