InkSkin

Darkness

LuSol let out a long breath as his shoulders slumped. Alsuha met those blood red eyes for a heartbeat and was shocked to see the pain that worked at their edges. She longed to say something, anything that would banish those shadows, but nothing came when she opened her mouth. She slammed her lips closed instead and tensed up a moment later when she felt movement behind her.

Why do I want to comfort him?

"Erif!" She exclaimed in alarm when she turned and saw her friend slumped by the wall she had leaned against for support.

"I am so sorry!" Alsuha stammered as she rushed to her and gently helped Erif slide the rest of the way down the wall to the floor.

"I am so sorry," She kept mumbling as her hands searched Erif for any injuries.

"You sure pack a hard punch girl," Erif wheezed past a smile which turned into a grimace.

"I do not even remember moving..." Alsuha started but her voice trailed off as she wracked her brain for any memory of how she ended up with Erif's dagger pressed against the Queen's throat.

"I do not remember even moving my feet! There was just pain. A lot of pain." Erif laughed at herself before groaning.

"I do not know what to say..."

"Well I do!" Llahra said with poorly suppressed excitement. "That was the best show I have ever seen! Did you see mother's face? Did you hear her virtually squeak?"

"Llahra," LuSol said, managing to pack his little sister's name with warning.

"What? It was! I've never seen anyone put mother in her place before! I almost peed myself in all the excitement!

"Your Companion is amazing! She made Drofan squeak!"

"Llahra, please!" LuSol nearly shouted as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Oh, LuSol, you're like an old man sometimes!"

"I am old." Llahra snorted as she rolled her eyes at her brother.

"Please, go. Don't you have somewhere else you need to be?"

"Of course! That's why I'm here." And she smiled radiantly up at him.

"Llahra. Go. Now." Suddenly the smile fell from her lips as LuSol individually ground out every word between gritted teeth.

"Alright, but only because I adore you." She smiled, a little less brightly, and twirled away. "Goodbye Haku!" Llahra called as she waggled her fingers over her shoulder. Haku made an odd sound similar to a dog's bark and a cat's meow mixed together.

LuSol exhaled loudly once more once his sister finally left them. He turned back to Erif and Alsuha. Alsuha held Erif in her arms.

"You Drew without any restrictions. You Drew your Kyuumu!" Erif said awe filling her voice.

"I did." Alsuha agreed as she gazed over to where Haku lounged a few inches away from her delicately grooming one paw.

"But... how?" she asked with a shake of her head.

"I do not know. My... my Ink had been itching for the past few days. It was driving me mad... Drawing Haku helped ease the itch a little." Alsuha said thoughtfully.

"Your collar is different. There are symbols missing."

"What? Oh, yes. Lu... Prince LuSol had a different one made up for me."

"It is beautiful," Erif said as she let the tips of her fingers trace the intricately wrought symbols which laced the collar together. As her fingers connected with the warm metal, images flashed in Alsuha's head. In a corner of her mind, she felt LuSol snap to attention; she could feel those eyes focusing on her, seeing what she saw. Without hesitation, Alsuha Drew.