Disclaimer: I only own Evalyn, Aviran, Vespera, and the general plot.
Frog: Sorry again for how long it took to update. This chapter is going to be a little shorter. But future chapters will hopefully come sooner, because I'm getting to a place where I know what I want to happen, and I'm also posting the last chapter of my other story today. So I'll have more time to work in this one. This chapter is just kind of fluffy, I think. Not quite romance yet, but it's getting there. I hope you all like it!
By now, Danica and Evalyn had been here for close to two months. The Avian princess was actually starting to feel more comfortable, despite her better judgment. And she was also quickly learning how to defend herself, which might attribute to this new feeling. Outside, it was early winter.
"What's that?" Zane asked curiously as he looked over her shoulder at the book she was reading in one of the library chairs. She turned her head up, and glared at him. He had been pestering her alot recently. But somehow, she was finding she enjoyed the attention.
"Just a book," she answered evasivly, setting it beside her so he couldn't see. Zane pouted.
"What's wrong if I see?" he complained, standing up straight.
"Nothing. I just don't want you to see," she snorted haughtily.
"You know, just because you're a princess, doesn't mean you always get your way," he sighed, walking around the chair. He quickly snatched the book as he walked by before she could stop him.
"Don't do that!" she protested, but it was too late.
"Aw. It's a fairytale collection," he cooed, smirking at her.
"I was looking for stories about kidnapped princesses," Danica muttered sarcastically, "You know, to see if I could get any ideas..."
"Ahh," he just continued smirking, and handed the book back to her, "Very creative."
She just stared coldly at him for a moment, before taking it, and distainfully flipping back to her page. She then went back to reading, trying hard to ignore his staring at her.
"You and Vespera seem to be comming pretty good friends," he mused after awhile, "What is she teaching you?"
"How to fight," Danica answered simply, not really thinking.
"You're...learning to fight..." Zane repeated, sounding skeptical.
"Didn't I just say that?" she sighed, putting her book down, and looking at him.
He shrugged, "I'm just surprised," a slight smirk crossed his face again, "Let me guess. You want to learn how to defend yourself in case you get kidnapped again?"
"No, actually. I'm learning just so I can knock you unconscious, so that you'll be quite and let me read," she hissed, and returned to her book.
"Well..." he raised his eyebrows, ignoring her as she rolled her eyes, "If it's me you want to defeat, you'll have to find a better teacher than Vespera."
"Then who would you suggest?" she sighed for what felt like the millionth time since she arrived here.
"I could teach you," he stated simply, his voice and expression, for once, were completely serious. But she could still see that playful glint in his eyes. But despite this, Danica still found herself speechless.
"I think you should," Vespera chimed, walking into the room, but with a slight bounce to her step.
"You were listening?" Zane raised an eyebrow at her. She looked shocked.
"Yeah. I was. You didn't notice?" the girl almost looked concerned, "I thought you knew I was there. You normally know when someone's eavesdropping."
"I...guess I wasn't paying enough attention..." he muttered, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. Vespera glanced at Danica, and then back at him. It was obvious she was trying to hide a smirk. Zane glared at her slightly in result.
"Anyways," the red-haired girl turned back to the Avian princess, "You should really let Zane teach you. You'll learn alot more from him than you could ever learn from me."
"I don't know..." Danica gave him an untrusting look. He just smiled back innocently.
"Great!!" Vespera clapped her hands happily, "Good luck your highness!"
Danica tried to object, but she was already gone. She just stared at the door in shock. Zane chuckled softly.
"I guess now you're stuck with me," he smirked, "Would you like to start now?"
She couldn't help but sigh, and set down her book again, "I suppose I might as well."
He nodded, and lead her downt he hall. After several twists and turns, they came to a room that was opposite the one where Aisha did her dancing. Danica had never been in there before. She had tried the door, and found it to be locked.
