Carantathraiel

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

“Go away Envy.”
“I can't. You're in my bed.”
Aera lifted her head off the pillow and glared at him over her shoulder. “So?”
The Kartaian shrugged. “What right-minded elf would walk away? I'm joking, Aera.” He added quickly as she kicked him.
After a pause, he spoke again. “I thought you didn't like elves. You picked Ruli and Kentaro-”
“Rulitus and I-”
'I know, I know.” He cut off her disagreement. “But still, I tried for years. He walked in two weeks ago.” Aera kept quiet.

After another pause, he sighed and got up, grabbing a cloth and a bowl of water. “Up.” he demanded, sitting back on the bed. 
“Why?”
“Cause you're getting blood all over my pillow.” Envy retorted. “Do whatever you want, but I don't care to sleep with the assassins fluids all over my skin.”
Aera shot up and smacked. Still alarmed by her hands, he flinched, spilling a good deal of water. He stared at the wet spot on the bed in dismay. “Sorry.” she said softly.
“Eh.” He shrugged. “I can turn it into triumph. I had the Raielwen in my bed and she got my sheets wet.” Aera smacked him again. “Ow! Dammit, that one hurt!”
There was a hint of amusement in her eyes. Progress. He dipped the cloth in the bowl and began wiping the blood from her face, her chin in his huge hands. “Don't hate him, Aera.” Her dark eyes rose to his. “You've got a chance to be happy. You deserve that, even if he doesn't deserve you.” Her eyes went down again. “Tell me you see that.”
“I see it.”
“Then what has you all angry?”
The pale elf swallowed and more tears fell from her dark lashes. “Does it make me a horrible wife? A horrible person? If I know he's going to die and I allow it?” Her hand covered her mouth as she tried to stifle her sob, a rush of tears falling. 
Envy quickly put the bowl down and grabbed her, pulling her into an embrace. “Hush, baby girl.” He whispered against her hair. “Aera, don't be ridiculous. You're not allowing it, you're accepting that theres nothing you can do about it.”
“I even... want … it.” She gasped against him through her tears. Her head came up and she looked at him. “Kentaro knows Taris is behind everything. All the killings. But he can't p-prove it.” She coughed. “Taris killed his best friend, right in front of him. He-e knows Taris wants me. He won't give me up.”

Envy's eyes widened as he understood what she was saying and he pulled her back, cradling her head. He closed his eyes as he held her. “I will not let him hurt you. I'll hide you. I'll take you to Carantathraiel... we'll find it and get you there.”
She shook her head, working furiously to recover herself. “I can't. If I leave, he'll destroy everything. He'll hit the tunnels first. All the children....” Taking a deep breath, she stopped the tears and leaned back out of his grasp.
The Kartaian could say nothing, knowing she'd set her mind on staying. He pulled her forward and kissed her on the forehead and continued to wipe her face clean, mindful of the welt on her cheek. “The moment you feel threatened...” Aera nodded, still steadying her breathing. “Aera...”
“Yea, I know. I'll let you know.”
He gave her a cheeky smile. “No, I was going to say you should have stayed with me.” He laughed she she smacked him again. “Okay, I'll be serious.”
“You do that.” She said, standing, now that her face was clean. “I have to get back before Kentaro realizes I'm missing. He'll wake up soon.”

Envy leaned back on his bed with a sigh when she'd left. Things are about to get dangerous.

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

To her credit, she hid her shock when her arrow hit, and narrowed her eyes at him.

"Aera!" Envy shouted at her. Her head snapped over and she gave him a look of death before throwing the bow at him. He caught it effortlessly and glared at her, but she turned and rounded on Taris, moving to stand over him. She bunched up her fists, shaking, tears falling down her cheeks. 

It would be dirty, to hit him when he was down and wounded. But he had brought this on himself. She lifted her foot and pressed it against against his groin, giving just enough pressure to earn her a wide eyed gaze. Taris grabbed her ankle, holding her weight.
“I trusted you.” She seethed, her voice low and slow. 
Between her foot and the arrow, Taris held still. Annoyed, she bent and reached. Her hand went toward the arrow and she caught him flinch, so she stopped, glaring at him. He was covered in minute burns, his lip was bleeding and the arrow was protruding from his shoulder, a stream of blood trailed down his chest. The arm that held her foot was shaking. 

