Every lord with an eligible son has paraded him before the illustrious Crystal Blood, in hopes of a most advantageous match. Indeed, whispers abound of a looming engagement between the Crystal Blood and the dashing Hero Pallus Parn. One cannot help but ponder, however, why the Crystal Blood has so resolutely turned away every proposal. Rumor has it that the vigilant Lady Sonya has steadfastly refused to present any suitors to the Crystal Blood, citing the Blood’s well-known volatile disposition. Yet, hushed voices speak of a more sinister reason — a reason tied to the mysterious vanishing of the valiant Hero Acciaio. – Anonymous source, as reported in the “Aponte Hill Whispers” tabloid

RIN

Rin was grappling with what was happening inside of him while Illana and the ambassador talked. Rin wanted to be angry at Illana. When he walked into this room, he wanted to unleash a decade’s worth of pent-up anger and rage at her. She even gave him the perfect opportunity with her attitude when they first walked in. Except when her blue eyes met his, all his anger melted away. In its place, Rin felt something reopen with Illana. The same connection that opened the day they found her under that mountain. He could feel Illana in his mind like a warm comforting glow. Rin wished everyone would leave so he could deal with the sudden whiplash. So that he could just talk with Illana. Then the Chancellor stormed into the room.

Rin instantly recognized the man. The man who deftly manipulated Rin down to the docks to go back to Marei. Rin didn’t understand what was happening back then, but as the Chancellor talked, the memories flowed back. Looking at what the Chancellor did with the eyes of a ranger – and having talked with his friends – Rin understood. Just as Rin made the realization about his past, he also realized something else. He could feel Illana’s hatred of the chancellor in that part of his mind where her warm glow resided. It startled him enough that he barely registered when Sasha announced that everyone else was leaving. And he would be alone with Illana.

The room fell silent as Illana and Rin just looked at each other, neither sure what to say. Moments stretched into minutes as the two walked around the room, warily eyeing each other. There was so much Rin wanted to tell Illana. Words were never his strong suit. It was why he was always on the losing end with Pallus. Worse, he was scared if he said the wrong thing, their sudden connection would vanish. He looked at Illana, but he couldn’t read her expression. Part of him wished he was back in the Badlands. At least he understood the dangers there. Finally, Illana broke the silence.

“I don’t know whether I hate you or I love you. Maybe both,” Illana said, looking at the fireplace. She whirled to face him. “Nothing to say in your defense?”

“Illana, until I walked in and saw you, I was sure I hated you as much as I do your Empire,” Rin answered. “I’ve had this, I don’t know, ball of anger in me since I left this continent. I thought it was because of how everyone forgot about me when we came back. Then everything changed when I saw you. All of my anger just went away.” Rin wracked his brain for a better way to describe what he was feeling.

“You hated me?” Illana asked, in a small voice. Rin grimaced. Of all the things he said, that was what she decided to hear? After she already said she wasn’t sure if she hated him. How did her mind work?

“Illana, a week ago, I knew everyone on this continent, including you, was happy I left,” Rin explained. “All of you had turned your backs on me.”

“How could you think that? About me?” Illana asked. He felt her pain through their connection. It took Rin a moment before he could speak again. This was going downhill fast. He took a moment to collect his thoughts. How had he talked to her when they were traveling back to Lisandra?

“Illana, what happened when we returned to Lisandra?” Rin asked. “After that first night when we were given these medals, when did we see each other?” Illana visibly stopped her retort. Rin could see her pondering his words.

“Yes, we didn’t see much of each other, but there was a great deal happening,” Illana admitted.

“Except for that night and the one breakfast a couple of days later, we didn’t see each other at all,” Rin replied.

“That can’t be true,” Illana said, her face scrunched up in thought.

“In fact, I think the breakfast was a mistake by the people around you. They certainly made sure it never happened again.” Illana looked like she wanted to object, but instead she sat down in one of the chairs

“Why didn’t I notice we were being kept apart?”

“I’m learning everything I thought I knew about what happened about that time isn’t true. None of the others saw me being pushed aside. They were too dazzled by everything thrown at them. Talking with Kurt, Marteen, and Selene helped me understand what was happening to them. That none of them wanted to see me leave. Still, in the end, leaving was something I needed to do.” Rin flinched at the pulse of hurt he felt echo in their connection.

“You needed to leave me?”

“That wasn’t quite how I meant it.”

“How did you mean that?”

“I needed to prove to myself that I was more than being just part of some prophecy. I needed to find out who I really am.” Rin paused as he collected his thoughts.

“Then, I look at you, and that drive to prove myself is lessened. Not gone, but less. I don’t know how better to say it.” Illana appeared in his lap. Her warm hands stroked his cheeks. An odd sense of peace filled Rin with her touch. He felt their connection fill with a warmth he didn’t know he had been missing. The pain was suddenly far away, and he realized how much he missed being close to Illana. Echoes of old feelings rang through Rin.

“I’ve decided I don’t hate you, Rin,” Illana said, with a familiar, mischievous smile.

“You’ve decided?”

“I have a confession to make. I’m just as confused as you are. Everything you said? The anger? I had it in me as well. Except it made me want to drive everyone away. Everyone was just being so foolish about this stupid political fight or that public appearance. None of it was important, and I wanted all of them to stop bothering me. Then you came back, and it was like a cloud lifted, and I could see the sun again.” She paused for a moment and locked eyes with Rin. She bent down and gave him a very chaste kiss. It sent jolts through Rin.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but at least you’re back home, again,” Illana said. She placed a finger on his lips before Rin could say anything. “You are home. You are with me. That is home.” Rin looked at Illana skeptically but didn’t argue.

“Rin, do you love me?” Illana asked. The question caught Rin off guard. He stopped himself from answering immediately. This wasn’t a casual question for either of them. He dug deep in his mind as he pondered Illana’s question. Was that what he was feeling between them?

“I think so,” Rin admitted. “I want to think that’s what I’m feeling, but my feeling have bounced around so hard in the past hour, I don’t know.” Illana looked regally satisfied before leaning into him. He breathed in the light floral scent of her perfume.

“That’s how I feel too,” Illana said, “There is one thing I am certain about. I am not going to lose you again. The sooner you understand that the easier everything will be.” There was a determined glint in her eye. Rin let out a resigned chuckle. The iron door opened, and Illana jumped off Rin’s lap.

“Are you two done making up?” Sasha asked, striding back into the room. The red-headed regent gave the pair a disappointed harrumph. “Not enough. The princess’s makeup isn’t even smudged.”

“You told us to be on our best behavior,” Rin replied.

“No, I told you to be on your best behavior,” Sasha said. “I expected her to show more initiative.” Illana and Rin traded confused looks.

“We’ll discuss that later. The chief constable sent word he will come here in an hour. Rin, go find something to eat. The princess and I need to talk.” Rin just shook his head in frustration with the minds of women.

Chapter Fourteen