I kind of liked writing this chapter because it wasn't as stressful as all the others so I hope all of you enjoy it as well.
And as for the published book thing Kalista, I am actually writing this story as one of my original ones, obviously without Wyvern's Court and a bit different. I guess it's because I like Bastian and Auria so much.
They walked for what seemed to be like hours for Adralan when instead it was simply the effect of not getting enough rest. In that time, Bastian had filled her in on what had happened that day and the conflict that had gotten his family involved.
"You must have gotten the wrong impression of how things run here after what happened this morning," Bastian laughed, "and Riok and I thoroughly apologize."
Adralan shook her head and suppressed a small laugh. "I suppose Riok was that friend of yours that was with you?"
Bastian nodded. "It wasn't his fault either. He was only trying to help me and keep watch for me."
Adralan paused and turned to look at Bastian. He stood a few inches taller than her now that he was no longer that small boy she had known. "I suppose this is where you tell me what you were doing that angered that poor man chasing you?"
His gaze wondered somewhere behind where Adralan stood and he signaled for her to turn and see.
"There," he pointed at the northern hills of Wyvern's Court where the homes of many of Avians stood, "is the reason for everything that happened today. The Avian man that you speak of was chasing me after finding me in a compromising situation with his daughter."
Adralan knew what he most likely meant by that. After all, she had grown up around brothers and knew very well what situations they could get themselves into.
"You're a young lady—"
"Wise observation." Adralan retorted playfully.
Bastian laughed. "I am going to need your help in reaching her now that her father is onto me."
"What!" Adralan had to suppress shout and instead kept it to a whisper once she noticed a group of what appeared to be a group of young Serpiente walking by.
"My mother has been called away early from the Serpiente Palace to come here and have an audience with her father."
"Then why don't you wait to speak to her until that audience is done with. Who knows, you might even have the possibility of seeing her without her father's permission."
Bastian shook his head. "The only thing that stopped her father from murdering me on the spot was Riok, me being an heir to the throne, and running. What makes matters worse is that she already has an alistair to whom she is promised."
She should have known. Adralan knew that she should have never opened that door and allowed Bastian to lead her out of her room. But she had and now she stood before him as she listened to his proposition of being none other than his messenger.
She began to turn away but Bastian caught her arm and forced her to stop as he stood facing her. By the look of his eyes, it almost appeared as if he was all but ready to kneel and beg for her help.
"I am not asking for you to speak to her at this exact moment… All I ask is that tomorrow you may help me."
Adralan was still asking herself why she had allowed herself to come out with him. "Help in what manner." She finally said defeated.
Bastian flashed a bright smile as he began to feel her submit to his offer. "I am sure that her father will want to hide this incident before her alistair returns, but I want to know if she wants to. I MUST be sure before I do something incredibly stupid."
"Such as?" she asked.
"Take her away with me despite her father's objections."
Adralan gasped surprised. "Bastian, that'll only make matters worse!"
Bastian noticed that he was still holding Adralan by her arms and let her go as he paced in front of her. He looked up at the northern hills longingly. "Her father would eventually have to agree after the matter is aired around all of Wyvern's Court. After that, he can do nothing about it and neither can her alistair."
Adralan looked behind her at the hills and shook her head. "And all you want me to do is speak to her about this? Nothing more?"
"Nothing more." He said with a pleased smile.
- - - - - - - - -
"So what is her name?" Adralan asked.
Adralan had managed to take Bastian away from the hills in fear that anyone else would hear the rest of their conversation. After all, his plans were rash and in such a delicate matter, she was not ready to be blamed for something she had still not done. They had found a soft grassy knoll on which to sit on and to Adralan's delight, it gave a wonderful view of the radiant moon.
"Máire…" he sighed.
This time Adralan laughed which earned her a stern look from Bastian.
"I just find all of this," she waved with her hand as if the situation was something tangible, "strange…"
Bastian looked at her, his garnet gaze still unsure on what exactly she was trying to say.
"You're so trusting…" she added. "I have never met anyone who is so brazen when it comes to their feelings either. You barely know me and yet you seek my help."
