Adurna

Confrontation

Chapter Seventeen-

We emerged from the tree holding hands. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face as I gazed up at the man that just kissed me. I wasn’t sure if I should call it a kiss. It felt like something more…much, much more. We had been in the willow tree’s hiding place for what could have been hours, leaving the destruction our kiss had made behind. I wondered idly how we had come to this, but I pushed the thought away as I felt Eragon pull lightly on one of my escaped curls. My hair was dry and messily tied to the back of my head, but a few locks had escaped from the heat.

I smiled at him and leaned into his warm side. His arm came over my shoulder and hugged me to him, placing a delicate kiss on the top of my head. I closed my eyes against the pure bliss I felt radiating off me. I doubt I was ever this happy. Just as I figured that thought out, another erupted through my mind. It was Derikia.

We need to speak to you, now. He growled in my head. The sound vibrated through my ears as if I was next to him. Both of you. I glanced up at Eragon to see his brows furrow and was looking out on the water, as if hearing Derikia as well.

Following his eyes, I saw the lake the two dragons were in earlier empty. I noticed the dark sky as well, for the first time realizing that night had come. In the distance, I saw a faint flash of brilliant blue on the opposite side of the small lake. Quickly pulling out of Eragon's embrace, I slipped my hand into his and started off towards it. He didn't say anything, so I presume he saw it too. Once on the other side, Eragon pulled ahead and took the lead. I gave it to him gratefully, getting less and less confident as we neared the dragons. Why had Derikia sounded so upset? And what was so urgent that they needed to talk to us right now?

I feared for the worse as we found both of them standing far apart and glaring menacingly at us. Feeling the weight of their stares, I knew instantly that Eragon and I were the reason for them. The dragons were mad. That much was clear. But I could place why they were. I felt his arm wrap around my waist and pulled me close to him. I noticed how he did so by putting me somewhat behind him. Somehow, I appreciated the gesture, though it was not needed. Derikia would never hurt me. But the look Saphira was giving me made me want to run as far away from here as possible.

"What is the meaning of this?" Eragon asked in a strong, confident voice I instantly wished I could have. I feared that if I spoke, nothing but a squeak of fear would come out.

The child! Saphira spat at him, averting her eyes from me only to make them bore into Eragon. He didn't flinch. I did. Eragon tightened his grip on me as if reassuring me. It didn't help much, but it was somewhat soothing to know he was here.

"What about her?" He growled back, his voice dripping with wrath aimed at his dragon. She buffed in obvious irritation.

Are you blind to your feelings for her? I widened my eyes at the question and glanced up at Eragon. He was already looking down at me. Something gleamed in his eye once he found me looking at him, though what it was I cannot say.

"No," He replied in a whisper, tearing his eyes away from mine. "But what is it about? Why does it matter so much to you?"

I found the same fury in his tone as before, but tried to ignore the chills I kept getting from the verbal fight. Why was this happening? My eyes traveled to Derikia, who was watching me intently from his spot in the woods but made no move to confront me like Saphira was doing with Eragon. Slowly, I reached for his mind and almost sighed in relief once I was able to get in. At least he wasn't too mad at me.

What is this about, Derikia? I asked silently, staring at the green beast. He sighed and glanced away from my searching gaze.

Listen to Saphira, mouse, all will be answered. He answered simply and disconnected the connection between our thoughts. I still felt his presence, though it was muted.

Doing as he asked, I turned my attention back to the argument at hand.

If you feel strongly for the child, Saphira was saying. She eyed me carefully, though with not as much hatred as before. Then I will begin to as well. Do you not understand, little one?

He shook his head. I wanted to as well, but I didn't want to do something to set her off again.

You might fall in love with her, her voice hardened with each word. This will make me love her as well, just as much as you do. Basically, you are choosing who we fall in love with, not just you.

And vise versus. Derikia added in a small voice. Eragon snapped his head towards the green dragon, but stayed quiet. I clung so tightly to his hand that my bones ache from being clamped on too tightly.

"Are you saying you don't think she is worthy...of your love?" He asked in a harsh voice that made me cringe at the way it sounded on his usually sweet and innocent voice. I wished I could hear the soft words he was speaking just minutes ago.

Saphira blinked in surprise and looked lost for words. Derikia hissed under his breath but said nothing. Finally, she recovered from her rider's blow.

No, I wouldn't even think that. She looked at me sincerely, as if apologizing for Eragon even saying that. I nodded curtly, silently thanking the gods that it wasn't true.

"Is that it then?" He asked, backing us both up towards the lake again.

No, Saphira said, getting some of her confidence back. Her bright blue eyes flickered to Derikia for a moment before coming back to us. There's one more thing.

We halted and waited for whatever blows we would receive this time. Eragon hugged me to him without taking his eyes off of the dragons. I closed my eyes and found it hard to open them back up again. How long has it been since I last slept? I couldn't recall. My body leaned against his tiredly as we delayed our departure to where ever. It was becoming harder to see as the night sky bore in on us. I was yanked back to the discussion by Derikia's sudden interest in the conversation.

We, Saphira and I, think this is wrong. He began. Eragon started to say something but was stopped by a glare from Saphira. I personally do not care what it is you two do, but there is this feeling we both have. The feeling is that the relationship isn't supposed to happen. It goes against the grain, if you understand. Both of us are not sure what to call it: protective instincts or something...more. I do not like this emotion.

But it is just an instinct. It could mean absolutely nothing. Just beware of what we tell you now. Other than that we don't care what you do, we will be happy for you either way.

Derikia added the last part with a sharp look at Saphira who, after an intense stare down, nodded in agreement. I smiled broadly up at his green head and mentally thanked him for what he said about "being happy for us".

I dashed over to him and hugged his giant neck lovingly. Out of the corner of my eye, I witnessed Saphira rest her large head against Eragon's raised palm. She nuzzled it lovingly and I suddenly understood why she was so upset. Eragon was all she had and losing him wasn't something she would let happen. I respected her even more for that. Eragon's brown eyes found mine and I smiled happily at him. He returned it with a dazzling smile of his own. My heart skipped a beat at the beautiful sight. I could get used to this.

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It rained that night. Saphira and Derikia made a shelter out of their raised wings for Eragon and me, saying they will sleep in the morning when the storm passed. I was lying next to Eragon comfortably, resting my head against his hard chest. My ear was placed over his heart, so I was able to hear the soft thumps of his heart. The smile on my face didn't falter the whole night. I'm pretty sure I was smiling in my sleep. It didn't take long for me to drift off into a deep slumber with the heat of three others so close to me. Finally, things were starting to look up for me.