Take my hand

Chapter 3

Enya walked around the castle in one of the dresses Keir had ordered for her. It was a dark purple velvet with silver and red embroidered stars and flames along the hem. It was off the shoulder and had a matching cape attachment. It was a purple chiffon with the same design on the hem. The walls all stayed the same dull stone from the cliff the castle was built from next to on the beach. Her hands ran along the stone as she hummed. With each step there was an echo that followed her. She looked out of one of the windows and stared out at the sky. The castle seemed to have a grey cloud cover, no matter what day. She made her way down the twin staircase leading her down to the entrance. The door was about 12 feet tall, grey and black stone with similar stained glass colours. She opened the door and stepped outside. The fresh bite of salty ocean air filled her nose and she exhaled deeply. Walking out of the castle the breeze didn't change. Enya found a rock and sat down on it. She watched the low tide sweep in and out for several hours.

Foot steps started approaching her before Keir sat next to her, in a black coat with obsidian embroidery.
"This place, it used to be beautiful. Never as dark as it appears now." Keir sighed. "The heart of the castle is what was taken from this place, Silas has it locked in his citadel. This place used to be as bright as the stars. The walls would light up at night and the floors would sparkle. The balls my parents held were always the place to be because of this castle." He continued. Enya looked at Keir and smiled.
"I remember. You used to tell me all about them when were children." She put a hand on Keir's.
"The clouds barely ever touched this area of the world. The heart kept this place alive but, that heart almost had you killed." He took a deep breath and looked at Enya before squeezing her hand. Keir stood up. "One day. I promise I will show you this castle at its full glory." He smiled. Enya nodded and stood up as well.
"Any word on my family? Do you think Silas has already informed them of my supposed death?" She asked and wrapped her arms around herself. Keir frowned slightly. He took off his coat and put it around Enya before they made their way back to the castle.
"Your family was informed. One day I will also show them that their fire is still alive. Until then, you need to keep in the shadows. We can't risk Silas hunting you as well." Keir said staring into Enya's eyes. She nodded and sighed sadly.
"I understand." She replied as they both entered the castle again.
"In a few days, I have planned for us to go on a small trip. It is related to when I left for a few days last time." Keir said moving a lose hair out of Enya's face before staring into her eyes. Her face glowed a soft pink but the castle was dull enough to not show it.
"Well, I hope it works out the way your planned." Enya responded.
"As do I. I have new clothes for you arriving within the next few days before the trip so you have appropriate clothing for where we are going. We shall also be on horseback." He stated. "I have a few things to sort out in my study, feel free to explore more, but refrain from going outside. I don't know who is out there and someone might be a spy for Silas which will blow our secret." Keir smiled soft before walking away. Enya still had his coat around him and pulled it tighter around him watching him walk away.

Silas had been helping prep the citadel with decorations for the celebration. The king wished to honour the loss of Enya but celebrate the victory Silas brought home. Many of the servants were scurrying around the castle trying to get things in the right order. They constantly bugging the prince of correct placements and what other tasks needed to be done. Where would you like the flowers, your highness? Are these decorations to your liking, your highness? What food would you like served for the feast, our prince? Is the wine much to your liking? His head was filled with questioned asked by staff and he never got a moment alone unless it was night, even then Celia would keep him occupied. Sharing a bed, skin to skin, Celia traced her finger along Silas's chest.
"The planning for the celebration is waring you down, my prince." She said softly. His arm was around her to keep her close while twirling his finger in her hair.
"Yes, planning events like this is always tiring. It'll be a memorial for Enya, that'll occur at dawn." He took a deep breath. "Then knights from around the kingdom will come and participate in the combat tournament. If Keir is to attack again, we shall need to build an army able to withstand his power. He may be carrying wrath and despair with him since the loss of Enya." Silas spoke before looking down at Celia. Her eyes were a glowing blue in the moonlight that filled the room.
"Seems like I shall be enjoying sitting in the Royal booth but without you. Is that correct?" Celia rested her hand on Silas's chest and he grabbed it gently.
"It's tradition for the princes to enter their own tournaments, so, I won't be there with you on the stand." Silas took a deep breath. "My father won't give you any grief. You've shown the last few days that you're willing to put your past in the past and move forward into the future with me." He smiled and leant down landing a kiss on her head. She smiled back at him before climbing out of bed and wrapped a robe around herself.
"Just, make sure they don't cause any grey hairs or more wrinkles." Celia turned around and her smile became playful. Silas threw himself out of bed and walked over to a mirror before turning around and stared at her.
"That was just rude. I have no wrinkles nor grey hairs!" He called out before walking over to her grabbing her waist pulling her in close. "During the ball, I want you to dance with me. I hope you pick out the most beautiful and eye catching dress to wear." Silas smiled before kissing her lips. She had wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
"I have picked out a dress already and I do hope you like it." Celia smiled softly. "I better get back to my room, your father sends guards to make sure I'm in my room at night." She said before kissing Silas's cheek. "I'll see you at the memorial." Celia rubbed Silas's arm before walking out of the room and shutting the door behind herself. Silas watched her leave before climbing back into bed and exhaled heavily. He had been struggling with guilt since he let Enya slip off the building. He's had nightmares since that day and lately he's refused to sleep. He laid in bed staring up at his canopy.