With a quivering sigh, she stepped back, visibly torn and unbalanced. She put her hand up to wipe her tears away, only to find that she'd spread Taris' blood across her cheek. Looking at her bloodied hands she choked on more tears while Envy stepped up behind her. 
“Get him out.” She ordered in a flat voice. “I don't want to see him again.” It had been two days since she'd gotten a decent nights sleep, she needed to rest. She walked past the little elf from the tournament, avoiding her gaze as she went down to Envy's chamber.

Envy squatted before Taris with a sigh, his expression grim. Envy's red eyes drifted over the shadow elf, eying his wounds. “Bet that was unpleasant.” He grunted. He turned over his shoulder to where the little elf was standing. “Arauka, bring the box.” She nodded and ran down to the kitchen, bringing back a small kit of first aid supplies. “Thanks dove.” Envy said, taking out a square of wood and holding it to Taris. “Bite.” He warned before he gripped the arrow and pulled.

Taris jerked and shouted behind the wood. Arauka held out a bottle. “No, dove, the blue one. There you go, thank you.” Envy poured it over the hole in Taris' shoulder and it bubbled. The shadow elf swore loudly. “Hey, assassin, there are kids here.” Arauka hid a giggle behind her hand and Envy raised his eyebrow at her. “Go check on the kids, dove.” 
When she ran off, he sighed at Taris again. “For some reason, she's taken a liking to you." Envy said about the young thief. After a moment he turned to topic back to Aera. "I don't know what you did, assassin. But it takes a lot to set her off that bad. And I mean a lot.” His dark head shook. “I'm not asking. I got a good idea when she was raining hell on you. But it will take a while to get her back.”

He leaned back. "Don't get me wrong, I agree with you. That damned fool needs to be removed from her life. Although, the fact that you're here expressly to kill him? May have been better for her to know before whatever happened last night happened." Envy stared at the shadow elf. "Take ever potions you want, anything you need, then go home. I'll talk to her, but don't expect a miracle."

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

Kentaro slept with his head on her chest, snoring slightly, with his arms thrown possessively over her. Aera stared at the ceiling, her mind running, her thoughts swirling. So many thoughts were screaming at her at once that it was hard to listen to them, to pick one out and understand it. 
But there was one that screamed the loudest. 

Taris would kill her husband. 

The thought made her sick. Her brain tried to pick at it. If it was why he was here. If it was what brought him to the city. If her one comment, on the day of the tournament, had caused him to consider it. Was it her fault, then? Or had he decided to woo her thinking she would help him? What sick game was he playing? 
He had stepped in after her altercation with Kasca, and now he was dead. The Physician had put a target on her back, and he was dead. Was he protecting her? Unlikely, he had admitted to being hired to kill her. 

Kentaro inhaled and stretched, bringing her from her thoughts. She had to talk to him. She wrapped her arms around her husband and rolled him over, moving out from under him. Her head still running, she dressed and went to her room and through the false wall. Lost in her thoughts, she found herself standing before the inn, the rain dripping off her hood.Keep your head.

But once she saw him, the shadow elf with the black skin, she remembered their passionate embrace, her ivory skin against his ebony skin, his breathe in her ear, and her eyes flashed dangerously. Her arm shot up, her fist aimed for Taris' face. With his quick reflexes, he was able to react and she only made contact with his mouth. Her force made him stumble backward. “How could you?” She hissed, her balled fists at her sides.
Taris held his hand to his face, blood from his lip covering his fingers.
“You knew you were going to kill him! You knew!” She stepped forward and swung at him again. Taris raised his arm and blocked her, so she swung again, hitting his shoulder. “And you bedded me anyway!”
Taris moved away. “Aera, wait...”
“No!” She shrieked, her teeth bared in anger. Her slippered foot met his shin and he winced. “What am I? Some sick game? A trophy?” With each question she swung at him while Taris made to defend himself. “Do you get off knowing you're sleeping with your target's wife?”
She reached up and grabbed his head and threw him sideways. As small as she was, she had strength. Taris stumbled to the side before straightening and squaring against her.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Aera cried.