She gasped in surprise as cold air came in from the door when Zane opened it. He smirked at her before walking outside. She folowed after breaking out of her daze. It was a bit of a courtyard, with high walls all the way around. It was also pretty cold outside, and the sky was overcast. Still, Danica was glad to get some fresh air.
"Here," Zane tossed her a stick. She caught it much better than she had the first time.
They trained for close to a half hour. Zane was mostly testing her, to see where she was at. He was actually quite surprised by how well she was doing. After that, however, he lowered his stick.
"You can take a little break if you want. I wouldn't want to have to carry you to your room again," he smirked a little, as she sat down panting. She glared at him, as expected. She then looked up, and gasped.
"Is it...snowing?" she asked, her voice breathy. He looked up, and smiled, seeing the delicate white snowflakes as they drifted down.
"I guess so..." he mused, setting his stick aside, and sitting next to her on the bench that was out there.
Danica wasn't paying attention. She had always been facinated by snow, ever since she was little. Every winter brought back peacful memories of when she was little, and too young to care about politics and war. A sad smile came to her face, wishing she could be that innocent again, but knowing it could never be. It also brought back many memories of home, something that made her sadder still.
"Are you alright?" Zane asked softly, cocking his head in concern as a tear rolled down her cheek. She hadn't even realised.
"Y-yes. I'm fine..." she spoke quietly, quickly moving to brush the tear away. But he stopped her hand. She turned, and gave him a questioning look.
"There's nothing wrong with being scared, or missing home, Danica," he told her softly, "It's ok to cry..."
She nodded her head slowly, moving her hands to her lap. She didn't even notice his hand was still around her wrist. She looked away, lowering her head as more tears began to fall. Zane finally removed his hand from hers, a placed it comfortingly on her shoulder. She didn't sob, and he knew she wouldn't. But the tears still flowed freely. All it was were tears, nothing more, but nothing less. When the last one fell, Danica felt more free than she had in quite some time. She looked up again, to see the ground had been powdered lightly by the snow. She shivered, suddenly realizing how cold it was.
"Let's get you inside," Zane sighed, standing up, and offering her his hand. She looked at it for a moment, before shaking her head.
"Would it be alright if I stay out here a little longer?" she asked hopefully, her eyes returning to the falling snow.
"But you'll catch cold..." he objected. But then he saw the look on her face, and stopped. He sighed, taking off his coat and putting it around her shoulders. She gave him a thankful smile, and then looked up at the sky again. The smile on her face similar to the one she wore when she was little, and yet it was very differant.
Zane eventually managed to pull his eyes away from her, and walk back inside, saying, "I'm going to want that back, remember."
She barely heard him, but nodded slowly anyways. He just shook his head in amusment, before closing the door behind him.
Meanwhile:
"Here you go," Vespera smiled happily as she put a new book on Aviran's table. He glanced up at her from the one he was already reading, his eyes questioning.
"Shouldn't you be teaching Danica?" he asked boredly.
"Nope!" she grinned, "That's Zane's job now."
Aviran zoned out, his eyes thoughtful, "I suppose...that will do."
Vespera's smile quickly turned to a look of worry, "Are you ok?"
He shook his head, and smiled softly at her, "So long as she learns what I want her to learn. This may actually be more beneficial than you teaching her."
She pouted, "Wow. Thanks..." she grumbled, crossing her arms and looking at the door, "She'll never get very far, you know."
He chuckled lightly, "Was that ever the point?"
She smiled at him, "No. I guess not."
She walked around the table, and sat on his lap, cuddling up against him, "I'm glad you're here, Aviran..." she murmered affectionatly. He smiled, returning to his book, and wrapping an arm around her.
"I am too," he whispered.
Frog: Did you like it. I know it was shorter than most chapters. I'll try to make future ones longer. By the way, I have a favor to ask. I started a poll in a Kiesha'ra forum I made. It's about another fanfic I want to start when this one's over. Please look at it, and vote on the pairing. I can give you more information on that story if you want. Thank you!
Please review! Bye!