Aiya stared at the large castle in fear. Her heart raced through her chest almost ready to a point shed swears it would fly out of her. The knight's arm around her made her feel even more uncomfortable. As they approached the gate, the sun began to rise over their backs. The guard signaled the gatekeeper and waited for them to lower the bridge. The cold morning breeze stung her nostrils making her feel slightly sick. The gate fell to the ledge with a large thud making the ground shake from the shock of the harsh weight. When they went through the gate, the bridge creaked showing its defined age. When they stopped inside the castle walls, they were greeted by a large group of men in colorful clothing. They had feathers coming out of their coats, and large hats that made Aiya chuckle at the sight. They reminded her of large peacocks that came out of a painting by Andy Warhol. The guards dismounted and pulled her down. A large man with several ugly feathers on his coat bowed and greeted "I am your guide for you current stay here, please follow me". Aiya raised a brow and hesitantly followed the very colorful man. No one in the right mind would wear such flagrant colors.
He led her into a large room with beautiful carpets that lead to the throne chairs. There the king sat, his head leaned over his arm as he waited for them to approach. His long blonde hair crossed in front of his face hiding his eyes. She could not tell if he was asleep by the posture he was in. As the got closer, she could see his eyes wide awake and opened. His dark blue pools darted at her in interest that made her feel uncomfortable. The colorful man bowed bringing his hand over her shoulders and pushed her down forcing her to follow the gesture. The king nodded and sat up waiting for him to speak. The man stood up and said "This is the woman found in the Highlands. As you summoned." The king stood making the man quiver in fear. He pointed the door and sternly ordered "Leave us…". The man did not have to be told twice, and quickly scurried out the door.
Aiya looked the king in the eye. She had to admit, he was intimidating but not exactly what she had in mind of a tyrant ruler that everyone talked about. He grinned and walked down his throne and began to circle her "So you're the one everyone is putting the blame for the Lupe uproar." Aiya blushed slightly. Everyone was blaming her for the attacks? This made her feel sick inside. She should of left when she could, she was only causing pain for the people she cared about. The king stopped by her side and said "Tell me why." Aiya shook her head and said "I don't know what the Lupe is." She stared at him in pure question. She was trying to be honest, but this guy just doesn't get it. "I know exactly who you are, Aiyana" he said firmly causing her to shiver slightly inside. No one ever called her by her full name except for Edan and Beth. She just met this guy. "I know how you came from a different world. You entered the doorway at the root of a large tree did you not?"
His words caused her whole body to tremble slightly. The whole time she had been there she had begun to think she was loosing her mind. She had a hard time convincing herself that she came here through a tree. She never even mentioned it to Beth or Edan.
"Wait wait wait! Back up…first of all how did you know I came from the tree?"
"You have been prophesied to appear for generations. My family has been recently ruling the lands for the last ten generations. Each has passed down the legend of a young woman passing through a tree and finding our world. The woman was to become the protector of all of Makiran. The Lupe is a different people from us. They have wanted to rule the lands and put all our people into slavery. Not for labor, but for the blood they would harvest on to keep them alive. They are almost to what some would call werewolves for they turn into large wolves in the night, but during the day they walk as vampire like creatures. They can sustain the sun, yet are vulnerable at that stage. They have been terrorizing our villages trying to find any information on you. That is why they have been guarding the Highlands, so they would try to kill the heroin on sight. Our guard has made a fine boundary that keeps them at bay but they still do not fear us as much as we fear them. I am rather curious. How did you escape their hold on the Highlands?"
Aiya felt slightly sad at the memory of first meeting Edan. How she wished she could find a way to repay him for saving her. She would find him when this all ended and find a way. She said "A man named Edan saved me. He killed a wolf that was stalking me. He took me in and cared for me along with Lady Beth. They have been very kind to me." The king nodded at the explanation. He strokes his finger on his chin in deep thought. The silence only made the room seem larger to Aiya. He finally spoke "You must understand, as much as it seem a good thing to our kingdom that you appear, you are still a threat to me. It is also said that the woman would inherit the throne and rule into the new age. The only way one can take the throne is to either kill the one in it, or marry into it." Her eyes widened. She couldn't kill him. How could she kill anyone? And she would decently not marry him either. She always imagined she would marry for love. This was no exception to that. He chuckled and circled her once more. "I do not imagine you having enough strength to face me, but I do not mind having such a beautiful woman by my side but I already have a few other women in mind. This is a very hard decision; maybe after this is all over I should keep you just as my personal servant." She faced him in anger, clutching her fists she said in anger "You selfish pig! How can you be so power hungry? If what you say is true, then me becoming the ruler would be the best thing for your people right? I am not going to become your slave after you use me like that! Don't you have any god dam morals?!" She felt herself slightly lean as she yelled at him. After catching her breath, she met the floor as he threw her to the ground. He grasped a handful of her hair and lifted her head to his as he knelt over her. His lips whispered through her ear making it almost difficult to hear "After all of this, you should be thankful to be alive. Unlike my father before me, I am not a very kind king but his will stated that I protect this country and do what I see fit. I will give you two options, you can rot inside the dungeon of the castle, or you can stay in my castle and obey my rules. Either way, you will do your job and protect my people. You will not ever speak to me in such manner again, do you understand?" His breath ranged over her face making her cringe. Small warm tears welded around her eyes not wanting to move. She nodded and he released her. "My servants will assist you in any way needed, but remember I am the ruler of this castle. You disobey any of my orders and you will find yourself in the dungeon or worse." She started to get up when he finished with the words that made her heart sink "Do not even think of escaping. I will find you no mater what, and if I find you with anyone else I will have them killed on sight."
