Arranged (44 page)

He wandered the halls, in search of quietness for his mind. His thoughts eventually turned to strategies and thoughts of war. He made his way into his room and stared at his space, lost in thought. It was a few minutes before he spotted the small box on his bed. He frowned as he picked it up. Who would come into his room while he was away?

He picked up the box, shaking it and frowning when he didn't hear anything inside. He had half a mind to toss it aside; he had greater things to worry about than a mysterious box. However, curiosity gripped him. He opened the box and found a bundle of cloth inside, his eyes narrowed as he took it out and tossed the empty box onto his bed.

He quickly unwrapped the cloth and a small metal ring fell into the palm of his four-fingered hand. He stared at it for a long moment before he registered just what it was. His eyes widened, his hand fisted around the ring and immediately he was out the door.

He knew it was late in the morning, but that didn't matter. He reached her room and pounded on the door. He paused for only a moment before pounding again.

Suddenly the door opened and she glared up at him. "Do you have any idea what time it is? If someone hasn't died, then come back when the sun is down," Adalia growled, moving to shut the door.

Qwinn stopped her and held up the ring for her to see. "What is this?" he asked, though he most definitely knew the answer.

She squinted her tired eyes. "Mother's ring," she answered nonchalantly.

"And what is her ring doing on my bed?"

Adalia leaned against the doorframe with a sigh when she realized there was no getting rid of him and crossed her arms. "What does it matter?"

"Father gave it to
you
to have. Mother would have wanted you to have it," he argued. He knew what she was trying to do and it wouldn't work.

"I want Alison to have it," she yawned. "I noticed you forgot to give her a ring, so I figured I'd help."

Qwinn held it out towards her. "Take it."

Adalia shook her head, making no move to uncross her arms. "I want Alison to have it," she repeated.

"But mother−"

"Mother would have loved to pass her ring down to your Alison. The ring will help protect a human far better than me. I want her to have it, there's no better woman to wear it and do it justice. Besides, I have some of mothers other jewelry; I can bear to part with that piece."

Qwinn studied his unrelenting sister for a moment, processing what she said. She argued with logic he couldn't question. The ring would protect Alison. That was what his father and the elders had created if for, to protect his human mother. Adalia covered his hand with her own and closed his around the ring.

"Take it, she'll love it."

Qwinn held the ring; he knew that she was downplaying the rings importance. It meant a lot to Adalia, it was their mother's wedding ring after all. When they were younger, she would try to wear it on her little finger, only to have it slip off. She always waited for the day when she could wear it at her own wedding.

It meant a lot to him that she was willing to give it up for Alison. He nodded at her and stepped back so she could close the door. "Thank you," he said gently.

Adalia smiled sleepily. "She loves you."

Her comment made him freeze. "How do you know?"

"I just know," she said, slowly closing the door on him. That was just like her, after a warm moment, to leave him stuttering and baffled. His sister could read emotion; she had always loved messing with him.

Alison loved him? He tried not to get his hopes up, he tried to steal himself against the thought, but despite his efforts, a rush of excitement hit him. He couldn't stop the stupid smile that stretched across his face either.

He made his way back to Alison's room. It seemed that his sister only created more for him to think about, but he knew what he wanted to do with the ring and he was anxious to get back to her.

She was still breathing deep with sleep as he crept back in, palming the ring with excitement.

ALISON STIRRED, YAWNING FROM HER FULLFILLING REST. She remained with her eyes closed for a while, allowing herself to gradually wake up. Her room was dim when she woke, the lantern still flickering. It must have been touched with some sort of magic because it didn't look like it had dimmed down since she'd fallen asleep.

Her heart skipped when she looked down at the blanket around her waist, to find Qwinn's arm still possessively around her.

She carefully turned her head to glance at him behind her. She swallowed hard at the scene she saw. He was snuggled down into her long red locks and for a moment, he looked so peaceful, almost boyish. She liked seeing the softer side of him.

When she had first met him, she thought he was hot tempered. Sometimes he slipped and she could see his anger in his eyes, but for the most part, he was kind to her.

From how shocked Adalia seemed at times, she knew that "nice" was not a normal state for him. Alison felt pride swell in her; she knew she was the reason for his change in mood, a change for the better. He had changed her too, though he didn't realize it. He was giving her more confidence in herself every day. Even now, she was laying in bed with a man and she wasn't married to him.

If they had been on the surface and had been caught, she would shame her whole family, or what was left of it that is.

Never in a million years would the women on the surface wear clothes that were as revealing as she wore. She had to admit, they were very comfortable and flowed beautifully when she danced. She hardly felt embarrassed about showing her legs anymore.

His society and hers were worlds apart, literally. Adalia was free to speak her mind and marry whom she pleased. Qwinn was free to be strong and an honorable leader with no one questioning him. Meanwhile, her society was filled with rules and harsh gossip. Everyone put on faces and covered their true selves behind layers of lies so thick they had even forgotten the truth.

Alison had no desire to be a part of that world anymore. The longer she stayed in Vidar, the more she fell in love with it and all its strange wonders.

She sighed softly as her mind turned to her father. He would have loved to explore this underground world. He had always been adaptable.

Guilt suddenly flooded her over losing his papers. She was sure her uncle had found them by now and had his father's assets safely under his belt. She frowned, that was all that he'd left behind for her and she would never have it.

She brushed a stray lock out of her face and caught a glimpse of something in the corner of her eye. She froze and slowly turned her left hand around, her eyes widening with surprise at what she saw. On her finger sat the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen. Bright silver swirled around a knotted stone that in turn seemed to give off its own light. Even in the dim room, she could see the blue and green of the stone, shimmer with almost a rainbow more of color.

