The Portal

II 2.9 Inverted triad

Finally, after nearly ten days in Shailaja, Hannah managed to get a decent night's sleep. Probably the horseback exercise had the expected effect, and she didn't get up until around 9:00. The room was still dark, and she curled up under the covers as she assessed the cold. She really hated being cold. She stretched and walked to the balcony, mentally replaying the night before and Noa's unexpected request.

She'd bet he wouldn't come any closer. The correct thing would be to keep a safe distance between them. "I do not consider you an enemy." Those words hurt Hannah and she couldn't contain the abrupt response that left her lips. What did he think he was doing? Was that supposed to be a compliment? If there was anything Hannah was in this life, was Rariff's enemy. Was Noa trying to reduce her to nothing?

"Do you consider me an enemy, Miss Maël?" Well, but wasn't that obvious? Did she need to remind him that the Rariffs had murdered her entire family? Even distant relatives? Well, if she were fair, it wasn't the Rariffs, but one of them. Ür Rariff had destroyed her family and all her chances for a normal life. Well, normal considering the fact that she was an heiress. The life she should have had... Her future was taken from her by Ür. But it was not the work if the Rariff family... Azarias Rariff was an honorable man and very close to her parents. They were great friends and allies. She knew it, everyone on the Island knew it, but in Shailaja this version was not told in the history lessons.

She was grateful that she hadn't answered that preposterous question. Even hours later, she still hadn't found a suitable answer. Actually, no, she didn't consider Noa an enemy. He was the heir to her kingdom, but she considered him a wise choice. She was in Shailaja to protect him, to ensure that he took her throne, wasn't she? She could never consider him an enemy.

However, Ür Rariff was her enemy. But she wouldn't bring him down. Not yet.

Anyway, why ask something like that? Noa knew the basics of the implications for that question and should have known it was an unfair question. Even so, he had done it. Had he acted on impulse? Now Hannah considered him immature and reckless. Damn, this would be the heir to her lands. She hoped he was more prepared.

He couldn't underestimate his enemies that way. It had taken only a week with Hannah to trust her like that. He had practically told her she was harmless. Pathetic and arrogant!

Hannah knew that Mr. Yezekael had overprotected Noa. He still called him a boy! It wasn't fair to judge him so harshly. But it was past time for Noa to find out more. He sure wasn't a boy anymore. Hannah remembered how he had approached her the day before. Had he meant to intimidate her? She had to admit that he was successful for a moment. Of course, she wasn't scared of him, but he couldn't find out about her disguise, and she had a lot to hide.

"You don't need to be afraid of me". Hannah had to control herself not to laugh, because frankly, how could she be afraid of him? Would he ever know how ridiculous that phrase was? I'm not being fair, she thought suddenly. It was reasonable for Noa to think she feared him. After all, his family had murdered hers. She was an enemy, and no one even dared talk to her for fear of Noa. And Noa had a way of intimidating others. It was something about his posture, the way he moved, always looking so determined when he walked, the serious look in his eyes. He was certainly no longer the boy Mr. Yezekael still saw.

Hannah settled into a chair on her bedroom balcony, feeling Shailaja's morning chill. The weather was completely cloudy, and a light wind blew, messing strands of her hair. She braced her feet nonchalantly on the chair opposite. This is not a position for a lady, would warn Gaetana. She twirled the small golden ring on her middle finger. Only a small diamond sparkled in the center of a golden circle. It was just the right kind of jewelry for a throneless heiress who lived on a farm. She laughed. Leila should have easily agreed, but Hannah remembered that it was a gift from Gaetana. To remind her that she did have a home. The Island was her home.