Arranged (22 page)

"What aren't you telling me?" she asked angrily. He wasn't the only one who could have a temper.

He frowned angrily, but she wasn't scared. Instead, it heated her blood more. "You ask me to trust you, but you won't tell me the truth! Who are you, really? Why is your mother dedicated with a statue? I don't want to hear any more lies! You can hardly keep your stories straight," she ground out.

Qwinn studied her for a moment before turning to his sister. Alison growled slightly in frustration. Then he nodded to Adalia, who took her Ou'tani, leading it away and giving them privacy. When she was well enough away, he swung his endless black eyes to Alison again, a sudden sadness in them. "I am Qwinn Vidar…King of the Vidarian people."

Alison's jaw dropped and she was certain she stopped breathing. "You're…King?!"

He nodded, never pulling his eyes from her.

"Why didn't you tell me from the beginning? All this time I thought you were−"

"I did not want to tell you because I did not want to scare you…"

"Scare me? So you lied?" She frowned. "Why would it matter what I think?"

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "When people meet a King, they bow, they give him praise…I didn't want that…not this time. I wanted you to trust me."

Things were happening too fast, she knew he had been keeping secrets, but he was royalty? She'd spoken back to the King! Why had he gone through all the trouble to hide if from her? Why was it so important that she trust him? Was he lonely? Was the only reason he put up with all of this was that he wanted a friend?

So many questions raced through her mind, but mostly she didn't know what to think of the situation. She knew she had no place to question him. She shouldn't even care. He had kidnapped her! But somehow that didn't matter as much anymore.

Qwinn stepped forward awkwardly then stopped. It was almost as if he could sense her mood. "I am so sorry that I lied to you. I went about this all wrong," he said softly.

"I just don't understand why…"

He remained quiet and her shoulders slumped. She hated when he wouldn't answer her. "Why did you have me taken? Why didn't you have me killed? I don't know what to believe anymore."

He ran a hand through his dreads, looking off over her shoulder, as if trying to gather his thoughts. "You seemed…different. You deserved a second chance," he finally answered.

"So why have me living with you in the palace? Why not have a servant care for me?"

"When you came here, I knew the most English, so naturally I would help you."

He heart sunk slightly. She wasn't sure what kind of answer she had been hoping for, but this was not it.

"Then you broke your leg," he continued, "I felt responsible."

"I don't need your sympathy. I don't even know who you are. Has anything you said been true?" she demanded, her heart hammering from the amount of emotion racing through her. She was confused, angry, scared and hurt. Though she wasn't supposed to let these creatures affect her, she realized at that moment that they had been making their way through her shields. Qwinn had grown to be her friend, without her permission.

"Yes," he said quickly, gripping her shoulders. "It is true, all of it. I am King of Vidar. I did live on the surface. Adalia is princess and my twin sister. I saved you because I saw something in you that I saw in myself," his black eyes pleaded with her. "I thought that if you knew I was a king, you wouldn't open up and trust me. You would treat me just like everyone else…"

She looked away, fighting with herself. Part of her wanted to forgive him, but the other part wanted to use what he did as fuel to push him farther away. He stepped closer and her heart picked up.

"You are unlike anyone I have ever met. I am asking you, not as a King, but as…a friend, to give me another chance."

She dared meet his eyes again and her breath froze in her chest. She couldn't identify the emotion she read in them, but it was intense and it consumed her. Her skin was on fire where he touched her. He was close. For a moment, her eyes drifted to his mouth and wondered what it would feel like to kiss him. She had never been kissed before.

Immediately she shook her head, shaking the traitorous thoughts from her mind. He was watching her expectantly and she realized he was still waiting for an answer. What should she do? All of her suspicions had been true. He was someone much too important to spend his days teaching her how to walk. He had more to worry about than her and her stupid confusing feelings. True, he wanted to be her friend…but could she let him? Should she?

She cleared her throat. "Under two circumstances−" Before she knew what was happening, he pulled her into a hug. She stiffened as her skin went on full alert. She didn't understand how a creature such as Qwinn could calm her and now make her so aware at the same time.

When he let her go, she was shaky. It was as though she couldn't control her own body anymore. "What are your demands?" he asked calmly, as if he hadn't just almost crushed the air out of her lungs.

"One, no more lies. Two, I want Naliya to wait on me…instead of you."

The happiness that had been on his face, disappeared as quickly as snow.

She rushed to explain. "You have too much work to do."

"If it is alright with you, I would like to continue to help you. I will still perform my kingly duties and care for you."

Care for you
. The words sent a shiver down her spine, unbidden. She couldn't explain why, but even after everything, she was still drawn to him. "You will be busy. It would be easier to have Naliya with me when I need something."

He was silent for a moment as he thought about what she said. "Very well; however, I would still like to see you."

She couldn't have stopped the blush if she wanted to. She pulled her eyes away from him and placed them anywhere else. Eventually they landed on the statue of his mother. "Tell me about your mother."

The half smile that had been playing on his face disappeared. "That is for another time. We have much more to see before the morning."

She wondered why he wouldn't talk about his mother. It was obviously a sore subject, but she couldn't help but be curious as to the only other sign to human life she found down here. It was too much of a mystery to let pass by. She would wait for the right time.

Qwinn helped her onto the Ou'tani then climbed on behind her. "Where are we going now?" she asked instead.

"I have to check on a few things first, and then we will see the town."