"I couldn't have asked Loeiza." He said as he lay on the grass and looked at the star-sprinkled sky. "She would have denounced my intentions right on the spot to everyone."
"Is that so?" Adralan asked. The one time she had met Loeiza, the impression she had gotten from her was a nasty one but she had expected it was simply a phase. After all, she had heard that Loeiza had witnessed her father's death. Even then, it did not surprise Adralan to hear that Loeiza was still the same. As far as Adralan knew, Loeiza had a dislike for her since they were children though she knew no reason why.
"I think she hates me," Bastian laughed, "and loves me all the same. You're the only other person that I knew who would be able to carry through this."
"I have never had that sort of love-hate relationship with my brothers." Adralan sighed. "At least from what I know, I don't think they hate me."
Bastian laughed. "No no, Vycan speaks highly of you. As for Adran," he shrugged, "I don't know him too well but I suppose being twins is a given that he gets along with you better. The time Vycan was here, he mentioned that you had become a dancer and a good one at that."
Adralan attempted not to blush and found no reason why not. After all, it was her brother Vycan who had been her highest supporter when it came to her decision. Even though it had angered her mother beyond belief that she had joined Valeska's new dancing guild, she had only agreed when Adralan had agreed to be with Damek. It wasn't much of a feat to accept the proposal for Adralan; she knew she was going to agree to Damek either way. It had just served to make her mother feel as if she had the upper-hand since Auria had always liked to feel in control of any situation.
"Vycan was my greatest supporter when it came to convincing my mother to let me join the dancers." She said wistfully. "I remember when I came here and I saw your dancers perform, I knew I wanted to become one as well. Of course, my mother only thinks I'm wasting my time…" she trailed off.
"Our dancer's are not merely entertainers and they definitely do not waste their time." Bastian said defensively.
"My mother is… difficult." Adralan said carefully. "When she was young there were no dancers in her pack. It wasn't until my father came into power that the packs nearby came together with us once more. My teacher, Valeska, is the sister of one of the pack leaders nearby and powerful ally to my father. I suppose my mother dislikes her after she heard rumors that Valeska had a lover who already had a mate."
Bastian shook his head. "That is still no reason to dislike someone. Prejudices serve only to separate people all due to ignorance."
Adralan agreed and smiled in return. "Like I said, she is difficult. But all I know is that all of Valeska's teachings have had a great impact of me." Adralan looked up at the moon and sighed. "We dance under our mother the moon, in all its glory and splendor…" she trailed off once more as she became lost in her thoughts. When she turned to look at Bastian she noticed that he had gotten quiet and was looking intently at the moon as well.
"I'd like to see those dances that your pack performs." He said quietly.
Adralan laughed. "I can't perform right now… I prefer to dance with my group than alone."
"Why?" he asked. "I thought you liked dancing?"
"I do." she answered. "It is just that I always dance with Valeska and my other partner, Nadja. And when I dance alone, I am careful to let no one else besides them see me."
Bastian leaned on his elbows while he still lay on the grass and looked up at Adralan. "Then I guess I should go to the Lupine Lands and see for myself."
Before Adralan could say something back, her attention was caught by a faint clinking sound. Bastian sat up and turned to look at the direction from where the noise had come from. Two guards stood at a distance but their eyes were fixed on Bastian, clearly keeping an eye on him. It was no surprise that guards had trailed after him and he cursed quietly under his breath.
"I hate it when they do that…" he said irritated. He stood and wiped the grass that had clung to his clothes before he offered his hand to Adralan to help her up. "You should go to your room. It's late and these guards are all but telling me to go to bed as well."
Adralan nodded as Bastian walked her back.
"I would just like to remind you," he said once they had reached the door of her room, "that tomorrow when my mother arrives and speaks to Máire's father, I shall fetch you to speak to her."
Adralan patted Bastian's arm in a sign of reassurance as she walked into her room.
"Don't worry." she said as she turned to look at him. "Just please don't do anything… stupid." With that she closed the door and laughed at herself. She had no idea what she had just gotten herself into once more.