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

Aera stirred as she heard him. She lay on her back, naked in the bed, with her head turned slightly, her black hair loose all over the pillow. After the rain it had dried in waves, curling in locks and loops. On hand was across her belly, the other against her face, over her bruised eye.
Taris watched her for a while before he stripped off his clothing and lay back down beside her. The movement woke her, her violet eyes opening with a smile. She took him in her hands and pulled him towards her. "Where did you go?" She asked sleepily.
The shadow elf bent and kissed her. "No where."
Aera knew he was lying. His hair was a bit wet from the rain and he smelled different, but she didn't question him. "Don't leave again." She pleaded softly against his lips.
He groaned. "Oh, I'm not going anywhere." She grinned under his kiss as she pulled him atop her.

A while later, they were dozing again. Aera lay in his arms breathing softly, while Taris slept with his head buried in her hair, the soft blows of his breath warm against her ears. When suddenly Aera's eyes snapped open, wide and staring, and a chill ran through her body. She sat up, breaking from Taris' arms, her head tilted like she was listening. 
"Aera?" Taris yawned. "Is something wrong?"
She didn't move. "You don't feel that?" Her back tingled and her hands itched. A shadow lurks within the city. "Something's wron-" 
She was cut off by the sound of hurried feet, when suddenly Paytin stepped inside the room, flushed and wet. Aera started and made to cover herself, but the maid threw up her hands. "My Lady, you need to come back to the castle, right away." Paytin's blue eyes darted to Taris, who was now sitting up beside the princess. "Something happened, and if your husband finds you missing, we'll all be in trouble."

With a nod, Aera got up, ignoring the gentle hand on her wrist that said 'stay'. She got dressed and started pulling her hair into a braid. She fastened her cloak and lifted it, making sure none of her hair was showing. When she was ready, and smiled at Taris. "Until later, my love." and she and Paytin went out.

Instead of going through the palace, Aera took Paytin to one of Envy's houses and took the hidden tunnel to her chamber. When they emerged, there was a loud knocking on the door. They threw off their cloaks as Paytin answered, Kentaro's page standing there, looking red faced with frustration. "Its about time you..." he glanced at Aera and bowed. "Apologies for the late call, my Lady, but the Prince needs you urgently."

Aera blanched, but nodded, and followed the page to Kentaro's room. When she got there, her hands flew to her mouth. He was covered in blood and pale as snow, though it appeared that none of the blood was his, and the stench of urine filed the air. His light eyes glared at her for a long while, his nostrils flared, but instead of screaming at her, like she expected, he embraced her. "Kentaro, what happened?" She asked cautiously. 
"Kasca." He shook against her. "Someone murdered him." 
She gasped, holding him. She was sorry that her husband had lost his friend, not that Kasca had died, as wrong as it was for her to admit. "The killer," he continued. "Told me I would be next. That I have seven weeks, at most." He kept the words about deserving Aera to himself. It would be too obvious. He pulled back and looked at her, his finger running over the welt on her cheek.
Holding her emotions in check, Aera kept a straight face, though her eyes darkened.
"I'm sorry." He whispered. He hands ran up her arms and across her back, unfastening her dress. "I will be good to you."
Now, Aera's heartbeat jumped. Not only did she not want Kentaro, but she smelled of mint. Of Taris. But she couldn't deny him without raising suspicion. "You need a bath, my prince." She attempted to stall. 
He looked down and back up again. "Its mostly on my clothes. The rest I'll wash tomorrow." He began pushing her toward the bed. "I have faced death tonight. I want to be with my wife."

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

The woman who stood before Taris was someone different. While, yesterday, Aera held her head high, her back straight and her shoulders back, this woman was hunched, her head down, her wet hair clinging to her face. Her hands hung at her sides and there was dark coloring on her left wrist from where Kentaro had gripped her. She lifted her eyes to Taris and they were watered and sad, the left one red, her cheek swollen and bruised. 
It was the form of a woman who had given up. 

Aera had been losing her grip on her husband for a long time, and had tried desperately to keep hold of him, a fight that took up a lot of energy. Now, she acknowledged that she'd lost, and looked defeated and exhausted.
"Taris." Her voice was cracked. Beyond that, she didn't know what to say. But, judging by the look on his face, his eyes running over her visible bruising, she didn't have to say anything else. 

