Love is Cold

A Small Tear

I woke up to a soft tapping on my bedroom window. It was late at night and I didn't know if it was my imagination. Then, Leo Creed came into view. Leo is a lord of the Night Children. He was floating by the windowsill so I let him in before, lighting a small candle, to get some illumination.

"Hey, Leo. What's up?" I asked him, a little groggy, as I pushed some of my dark brown hair out of my face. I was surprised he was here at this time. He would typically be hanging in the forest.

"That pompous butt hole, Guthry, is having a Midnight Ball for his anniversary of the day he became the ruler of the kingdom, remember?" He sighed. "What a waste of time."

"What if Darby finds out I went with you?" I asked him. Darby is my sister. Her parents took me in when I was just five years old. Once they were gone, Darby and I only had each other.

"She won't," Leo replied in a daring, sarcastic voice. He was wearing a kind smile and I had to agree. I got into my nicest pants, dark blue blouse, and black, leather jacket in the bathroom.

          I pulled on my knee high boots at the table, while Leo smirked. I gave him a glare and we set to the party. He turned into a bat, which is quite startling at first, but I knew him too well to be scared. I walked next to him as we made out way down the path, through the plains.

* * *

When we arrived, the party was in full swing. Lots of the citizens were out on the dance floor having a good time. I even saw Cinia was visiting. She had becone quite high up in the ranks of the Terrion Kingdom Guard. She used to be a Sapphirian citizen, before she married a wealthy Territe.

"Hello, Aria. Welcome to the Midnight Ball," Prince Guthry welcomed, dragging me out of my thoughts. I greeted him with a small wave of the hand

"I'm here too, Bub," said Leo in the annoyed tone that he always used on the prince. "Thanks for noticing." Guthry tries to make him angry whenever possible, but what he did next was the worst he'd ever done.

The prince disappeared into the gathering crowd. Before he did, though, he recommended that I should go dance or mingle on the floor. Or, I could go have some punch or snacks at the buffet.

As I made my way across the dance floor towards the confection table, I came face to face with King Ulric Gillian. He is my ex and ruler of Tartos. We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. Why would Guthry invite him if he knew that we had a rough breakup?

"Hello, Aria," he said, "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."

"For what?" I asked clearly confused.

"This," replied the king as he leaned in and kissed me. I was in shock that he'd do that. A small tear rolled down my cheek as I pushed him away. Now, he was surprised. All I could manage to do was look at him and shake my head. I walked away with tears streaming down my face to a nearby terrace and stood by the rail crying.

* * *

Leo came out a little while after me. He got worried when saw me walk out crying. He was certainly a welcome sight.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked coming to stop by my side.

"He... kissed me," I said angrily. "Ulric kissed me. Right in front of everyone." I could see him get tense and make a tight fist. Then he was gone in a flash, leaving me alone. I sighed amd thought, "Thanks for the chat. Jerk."

A moment later, I heard the crowd go nearly silent. Sometimes something would crash and I heared some gasps. I didn't want to go in. I couldn't risk seeing Ulric, again. The party picked back up and I almost thought I saw something dash out of the open front doors.

* * *

I was there most of the night and walked home alone. I saw Ulric storm out in a rage, before I left. I wondered if he was just upset over my reaction to the kiss. I could see a faintly brighter spot on his face and knew that was the equivalent to a bruise on a phoenix demon. I hoped that whatever happened was a threat to stay away from me.

About half way home, I stopped and leaned against a tree. I was totally resentful over going to that party. I had thought I would have had a good time. At least I got to have some fun with Leo on the way there.

Then, the tree rustled quietly and I heard a small growl come from the branch above me. It was Leo.

Author's note: I used this on a homework assignment once. Got an A. I also used a bit of Chap. 3.