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Keyla had stopped running halfway on the way to the palace, running out of breath. She had still done as Dastan had told her and had walked up to the palace in a quick walk. She was sure the princess was alright but she knew how important it was to Dastan that she made sure and if there was anything actually endangering the princess's life, she was sure he would never even look at her again. She would lose him as a friend if she didn't make sure the woman he had fallen in love with was fine.

When she reached the palace gates this time, the guards let her through without any questions. She reached the square where she had met Tamina just a little while ago and had told her about the treachery unfolding right under her nose. But she was nowhere to be seen right now. Keyla couldn't believe the princess had just retired inside, not awaiting her return as if she didn't care. Keyla had almost run into the servant who appeared right in front of her all of a sudden.

"Are you Keyla? The princess asked me to wait for you and take you to her when you return."

"Yes I am. Take me to her."

The servant nodded and Keyla followed him. The fact that the servant didn't hurry to take her to the princess, helped to calm Keyla down. The princess couldn't be in danger if the servant AND the guards reacted so casually. She followed the servant through one of the smaller gates into a garden that was build around a beautiful fountain right in the middle of it. The princess was sitting on the edge of the fountain, looking at the water. She seemed deeply lost in thought. Keyla didn't give the servant a chance to introduce her but stormed past him, addressing the princess.

"Princess Tamina!"

"Keyla. What happened? Did you find Dastan? Is he alright?"

"I found him. He was engulfed in battle but we managed to fend of and kill the attackers. He was hurt by one of the traitors but he will be fine."

Tamina looked up and had gotten up as soon as she had realized that Keyla had returned. Maybe she was imagining things but the princess looked pale to Keyla. Worry was lining her face and it was also clearly detectable in her voice. It seemed she had tried to calm herself down sitting at this fountain but she had failed. She took a couple of steps closer to Keyla and her eyes widened with worry and shock when Keyla told her about Dastan's injury. Her voice was wavering slightly when she reacted and Keyla found herself frowning. She was somehow... surprised by the emotional reaction the princess displayed.

"He's hurt?"

"He will be fine. Don't worry."

The princess nodded but she seemed anything but convinced. Keyla could tell she wasn't. She was very emotional about the news that Dastan had been hurt and she hurried to the physician. Keyla watched the scene as she ordered the servant who had taken Keyla here to get on of the healers of the palace to get to the gate and help Dastan. Her voice was wavering as she did so and Keyla almost believed there was still fear in her voice.

"Send a physician to the main gate. Right now!"

"Yes, princess."

The princess turned back to her, looking at her with something shining in her eyes that very much looked like gratefulness to Keyla. She just didn't understand. This woman barely knew Dastan and yet she was grateful Keyla had saved his life. She hid back a grin realizing she had only paid attention to the way Dastan looked at the princess when she had seen them at the market. Had she bothered to pay attention to her, maybe she would have seen the same look in her eyes... Judging from her reaction right now it seemed a very good possibility. She at least acted a lot like she was actually in love...

"Walk with me."

Keyla nodded and followed the princess's order without a word. She had no right to ask the other woman about her feelings. It wouldn't have been prudent. She was a princess after all and Keyla was... It was safe to say she was beneath her, as much as she hated that word. She walked next to the princess as they walked past another gate that lead into the palace. The princess strolled along quickly and Keyla could tell she was still nervous. She gave her a nervous side glance from time to time before she finally voiced her question.

"You are sure he will be alright, agent you? You're not trying to..."

"I'm not trying to calm you down or anything. I admit the injuries looked serious but he had worse and he will be fine."

The princess - Tamina Keyla reminds herself - nodded and looked a little more relieved now like she was actually believing her. Keyla couldn't keep the frown from appearing on her face as she walked next to the princess, casting a side-glance at her from time to time while they walked down the palace's hallways in silence. When they reached her chamber - the very same place Keyla had met Tamina for the first time just a night ago - she was no longer able to keep her thoughts to herself.

"Forgive me, princess but... I am surprised by your level of concern. I mean I've seen the way he looks at you and it's obvious he has fallen for you. But you..."

