Collaterals

Just Like its bearer

There is little to say of the workings of young love. Stolen glances. Soft, precarious smiles. Little flutters of excitement pulsing at the thought of another. There was that laugh that came all too easy, that simple type of silence. Lingering looks. Blushing skin. That was what Leila gathered, at least, as she sat by Khaled's side, now, the space between them electric. The young pair had taken to meeting atop that same hill, overlooking the fields of flowers. Though it was no longer deemed very proper for them to climb up the hill's steep, rocky side now that the young pair was accompanied by others at all time. And so it was through hiking up the primitive trail on the hill's posterior that they ventured, a silent party of seven just paces behind them.

The summer heat was proving much more bearable now that the winds of autumn were rolling in, a cloud allowing shade to settle just above them as they leaned on the plush cushions sat atop the carpeted ground. When it had become clear they would meet here, Khaled had furnished a the area for them, surprising Leila with it upon their second consecutive meet with low tables, upon which sat trays full with fruit and pastries. Always, always, there was  a centerpiece of arranged flowers that Leila had gotten the sense Khaled assembled himself, the young lord beaming as he spoke of the different origins of each colorful leaf, root and stem.

The Princess looked, now, at the young noble, only to find his eyes were already on her. Khaled flashed her a smile, eliciting a shake of her head, a humored roll of her eyes. Still, she felt as him look at her forearms, the skin paler than the rest of her, the skin slow to tan. Khaled watched as she looked to the horizon, "If...you don't mind my asking..."

Leila looked to him, wisps of her hair falling onto her eyes. She tucked a loose strand behind her ear, delicately, as he watched patiently, "Yes?"

"I've noticed, well...I'd noticed earlier in the month, naturally but, your...cuffs. They're gone. And Ali tells me you've quite excelled. With the fire, that is." He glanced to the side, now, leaning closer, his voice a whisper, "And then, of course, there is the newest edition to our persistent chaperones."

Leila glanced with a smirk at the hooded Diviner, standing aside from the their colorful entourage: three of Leila's ladies and another three Khaled's men, standing behind them. And then, of course, the Captain, who leaned on a jagged rock that couldn't possibly be very comfortable, though Leila was certain that was not the cause of his solemn disdain. She raised a mischievous brow at Khaled as she, too, leaned closer, "Do they bother you?"

He put an offended hand on his chest, "Oh no! I would not sully our good names by meeting alone, under the guise of none but the skies and the almighty like some ill-intentioned degenerate! I could not have it, my lady!"

Leila gave a small laugh, looking down a moment before pressing her lips between her teeth in thought. She cocked her head at Khaled, "Would...you like to see?"

Khaled straightened...eyes traveling once more to their entourage, "The flame?"

She gave a silent nod.

"I thought..." He shifted, collecting his thoughts. "Forgive me; I am honored, certainly, that you'd permit me such a privilege but...it is only I know the flame is holy...Is it not only to be seen by the public for official ceremonies? Ones overseen by a Diviner?"

Leila frowned, shrugging as she spoke, "There's a Diviner right there, no? And...well. You are not exactly the public, Khaled."

At that, he smiled. "Then, I'd certainly be honored to, your highness."

Leila smiled, a twinkle in her eyes as she took in his brown eyes. She straightened her spine, crossing her legs beneath her skirts. Despite the feel of her ladies disgusted looks baring into the back of her head, Leila did not waver, setting her palms to her lap as she breathed, looking to the smooth horizon. A line. A continuous, never ending line. In and out, her breath went in and out. Leila closed her eyes. 

"Oh..my..." 

Leila heard Khaled shift, heard the Diviner step forward. She knew, without looking, she knew that there was, in front of her, a ball fire, seemingly collapsing into itself as it ingested more and more of the atmosphere.

She'd hold it for one, two, three—

Leila opened her eyes, but the flame had already grown much, much larger than she'd anticipated. And, before she could fully comprehend, it roared. Like twisting the knob of a door, Leila exhaled, and the fire was snuffed. 

A line of sweat ran down her forehead, now, as she huffed out in pants. Leila looked ahead of her, where just a moment ago the flame had almost devoured her. 

"Leila..."

Her head snapped to Khaled, looking to her with more wonder than she knew there was in the world. 

"That was beautiful," He inched closer, licking his lips as he looked her over. He sounded unsure, almost shy when he leaned onto his palm, pressed into the ground between them and said, "Just...like its bearer."

Leila's lips pursed as she suppressed a smile, heat gushing into her cheeks. The moment was short-lived, a deliberate clearing of someone's throat sounding from behind them. Khaled glanced behind him, looking to the ground as he scoffed before he put distance between them.

And so the young pair sat, watching, feeling the breeze, tasting fruit and conversing upon everything and nothing until the sun glinted in the sky and the promise of the evening descent had them bid farewell. 

A.N: please return on Tuesday the 18th for the next part. 

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