Crossing Paths

9

Celaena's POV
It was cold, the breeze from the open window stopping me from falling back asleep. I shivered involuntarily, my hands automatically rubbing my legs. I opened my eyes and tried in the dark to look around for a blanket. My eyes found nothing, so my hands made it their job. They also found nothing.
I started coughing, the breeze getting to me as it hit my face, leaving a trace of early winter.

On not so stable legs I pulled myself up and wobbled my way toward the window. After a few steps, something came over my legs. They just stopped working and now I was on the hard wood floor of Chaol's bedroom.
"Ah." I whined, something really unlike me. I just did not have it in me at the moment to care.
I placed my hands firmly on the floor, resisting the urge to just fall over and stay there.
I am Celaena Sardonthien, how had I gotten like this?
I closed my eyes roughly, using the little upper body strength I had left to attempt and pull myself up. When my leg got underneath me, it could do nothing else.
It just sent pain rocketing up my body till I could do nothing but fall heavily against the floor.
I bit into my hand to stop the scream that I couldn't escape so that it became muffled. Keeping what little dignity I had left intact.
I sniffed and took a deep breath, and just when I was about to give another attempt, I heard footsteps.
No. Chaol please go back to sleep.

The lights were still off so hopefully Chaol would not see me in this weakened and embarrassing state after all.
I turned my body as quickly as possible and began crawling my way along the floor. Which is when the glow from the lit fireplace engulfed the room.
I looked behind me and looked at Chaol. He was staring at the couch, where he thought I'd be. When he figured out I wasn't there, he left the room briefly and came back with his sword.
His eyes moved to the door and he took a deep breath.
"Chaol." He looked at me suddenly, now staring at the floor. The obvious last place he thought I would be.

"Celaena?" He placed his sword down and came to my side.
"What's wrong?" His eyes roamed over my body quickly, checking for any injuries.
In response, I shivered. He noticed my discomfort and got up quickly, shutting the window and locking it.

His instincts were immediately on alert. He is Captain of the Guard, he would have never left a window open.
He looked back at me with surprise.
His finger came to his mouth, as a sign to keep quiet.
I nodded. His slow footsteps came to me again and he lifted me, my arms linking around his neck before he set me down on the couch. He left again after picking up his sword and walked swiftly out of the room, his trained abilities kicking in.

He came back about 10 minutes later without any sign of trouble and he set down his weapon. And I finally realized he was without a shirt. Of course he was, I woke him in the middle of the night.
He had his arms crossed, staring at the floor as if lost in thought.
I sat there, unable to do much else.
"I am sorry."

I furrowed my eyebrows and looked up at Chaol.
"I am sorry?" I murmured, fixing my nightgown because it had begun to fall off my shoulder.
"I pushed you farther than I should have. And now, I left you without protection while I did not close the win-"
"You did not push me too far, I did that on my own. And you closed that window, Chaol. I saw you lock it after I had woken up to bid goodnight."
He sighed and sat down across from me, the muscles of his torso flexing as he did. I averted my attention.
"You must be tired still." He murmured.
"I am not. Um, I think I can head back to my rooms actually." I admitted.

He looked as if he was about to protest, but eventually got up and went to his closet near his bed. I stared after him and watched as he grabbed a shirt and pulled it over his head. My eyes were on him for a little too long.
He came back and grabbed my hands, helping me up.
"Come on, Sardonthien." Before I could stumble and humiliate myself any more than I had, he bent and picked me up. He said nothing more as he left and began the journey to my quarters.

------------------------------------------------------

Dorian's POV
Maven and I sat on my bed. It was not too late so this won't cause any suspicion. He grasped my hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing it softly. I sighed happily and leaned back against him. He bent over and kissed the back of my neck.
"Are you warm enough, baby?" He murmured into my hair.
With the winter chill that set over tonight, I grew cold. Colder than usual. So Maven thought it wise to hold me and offer his warmth.
"Much better, Maven." I smiled. He laughed happily and snuggled closer.
"You can go to sleep if you want." I added when I heard his yawn from behind me.

"We cannot risk it." He whispered into my ear, kissing my earlobe so I wouldn't feel offended, even though I didn't.
"Maven, sweetheart, we can head to sleep." I reached over and shut off the light and got on my side, holding him close as my head rested on his shoulder. He leaned against the pillows and gave in.
And we fell asleep.

Chaol's POV
After returning Celaena I rushed to Dorian's rooms, knowing it was late, but needing to speak with him immediately.
I knocked on the door quickly, hoping he was still awake. A few moments later he emerged and appeared in front of me.
"Chaol? What is wrong?" He was obviously concerned.
"I need to speak with you. I am having confused thoughts, Dorian."
He furrowed his eyebrows and motioned for me to come inside."Please refrain from being too loud, Maven is asleep."
I looked over at his bed and noticed his sleeping companion.

Third Person POV
Dorian pulled on a shirt, clothing his bare torso with the loose material before facing his friend.
"Yes? What is the matter?"
Chaol took a breath. "It seems I have gained some unexpected feeling toward our newest guest."
Dorian arched a brow slightly then held his head, looking back at Maven as he slept peacefully.
"Be careful, will you?" Dorian murmured in apprehension.
"I trust her, but that doesn't mean she is worthy of trust."

Chaol was caught off guard. Dorian has always been his dearest friend, but this has to be the first time he has said something that stopped him short.
He met his eyes, holding his gaze."Won't you, Chaol?"
"I-of course. I am sorry for the interruption." Chaol murmured before bowing and making his way to leave the prince's corridors. When he had taken two steps, he was asked to wait.
Chaol turned and met his friend's form.

Dorian's POV
I stopped Chaol and now he was facing me. I cleared my throat and brushed back my hair slightly, automatically standing straighter.
"Yes, Dorian?" He questioned, concern etching his features because of my hesitation.
"Has my father said anything else as to why Celaena is here or why Maven is needed?"

It was something that had been on my chest for a while, weighing me down with each day that passed. My mind had refused to think of all the possibilities my father could have spawned, knowing it is futile.

Chaol had moistened his lips slightly before answering."He has not as I am aware of."
I gave a curt nod, honestly disappointed he had not given a useful answer.
"I will let you know as soon as possible." He continued. I placed my hands on my hips in concentration.
"Fine, fine." I let out, my mind starting to swim with fear.
In an instant Chaol appeared by my side and gripped my shoulders.
I stared at him, taken aback."I need you to do something for me, will you?" Chaol murmured. Normally, it'd be me asking something of him, but now the positions have flipped.
"Anything." I whispered gently.
He inclined his head toward Maven gently.
"Look at him." I averted my eyes from Chaol's gaze and stared at Maven.

He was lying on his stomach, the left side of his face buried in one of my pillows. The covers of the bed were a little higher than his waist, offering slight warmth on his bare back in case he happened to be cold. He looked peaceful, the hair falling over his face making him appear younger.
"Dorian." He shook my shoulders gently and I was pulled from my haze.
"I will not let anything happen to him." His eyes are filled with promise.

I swallowed.
"Do you believe me when I say this?" He prompted.
"I do." I murmured. He sighed slightly through his nose and released my shoulders.
Instead, he grabbed my hand.

"I promise you, Dorian. I will do anything for you."

A/N- I had extreme writer's block for a long time and I am sorry! I had stuff planned for the future, but then I forgot and I just added whatever. I'm sorry if it was crappy, I'll do better next time.