Oriana, Girl of Legend

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Vera threw herself into Oriana's arms when they met up the next morning just outside the cave opening. Duncan was sulking against a huge oak tree, scowling at Tristan and Elveena. He still didn't trust them, regardless of their knowledge of the dragon. And the fact that Oriana rode all through two days and night to get to the vampire only riled up the werewolf more.

Tristan noticed Duncan's behavior and wished there was something he could do to ease the worry and mistrust that Duncan carried.

He'll come around. Just give him time. Oriana spoke to him while she was talking at Vera the time. He smiled as he watched as she glanced at him quickly out of the corner of her eye before focusing on her friend again.

Elveena noticed the smile from the her nephew and knew they kept speaking to one another even though they were right beside each other. And she also noticed the young fairy prince standing a few a feet from the human woman. His eyes never left her unless his sister spoke to him and she noticed as well that sadness filled his eyes when he did meet her gaze.

Oriana wasn't oblivious to her brother's sadness but she didn't feel now was the time to press him about why he looked on her in such pain sadness. She wanted him to smile, or fight smiling like he did when Vera was around. Who couldn't smile when Vera was around with her quick wit and sassiness?

I think I know why he's sad, but don't worry. You'll work that out with him. Tristan soothed Oriana's worries and she knew without looking at him that he was as attentive to her as she was with him and she had to fight back her smile while Vera kept talking about how worried she had been about her and how foolish it was to leave without one of them with her.

"Vera, I think she got your point." Lucas tried to reason with the red head.

Vera turned sharply to glare at the fairy prince and pointed her index finger at him. "She'll get the point when I say she got the point." She told him and stuck out her tongue at him before turning to face her friend only to hear him chuckle.

Oriana finally smiled at her friend and wrapped her arms around her. "I love you, Vera. I'm sorry I worried you, but it would have been too late if I didn't keep going."

"To save a vampires life?" Duncan asked incredulously. "Let us be rid of them."

Oriana turned her silver green eyes towards her friend and glared at him. "I hope that whatever ill feelings you have for vampire's ends quickly, because we need them and who ever we can rely on to defeat Salome, or have you forgotten that I can't take her on my own as I am. I need everyone." Tears filled the young woman's eyes and Duncan felt guilt tugging at him. "I need your support, Duncan."

With those words, she turned and ran back into the cave and towards her room. Tristan turned to follow her, but Lucas grasped his arm gently and shook his head.

"Let me." He said and after Tristan nodded his consent, Lucas followed after his sister.

Tristan focused his blue red eyes on the young werewolf nothing but kindness shone in his eyes as he spoke to him.

"I understand you are trying to protect her, but we are not your enemy." Tristan was speaking gently, hoping that he could help the werewolf in his anger towards his kind. "Don't think we are all like Noam. In fact, don't blame him. He just fell in love with the wrong woman and he is living with the consequence of his decision."

Duncan glared at the vampire prince; hating his gentle tone and how he made sense.

"I can't forgive a vampire who killed someone I loved!" Duncan growled and ran away from the trio who still stood at the cave entrance.