Black as Blood (Part Two)

The Icicle and the Worry Wart

“Woah, woah, calm down. Deep breaths. You’re going to be okay. It’s just a ball, remember?”

Ralem fidgeted with the ring he was to present to her. His heart was beating like a frenzied drum, banging in his ears. The ball wasn’t until five that night but he was still absolutely freaked. What ifs bounced around in his brain like kangaroos on caffeine. What if she said no? What if she didn’t really like him back? What if she just wanted to be friends, and then backed out of his life forever when she found out his feelings for her? What if he was a horrible dancer and she just decided to dance with everyone else but him? What if…

“Rider.” Jaydon’s deep voice brought him out of his nightmarish thoughts. The dragon was sprawled out on the floor, his tail flicking and a scaly eyebrow raised. “I really don’t understand why humans worry so much. Is it going to help you at all? Admit it, most of the stuff you worry about never even happened. Everything is going to be okay.”

Ralem drew in a ragged breath, “I… I know. But, I mean, this is the hugest thing I’ve ever done in my life! If she says no… I don’t know what I’ll do. I can’t lose her again!”

Jaydon dipped his head and nudged Ralem in the back. “You’re not going to. I know in my heart that she loves you.”

Ralem bit back a biting remark and willed himself to relax. It was like swallowing fish oil. “Okay,” he said finally, “I’ve got this. Let’s go outside. I need fresh air.” He set the ring down, straightened his collar, and stepped out into the wide hallway, to the right leading to the front garden and the fountain, to the left a few ornate doors and then the balcony. He turned right and was about to skip the stairs altogether (as he came accustomed to) and jump down. But then he realized that the new arrivals probably would be suspicious if they saw a guy carelessly throw himself to the stone path almost twenty feet down. He mentally warned Jaydon and started down the stairs.

Lucky Jaydon. He was the only one allowed out right now. Vali and Thistle were smuggled away somewhere, probably very unhappy. But Jaydon was luckily very good at looking human so he was able to roam as he wished. But he was still not allowed at the ball, for which he complained profusely. He also complained that he couldn’t go flying. Ralem could feel his complaints right now. “It’s a beautiful day,” he whispered, “Let’s go just outside of town. Nobody will see us. Promise.”

“You aren’t going anywhere,” they heard Lauri’s voice. Crud, she’s got darn good hearing! Ralem thought as he found her blending through the crowd to get to him. Walking beside her was a huge man, head and shoulders over everyone else. His skin was almost as dark as his black overcoat, which frilled at his neck and puffed at the shoulders. “I want you to meet Mr. Ezekiel, the ambassador that has just arrived all the way from the plains of Liber.” She sounded like a cat that had just caught a rat, smug to the seams and giddy when she gestured to her companion.

“Welcome to Baroke, Mr. Ezekiel,” Ralem smiled and held out a hand. The man’s smile about cracked his face in half as he took his hand in a strong grip. Then he pulled on Ralem’s hand and he found himself in an intense man-hug. Ralem’s smile twitched at this unexpected turn on events, but as he was pressed to the man’s chest his senses was caught by something that was, if anything, more surprising than his immense height.

 Finally the man stepped back, “Please. Call me Ezra,” he beamed. “You must be the new Rider, Ralem, is it?” His voice was pleasant and deep. Ralem nodded. “And he is…” his voice dropped to a whisper, “The great Ventus Rex, Jaydon?” He held out a hand but Jaydon just looked at it. Not even skipping a beat, he caught Jaydon up in a hug too. Jaydon waited patiently for a whole second before pushing him away with a puzzled expression.