Starbird (UNDER MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter 11

Jorgen pov:

Does she feel as I do? That I would kiss those smiling pink lips in a heartbeat? Oh, Odette. She smiles when I kiss her knuckles, and closes her eyes. I feel her hand move, and it delicately caresses my hair, winding a lock through her fingers. She brings her hands forward, running her slim, graceful fingers over my face. I watch her face, and when her eyes lock with mine, I see a hidden desire in them. She tries to pull her hand away, but I instinctively catch her wrist in mine, holding her hand to my cheek. She moves her fingers in circles, their featherlike touch pushing me closer and closer to kissing her. She drops her hand, and joins them with mine. I lift my hands to her waist, and gently lift her air-like weight to my lap. She lifts her arms to wrap around my neck, searching my eyes. She lifts her head to my level and leans toward me. I lean towards her, watching her flickering eyelids as I close my eyes. Just as we meet, shouts sound from outside. We break apart, fear making both our hearts pound. The place where I cut myself throbs, and Odette carefully creeps up to the door, peering through a tiny hole in the bark door. Odette gasps and jerks away, tears pooling in her eyes. I go up to the hole and look through, gaping at what I see. Armed royal guards with swords and torches wait at Odette's door. I hear one faintly shout,

"Open up or we'll break the door down!" I don't hear Odette's father's response, but the lead guard peers through the cracked open door, ordering Odette's family to open up. The door slams shut in his face, and the guard's face goes red.

"What is it?" Odette asks, her voice soft and impatient.

"Nothing." I answer, still watching. I hope Odette cannot hear the cracks of the swords breaking down her door.They run inside, their swords flashing. I see her mother, father, and sister fly out the door behind them, their wings flapping furiously. Odette's father takes Veriahn in his mouth, flying as fast as he can. They fly fast and far away from the house. Odette shoves me over when I let my guard down, and peers through.

Odette pov:

Home! I watch Mother, Father, and Veriahn fly away as my home bursts into flame. I pull all the air from around the fire, trying to suffocate it. Yet, the fire will not go out. No,no, no, no! Not royal fire! Royal fire burns until its target is nothing but ash.

"My home." I whisper, watching my entire life disappear in one man's fury. A lump rises in my throat, and though I struggle not to let the tears come, one anguished sob explodes from my body, breaking down my emotional dam and letting everything out. I scream, not caring if the guards hear. Jorgen clamps his hand over my mouth, holding me. I scream again, thinking of all the things that disappear in flames.