She took a step toward him. Before her heel touched the ground he was standing in front of her, his hands out like he was afraid she'd break. His red eyes were on her face as he gently put a hand to her cheek, inspecting her. "Let me heal this." His fingers began to shimmer slightly.
"No."
His eyes moved to hers. "Why?"
She frowned and brushed her hand away, moving her head back. "I'm not supposed to be out." Was all she said. It wasn't an excuse to leave. She was only pointing out that he'd know, if she bore no evidence.
His arms raised in slight hesitation and he pulled her toward him, gently, feeling her slight resistance, before she relaxed and went into his embrace. 

In his arms, what was left of her strength melted. Her body pressed against his, his strong arms wrapped around her, her head nestled against his shoulder, her lips against his neck. Aera shivered and shook her head, her lips trailing over his flesh, causing his hairs to stand on end. "I give up." She said, smelling him. "I'm not fighting anymore. Not for a love that isn't there. Not for affection I'll never get." Her head raised and she looked at him, his eyes on her. "Not against something that feels so right."

It flashed across his face, that emotion, recognition, desire, before Aera pressed her lips to his again, closing her eyes. A shudder went through them both. Her tongue parted his lips and she breathed in. Taris groaned and pushed her back. "Aera..." The muscles in his jaw flexed. "You're upset." He looked her up and down with naked hunger in his eyes. His words sounded forced. "I don't want you to regret anything."

The woman blinked, brushing her arms from his grasp. "I only regret one thing." She said, stepping up to him again. "And it has nothing to do with what I want now." She took him again in a kiss, her hands running through his hair, her nails brushing his scalp. He moaned, his gentlemanly manners dissolving as his arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. Her lips left his lips and went to his jaw, where she left a trail of kisses up toward his ear. "Please..." She whispered, her teeth gently biting at his ear lobe.

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

Aera opened her eyes at the sound of footsteps, and was barely able to hide her surprise as her husband stepped through her doorway. With grace she stood from the window and curtsied to him. "My Prince. I am pleased to have you home."

Kentaro said nothing. With a jerk of his head Paytin was excused and hurried from the room. Nervous, Aera stepped up and embraced him, kissing him. "I hope your trip wasn't too awful."
"I got disturbing news, concerning you." He said darkly. Aera stiffened, and he caught it, his arms holding her to him. His silver eyes looked angry, and, what scared her the most..... he was sober. "News about that elf."
Aera exhaled. "My sweet, don't believe Kasca, he was just angry becau- AH." Kentaro gripped her arms tightly, his fingers digging into her elbow. "Kentaro!" she lifted her arms and wriggled free, stepping away. 
He was quick. His hand snapped out and grasped her left wrist, his grip strong. "It wasn't Kasca, wife." He growled. "My mother says you've asked for her to find proof that our marriage is false." Aera bent her knees, trying to loosen her wrist. He pulled on her and she stumbled forward. "Why, Aera? After all I gave you!"

Her dangerous cycle ignited. His tone frightened her, which made her hands tingle, and she wasn't wearing gloves. The idea of hurting him scared her, and her fear grew. "Kentaro, you're hurting me, let go." She said in a flat tone. He pulled on her arm again and, rather then grasp him for balance, she went down to her knees.
"Its that elf, isn't it? He poisoned you against me. You've been sleeping with him since the moment he marched into my city. Don't shake your head at me! You look at him like you look at Envy, and he was bedding you the moment YOU came into the city."

The elf tensed, irritated, holding her free hand in a fist to her chest. "I've never!" She argued back. "Kentaro, let go. My gloves."
"Are you threatening me?" He gripped her harder. 
Wincing, she shook her head. "No. But -oh, you know what I.. I'm capable of." She tried to choose the right words, to not make it sound like a threat. It didnt work. 
His left arm swung across and he struck her, a back handed fist smacking into her cheekbone. She cried out and fell back, released from his iron grasp.
"GET OUT!" He hollered at Paytin, who had run when she'd heard Aera. The elf scooted back, away from him, and leaned against the wall beneath her window. Her head hurt, her cheek felt like fire. She was angry now, knowing he had harmed her and she was unable to defend herself. It would be her death sentence is she burned him. Or killed him. Instead she glared through teary eyes as he stepped over and knelt, grabbing a fistful of hair and yanking. "You are mine." He snarled over her shriek. "I have put up with the glares and whispers all this time, for bringing in the beautiful savage, for giving you a chance to bring good to the elven name here. And what have you done? Bed archers and threaten me." 
Aera had crossed her arms and was clenching her sleeves. "Kentaro, please." She cried. "I didn't..."