It was on the correct finger, it must be the ring Qwinn had promised. She never expected anything so beautiful.

"Do you like it?" A voice still thick with sleep asked her. He shifted to his elbow so he could see her better.

She smiled up at him. "It's magnificent!"

He looked pleased and took her hand, which she was still holding up, in his and kissed her ring. "It was my mothers."

She studied the ring again, feeling pride at the fact he trusted her to own it. She snuggled into his side. "Do you miss her?"

"Do you miss her father," he asked in return.

She nodded. "Every day."

He drew designs absentmindedly on her arm and his thoughts seemed far off. She almost repeated her question when he answered. "It's been centuries that she's been gone and I still miss her. Even now, I feel as though she will walk through the doors at any moment." He couldn't hide the sorrow in his voice.

Alison shifted and wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. "It's alright to miss your mother."

He laid his head on her chest and just breathed. It was at that moment it hit her how much they were meant for each other. She gently stroked a hand over his dreads, enjoying the feel of the rough hair mixed with soft loose strands.

She was certain he could feel her heart hammering. A smile played on her lips as she wondered if he would ever stop affecting her like this, she hoped not. She found herself thoroughly enjoying his company.

Suddenly, his hands surrounded her waist and dug into her gently, tickling.

She squirmed violently while bursting into a fit of giggles. She hit at his hands while thrashing to get away. He laughed with her as he moved with her, not allowing her to get away.

She managed, or he allowed her to, squirmed out from under his arm and grabbed a pillow, hitting him with it. He laughed as it hit him and rolled away, almost teetering off the bed.

Alison scrambled out from under the covers, modesty forgotten, and took another swing at him with the pillow. He grabbed it and tugged, causing her to fall forward onto him. His strong arms clamped onto her as he rolled so most of his body weight held her down. He tickled her neck, causing giggles and cries to escape her. "No fair!"

Then she realized the position they were in. She blushed and her coloring caused him to realize what they were doing. He eased off her slightly, but not losing the playful glint in his eyes. Qwinn smiled smugly as he watched her. Her blush faded, but her heart picked up as she glanced at his lips. That was all it took to spur him into action. One moment he was looked down and the next he was kissing her.

She coveted his kisses. Each one of them held their own kind of adventure. He kissed her deeper, pushing her into the pillow.

Then there was a light knock at the door. He pulled away, but didn't look happy about it. Alison quickly tucked herself back under the blankets and yelled for them to enter.

Naliya came in with a tray laden with food and fruit enough for two. She placed it on the bed, bowing her head and smiling knowingly at Alison before excusing herself.

Alison was embarrassed, but Qwinn was right, Naliya hadn't judged her for Qwinn staying the night. The Vidarian's never ceased to surprise her. Her uncle would have ripped her out of the bed and dragged her to her Grandmother's for a punishment she saw fit.

When the door shut, Qwinn nuzzled into her. "Hungry?" Her stomach gurgled in response and she could feel him smile against her shoulder. "I'll take that as a yes."

He grabbed the tray, never moving far from her and picked a few berries. She took them from him and munched, loving the sweet juice. He popped a few in his mouth, his eyes trained on her.

After a while, she blushed. She couldn't help it, he hadn't stopped smiling since she'd said yes. He ripped into a sweet roll and offered her one. "I have to train again today," he said. "But I will try to get out early enough to have dinner with you."

Alison's own good mood dimmed slightly when she realized he would have to leave her. "I guess I have a lot of practice to do anyway," she murmured as she bit into her roll, her appetite gone.

"I know you'll do fantastic at the festival," he smiled encouragingly, though she could tell his good mood was also dimming.

Sounding as the gavel sentencing them apart, there was a loud knock at the door. Alison sighed and whoever knocked came in.

Adalia looked cheerful in her brightly colored dress. "Why are you still in bed?" she started, then noticed Qwinn on the other side. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You're up early brother."

"Actually, I've been here all night," he told her, a smug smile on his mouth.

Her brows, or what should have been her brows, rose. She turned her silver eyes to Alison. "I hope you didn't let him push you into anything."

Alison shook her head, "Though it was hard to keep him back," she teased.

Qwinn grabbed at her waist, tickling her. She swatted at him as she climbed out of bed. "I'd like to bathe before we leave."

Adalia nodded and as if she were listening, Naliya stepped in; hurrying to gather what was needed. Qwinn too climbed out of bed and stretched. That was when Alison noticed he had removed the thick sash and was completely bare-chested. She tried to tear her eyes away, but couldn't. She never noticed how much the sash hid his muscular body. Thankfully, Naliya was ready and tore Alison away before she did anything embarrassing.

QWINN WATCHED HER GO AND SIGHED HAPPILY. He was so ridiculously joyful he could have even hugged Mar, his chubby and angry council member.

Then Adalia turned on him with a glare. "What happened?" she demanded, propping a hand on her hip.

Qwinn knew exactly where she was referring to and he ignored her, popping more berries into his mouth as he leaned against the bedpost.

"Qwinn," she continued, "what happened? Why were you in her bed?"

His joy was so potent that not even his sisters assumption that they had been more intimate, angered him. He would not allow himself to slip with Alison, though he almost had. Adalia needed to have better faith in him, let alone Alison.

"Relax," he shrugged. "Nothing happened."

"Then why were you in here?"

"She didn't want to be alone. Have faith sister."