Nixiesocean: Whoo hoo! I found my flash drive with all my awesome stories on it. Yay! Oh, and this chapter is kind of depressing, in a way.
Responses:
FloatingBubbles: Yeah, yeah. Creepy. Have you read Frankenstein? That's a creepier book.
Simplegrl007: Pretty much, all your answers, except the last one, will be answered in this chapter. Don't you feel special? And, yes, I forgive you. :-D
Classy Lady Elegance: Didn't I describe the Draining as a dome? Red with silver flecks, I believe. And, yes, Ade's death was at the place of the Draining dome. Isn't that scary that Ceara went back there of all places? I never really intended it, but she would've fled further and her presence was required at Dragonhold.
Read, enjoy and review!
Chapter 12: Nightmares
"I – I'm so sorry," Murmured Jade. I nodded. My father gathered me in his arms.
To me alone, he whispered, I cannot imagine your sorrow, as Cyrun has never – and I pray never will be – taken from me in such a violent manner. His eyes, normally so full of life, were sorrow-filled and angry. I only wish there was something I could do.
I bowed my head. Jade must've understood our need for privacy, because she didn't say a word. There is nothing, Father, except to escort me back to Dragonhold along with Jade, as I guess you are taking her there.
I am. He admitted. She wished to know more of Aram's pain. I figured the Dragons would be able to help, and I suspected you would be residing there.
Uncle has outfitted us well, Father. I confided. I didn't ruin this dress through his magic…
My father gave me a big squeeze and released. He is recovering, no doubt.
He is still wounded. I replied dully. And yet I cannot find a way to cure him.
Jade sighed in the background. My father ignored her. I will escort you and the princess to Dragonhold where I will look at that prince. It might not do any good, but I've heard from your mother that you've had a quarrel.
I bowed my head. "Yes, Father." I turned to Jade. "We're leaving for Dragonhold. Keep that cloak for now; it'll get colder." Jade nodded. I felt deep inside myself for the Dragonform inside me. I allowed it to take over my form. My clothes melted into me and silver scales took over it.
"That is so disgusting!" Jade exclaimed. I rolled my eyes. "What?"
I decided to voice my words. "Well, you try changing into a Dragon without doing something disgusting." She was shocked I could speak Common, I guessed, because she was gaping like a fish. I laughed and took off. My father, never to be outdone, grabbed Jade (who didn't have time to shield her eyes) and flew off with her in his claws.
She screeched the whole way there. Luckily, Dragonhold was about an hour's fly from… there. I shivered and landed in my assigned room. Ade's room was next to mine, but due to his nightmares (which I no longer care about, stupid, stupid, stupid man!) I stayed in his most often.
I changed into a pale blue tunic and silver breeches while Jade recovered from the flight. My father stayed, thinking deeply. I figured he would be contacting my mother. I looked out the window. I gasped. Ade was in the garden, hunched in pain.
Go get him. My shoulder "angel" said.
He insulted you. Don't help him! The "devil" said. He's been nothing but trouble.
He will forgive you if you help him!
Don't listen to the angel
The sight of Ade in pain hurt too deeply. I still loved him. I turned to my father. "I'll be back. Ade's room is next to mine." I turned to the sick princess. "The washroom is over there." I pointed to a door. She nodded and stumbled over and shut the door and I heart terrible retching noises, then something wet. I shook my head and ran out the door, sprinting to the gardens.
His arms were semi-covered in bruises, welts and cuts. He looked up at me with bright jade eyes. I gasped, knowing what it meant – but in that moment of hesitation, he fainted.
I stood over him, the dragonflies swirling around me. I gently brushed one off his lips and lightly touched them. They were warm still. The scratches and other assorted wounds were quickly fading; and I cried lightly.
I picked him up and clutched tightly to my chest, stumbling under his weight. I walked up to his rooms and knocked with my foot. My father opened the door, and silently took Ade. He placed the limp form in his bed. I went over and smoothed his midnight-black hair. His eyes fluttered open and took me in.
"Sweet," I murmured soothingly, "Sleep." He grasped my hand weakly and fell back in my arms.
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I was hurting. It pained me to faintly see her form inside that dome. It hurt me to see her hunched in pain from that. I broke the ropes binding me. Anger and pain fueled me. Lovely had fled. He was there, also angry. I shivered. He was unconsciousness now. I had hit him fairly hard. I went over to the shimmering dome. I gently touched it. It burned. I saw her hunched form. I pursued. It burned and cut me. I shoved my body though, searing every part. She was there. She wasn't happy I was here. She tried to make me leave.
– A brief lapse of thoughts and the words "Sweet, sleep." –
I stayed, pursuing my need. I hugged her, kept her close. She'd never be hurt with me around. I kissed her, promising never to leave her. All thoughts vanished.
I floated in a vast space of nothingness. A small light appeared, but far away. Curious, I floated toward it. Arms caught me. I was pulled backwards. No pain, just peace. I felt a tug at my heart, something pulling me away from the light. I saw a body, laid out and she was crying over it.
My spirit floated over to her. 'Don't cry,' I murmured, 'Please.'
She was unfazed by my attempts. Someone had hold of my arm, but I ignored it. A voice, hurt and lonely cried out, piercing my heart. A glow enveloped her and she, despite being covered in blood, gently stroked the corpse's cheek. I was pulled, very forcefully, into the corpse.
