As the days grew shorter, we spent more time together. Aeliana, became my best friend, the person I would tell everything too. I felt my feelings for her growing. The warmth of her touch, the sweetness of her voice, her unwavering kindness, became life itself. I fell in love with her.

It was a rainy day. Darkness had taken over the skies and it had been pouring. Aeliana, and I were in the woodlands outside the palace grounds. She chased me, and I chased her. The kind of light-hearted game, only young could enjoy.

When the rain started, we made a break for the castle, but by the time we got there, we were soaked. Aeliana‘s, beautiful hair was dripping and her dress was at least three shades darker. She had never looked more beautiful.

She pulled me up to her room, laughing and talking about all the wonderful things we were going to do together.

When we entered the room, the dim sunlight was shining through the curtains by the window. The bed and cloth bench were both strung with violet blankets. Candles sat strategically around the room to light up even the darkest of nights. It wasn’t the first time I’d been there. We had spent many long nights whispering and laughing under the light of those candles.

She ran and grabbed a change of clothes, then disappeared around the corner of a large wooden dressing separator. Behind the partition, she changed from her drenched apparel. I laid on the bed, my face hot with the knowledge of her so close. She looked like a princess, as she spun around the wooden board and practically skipped her way to the edge of the bed. She looked at me with the same joy and gleam in her eyes, I had always seen with her.

“Hey!” She said joyously, as her damp hair spread out across the bed. We laid beside each other, my eyes glued to the stone ceiling. There were intricate paintings of the sea above us, fish and mermaids danced among the ocean waves. I had no doubt she had requested such a painting, just as beautiful and light-hearted as she was.

I turned to look at her. Her beautiful brown hair was a mess. I saw the curve of her cheeks as she looked at me with that simple smile. The way her lips were rosy and pink. ...And those blue eyes looking at me carefully. My face was warm, I couldn’t tell, had she always been that beautiful?

“Are you okay?” She asked pulling herself up. Sitting almost over me now, she watched me perplexed. Her long hair fell freely framing the edges of her face. Her body was pulled up above me and I couldn’t help but notice how wonderful that pink dress looked on her.

“I-... Aeliana...” my heart pounded so hard, I thought my chest might burst. Without thought, I moved forward and planted a delicate kiss on her lips.

***

“Alaya… I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

“Love… me…” I murmured… “Liam I… I love you too…” I lowered my gaze... this was too much. I mean I didn’t lie... I do love Liam… but how? Like a friend? Like family? … or… a lover? I’ve never had the need to delve into our relationship… or my feelings. “But I can’t. Not right now. We must focus on our duty to Shera.” I had a responsibility, an excuse or not, my duty always came first. I was confused, and I couldn’t be sure that I wanted to be with anyone. This suitor stuff was obviously messing with my head.

His face shifted from excitement to sadness as I looked back at him. “I know… but, I had to say it. I can’t lose you Alaya… the idea of you...” Tears welled up behind his eyes. He looked deep into my eyes, as his hand caressed the side of my face. “You are the most important thing in the world to me and no matter what happens, I will always be by your side. Okay?”

I couldn’t help it, the sentiment brought a smile to my face. I mean, Liam had always been there for me. I knew no matter what the future held I would always have him.

“Okay,” I said with an honest smile, pulling him into a hug, I pressed my check against the warmth from his chest. I released him and began my descent back to the camp.

I walked the short path back to where I had left Eák. I still had not had the opportunity to ask him about his bold presentation, in the middle of town, that started this whole mess.

The evergreen trees around me loomed over and broke the descending evening sun. I could see the light cresting over the mountains in the distance. As I looked through the trees to our encampment, I saw Eák leaning over the fire. He was adding a few large logs, no doubt for the long night ahead, and blowing at the flames. The dark blue tunic he had borrowed from Scott fit him snugly. It pulled on the fabric as he moved and the muscles below threaten to rip through. His dark hair was pulled back, no doubt by all the sweat from the activities he had been completing since I left. The camp was no longer a simple tent and the extinguished fire remains. Instead, Eák had built up two more sturdy tents, put together what looked like a fabricated table, and the fire which was one lump of dry coal was roaring with flames.