The Prince of Ilios

Ninety-Two

Alyn sat pensively on a stool in the kitchen. The house was clean and comfortable, but there were no extras. All of the furniture was simple wood without cushions or soft surfaces. He had not even realized that his hand had been tapping on the counter until Ava placed hers atop it, "Alyn, I know you are worried, we all are, but please calm down. They will be down any moment to welcome you back up."

Alyn looked up at her, "Ava, I don't know what to do anymore. We thought it would be gone when she killed Cyrus. Why is it still there?"

"I don't know." Ava replied softly. She handed him a bowl of soup, "What I do know, is that whatever comes next will need our full strength, so eat up."

Alyn nodded, tearing off a piece of bread, "If we were home, my mother would probably know what to do." He muttered.

"Then go home." Tiara said obviously, tucking in to the soup noisily.

Alyn nodded, "I will, when she is stable enough to be moved."

Nissa looked at Tiara, "I am off tomorrow. I am sure with the King's death, and the mourning period, Nicola wouldn't dare to continue the competition. Also, I am sure my mother and father are worried about me. No doubt Anemos was in complete upheaval with the take over." She offered up the information so matter of fact, it made it all sound like it had happened somewhere else, "When will you leave, Tiara?"

Tiara breathed deeply, "I set out to join the Union. I am not really sure where it stands right now. I will need to at least send a letter to my mother to find out what she would like to do next."

"Mother? Do you not have a father?" Ava asked, not really thinking. Sana had always been run in a patriarchal manner.

"The lineage of royalty runs through my mother's side. She chose my father for her companion." Tiara smiled at the memory, "Because she is the first descendant, she makes the decisions. It is how things have always been done."

Ava nodded in understanding and wonder. She had never thought much about what she would do if she were in charge of Sana. It had never even been a possibility. Her father had made all of the decisions for her. The advisors and chairman were always men. Land owners were men. Those who appointed the leaders were men. All of the highest scholars and teachers were men. Only a few women dedicated themselves to the studies and the ones who did remained in spinsterhood for the rest of their lives. She barely even knew what to do with Alyn. He was very willing to make decisions, but he always waited for her to take the lead. It was completely new territory and the thought actually frightened her a little. She placed a bowl in front of Nissa, thinking it all over as the others conversed easily. All she knew was how to be a noble lady, etiquette, how to cast spells, sew, art, and a few of the meager things taught to her while she was here. She had been taught how to be the perfect rose in the bouquet, and attract a man. If she went back home that is what was expected of her, and she would fulfill it as her duty. But, the thought of doing something different, something meaningful intrigued her.

"...Ava?" Nissa's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Yes?"

"When will you be going home?" Nissa repeated her question.

Ava looked at each of their faces. She had had such a lovely time during the competition. She had gotten to know people and places that she had never had the opportunity to explore before, "I don't know. When they send for me, perhaps." She did not really want to return to Anemos, but she was too scared to travel or go anywhere else on her own.

Alyn finished his soup. Her wistful voice informed him that she wasn't at all sure about what she was doing next, but they needed to talk before she left. He did not have much time to prepare, but he could not let her go without making his feelings known clearly. What a mess. He thought, shaking his head.

Ava saw his reaction, her face became indignant, "What? We do not all live in a place where we can make up our own mind." Her embarrassment flared on her cheeks, quickly turning into anger of being put in such a situation, waiting on the next instruction.

"I think you have misunderstood, I wasn't..." Alyn started, glancing at Nissa and Tiara for help. The two just stood and walked away, not wanting to have a part in the fight.

"Yes, because my feeble mind could not possibly comprehend your big plans. You are just the same. All the same!" She turned to leave.

Alyn caught her wrist, his voice calm but serious, "I certainly have never implied, said, or even thought such a thing. Please, let me explain."

She tugged at her hand, but it was caught. It was clear that Alyn would not let her go without talking. Ava stood motionless, "Fine."

Alyn looked at her delicate hand. He simply lifted it to his lips and kissed the back, "I was simply thinking that everything is a terrible mess right now for everyone." He looked up, her brown eyes were watering with tears. He drew her into his arms.

His words had been truer inside of her than any other emotions. Everything was a mess. His acknowledgment of the predicament was like a verbal hug. She had not imagined it, she had not created it, but it had all happened, and it left her feeling a pure mess. Even her future, so undefined with possibility was an overwhelming mess. Ava tucked her hands up near her face as she sobbed against his shoulder. "It is a mess!" She admitted aloud.

Alyn let her cry out all of her tears. Nadia had come down to tell him that Ellora was ready to be seen. He had smiled at her and waved her off. It was clear that Ava needed him more at the moment. As she sniffed back the last of her tears, he lifted her face in his hands. Red eyes, a puffy nose, and tear-streaked cheeks greeted him as she tried to finish composing herself. He wiped the last tears with his thumbs, his rough hands a contrast to her soft cheeks.

She hiccuped, her face turning an even brighter shade of red as she noticed the large wet spot on his shirt, "I'm sorry. I've ruined your shirt." She tried to wipe the remnants with her sleeve.

He smiled kindly up at her, his arms still encircling her, "I would hug away all of your tears and stain all of my shirts for the rest of my life if I could."

She froze, her heart immediately speeding at her thoughts, was that an expression of love? Her face blushed as she wiped her nose on her handkerchief. So much had happened she did not even know how to respond. Therefore she side stepped it, "My mother always said a cup of tea could solve all the problems of the world. I should go get one." He let her go as she moved to the kettle to pour herself some tea.

His smile brought her an odd sense of peace and security. She watched him from behind her eyelashes. His voice enveloped her sweetly, "I meant it. In whatever capacity that you would need. I would be there for you."

Ava bit her lip and sipped her tea as he rose from the stool and went back upstairs to see his sister. She exhaled, Is Alyn another complication in an already obscure future, or is he an answer to all of my prayers?