"You didn't think I agreed to this union for any other but political reasons, did you?"

"To be honest. Yes."

There hadn't been any anger in the princess's voice which was the only reason why Keyla dared to voice her opinion so openly. She hadn't been surprised by Dastan's obvious awe for this beautiful woman - after all he was a man and when it came down to beauty they were all the same. Tamina however had managed to surprise her. Keyla watched a small smile appear on the princess's face. She seemed just as astounded as Keyla herself, shrugging her shoulders in response.

"I did agree to this because of political reasons. But it wasn't the only reason... I can't explain it. When I first met him... There was something about him, something that told me it was right... Something..."

"Special?"

"Yes, that was the word I was looking for."

They were both smiling now, each of them thinking about what qualities in Dastan it was that made him so special. Keyla had always known he was, Tamina however had just recently discovered that fact. But yet it felt like they were sharing a secret together - just like old friends did... Keyla had to remind herself of the fact that she was talking to a princess and a woman she had never met before until a day ago. But still she couldn't get herself to be cautious and the question that had been playing on her mind for quite a while now just came out.

"Do you love him?"

Keyla had no idea where she took her boldness from but something told her that this princess was not like any other - or at least she wasn't like Keyla would have expected a princess to be. She felt she could talk to Tamina in a way she could with no other member of royalty - except Dastan of course. She was certain the princess would not be angry or insulted about the rather indecent question. After all they didn't know each other very well. But they had one thing - or rather someone - in common and it seemed that was enough to connect them on a level deeper than Keyla had ever imagined was possible.

The princess gave her a sidelong glance and walked up to the balcony that lead outside, giving a beautiful overview of the sacred city. A thin, white curtain, heavy with embroidery was drawn to shield curious eyes from the outside to peer in and Keyla could see the thoughtful expression on the princess's face as she looked out onto her city for a long moment before turning back and facing Keyla. Her voice was grave now - fit for the seriousness of the question.

"I'm not sure about this myself. I enjoy spending my time with him and I do trust him even though I don't exactly know how it happened. I don't think it is love what we share... not yet. But it will be."

"How can you be so certain?"

"I just know."

Keyla nodded her head. She had never truly been in love before, therefor she had no idea how that felt. Of course there had been... advances being thrown her way. Dastan's stupid older brother - Garsiv - had made a very, very rude pass at her once - and her resulting reaction was the reason he despised her so much nowadays - and she knew that Bis certainly felt a little more for her than just friendship... But Keyla had never actually felt mutual about these kinds of things.

It seemed princess Tamina did when it came to Dastan and Keyla was at a loss wether she should be feeling happy or jealous. Of course she was happy Dastan had found a woman that seemed to have fallen in love with him even though they only had known each other for a few days but she also felt like she was... missing something. She had no idea where the thought came from all of a sudden because Keyla had always been content with the life she had chosen. It was probably the fact that she now witnessed something she had never had... and one always longed for things others had but oneself didn't. She smiled at the princess not wanting her to realize a few ill thoughts had managed to find their way to the surface. "Well you're one lucky woman, princess. Dastan is a fine man."

Tamina smiled at Keyla and it seemed almost mischievous to her. The princess seemed very much aware of the fact that she could consider herself lucky. Keyla returned her smile and settled down on a nearby bench covered with soft pillows. A servant entered the room with a tray, holding to silver cups. Keyla had never heard the princess order anything and Tamina seemed just as surprised about the presence of the servant. Hadn't it been for the warning Dastan had given her before sending her here, telling her that the traitors planned to harm the princess as well,, she wouldn't have thought anything of it. But now she was alarmed and she reacted out of instinct. Therefor she was prepared when the young man suddenly let the tray go that fell to the floor with a clatter. She barely even saw the blade but she was there in time to pull the princess back and behind her - out of harms way. The man had used a throwing knife, clearly aimed for the princess throat that would have killed her instantly, hadn't Keyla reacted in time. While she was yanking Tamina out of the way, she yelled a warning at her.

"Look out!"

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