After she was dismissed, the servants took her to her new room. The room was more of a prison to her. She had two guards at the door at all times allowing no one to pass. Only the seamstresses were allowed in the room to take her sizes for her new clothes she would be required to wear in the castle. The room was large but the darkness made her feel like a child again. Running to the bed, she collapsed and hid under the blankets. This was all beginning to become too much for her. She curled against the large pillow and tried to fall asleep. The sound of silence made it more difficult to sleep than that of a large blasting radio at night. She was suddenly startled at the sound of her window being knocked upon. Looking outside she saw a large tree scraping along the glass. She approached the window in caution only to jump when she saw a hand reach up and tap it again. Almost about to scream her lungs out, she was relieved to see Edan pulling himself up the window sill.
"Edan! What are you doing? How did you? Never mind, get inside before you fall!"
She helped the struggling male into her room and shut the windows behind her. When all was secure she turned quickly to him and tackled him with a large hug.
"I am so sorry! I didn't get to say goodbye, I really missed you."
His face stared at her in shock as she spoke into his chest. He patted her back awkwardly but then felt tears begin to soak his shirt. Aiya clutched him while hiding her face away. He tilted her face up to see her puffy eyes dripping with sorrow. He looked at her for an answer. "I just missed you thats all." She said sobbing. He looked at her in disbelief and noticed something else must have happened. He knew it would, for the king has done many evils to his own citizens. The thought of the king laying a hand on her made him swell with anger. He depressed it knowing it would do her no good if he was to start a quarrel with the king. All he could do was comfort her.
Aiya wiped her tears and smiled up at him. "I am sorry for all that, I just have been going through an emotional rollercoaster lately." He tilted his head in confusion. "Oh roller coaster means…ahh forget it." She released him and sat up by him. "Why did you come here? Is something wrong? I know everyone was saying the king is a bad guy, he seemed okay to me though." He snorted and rolled his eyes. Grapping a piece of parchment from the desk and a pen he began to write in a strange language. Aiya shook her head and said "I don't know what that means." He sighed and began to draw a picture of him and her. She envied his artistic talents. "You are here to help me?" she asked. This sort of reminded her of playing shrades with Soren and the Parker boys at home. This made her feel even more homesick. He nodded and started to stand up and lift her to him.
"If I find you with anyone else I will have them killed on sight."
His words rang through her mind as loud as a church bell. She pushed herself away from him making him look at her dumbstruck. "I can't go. You have to understand. It's very complicated." He shook his head and grabbed her arm and led her to the window. She protested and tried to release his grip. "No! Stop it Edan! Please understand! Just leave me here! I will be alright I pro…" she continued but was stopped as his lips crashed over hers, silencing her. Her heart raced, making it impossible for her to breathe. His warm lips claimed hers while his arms wrapped around her. What was this she feeling? This kiss was not the same feeling as the one she had with Soren. It was sweeter. It was warmer. It was stronger.
He broke the kiss and rested his head in her neck. This was why he came. It was for her. She realized that all now. He wanted to protect her because he loved her. She always thought he found her annoying. Would she be able to return her love to him though? She had already given her love to Soren, but did she really love him. She brushed her hands up to his back embracing him. "We can't do this to ourselves. I only lead to pain and loss. You have to realize that. You deserve so much better, I am just a burden to you." He shook his head and placed hers between his hands and faced him up to her. He stroked her lips with his finger and mouthed words that anyone would be able to notice.
"I love you"
She looked up at him almost in tears. How could he love her when he found out the king's plans for her? She would be locked away for life, and never see him again. He couldn't climb up through her window every day. They were a doomed Romeo and Juliet. For some reason, all this didn't seem to matter to her though. She finally admitted "I love you too.." He grinned and kissed her again sending all her worries down the drain. She felt herself accepting him. She was happy with him. The only thing that made her heart sink was the thought of her betraying Soren. She broke the kiss and looked out the window. "You should go, before the servants return." He sighed and nodded. She smiled at his and gently placed a kiss on his cheek. "I don't think anything I can say would convince you to not return, but if you do….please don't get caught." A large grin stretched across his face as he nodded and opened the window to slip down the tree to the ground. With a soft goodbye from her lips, he left into the night back to the village.
In the shadows near the tower where the scene took place, two lupe were watching the whole time. The two red eyes stared at the tower while crouching low in the brush. The youngest one was larger with a reddish brown coat, while the other gleamed with a silver lining. "She is under a spell young blood. We will retrieve her when the time is right." The younger male's hackles rose as he watched the man walk so carelessly away from them. His heart raced, screaming for him to tear him to shreds. Just as he was about to thrust out into the open he was stopped by his mentor. "Not yet, we must wait for her to come to us. You will have your chance for revenge…Soren"