I was just waking up when I heard the clopping of horse hoves coming toward me. I shot up, expecting to see Alanze, come to kill me. But on a sleek black horse came Deliah, with Zara on a tall, proud chestnut horse behind her.
My eyes grew wide as I looked at Deliah. She sat tall on her horse, and she looked down at me with soft eyes filled with worry.
"Caelin," she whispered longingly.
I wanted so badly to take her from atop her horse. I wanted to kiss her breathless and hold her in my arms. I needed her so badly in that moment that it hurt.
But I couldnt. I needed to make her go home. If I didnt, she would die.
"Go back," I said stonily.
She squared her shoulders and looked me in my eyes. "No."
"Go. Home." I said with a snarl. I tried to look at her as I did when she first got here.
Hurt was written on her face, but she stood her ground. "I'm staying and helping you. I'm not asking, I'm telling you what I'll do."
My gut wrenched as she stepped toward me. She gently circled her arm around my neck and pressed her lips to mine. I didnt respond, keeping my lips from moving at all. It was so hard not to kiss her back.
Zara, rolling her eyes and mumbling about this always happening, turned her horse and went to find a place to tie him.
Deliah began to kiss me more passionetly. I felt the smugness in it fade away and turn into pure longing. I couldnt fight it any longer. I kissed her back, losing all my coldness. But my head was still clear. She made it that way.
I loved her so much...
**Deliah**
I pulled away from Caelin and looked into his icy black eyes. He knew that he was defeted. I had one the fight. I was staying with him.
He sighed and pressed his lips to mine again. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.
"How long have you been riding? You look tired." he asked.
"A while. Since I found the note. I would love some sleep." I replied.
"I set up a tent not far from here. It was mostly for the hounds, since I wanted to spread my wings out.Bt if you're in there with me they'll be wrapped around you, so thats not a problem."
"I love you," I whispered against his chest.
He led me to the tent. Iay down on the soft mat. Caelin lay next to me, and his soft breathing and warm feathers lulled me to sleep.
I woke the next morning to shouting. Zara ran inside the tent, her face pale. Her green eyes were wide.
Caelin shifted me in his arms. "Whats wrong?"
"It's her" Zara said.
Caelin ran out of the tent, motioning for me to stay where I was. I ignored him, running out after him.
Whe I cought up with him, I clutched his arm. I looked ahead of us.
There was a girl a bit older than me. Her hair was jet blck and billowing in the wind. Her eyes were steely gray. A smile, wicked smile curved her red lips.
"Tisk, tisk Caelin. What a wonderful mess you've made." she said.
Caelin had a horrified look on his face. "Alanze."
