Something Found - Book 2

Chapter 19: Wicked Garden

Centre Berthold
King Richard Blair's Rest
Midnight

   The cold night air blasted against Alanis' face as she ran down the darkened walkway. If not for her continuing sobs, the tears that clung to her cheeks would have froze. She ran until fatigue struck, stopping her in front of Richard Blair's fountain, at the center of town square.

   Idiot, she whispered while wiping her tears away with her shawl. I'm such an idiot.

   Slapping the prince was a cowardly action. She could see that now that she was enveloped by the cold. Its frigid grasp had snapped her back into the reality she had escaped from while she had danced with him.

   She had let her guard slip, and in turn let herself become emotionally effected by what he did. Knowing him, that kiss was most likely a step to one of his plans. What that was, she could only guess. Faris had always done what he wanted, when he wanted, so why did his actions surprise her the way it did tonight?

   Of course she knew the reason. It was so clear, yet so impossible for her to admit. Even sitting alone, in her own little world, she couldn't admit those truths to herself, because she couldn't do anything about them.

"Thank gods," a heavy pant cut through the silence, forcing Alanis to lift her head towards the darkened street ahead of her.

   She watched as the shadow met with the surrounding lamplights.

"James," she whispered, "What are you doing here? You should be with your wife."

"I should, but she insisted," James replied while taking a seat beside her. They sat quietly until he worked up the nerve to speak, breaking their silence with an inappropriate joke, "I know I told him to keep watch over you, but I think he misunderstood my request."

She buried her face into her hands and shuddered, "Oh, great..."

   He had seen so there were likely others.

"You're holding back feelings for that guy, aren't you?"

   Her hands dropped to her side and she looked up at him in a dumbfounded state that had her at a loss for words.

   Holding back feelings for that guy, who did he think he was talking to? He sounded like he was about to give her a trove of unwanted advice.

"Get real," she scoffed, crossing her arms at her chest. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Just mind your business and butt out of mine."

"Get serious, Alanis. The longer you avoid my question, the more time we're going to waste sitting here. I'd like to get back to my wife before night ends."

"Then go. I'm not stopping you." Alanis stood and turned her back to him in a childish display that earned a sigh from him. "When I ran from the hall, did you hear me calling for help?"

"Stop acting foolish and listen to what I have to say. You know a man can't help the reputation he's been given when he decides to change. If you're worried what the others will think, don't."

   If it were only that, she sighed and lowered her head along with her crossed arms. She grew past those insecurities and quite frankly didn't give a damn about how the others would perceive her after their kiss. She was angry with him for other reasons, reasons THEY only knew.

She mumbled, "I know that..."

"He has feelings for you, you know?"

"Feelings..." She bit her lower lip and looked up into the night sky.