He yanked her head again and released her, standing. "I confine you to quarters." he informed her as he went out. "No visitors. No messages."
Before he slammed the door Paytin squeezed in and ran to Aera, who was crying with her head between her knees. "My Lady..." the maid said softly, feeling pity for the woman. She went to hold the elf, but Aera pushed herself back, begging Paytin not to touch her, which made the maid feel even more sadness for her. For a bit, the maid watched helpless, before she started thinking. This shift between the prince and princess may be useful. "My Lady... here." Aera brought her face up, her left eye already darkening, as Paytin handed her a small piece of paper. "Go to him. Get out of here."
Aera considered it. Being confined, no one would notice her missing. Deciding, she carefully took the note from Paytin with a small smile and rose, gathering her gloves before she vanished behind the false wall. 

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

"Is there anything else I can help you with, my Lady?" Paytin asked, setting the empty tea cups on the tray, beside the empty teapot. 

Aera sighed, her mind going over what she wanted. She wanted Taris. She wanted to have never married Kentaro. She wanted to be home. Not in Carantathraiel, no, she could barely remember it, but in the tunnels. 
When she inhaled, she smelled mint. Her eyes fluttered, caught in the memory of his embrace, his kiss, that look on his face. She could smell him on her skin.
Uh-oh.
"I'd like a bath," she decided. She couldn't greet her husband smelling like another man. Humans didn't have the hightened senses of elves, but she was paranoid. There was no need to give Kentaro more excuses not to play nice.

Paytin nodded and went into the branching room with the large porcelain tub, pulling a cord to signal other maids to bring hot water. When the tub was full she helped Aera undress and sat in the corner while Aera bathed. Despite almost a year of living in the palace, the elf still refused help with bathing. Dressing, sure, she needed to give the maid some sort of duty. But bathing was her peacetime. 
She slinked down into the bath, submerging her head, the bath turning black with her hair, before coming up to soak, her eyes closed. Even still, her ears caught the sound of busying feet. Kentaro. He's early. Its not dinner time. Her violet eyes switched over to Paytin, who looked rather scared. Aera felt the same as she got up and dried off. She dressed and sat, so Paytin could brush her hair. 

She was shocked when a dinner of foul and stew and some wine was brought to her chambers. Dara brought it with an apologetic look on her face. "Sorry, my Lady," She set the tray down and gathered the tea from earlier. "His Grace is weary from the trip, and wanted to eat alone and clean up."
With a set face, Aera nodded, relieved. A quiet dinner without Kentaro. She hadn't faced him since he believed she was pregnant, and she wasn't looking forward to seeing him. 
And then there was Taris....

She ate, excusing Paytin for the time being, promising to ring if she needed anything. Then she sat on the sill of the open window, listening to the rain as she sipped her wine. There was something abut the sound of water that was so relaxing.

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

Her breath caught in her throat when she watched him walk away. For a moment she regretted stopping him, though she knew it was right. She couldn't. She was married to Kentaro and had no reason not to honor that. "I have no reason...." She started, her eyes on Taris' turned back. He stopped, and looked over his shoulder at her. "He's good to me."

Something crossed his face as he continued walking away that caught her her attention, but she couldn't read it, her mind a jumble from the kiss. His kiss. Ah, those lips. On quick feet she stepped up to him and cut him off, pulling his head down to her again, pressing their lips together. His arms wrapped around her back and he held her, his want matching hers. "Aera," He whispered. 

