Shorter chapter from me this time. Things are about to happen so this ended up being short!
Ch 8
"Valek, I can't love you." She whispered.
"I know; people would not approve."
"Not just that; there is so much you don't know about me. I cannot guarantee you will like all you find out."
"We all have secrets, Aiyana. I am sure there is nothing in your past which is any worse than is in mine."
"It is not my past I'm worried about." She said so quietly he nearly didn't hear. He raised her chin to make her look at him again. A small smile touched his mouth.
"What do you mean?"
The softness in his eyes was something she had never seen before. Her heart clenched. She forced herself to smile. "Nothing. I cannot make you any promises, despite what my heart wants. I cannot stay when the delegation leaves."
"Nor would I ask you to. I know how committed you are to the Princess. Let us see where our paths take us."
"Ok." She said, her smile growing. He kissed her again. "Come, it's cold out here, let's get you inside."
He escorted her to her room. "Goodnight Aiyana."
"Goodnight Valek."
She closed the door behind her, a smile on her face.
The next two days passed in a blur to Valek; moving from one moment with Aiyana to another. At meetings he was no longer scared to look in her direction and when he caught her eye she always had to conceal a smile. In the evenings he couldn't wait to get back to his suite. They sat together on the couch for hours telling stories from their pasts and present.
He was tentative at first; he was sure she didn't want to hear about his assassin past.
"Don't hide from me." She said when he stalled over a story. "You are who you are and I have to accept that for us to work. I won't judge you for your past…or anything you do in the present or future. I don't want to make you into something you're not."
Valek was properly happy; a feeling he felt he'd never had. He loved the way she fit into his arms; the feel of her lips on his; her intoxicating scent; everything about her. The only thing which stopped him falling completely in love with her was her pending departure. They both knew it was drawing closer, although neither of them mentioned it.
Another few days passed and rumours started making their way around the castle; rumours about the Princess. Aiyana heard them first, from the kitchen staff. She paled and tried not to look obvious as she hurried back to the suite. Valek was with the Commander and the days meeting had not yet begun.
"Kala!... Kala!"
"What it is?" She said coming out of their room.
"There are rumours in the castle." Aiyana replied, lowering her voice.
"What rumours?"
"Rumours about you. I don't know where the kitchen staff heard it from but it's all they can talk about."
Kala ushered her to the sofa. "What exactly were they saying?"
"The rumour is that you're an imposter; that the delegation is false. Kala, they were talking about a mark that only the Princess bares."
Kala sat heavily on the sofa and thought for a second. "It's not possible."
"What are we going to do? It won't be long before Valek and the Commander hear the rumours."
"Even if they do they aren't going to question me. The Commander wants to join with Tertia, he won't do anything to jeopardise that."
"He may not have a choice. Some of the Generals will listen to the rumours and want answers; and I'm not sure Valek will let the rumours go either."
"You could."
"Could what?"
"Make Valek ignore the rumours."
Aiyana looked at her friend, eyes wide. "I will not do that." She said astonished.
"It will ruin everything if he and the Commander ask questions. You know that. Will you risk everything we have achieved…."
"If Valek asks me, I will not lie to him." She replied in a tone that ended the conversation.
Sure enough less than two days later Valek came to Aiyana.
"Can I speak with you?" he said, at the door to her room.
"Of course." She accompanied him down the stairs and sat on the couch.
"I have heard of rumours going around the castle; rumours about the delegation."
Despite what she had said to Kala, Aiyana replied. "I have not heard them."
"I do not wish to call the Princess' integrity into question but the rumours question her authenticity."
Aiyanas stomach clenched. "Why would you believe such a thing?"
Valek looked awkward. "It is my job to follow up on all rumours; for the safety of the Commander and Ixia."
"And what would you do if they were true?" Aiyana tempted.
"If the delegation was found to be fake then you would be imprisoned and await you fate for being a threat to Ixia." Valek moved so she could not avoid his gaze. "But the delegation isn't fake is it?"
Aiyana smiled. "Of course not. The Princess is real as are her intentions."
He maintained eye contact. "Is there anything you need to tell me about the delegation?"
Trying to keep emotion out of her eyes Aiyana replied. "No. Everything we have told you and the Commander is the truth."
Valek seemed satisfied. "I believe you." He stood. "I have some things to attend to before the next meeting." He bent his head and kissed her forehead before leaving the room. A stray tear escaped down Aiyanas cheek as the door shut.