Branaric was appalled by his sister's disappearance. "She's gone?" he sputtered.
"Quite, sir," the attendant replied. "She left at the crack of dawn."
Bran shook his head. "I'll go home. I'll get her, and bring her back," he volunteered.
I laughed. "You know, I'm sure, better than I do, that you could not bring your sister to court without the aid of an entire army, and even then she would be kicking and screaming the whole way."
Bran laughed. "It's true," he admitted. "Probably even threatening to kill the soldiers." Then with a wry smile he stated, "We do have an army on hand though."
I smiled and shook my head. "Let her be," I said. The words felt odd coming out of my mouth. I wanted to see her, I wanted to make things right between us but more than anything I just wanted her to be happy. The only way for that to be possible right now was to let her remain in Tlanth. Besides, I had no idea what to do to make things right. The girl was stubborn, and she had very stoutly decided she did not like me. I suppressed a sigh and addressed Bran again. "You are still planning on joining us at court, however?" I asked.
The count nodded decisively. "Heaven knows I need all the help I can get when it come to politics. Tlanth is a real mess after this war. I don't want to make things worse."
I gestured towards the carriage. "Then come. Your sister will take care of things in Tlanth," I inwardly grimaced. Why did I have to keep bringing her up? I feared I was so obvious.
Branaric, however, was completely unaware of my blunder. "You're right. Life, that girl is so hard-headed, but she will be able to turn that place around. If anyone can it's Mel."
He got into the carriage, still wounded from the arrow from Galdran's men he would not be comfortable making the journey on horseback. He saluted me in a temporary farewell. I nodded back and mounted my gray, and we began our way back towards Athanarael. I hoped that as I put distance between myself and the small countess I could turn my mind towards what needed thinking about. Deep down though I knew myself better. I knew I would think about Meliara the entire time, wherever I was, no matter how far away.
A/N: Yes, the last lime might be cheesy but just imagine how cutesy it must be in Danric's sweet head. :) And THANK YOU to those who reviewed. I love you.