Ariadne has always been a dreamer. Her mother would always say she was away with the faeries.
Until one night, an envelope shrouded with magic lands at her doorstep, inviting her to the dance of the damned in the enchanting land of Altoria.
It's m...
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"Let him go," Orin spoke softly.
"Why?"
Ariadne fought with herself every moment she stayed on the balcony. Her hand gripped the edge of the doors, her torso leaned forward, pulled by some unknown force towards the ball room; while her mind willed her to stay with him.
With Orin.
"He's dramatic. He cannot help himself, it is who he is," Orin blew out a breath.
Ariadne made her decision in that moment and walked back to Orin. She placed her hands on the cool stone and gazed at the tapestry in the sky taking shape before them. Orin sighed.
The moment was gone.
Ariadne felt her blood begin to boil again. Kallen certainly knew how to ruin what was shaping up to be a wonderful night.
"Lord Orin, would you be so kind as to take me back to my rooms?"
Ariadne's words had the desired effect as Orin's jaw ticked nervously and his cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye before he turned to her.
"Whatever game you two are playing, I will not be stuck in the middle. I will not be a pawn," he warned.
"I'm not playing a game, I merely asked if you wanted to come back to my rooms and finish our conversation," Ariadne said plainly.
"Oh," Orin's jaw stopped moving and he muttered something else under his breath.
Ariadne bumped shoulders with him gently. "My rooms are quieter and we'll at least have some sort of privacy. I'd like to talk about my mother," she smiled.
"Alright. Just know this, Kal is going to be furious. There's no telling what he might do," Orin held out his elbow.
Ariadne took it and they stepped forward together, skirting the edges of the ball room. Couples danced blissfully unaware around them, the music had changed back to another beautiful waltz.
"I noticed you don't call him king Kallen, why's that?" Ariadne asked.
Orin's jaw moved again and she waited patiently.
One second.
Then two.
Three...
Just when she thought Orin wouldn't reply, he gave his answer.
"We grew up together, in the castle. His father was friends with mine. I've never seen two friends so alike they could be as brothers." His smile was wistful and faraway as he remembered.
"What happened?"
They approached the grand doors and the conversation stopped for a while as two soldiers opened the door, and they walked slowly down the corridor. When they turned a corner Orin stopped. Ariadne stumbled slightly, but righted herself.