Enya had learnt a few new tricks with her power in the last three years Keir has been absent, and tonight she wanted to show them off. She had asked one of the staff to take her to the ballroom. Enya set up tall fire pit stands around the ballroom before going back to her room and getting changed into a silver ombré to purple gown Keir ordered for her. She put her hair up in a braided bun before finding Mila.
"M'lady! You look stunning!" Mila gasped loudly and called out.
"Sh, Mila. Keep your voice down. Would you mind doing me a favour?" She smiled and looked around pulling Mila into a room for privacy.
"What is it, M'lady?" Mila asked looking excited.
"In a few minutes, can you please get Keir into his formal attire and take him to the ballroom on the east wing? I have a surprise for him. Oh, and cover his eyes." Enya's smile grew wider as she spoke. Mila nodded excitedly.
"Of course I can, M'lady!" Mila quickly left the room. Enya made her way back to the ballroom, she had servants set up their instruments in a corner before waiting for Keir to arrive. Footsteps slowly started to approach, two sets, along with two voices. Enya stood in a corner where she couldn't be seen.
"Where are we going, Mila? Isn't it dinner time soon?" Keir said as his eyes were blindfolded. He was holding onto Mila's shoulder to help guide him.
"Dinner will be soon enough, M'lord." Mila replied. "Slowly take steps down these stairs." She reminded him. Keir tried to take the blindfold off a few times and Mila slapped away his hand. Enya watched from a distance smiling, trying to contain her giggle. Mila took Keir to the middle of the ballroom floor and removed his blindfold. He looked around then turned to Mila.
"Why am I in the east wing ballroom?" Keir asked crossing his arms. Enya gently pressed her hands together before the tall fire pits set up were lit with a turquoise fire. Keir jumped slightly before the candle chandeliers were also lit up along with the fire place. The servants began to play music as Enya approached Keir.
"You seemed so invested in the balls your family used to hold, I wanted to throw you one." She said smiling. Keir looked down at Enya before around the room then back at Mila.
"Bring the staff in here if they are free to join us." He said to Mila before looking back at Enya. "You really did all of this? Even move those fire pit stands?" Keir chuckled. Enya couldn't take the smile off her face knowing she made Keir happy.
"Well, I had some help with the staff, but I planned all of this,  just for you. You haven't smiled in a while about this place and I wanted to show you even if the heart is missing, this place is still incredible!" Enya stepped back and spun around before her waist was grabbed and pulled closer to Keir. She gasped a little before staring into his eyes.
"Then, let's dance, shall we?" Keir also continued to smile. Enya placed a hand on his shoulder and her other hand in his hand. They began to waltz around the ballroom to the music of the servants. Woodwind instruments and a few handmade strings. Soon enough the ballroom was filled with other staff of the castle, and they all joined in.
"You did all of this for me?" Keir asked as he spun Enya. Her smile grew before looking into Keir's eyes.
"We've missed a lot over the years and you deserved a ball." She replied. He stared down at her and smiled softly caressing her cheek. He felt his chest lighten up as they continued to dance.

Once the dancing finished due to the staff getting tired, Keir escorted Enya back to her room.
"Enya." He said softly after opening her door. She stood in the door way and turned to Keir.
"Yes?" She said as she began to unpin and unbraid her hair.
"I will get you a dragon one day." He smiled and leant on her door frame. She smiled back with a small blush appearing on her cheeks.
"I would love that very much." Enya stared at Keir. "What is the journey you wish for us to go on for?"
"That is when I hope to get you your dragon, though that is not the whole mission, I have a few things I must handle and I wish for you to just accompany me." He chuckled gently. "It's a bit selfish of me, I just don't wish to leave you alone again." He admitted. Enya gently put her hands on Keir's face.
"I'd love to accompany you." She said before kissing his cheek. "Goodnight, Keir." She spoke before pushing him out of her doorframe and closed her door. Enya pressed her back against the door blushing and held her face. She was unable to take the smile off her face. Keir was shocked at the kiss and the shove out of the door but laughed it off on his way back to his bedchamber.