My last thought before my banishment to my dark prison was 'I love you.'
"How is he?" Someone murmured.
The next person spoke quietly. "He's going in and out of consciousness."
The first speaker grew worried. "What happens if he doesn't wake up?"
The second speaker breathed silently. "He'll need to be fed. That, or we could try a-"
"Stop!" A commanding voice called. "Do not do anything." The two original people turned to see a lithe figure coming towards them. They shook their heads at the imprudence of the person. "I will take care of His Highness from here."
Sighing, the first person turned to the second. "We will try it for tonight."
The male lying flat on his back left any stream of thoughts behind him and fell back into his sleep.
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Jade kept looking back at me. "So, Ar- Ade's in a…?" She tapped her chin.
"Coma." I replied. "He's stuck, possibly Aram too, in his dream world." My heart ached. My father had spent the night with my mother leaving just before dawn to get home before sunrise and make it look like he had slept there soundly. He didn't know anything about Ade's case.
Neither did I. I knew basic herb-lore. My mother knew more, but like I'd ask her for help! She's been rude to be ever since I mentioned her and Father.
Like I care anymore. I love her, as a mother, but she can be such a royal pain!
A servant appeared in the door, a Human servant. "Excuse me, Lady Ceara, but your mother wants you." He trembled. Obviously, my mother had used fear to make sure the message arrived quickly.
I smiled at the manservant and flashed a look at Jade. She knew I would not be back soon so she took my place next to Ade. I took out a silver piece and handed it to him. "Take me to her rooms." I already knew the way, but I wanted befriend this manservant.
I was dying slowly. I knew it. I also knew Ade was the only way I'd survive this.
My mother was at least in a better mood when I came in than normal. I bowed (since I was in a dress tunic and breeches) and sat.
She turned. Her eyes never met mine, but stared past me. "Ade's case is unusual." She began.
I didn't bother to let her continue. "You have no right to be barging in on my business, Mother." I met her cool blue eyes, a replica of my own. "Ade's my friend and my-"
"Lover?" She laughed. She shook her head. "You are so naïve, Ceara. You think a Human can ever be the same after a Draining? The Goddess be thanked your father and I returned to normal!"
I stood, furious as all hells. "I don't need you. I'm Uncle's heir, and as I recall, that gives me power over you." I slapped her. "So help me, if you ever come near me or Ade or Jade ever again I will do something about it."
I stormed out of the room. My mother was far too composed to cry in my earshot.
I hated her, the imprudence of it all!
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I opened my eyes. There was my Jade. My heart softened at the sight of her. I had awoken in an attempt to tell those people that… what was it? I forgot. Relief flooded me. I took Jade's hand and kissed it. She was obviously uncomfortable.
I didn't want her to be like that. Why would she be uncomfortable? It was I… in my palace room. I threw my arms around her and placed a kiss on her lips. She softened in my arms and released the tension.
"I'm awake!" I burst aloud.
She backed away. Shaking her head. I ran over, not caring that I might get tangled in the bed sheets. I grasped her arm. "Ade, please-" she began.
I cut her off with a kiss. The door opened to reveal… her. She gasped. She ran down the hall and I could hear her sobs. Jade pushed my arms away. "Aram?"
I pecked her cheek with another kiss. "Yes!"
She shook her head. "Oh, Goddess," She turned to me. "Stay in bed. I don't care what you say, get in that bed!" I realized she meant me. I shook my head, trying to get a shirt over the bandages covering my chest. I looked around finally realizing I wasn't in my rooms. I was somewhere completely different.
I shook my head. "Does… is this…?" My head swam with questions. She nodded. "I have to go with you, that b-"
"No." She said firmly. "I heard the story. If you insist on coming, go quickly, she won't stay Human long." I fumbled with a shirt and followed her. Whoever had undressed me had enough propriety to leave my breeches on.
Jade ran out the door with me right on her heels. I had slept a long time.
Long enough, maybe, to… die?
No. A painful memory seized me. I was wracked with fire and knives. I shook it off. Screams penetrated my composure and I ran faster. Jade beat me there and was slowly approaching the weeping Ceara.
Ceara…? Crying…?
I stood back a bit. Jade leaned down. "Ceara?" She asked. Ceara shoved the princess away.
"You…" She couldn't find the words.
"It's not Ade." Jade murmured. "I don't know how, but Aram's here." She gestured to me. "He's Aram."
Ceara looked at me with a tear-streaked face. She stood and came over. "It wasn't my fault." She whispered.
I bowed my head. "I know." I patted her shoulder. "I'm the rash one, remember?"
Jade somehow understood what was going on because she stayed back. "I tried… really I did. I could've lived through it…"
She went back to inaudible crying. I gave her a brotherly hug. "Ade's different from me." I replied. "Think if you were him. Would you have left the love of your life to that fate?"
How was I so empathic?
She smiled weakly. "I guess not."
"What's the fastest way to get from here to the palace?" I asked.
Ceara grinned through her tears. "Dragonback."
"Dragonback!" Jade squawked. "No! I hate heights!"
I took Jade's hand. "I'll be here. If it's too bad, just bury your face in my chest." I rustled her ruddy blonde hair.
Ceara and I had come to our understanding. Now, it was Ade's turn.
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Danke schon: FloatingBubbles, Simplegrl007 and Classy Lady Elegance for reviewing!