Crossing Paths

16

Maven's POV
His hand, my anchor in all this apprehension, is all I feel. It kept me grounded, he kept me grounded. My thumb began massaging the back of his hand, in a repeated circular motion. Bringing his hand to my mouth, I brushed my lips against him. He shuddered with the contact. Before I could smile, his ice-uncontrolled perhaps just by being near me-began to emit from his fingertips. Too cold for me to hold on, I ripped my hand away.

"I am sorry." He apologized as soon as his hand dropped. "I- I am trying my best, Maven." I met his eyes, offering him a smile. Showing him I understand how much stress he is under, how much he wishes to control himself. How much he is trying, for my sake.
Even myself, with years of trained calculation and experience, my gift still got the best of me. Like when I burned him. Tearing my gaze away from his, before I drowned in the sea, I now faced forward. Our walk matched each other's so we arrived in front of the door in the same moment.
Placing his right hand onto it, and my left, we pushed open the door.

His father, angered and rigid, sat at his throne. Without scanning the room completely, I found Celaena. She stood beside Chaol, holding her wrist, both facing us. She glanced over Dorian, then met my eyes. Silently asking if we were alright, her eyes prodded mine.
I did not answer, because I did not know.

Dorian's POV
I met my father's critical expression, not liking at all that he seemed to be judging Maven.
"Father." I addressed. He looked to me, and I felt the air shift as he seemed to see right through me. It was Maven. His hands began to shake. I took a step forward, leaning my weight to the right so as to be closer to him.
"I see you are quite alright, Maven Calore."

The prince at my side took a step forward, bowing. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Yes, well, if you were to be harmed that would be quite unfortunate." The King spoke. Lying easily.
I gritted my teeth. My father had no damn desire to see that Maven was safe within the Adarlan walls. None at all. Which was odd, considering he brought Maven here himself.

He has to be some use.

Ice pricked at my fingertips. My fingers became numb.

"Tell me," he went on, "what had you endured over there?" Maven straightened, clearing his throat.
"Well, Your Majesty, I was put into a cell and beaten when I spoke back. As a child would have been." His voice, though what'd he said was no where near casual, was light; soft spoken.
It made my heart ache, listening to how he spoke so openly about what he went through. And not just to anyone. To my father, who though may seem civil at times, is far from it.
"I-it was cold. My body shook uncontrollably." He glanced down, fighting with himself to continue. His composure is already broken. I shuffled to him on impulse, just a bit, wishing to comfort him. But how can I possibly when what I can bring is the very thing hurting him in this moment?

The glint in my father's eyes when I looked back at him is sickening.

"Go on." He ordered.
I held my tongue, knowing that if I spoke he'd make it more painful for Maven, who was already shaking.
"I could barely move. My bo-body, I- I was so cold." He sniffed, casting his face to the ground.
Celaena looked away, deciding to stare at the king with a murderous, feral, predatory gaze. She saw the pain written all over Maven's face, within his words.
His red-rimmed eyes met that of my father. "They did not care. " He whispered. "It was only two days, and it was my hell." He bit out, his expression becoming contorted as he tried to control his breathing.
"Is that all?" My father questioned.
"What else is there, Your Majesty?!" Maven rasped out, his voice hoarse but still strong.
The King remained blank-faced. "Nothing. You are excused."

I stared at Maven. Tears were falling from his eyes, and he didn't care because he didn't stop them. His lip wavered, inhaling quickly, before turning his back and exiting the room without a word.
I blinked rapidly, a tear hugging the corner of my eye. Not once since he returned did I even consider discussing what had happened with him. I believed I didn't need to. He seemed so strong, so well put together.
A brick wall unable to fall with only a gust of wind.
I looked to my friend, who had his head tilted downward. Celaena stared at me from his side.

"Father." He clasped his hands together. Ignoring me completely.
"Now, to discuss the current task at hand."
"My son," I could have vomited, "and  Sardonthien, please come forward." She stepped away from Chaol, her dress swishing as she came to my side and walked with me. We stopped.
My hand came to my stomach, palm closed as I bowed. She followed suit, grabbing the ends of her gown and leaning forward.
"I will excuse your mis-judged act of rescuing him, Sardonthien. But do not mistake me. This will not happen again." When my father looked to me, he stood. Before I could blink, his hand contacted with my cheek. My now stinging cheek.
"What were you thinking, heir of Adarlan?" He spat.
I looked at him with nothing but years of suppressed hatred. I didn't answer, because he was not expecting one.
"The ceremony will be held tomorrow in celebration." His focus shifted to Celaena.
"Act like you belong here." Saying nothing else, he left. The door slammed shut behind him.

I let go of my cheek, letting out a strangled sigh.
"Dorian." I looked at her. Her face was soft, her eyes understanding.
"We will find a way through this. I promise you." Chaol appeared by my side, getting out a hanky-like-cloth and wrapping it around the cut on my hand. The cut I sustained from destroying my room.
"I'll escort you tomorrow, Celaena." Taking her hand in order to graze her skin with my mouth, I dropped her arm.
"Till tomorrow." I smiled. They both nodded. As I was walking out, I hoped they wouldn't notice my new resentment toward my position, where it once had been reverence. And nothing but.
Thinking it over, I realize they probably had.

Once I made it to Maven's door, my hand an inch away from knocking, I decided against it. He'd want to be alone. Glancing at the clock hanging on the wall, I nodded and began heading to the tower. He'd probably be asleep anyway.
Opening my door, I immediately shut out the light. Undressing once again, I slowly got into bed, my sheets welcoming me instead of his arms.

It took longer to fall asleep without Maven here.

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Celaena's POV
Stretching in a greeting to the morning, I yawned and opened my eyes. I slept nicely, actually a better night's sleep than I'd had in a while. And I know why too. Because today I have to try and figure out what the King is up to. What good will I be in finding information and being Dorian's fiancé if I am dead on my feet?
I do not feel like faking my way through life, but if I must I must. Dorian said he will escort me so all I have to do is be ready. Grinning as I threw the blankets off, I got up with excitement.

Ready to figure out just what the hell The King of Adarlan is up to.