Strangely Familiar - The Stolen Fate | On Hold

Chapter 8

"One can be the master of what one does, but never of what one feels." ⁠- Gustave Flaubert

***

Naina's skepticism suddenly dissipated, replaced by a familiar wall of ice. She had no intention of letting her former ex-friend see her vulnerability. Ayaan was the last person she expected to see in the maze-like corridor of the mansion. She hadn't seen him in months; ever since the day he had refused to help her.

She squeezed her eyes shut at the memory. 

"What do you want?" She said coldly.

Ayaan grinned, seemingly unfazed by her tone. "Charming as always, Naina!" He said, his voice full of mock admiration. "Your face may have changed, but some things can never change."

Naina bristled in response. "Not that it's any of your concern but I am very proud of myself." She said, gritting her teeth. The last thing she wanted was to get lectured about her chosen style of living.

Though surely he could not understand the difficulty of having to surrender her identity, the face she had known to be hers - the face she grew up with is now replaced by some proxy.

Her face was not the only thing that had been replaced if Shaurya's words were to be believed. 

"We all are," Ayaan said, after a pause. "Especially after what you have done for His Majesty!"

Naina sighed and looked away. "Do not deceive yourself into believing that I did this for Shaurya. Believe me, it wasn't my choice." She said, almost instantly. She had done it because she was desperate - there had been no other option.

"I am still grateful," Ayaan said, after a moment, and bowed. "You have my gratitude." 

Naina's mouth twitched in a half-smile. "I'll believe it when I see it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Ayaan saw the hurt in her eyes, and despite his misgivings, he decided to keep his mouth shut. He didn't know what she had been through, and it would be wrong of him to judge her for her choices. He nodded, and an awkward silence descended upon them. Finally, he cleared his throat. 

"It's been too long," he said.

Naina smiled in spite of herself. "It has," she said, her voice suddenly warmer. She cannot bring herself to hate him. 

"So, what brings you here?" He asked her, trying to change the topic of the conversation. Naina sighed, her shoulders sagging in relief at the change in topic. She had been dreading the possibility of another judgmental lecture on attacking the Royalty. However, in her defense, she only attacked the Seeker. The Royalty only jumped in between. 

"Don't fool me into thinking you were here for the Courtship ceremony." Ayaan narrowed his eyes at her. 

Naina looked at Ayaan, contemplating his question. "What happened to the courtship?" she asked. "Who won?"

Ayaan's lips twitched a bit. "No one got the black stone but one got very close. She will stay here for another test."

Naina furrowed her brows. She had expected the courtship ceremony to be about love, but apparently not. "But it's supposed to be about finding love, isn't it? Why would they make it appear like a power play?"

"It is a power play."

"Finding a companion -" Naina started, but immediately halted when he raised his palms to stop her. 

Ayaan shook his head. "It isn't about love, it's about power matches. Courtship is more of an agreement than a relationship, compatibility of powers when it comes to immortal relationships."