Sin: Path of Poison

Chapter 35 Part 1

I fell asleep on the branch outside, a noise brought me back to my surroundings. The back door opened as the Crown Prince came out, still in his night robes. My head turned towards him, I couldn't help but smile. His robes were white, Torch had grabbed the same standard set for the three of them. The same as our disciples wore, he was probably unable to find something else so quickly. My black robes were nearly transparent, similar to the robes I wore when I'd bathed in the Crown Prince's room. Laying in the tree, the fabric hung down below me, gently swaying in the breeze.

"Sin?" The Crown Prince asked as he approached, looking somewhat confused. I smiled down at him as he came closer.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked.

"Is this where you slept last night?" He still looked up at me in disbelief.

"Mm." I nodded, moving elegantly down from my makeshift bed to stand in front of him. "Do you want to look around?" I extended my hand towards the garden. He nodded, he looked happy again.

"Did you sleep out here because of me?" He asked, looking embarrassed for taking my bed. I laughed lightly.

"Don't think too much of it, I slept outside the last three nights anyways. Was everything okay?" I asked, my expression looked more anxious than I intended.

"Everything was good, no problems." He smiled. "Lei told us not to touch your jewelry, you don't have to worry about such things.." He trailed off looking embarrassed.

"Mm." I nodded, not wanting to explain. "Things at the palace?" I questioned.

"I think everything was cleaned up. Did you.. was there someone helping you?" He asked.

"If I said no would you think I'm a monster?" I asked.

"I don't know." He stated honestly. I looked down at the path ahead, reminding myself to move forward as I always have.

"Oh." I said simply, not answering. He looked at me oddly, trying to figure out what?

"Are you going to take Torch as your disciple?" He changed the topic suddenly.

"Perhaps, I haven't decided yet. I've never had one before. Sometimes I think it would be a good idea and other times I wonder if I'll do more bad than good. I haven't trained with anyone in.. well, since I was under General Bai." I laughed.

"Maybe you should spar with him once and see how it goes?" He suggested. I smiled at him.

"It sounds like you're trying to convince me, when did the two of you become so close?" I laughed. Looking down at me, he laughed as well.

He reached out and took my hand to pull me closer, then wrapped one of his arms around me. I placed my head against his chest, searching for what? I could feel his heart racing, but he didn't let go. He breathed in the scent of my hair. I exhaled and forced my muscles to relax. Feeling my surrender, he let go of my hand and wrapped his other arm around me as well. I responded in the same manner while smiling at him like Ryn.

"Blake's looking for you." I whispered.

"Where is he?" The Crown Prince asked, not letting go.

"He'll be coming up the path in a moment." I replied.

"Oh." He responded, but didn't attempt to change our position. "Do you hear him or smell him?" He asked.

"It's hard to explain. I could smell him as soon as he left the house. I'm very familiar with all the scents in my garden, anything abnormal I notice immediately. I wasn't trying to hear him, but if I'd been trying, I would have heard the door open when he came out. I could also.. feel him I guess. He has some energy, he's probably unaware that he gathered it or how to use it. When I'm on alert I'll easily notice these things." I explained to Jin. During our exchange Blake came up the pathway to discover us. Although my words weren't overly loud they could easily be heard, so he listened carefully, unashamed to watch as we held each other so closely.