With great amount of effort, she pulled back again, her face torn with emotion. "I'm sorry." Her voice was thick. She covered her mouth with her hand, holding the feel of his lips to hers, as she turned away. They needed to get control of themselves. She needed to control herself. This wasn't like her. "If things were different... If... back when we first had met..." She swallowed. She had only been, what, sixteen? The last time Taris had seen her. Age wasn't always relevant to elves, but she was still young. She'd hardly looked at him, still a young child trying to keep hold of the youth she'd lost when she was kidnapped. 

Taking in a deep breath she repressed her desire, turning to look at him for a split second before realizing it wasn't a good idea. The look on his face would destroy her resistance. In a final decision, she headed for the door. "We'll see each other, later, Taris." 

Once outside the library, door closed between them, she leaned against the wall and covered her face, shaking. 
"My Lady?" Aera jumped to see Paytin, holding a tray of tea, her eyes full of concern. "Are you well?"
The elf swallowed. "Yes." She lied. "I just... I need to lie down."
Paytin nodded and followed Aera to her chambers, where she set the tea down beside the bed and poured a cup.
The elf took it and sipped, clearly distracted. "I don't belong here."
Paytin turned. "My Lady?" The look the woman gave her was a sad one. Like she was fighting a war and realized she couldn't win. The maid wasn't sure what to say. "Uh... there was a messenger. The Prince was delayed by the rain, and will be home after dinner." Aera nodded over her tea. "Is there anything I can do for you, my Lady?"

For a while, Aera didn't answer, leaving the younger woman to stand awkwardly in waiting. "No, Paytin." She finally offered a small smile. "I just need company. Sit, drink with me."
Paytin nodded and sat, pouring herself a cup.

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

Aera finished her lunch and went outside to the garden, walking along the roses. Her head tilted back and she looked up at the sun. It was warm, and being in black didn't help. Wouldn't be long before she'd have to go back inside. Though, as she eyed the clouds in the distance, rain would be coming soon, possibly later in the evening. Kentaro would not be happy, having to ride home locked in a carriage.

Her hand was out at her side, her fingers lightly grazing the red rose petals. As she almost never went out without gloves, she hadn't felt anything in a while, and realized now how much she missed the feel of flowers. 
Her eyes went down and she knelt. At the base of the rose bush nearest the palace wall was a small tuft of moon flowers. Gently, she picked one and held it close. It was closed, the flower sleeping for the day, but just holding it made her feel better. These flowers littered her birth-home. They were the flowers the Raielwen Elves related to, as nocturnal creatures who flourished under the moon.

She dreamed about him last night. About ... it. The dark red blood against the snow that didn't exist. The image that had haunted her dreams for years. Until Rulitus accidentally changed that. Now she could remember the truth, and hated it.
That was when she'd started wearing gloves. When he'd tapped into her mind, he unleashed such fear and anger in her that she had nearly killed him, literally catching him on fire in her confused rage. He would have forgiven her if she hadn't seen what he was hiding. His own secret. 
Burned and scarred, he'd left, and he'd never come back. Until last night. Wheat was his signature. Envy had given him the idea, calling him the Wheat Thief, for his straw colored hair. Aera had told him it was stupid, so Ruli, ever the spiteful thief, took it as his name.

Warm under the sun, Aera turned back toward the palace, putting the sleeping flower behind her ear. Her hand went into her pocket to feel her mother's earrings when she stopped, feeling something else. A note, scribbled on a neat piece of paper. Her name was marked across it in a handwriting she wasn't familiar with. Taris. She knew immediately. Leaning against the wall, still in the garden, she opened it, her dark eyes reading. 
She re read it. 
And then she read it again.

So he'd taken her off her list. The elf made a face and crumpled the paper in her hand. How kind of him. She stepped into the palace and went to the kitchens, where the fire burned constantly in the fireplace. With a flick of her hand the letter burned. Aera waited until there wasn't a trace of it left before she went back upstairs, headed for the library. 

Taris would have killed her if she had really been pregnant. She grimaced. There was something unnaturally cruel about that, murdering a pregnant woman. Perhaps that was why Taris looked so upset. Maybe he, too, thought it was wrong. Her lips frowned as she realized that couldn't be the case. Envy's words echoed in her head and she pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes. 

Did she feel something for the Shadow Elf? With a sigh she sat heavily in a chair, still covering her eyes. Her mind going over their kiss. She still didn't know why she'd kissed him, knew she shouldn't have, but, at the same time, she knew it had excited her.

