Part 16 – The Next Morning

Khariaya awoke to the sun shining in her eyes through the window, she slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room slowly. Memories of the previous night flooded her mind and she closed her eyes wishing them to go away. The priestess slowly sat up in her bed and looked at the sleeping black dragon beside her. Crawling out of bed she walked to the bathroom knocking to make sure no one was in there hearing nothing she walked in and locked the doors to take her bath.

She slowly dipped her toes into the water and pulled her clotehs off slolwy, her arms stung as she peeled the fabric from the small wounds on her arms. She immediately thought of the visit she promised Cristala that day. I can get some medical herbs for this from her. She thought as she inspected the small cuts, they were deeper than she would have thought and should be looked after. She slowlyed walked into the water an sat down along the edge letting her body soak in the water.

If Eragon hadn't come when he did…I don't know what might have happened. She thought as tears once again came too her eyes at the thought of what had happened. She dunked her head into the water and resurfaced quickly and washed herself being careful not to get soap on her wounds. She soon got out and dried herself off and redressed and walked out into the entrance and took some food.

Eragon came out a moment later and looked to her, Khariaya looked away not knowing what he would think of her now. She heard him walk over to her and stop beside her.

"Are you okay?" he asked concern and worry played through his voice. Khariaya just nodded and didn't look at him not wanting to look him in the eyes and know what he thought of her. Eragon reached a hand out and cupped her chin and turned her face to look at him.

"It's not your fault what happened, I know you didn't want that. I don't think any less of you." He said staring straight into her eyes. Khariaya felt tears once again well in her eyes and she nodded once again.

Now, came Eviothx voice to the tow of them and they turned to look at the black dragon. Saphira was there as well and looked to the two of them, Eviothx moved in closer and looked directly at Khariaya. I want to know what happened to you. He told her she nodded and sat down with Eragon and she started to explain to both Eviothx and Saphira what had happened.

"What!" Cristala yelled aburbtly standing up and pounding her fist on the table, she had been applying herbal ointment to Khariaya's arm as she told her what happened. Eviothx had he head stuck in the door and growled once again hearing the story. He reaction earlier almost proved as a disaster, he was ready to go find Roy and tear him apart but Khariaya calmed him down before he did anything.

Khariaya looked down at her arm slightly not knowing what to say now. Cristala calmed down and sat back down and contiued to applly the ointment to her arm. She looked to Khariaya with a small frown.

"I hope he doesn't go near you if he still wants to live." She said venom pouring into her words as she wrapped Khariaya's left arm with bandages careful not to wrap them too tight.

"I don't think he meant it but I won't be near him for a while." She said looking from Cristala's hands to her face. Cristala looked at her very concerned about her and seemed to be thinking greatly on it because she didn't say anything as she changed to work on her other arm. They remained quiet for the rest of the time Cristala spent workng on her injuries, Khariaya needed to leave right after to go see Eragon and Arya. Cristala said as she was leaving that she see her later, Khariaya wasn't so sure what she meant she heard from Arya they were leaving tommorow so she wouldn't be able to she her for a long time. Eviothx flew off to head back to where they were staying to meet up with Eragon.

Eviothx landed gracefully at the base of the tree Khariaya slipped off and adjusted the saddle Arya had gotten for Eviothx so riding him was easier. She was in the middle and adjusting it when Eviothx's head shot up and looked over behind Khariaya and started to growl and roar dangerously at something. The priestess stiffened and turned around to see Roy standing a good 10 feet behind her glancing nervously at Eviothx.

"Khariaya-" Roy started to say and took a step forward. Eviothx jumped to his feet bared his sharp teeth and snaped at him making him stop where he was. Khariaya she pushed back by the black dragon as he stood protectivly infront of her.

"Wait! Khariaya I just want to apologize…" Roy said, Khariaya knew he very well and knew he meant it. She could hear the regret in his voice and thought about it for a moment.

Eviothx move, let him talk to me. She told the black dragon firmly. Eviothx refused to move but after a small argument he moved letting Khariaya able to see Roy. She took a few steps forward and looked up at him. Roy tried to move closer but Eviothx snaped at him firecely once again.

"He won't let you any closer." Khariaya said looking at him. Roy nodded to her.

"I guess I deserve that." He said his eyes saddened.

"Khariaya I know what I did to you is unforgivable, and I will always be tortured by the way I hurt you. But what I said was true, I love you. And that will never change. I know I don't deserve to even look at you but I promise to make it up to you and I hope that maybe you can forgive me too. And when this is all over with I hope you may marry me, But I will keep my distance from you and I will make up for the way I hurt you." He said solemly and turned without a word from her and walked away. The priestess was left standing there thinking about what she had heard, true he was one of her closest friends, but it would take a long time before she could trust him again. And no doubt Eviothx would never trust him again.

"Khariaya!" the call of her name snapped her from her thoughts she turned to see Eragon running down the stairs to her Saphira gliding down and landing near Eviothx. Khariaya looked to him he had an expression of worry and concern, and it made her wonder if he saw her talking with Roy.

"Are you okay? I saw Roy there-" he said slightly out of breath and Khariaya smilled touched by his concern. She began to wonder if he heard what Roy had said to her and bit her lip.

"It's alright he was just apologizing to me." She said calmly. Eviothx snorted angerily, Khariaya ignored him and looked to Eragon. Eragon was quite and looked in the direction that Roy had walked off too he then looked to her after a few moments.

"Come one were going to Ellesmera." He said with a smile.

Author's Note: Okay I fianlly wrote it! Man I think I'm pretty good, nice my love interest twist! But don't think it's over yet! Muhahaha... there's soooo much more to come. -grins evily- Please review I only got one review for the last chapter and that mad me very sad! TT Please review!