Stolen Hearts Chapter Thirteen
Unsure of where to go, Bulma decided to try to find Galatea's tent which was easy enough with one inquiry of a passerby.
Galatea lavished thanks upon Bulma when she arrived, and Bulma blushed for she thought herself unworthy, even if she had somehow managed to complete the task assigned to her. But pride swelled in her chest and she let herself smile again. She did somehow complete the gathering after all.
'If only Grandmother could see me now,' Bulma thought wickedly.
Vegeta was already there and seemed to be in a better mood then this morning, but it was very possible that it was just because of Galatea's presence.
"Well I have to admit I am surprised. How many people did you have help you Princess? He said in a snooty tone.
"None! I told you, it was mere child's play for me." It was almost true, but she felt no remorse lying to him.
"Yes, I'm sure that's why it took you almost all day," he said with a knowing smirk that Bulma wanted to rip off.
"Well at least I do go peeping at people when they are changing!"
Vegeta turned crimson, whether from anger or from embarrassment Bulma could not tell.
"Come now, lets not quarrel," Galatea said with her soothing laughter, "You must away soon if you plan to get the Princess back by tonight. It is better to travel in the cool shade after the sun had gone to bed. Vegeta I expect you will show Princess Bulma the way in a civil manner, it shouldn't take you more then a few hours if you take the horses," she said as a side note to the sulking Elf, then caught Bulma in a warm hug and said, "Farewell, and may the heavens hold you."
"Thank you so much Galatea, all the stars shine brighter for you. I hope dearly that we will meet again."
"Then we shall. Now be off."
Bulma felt a sudden pull at her heart. She hadn't expected to be returning home so soon, and now she found that she didn't want her time here to end. Everything seemed to feel…… right here. She worried that all her bad feelings would come rushing back as soon as she was locked away in her old life again.
One good thing was that Vegeta only had one horse and Bulma had to ride behind him upon the steed. She relished his closeness whether she wanted to admit it to herself of not, and whether he liked it or not.
The memories of last night boiled up fresh in Bulma's mind as her body moved gently against his as the rode at a light pace. It was soft and hard in all the right places, and thoughts that made Bulma blush rose to the surface.
Had last night just been from the intoxication of the dancing, or had there actually been something there? Something worth fighting for?
They traveled most of the way in a tense silence. Vegeta seemed deep in thought. His scowl had returned as soon as they left Galatea, and he stared ahead not making any attempt to be overly chivalrous, not that Bulma expected it or even wanted it.
She felt words waiting behind her teeth, but didn't dare break the quiet that had descended upon them. Perhaps he was silent because he was pained by her presence. Perhaps this man was as barbaric as she had first thought.
Bulma shook her head as if trying to rid herself of something
But felt the wave of disappointed return at her time coming so abruptly to an end. Whatever it was, it had been a sweet escape for her life. She could almost pretend she was something different, but now it was back to the inevitable truth there could be no running from. Despite Galatea's warm words she didn't believe she would see any of this again, and it would fade away like the dream it seemed to be.
Vegeta. Her gaze drifted over to his beautiful visage and she knew he was the cause of this unrest within her. She couldn't decide if she should hate him or if she should grab him and repeat the events of last night. She couldn't tell whether she would be happy or sad to never see him again.
The fireflies swarmed around them in a fantastic dance casting a lovely glow to light their way.
She would be sad, Bulma decided. The twist in her stomach told her that, but she was overcome with the idea of how she could feel that way.
What was so special about him that fascinated her so? He was a loathsome Elf was he not? Somehow with him standing so near it was not so easy to make such a generalization. The world 'Elf' now had a face, and it was not one she could bring herself to easily hate as she was used to. She had been confronted with beauty before, but it had never moved her heart as he had. There was something else about him, something more. The mystery and pain in his eyes drew her in unheeding of logic.
Plus he wasn't the Elf who had killed her brother, right? All her hate should belong to that creature, not this vision in front of her who seemed harsh at first glace but possessed infinite softness. He had indeed saved her life.
A slightly exasperated huff escaped Bulma's lips. This was beginning to be too much for her weak heart, out of practice from years of not being used for anything but pain and hurt. Maybe it would all be ok when he was out of her sight. Out of sight out of mind….
'There wasn't could never be together anyway so why am I fretting so?' Bulma complained to herself.
Hate or no hate, they could never be together. That was simply inconceivable with the way the world was, regardless of the fact that she had made an exception in her detest for Elves. And she was fairly certain he had absolutely no interests in her, his rush to be rid of her as if she were the plague told her that.
With a sad realization Bulma realized Vegeta was no different from any of her other lovers. It was only herself who felt differently this time. He was just as distant as the best of them now that the mystery was gone, having only been blinded momentarily by her beauty and nothing else. He couldn't get away quick enough. Her glamour could never expect to hold one for long, especially someone as untamed as he.
'You don't want to hold him Bulma!' she told herself with more conviction then was in her heart.
"We are here."
Vegeta's soft restless voice jolted Bulma out of her thoughts with a start.
"Just over that hill should be the palace," he continued with no humor, "It is not wise for me to go any future, I do not belong here."
"Yes, you are right. I know the area, I will be fine on my own. You have done more then enough for me already..." Bulma mumbled as she slid into his arms dismounting the horse.
She lingered there not knowing what to do. What to say. Not wanting to let go of the warmth, the closeness, despite it all.
"Well...goodbye Vegeta," she managed finally, his name sounding strange on her tounge, "All my thanks go with you. 'Brethil elen sila aglar sir dae.' May the stars shine brightly for you...and if not, squint a little, that makes them sparklier."
That earned a slight smile from her counterpart, but his eyes were still distant and sad. Those beautiful eyes…… He had entered her soul despite her hard shell, and soon he would be gone. Could it be only a day since they met and her world was reborn?
'He probably can't wait to get away,' Bulma thought remorsefully, but angry at the same time for being weak enough to feel remorse at such a thing.
"And you Princess," Vegeta answered in the tone of one who had been traveling the world alone for years, "May the desires of your heart shine like starlight in your eyes."
With that he was gone, absorbed into the shadows like he never really existed at all. That's what Bulma would be telling herself tomorrow when she was still plagued with thoughts of the out of sight Elf. The cold crept back.
The vision of happiness infinitely remote seems a thin sustenance against the superior powers of despair.
AN: Shorter because I decided to break this up into two chapters. This was a better place to stop I think. Anyway, what is Bulma going to do about this and is she breaking a promise when she doesn't even know it? Is Vegeta actually angry at her or something else? Thanks for reading