Arvium

38: Wedding

Month 1, Day 3, 20:00:26; Arvium, Northern Mountains

He smiled. "Are you feeling better?"

Aella swallowed, blinking as she nodded. "Yes, Marrilan healed me."

He lowered his eyes from hers for a moment, then lifted his head. "I'm sure you have many questions. About who we are, and why you have been brought here. I promise--" he paused.

She frowned as she held up a hand. "Did anyone keep my shift in the fields last night after you kidnapped me?"

He smiled and nodded. "I had my second in command keep it for you. Now, I promise I will tell you everything you want to know." He held out his arm to her. "But first, will you allow me to escort you to the festivities?"

Aella stared at him, her eyes narrowed. He's serious? He kidnaps me and now he wants to take me to a wedding?

He shrugged and held up his hands. "I'm sorry. But I had to make sure you weren't going to blow my cover." He rolled his eyes and held out a hand to her. "I'm supposed to be bringing you to the festivities. May I have the honor of escorting you?"

Aella sighed. He is an idiot with no sense of decorum. He could have just asked me to come with him. She glanced at the doorway and swallowed. I have no idea how to get out of here. I am just going to have to keep my eyes open and watch myself. She nodded, and stepped forward, placing her hand on his arm. "You may; but I protest everything you have done up to this point."

He led her down the hallway, stopping just before the open doorway.

Aella looked at it, her body trembling. Her stomach felt as if it was going to fly away and her legs seemed frozen to the spot.

"You look beautiful."

She looked up at him, and blushed. "Thank you."

He sighed, and laid his free hand on hers. "I would be scared if I were in your position. But you haven't run away screaming from us yet, so I have some hope we might be able to break some of the stereotypes surrounding Trinity."

Aella hung her head, feeling her muscles start to relax. "I was often called a hybrid. Perhaps it created some sympathy toward your people."

He laughed, shaking his head. "I'm not Europan, but I am Trinity. There has always been a small contingent on Earth--the descendants of the people who chose not to leave during the wars. The world does not know the true reason why Europans came back home, but all we want to do is finish our mission and go back home. Apparently, this planet is too dry."

Aella smiled. "I have read that Europans live in a water environment, made habitable by the native organisms in a symbiotic relationship. Is that true?"

Garron patted her hand. "I'll leave more expert individuals to explain it to you. I am merely your guide through the festivities tonight. Although I will apologize for how I brought you here, and for the accident."

Aella stepped away, facing him. She felt warmth spread through her body and she pointed a finger at him. "You kidnapped me."

He nodded.

"You almost got me killed."

He nodded again.

"You called me Princess."

He nodded again, smiling.

"You're supposed to be dead."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're mad about that? I swear most of the stories about me are false and I'm actually a pretty likable guy. I have a dragon."