They rode through the gardens for a while and found Adalia lying under a statue of a deer from the surface, in a patch of flowers, threading them into a crown. She smiled when she saw them, and then looked at Qwinn in question. He spoke to her a moment in Vidarian. For once, Alison didn't mind. She was sure that he was telling her about their argument and was saving her embarrassment from replaying it in English.

Adalia simply nodded. "I told you she was smart." She turned her eyes to Alison. "He never listens."

Alison blushed slightly and noticed, out of the corner of her eye, that Qwinn was gripping the reins a little tighter.

Adalia didn't seem to notice her brothers discomfort, instead, she stood and held the flower crown out to Alison. "I made this for you."

Alison's eyes widened in surprise as she accepted the flowers and carefully placed them on her head. The crown fit comfortably. Alison wished she had a mirror.

"Where are we going next?" Adalia asked.

"I have to check the wall then we will pass through town," Qwinn answered, no feeling in his voice. Alison couldn't help but turn slightly, trying to see his face. She wondered what was wrong with him; however, his face was giving away no hints. It was as if he were etched in marble, just like his mother.

They rode for a while in silence. Alison's eyes took in the surroundings, trying to memorize the landscape. The caverns were surprisingly large. She was sure that if she were on the wall of the cavern, she could hardly see to the other side, even if the cave was well lit. She suspected it was almost a day's walk from one side to the other. In her case, where she couldn't see very well in the dark, maybe a three day walk.

It was an impressive work any way she looked at it. The thought of his people digging and using their magic to expand was too much for her mind to wrap around. It must have taken them years and years to dig.

After a while, she realized it was impossible to memorize every tree, so she began to make a mental map according to where the lake bubble was. That was much simpler.

Soon she noticed that they were heading back to civilization and she grew nervous. Suddenly Qwinn's hand was covering hers. "Do not worry so much."

She didn't know how he did it, but a wave of warming calm washed through her. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. His hand lingered and she couldn't help but notice. When he finally pulled away, her arms had already grown goose bumps.

She cleared her throat, shoving the thoughts away simultaneously. "If you are King, why aren't we surrounded by soldiers?" she asked.

Qwinn chuckled slightly and immediately Alison felt stupid for asking the question. "Being royalty, Adalia and I have access to… a lot of magic. If anything were to try to attack us, that would be the last thing it ever did. The council insists that I still ride with soldiers, but I do not like to be followed. You are perfectly safe."

"That's nice," Alison lied, her eyes scanning the dark forest that they were approaching.

Again, Qwinn chuckled. "Alison, you are probably the safer with me than 10 soldiers."

At that moment they arrived at what Alison could only guess was a fort. Soldiers roamed around. As soon as they saw Qwinn, they straightened and bowed their heads. Qwinn spoke to them in Vidarian and they relaxed their stance. Alison shifted nervously as eyes fell on her.

QWINN NOTICED HER STIFFEN AND paid more attention to what was going on around him, not just hearing report of the forest. A few of his men were glaring at her. Some looked at her in wonder and others seemed to be appreciating her too much for his liking. Anger began to heat him. He needed to get his business here over with and get her away from the men.

"Has there been any Torin sightings?"

The captain of the fort stepped forward. "None sir," he announced, his eyes skimming to Alison.

Qwinn worked his jaw. He wanted to leap off the horse and run a blade through the man, as his eyes lingered.

"I still want double the soldiers in the forest. Alert me if anything shows up."

"Yes sir," the captain said, finally returning his attention to Qwinn.

Qwinn snapped the reins of the Ou'tani. They lurched forward, Adalia following closely behind. Even as they put distance between the camp and them, Qwinn felt his protective anger course through his veins. He needed to get a grip on his emotions or someone would end up getting hurt.

They were heading along the path into town and he began to second-guess the trip. He knew no one would harm Alison for fear of punishment, but he couldn't stop their eyes. Since Alison was the first human to set foot in Vidar since the war, the people would have mixed emotions, just as he had seen at the fort.

Aside from being human, she was also very beautiful. It was obvious he wasn't the only one to think so.

"Are you alright?" Alison asked softly from her seat before him.

How did she know he was having a hard time when she couldn't see him? "I'm fine," he said, making sure his voice remained calm.

The town came into view and his heart picked up. He didn't want to take her in there. He didn't want to share her.

Adalia rode at his side and threw him a worried look. Maybe he
was
wearing his emotions on his face. He shook his head, letting her know he was fine. Nevertheless, she studied him. Calm washed over him, even a bit of excitement. He sighed and relaxed, then realized what she was doing. He shoved the feelings aside and growled at her. "I want to face the people with a clear head. I cannot have you controlling my emotions like that," he said in Vidarian.

Alison went stiff from his tone, though she didn't understand his words.

"You are too tense. You will spring on the first person who says anything," she snapped back. "At least let me calm you."

"No, I will gain control."

Adalia huffed and he sighed, suddenly feeling tired. "Perhaps we should return to the palace?" he asked in English.

Adalia shot him a surprised look. "Qwinn!"

"Alison?" he asked, ignoring his sister.

"I would like to return. I…I don't think I'm ready for town."

Relief flooded him as he turned the Ou'tani back the way they'd come. It was the long way back to the palace; however, they would avoid the densely populated town.

Adalia frowned. "When you return, the council will want to meet with you," she answered in Vidarian.

Qwinn's relief disappeared, just because he didn't want to venture into town, didn't mean he wanted his day with Alison to be over. His sister was right. "What do you purpose we do?"

Suddenly a smile bloomed on her face. Immediately he grew suspicious. "Let's take her to my troupe!"