Dark Prince Rising

Eleven

Cira sat in the middle of her bed, the moonlight now harshly bright in the dim room. What was going on? She curled up in a ball and wrapped the sheets around herself, but she wasn't tired in the slightest. Her emotions were running wild inside her and her mind was struggling to catch up, and it all just made her stomach hurt. 

Did she love Aelon? Of course she did. She'd loved him all her life. He had been her best friend for as long as she could remember. But if her love was as innocent as that, then how could she explain what she felt when he looked at her like... like he wanted her? 

She had wanted him, too. That was all there was to it.

She groaned and squinted her eyes closed. There was no way they could be so selfish. The entire country was counting on him to be the next ruler, and everyone knew that he was destined for greatness. How could they love each other when that very love would steal such a wonderful person from the world? 

Something tapped against her window.

Cira's eyes flew open and she sat up straight in bed, staring at the window. Had she heard correctly? It was probably your imagination, she told herself. Just leftover from the nightmare.

Just as she relaxed enough to lean back against her headboard, the tap came again.

This time, she knew she hadn't imagined it. She sprang out of her bed, collecting her anelace as she moved to the wall beside the window. The sword's familiar weight in her hand was comforting, calming her shattered nerves and quieting her emotions. One couldn't allow emotions or anxiety to distract them during a fight. She almost became a different person when she held her sword, shoving her emotions aside to make room for cold logic and quick reflexes.

The sound came again. It sounded like someone had thrown a small rock at the window pane. She moved slowly towards the window, keeping her back pressed against the cold stone of the wall. She drew in a deep breath, then darted across to the window and threw open the sash, moving away from the opening as soon as it opened. She was in front of the window for no more than a second.

For a long moment, there was nothing but the sounds of night birds and insects singing in the moonlight. Slowly, she peeked out from around the wall.

A boy stood in the Palace garden three stories below, holding the lead of a chestnut horse. Even in the pale wash of moonlight, his hair stood out fiery red.

"Leo?" She knew he couldn't hear her, but she was so shocked that his name slipped out anyways. Why would he be here in the middle of the night, throwing rocks at her window?

He waved his free arm in the air like a madman, jumping up and down a little bit to get her attention. Cira lifted her hand and waved back, still puzzled. "Yes, I can see you."

Leo made some motion with his hand, but Cira couldn't tell what it was. She shook her head to say that she didn't understand, and he simply made the same motion more vigorously. At her blank stare, he searched the side of the castle for anyone watching, then cupped his hands around his mouth. "We're leaving now!" he called. "Don't worry about food, just bring weapons and clothes!"

They were leaving? Now? A rush of excitement flooded through her. They would finally find her brother! 

She could finally fulfill her promise. The ghost of a memory flashed through her mind. "Liar..."

Cira held up a single finger and went back into her room, quickly dressing herself and pulling on her leather boots. Then she lifted the loose floorboard underneath her bed and pulled out her enchanted cloak and her throwing knives, strapping them onto the belt that held her anelace. She tossed another tunic, a pair of pants, her compass, and the remains of her healing potion into a bag and slung it over her shoulder.