Her ears tingled and she turned her head toward the dark corners of the library, half expecting Taris to step out from them.

Love is a Noose [ Kru & Cara ]

"Here." 
Rulitus took a break from rubbing his temples to accept the glass of wine without a word. "Bastard." He muttered.
Envy's eyebrows went up. "I sincerely hope you don't mean me."
The dark skinned boy shook his head. "The assassin." 

"Did he see you?"
"Can't see shadows at night." Ruli replied darkly. His head was killing him, his eyes felt like someone had stuck needles in them. "Don't ask me to read him again."
The elf nodded slowly, figuring out what he meant. "What did you get from him?"
Rulitus sipped his wine. "Not a lot. His mind's fucking messed up." Envy waited patiently. "She's safe." Ruli said at long last, taking another swig. When he'd bumped into the elf on the streets, as soon as he had skin contact, Ruli leapt into the elf's mind, in search for Aera. He'd caught a brief glimpse of her, but her image was clouded in this haze. For a moment she flickered and her whole body gained this monotone purple hue, but just for a minuscule moment. Another woman, perhaps, Ruli didn't know. But when he saw Aera, he felt conflicted, but nothing to suggest death. "The elf loves her, but has yet to figure that out." Ruli offered freely. 

Envy heaved a sigh. He had figured as much. And Aera knows, too, judging by her words earlier. But does she love him back? His stomach twinged in jealousy. He should have kicked the damn prince out from the tunnels when he first showed up. Then Aera would still be here. Never have met the assassin. Maybe, even, have accepted him.

"Where are you going?" Envy asked, watching Ruli get up, holding his head.
"Home." His friend growled back. "Send word again if you need help."
Envy frowned, but let him go.

---

The world was still cloaked in darkness, the horizon just beginning to lighten with the sunrise when Aera opened her eyes. It was chilly in her room, so she pulled the feather blanket over her bare arm, stretching her long legs. She yawned and rolled over to face the window, arching her back as she moved, her arms outward. Then she froze when she felt something scratchy touch her wrist. Curious, she sat up and looked on the pillow and gasped. It was a piece of wheat.

In a heartbeat Aera threw back her covers and leapt out of bed, grabbing her robe to cover herself. She opened her chamber door and peered out to the empty hall, and then ran to the false wall and checked that the lock was still fastened. Her pulse racing she leaned against the wall and stared at her bed. At the wheat. Rulitus. He had been here, in her bedroom. Why? 

Nearby, in the corner close the the false wall, was a chaise. She sat on it, covering herself with a throw blanket, and stared at the wheat until she fell back to sleep, her dreams plagued with nightmares. 

Paytin found her in the morning and woke her with a gentle hand on her knee. "My Lady?" Aera opened her tired eyes and greeted the maid with a groggy good morning. "My Lady, why are you sleeping here?" 
Slowly, Aera sat up and stretched, her muscles tense and sore from the odd sleep. She didn't answer, just stood and went to the window. Paytin went to make the bed and discovered the piece of wheat. With a confused look, she picked it up and went to toss it.
"No!" Aera shouted, scaring the maid. "I'm sorry, just... don't. Just... put it on the dresser, where I don't have to touch it."
Paytin's brows shot up. "What is it?" 
"A message." Aera turned back to the window. "From a friend."

Paytin put the odd thing on the dress beside Aera's jewelry box and helped Aera dress and brush out her hair, after which Aera toyed with it, pulling it up into a coil at the back of her head. The black of mourning didn't look good with her hair down, framed her face in black in a way that reminded her too much of the priestesses in the city church. Paytin handed her the teardrop earrings and Aera pocketed them after a moment. 

'Here, my darling.' Aera glanced up and saw herself as a child in the mirror, her mother standing behind her, bending to put the earrings in Aera's little ears. 'Ivory on the right, ebony on the left. Wearing them like this will bring you balance'.
Behind her child self's smiling face, Aera frowned. Nothing of my life has been balanced. 

In silence, she stood and headed downstairs, her porcelain mask on, though her eyes announced that she was tired. 
Today, her husband came home.