Chapter 5

The beginning?

Hellooooooooo everybody! Hope u enjoy reading it so far! This chapter is a bit longer!

To my reviews: sorry for the cliff-hangers, I can't seem to write without leaving suspense at the end! Sorry X) But I am glad u liked it! XD This chapter is the start of something! Anyway continue reading, feel free to R&R! I really like hearing what you think! Enjoy!

"Good you're awake."

She continued to stare noting the clipped tone in his voice, his eyes allowing no emotion to be seen.

Silence…

"You're not going to say anything? Have it your way then," he continued.

"Why are you here? Why am I here?" she asked timidly.

Why am I so nervous? Probably because he is supposed to be dead.

She noted that his hands still lightly gripped her shoulders. The contact was not unpleasant, but it was indeed foreign because of the strange stirrings it caused her to feel. A light tingle sparked from where his hands lay on her shoulders.

His eyes never left hers intensifying this new feeling that was coursing through her. His eye never leaving hers, a monotone answer was given:

"I usually try to find out why someone tried to attack me, before I pass judgement on them," he paused, weighing his next words. He continued "Providing that they are alive and weren't killed on the spot."

"Then why am I still alive? I should have been dead right? Or rotting in jail? Or is it that you come to escort me to my death?" she replied more to herself than to him in the faintest of whispers.

"I do not like to repeat myself but since you just awoke and seeming as though you are confused, let me once again clarify, I do not pass judgement without finding reason." He waited. She realised he waited on her response, her denial, her truth, her reason.

How can he be so rational, even when his own life was at risk?

"Sure… as if you need a reason to steal a planet's life away. I have seen it and I was part of it. What do you say then? Now you know my reason. So now that you have it, your death is… was justified in my eyes."

A glint of humour played in his eyes.

"Why aren't you dead yet?" she questioned as she looked at him defiantly in the eyes.

He continued to regard her in the most curious manner. Judging from her observation, his eyes hinted of humour, not trace of malice, hatred, not even a smidge of the desire for her death. This man truly frustrated her, the enigma he was.

Little did she know that she had taken over his curiosity completely, and besides how could he permit a member of his advising core be sentenced without him knowing the truth? And part of him, though he denied it, wanted to see her in possession of her full faculties. What she was capable of. Without knowing it, those dark brown eyes had trapped him with their anger, burning gleam for vengeance, and at that moment of his supposed death, satisfaction.

He was naturally curious, but curiosity was not the basis of his visit. He wanted to meet her in person. He did not deny he felt the current passed through his fingertips as well as he held her, and no doubt he knew she felt it too. What was this strange feeling? It was indeed new.

Remembering that she had asked why he was not dead, he slowly and reluctantly slid his and away from her, and tried to answer her in his as-a-matter-of-fact tone, but couldn't quite keep the laughter from his eyes.

"I don't usually go into the arena myself, but a projection of me, that is, almost an exact copy of myself, save for one thing, the thing that you wanted to destroy."

She still looked confused and slightly annoyed at his wording. He noted that she stayed silent, waiting for her to say something. His expectation never surfaced, so he continued.

"My heart"

They both gazed at each other unfazed as the air became heavy around them. If they did not cut this unseen thread that bound their eyes, where would this staring match go?

Unfortunately, a knock at the door broke the contact and Seraphi gazed at her folded hands. He noted that her face flushed as realisation dawned on her.

Thank god for this mask, otherwise even the servant would see this dumb grin on my face too.

Seraphi noted that a pressure on her bed was released as he got up.

Wait why am I on a bed? Ugghhh! I was changed while I was unconscious she snarled in her thoughts as she realised her battle outfit was substituted for a different dress. It was red and very formfitting. The sides were a material that matched her skin, giving the impression of her skin being exposed whilst the red threads rose from the hem of her skirt to cover her modestly in swirling patterns that occasionally erupted into flower like patterns. She was getting tired of this, people putting their hands on her while she was unconscious. She was engrossed in studying her dress that she did not hear the servant leave nor did she sense the man that was there come up by her side and offered his hand, awaiting a response. He cleared his throat. She looked up. She looked at his outstretched hand then back up to him.

"Walk with me My Lady Seraphi." it was a statement, not a request.

Her anger rose in her for she knew he expected her to comply. Hastily she swung her legs over the bed and stood up straight not quite prepared for the rush she felt immediately. Swaying enough to look like she was about to fall, he grabbed her.

She had expected to hit the floor, squeezing her eyes shut bracing for the impact. But it never came. Instead she felt herself suspended by two strong arms wrapping around her waist, completely enclosing her in a protective embrace. She slowly opened her eyes and saw that his face was too close for comfort. She inwardly cursed at the proximity, but yet, something inside her again flashed, causing her to feel even more unbalanced even though she was held securely.

Her hands gripped his upper arms in reaction to her little mishap, instantly feeling the taut lean muscles that formed part of the tool that protected her from the floor. She then took in the colours of his clothes, contrasting she noted. He eyes roved over the clothes taking in every facet that her eyes allowed. For the first time she noted that he looked regal: long emerald coloured sleeves were attached at the shoulders with decorations that seemed to match the patterns on her dress. The collar was bedecked in the same fashion, the same colour and reached just below jawline of his mask. The tunic was a pearl white colour that had three buttons decorated in the similar green thread and patterns in a horizontal line. It opened up coming towards the end, maintaining its stiff appearance. She noted that his waistband was black, and assumed the pants would follow in similar colour.

Pleased with the outfit that he had worn, he took in the exploration of her eyes. He welcomed it. He felt her hand stiffen over his upper arm as she held on precariously; noting a slight blush that arose as she discreetly felt the evidence of his years of training in the arena with his father. He infinitesimally tightened the grip on her waist, not wanting to let her go just yet, noting that she fit quite perfectly there.

He seems to be important. His clothes make him look like a prince. Hunh, with that attitude he could be.

He heard her, smiling inwardly at her annoyance and suggestion. If only she knew…

If only she knew she was in the arms of the future leader of the empire. This is going to be quite fun. He inwardly smiled

She could not believe what she had just heard. There was no way she could have heard that. It was impossible.

Without even realising it, the words slipped past her lips

"You're royalty…"