Ch 6 -

He next morning he was pleased when he found Aiyana back at breakfast. He noted she wore a top with a higher neck than usual and the images of the day before flashed across his mind. He tried to smile at her but she avoided his eyes; acting like he didn't exist. He kept his eyes on her face but her eyes only moved from her plate to the Commander. He was ashamed to admit to himself that his heart sank slightly. The same happened at lunch and at dinner and Valeks disappointment was tinged with anger. He didn't give his heart lightly and, even though he knew it was wrong to want to give it to her he knew he had started to. The thought that she might not feel the same hurt him; not that he'd admit it to anyone.

The more he thought about it the more irritated he became. He took the decision to stop whatever was starting with her; before he got himself in an unwanted situation. When night fell he dressed in tight fitting black clothes and climbed out of his window. He scaled the castle and arrived at a window locked by shutters. He drew his knife and, with only the tiniest of rattles, lifted the latch. He did the same with the latch of the window and pushed them silently inwards. He stepped onto the desk below the window and dropped onto the floor. Looking at the bed he saw it was made but ruffled, as though someone had been sitting on it but not in it. There was no sign of Aiyana. He glanced at the door. Locked; from the inside. She had to be here. "Aiyana?" he whispered, even though he knew it gave him away. There was no response. "Aiyana!" "Valek?" came the whispered reply. He looked around again but still couldn't see her. He hated to admit she was annoyingly good at this. He hadn't met anyone who came close to being as good at avoiding him as she was. "Are you alright?" "I'm coming down, don't jump me." Down? He saw a movement near the corner of the bed before Aiyana dropped from above the canopy of the bed. She bounced and landed softly on the floor. She was wearing light coloured loose-fitting trousers and a tunic top with flowing sleeves. The tunic was fitted enough to see her figure. Valek couldn't help himself as his eyes flitted over her body. She crossed her arms protectively over her front.

"What were you doing up there?" He asked in a low voice.

"I hid when I heard someone trying to break into my room!" She replied, giving him a pointed look.

"In the canopy?"

"I can always find hiding places; wherever I stay. It's the first thing I do."

Valek couldn't fault her logic. She brought a hand up to her throat and gently ran her fingers over it; she dropped her eyes, suddenly uncomfortable. "And after the other morning, I'm a little tense." He reached to the side and lit the lamp on the desk. She kept her gaze in the opposite direction. He took hold of her wrist and lowered it from her throat. Even with the lamp on its lowest setting he could see there were dark marks on both sides and around the front of her throat. Fire burned in his stomach at the sight.

Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze she pulled her wrist away. "What do you want Valek?"

He looked blankly at her; still distracted by the marks on her neck.

"You broke into my room in the middle of the night. You, quite frankly, scared the life out of me, even though I wasn't asleep." She paused for breath. "And I still don't know why you're here." She finished lamely. A small smiled played on his lips. "I thought I didn't scare you."

"I didn't know it was you! And I don't know anyone who wouldn't be alarmed at someone trying to break into their rooms at night."

"I apologise for scaring you. It was not my intention."

"What was your intention?"

A long moment passed between them. Valek took a long look at her bruises before lifting his gaze to her face. He saw uncertainty in her eyes and he hardened his heart as he remembered why he had come. "My intention was to apologise."

"You already did that."

"About the other morning." She frowned. "I wanted to apologise for my actions following your attack." Her face fell a little. She averted her eyes to hide the hurt that flooded them. If he was able to stop feelings he had for her then she would do the same; it was the right thing for them to do anyway. "Apology accepted." She said in a small voice.

"It will not happen again." He said, trying to put finality on the situation.

She closed her eyes as she nodded once. She hadn't realised until now how much she was starting to love him; even though she had only known him a couple of weeks. Never before had she had feelings this strong for anyone. He saw the tiniest flash of pain cross her face when she nodded and he couldn't help but doubt his finality.

"I hope you were not offended by my actions." He moved back towards the window not sure that he wanted to hear either answer. He was halfway out of the window when he heard her say in a soft voice. "No. I was not at all offended by your actions." He forced himself out of the window.

Staring at the empty window Aiyana sank to the floor where she stood. Her heart felt crushed. It is better he ended it before it even really began. It couldn't have worked, said a voice in her head. I guess we'll never know, replied her heart.

Valek spent the next day in his office trying not to think of those last words she had spoken. When he went to the training ground he found Janco finishing Aiyanas lesson. He found himself admiring her moves and as he watched she managed to disarm him. She looked up as she straightened out of her stance and her eyes met his. The smile she wore died on her lips. Janco looked back over his shoulder and saw Valek. Valek turned and walked back to his challengers. Jancos gaze moved back to Aiyana. "Everything alright?" he asked and she gave him a small smile.

"Sure. Fine."

Janco was not convinced. He got to his feet and said "Come on. Let's take a walk." Aiyana was like the little sister Janco never had. In the short time she'd been at the castle he'd really taken to her. They walked up into the paddock and sat among the grazing horses. "What's wrong Yani?" Janco had decided her name was too complex so had given her a nickname. "What's going on between you and Valek?"

"Nothing." He just looked at her until eventually she said. "It's just…I have…..feelings….for him." Janco raised an eyebrow. "And I thought that he had feelings for me." Janco opened his mouth but she raised a hand to stop him.

"It's not possible. And I know that. " She paused. "My heart hurts a little, that's all." Janco leaned across and hugged her. "Valek is a very complicated man Yani. He doesn't allow himself to be like normal men. Hey, the delegation arrives tomorrow and then you won't have time to think about it."

"I know. Thanks. "

"Any time." Janco had never thought about Valek falling in love, it didn't seem possible, but if he hurt Yani there'd be hell to pay.