I Would Ask You To Dance (Mareven)

Part 12 (Cal/Mare/Cal)

     It was an unnerving feeling to have your blood run colder than ice. I finally understood how Cameron felt spending those nights outside my room and I don't like the prickling sensation as my flames try to fight of the chill. Princess Cygnet had left Whitefire some time ago trailed only by her own guards, save on of Maven's sentinels. There was no tension in her leaving, only a brief moment when our spies caught Ptolemus running out to stop the younger Cygnet briefly, which means the Lakelands had managed to succeed in escaping the blame. Maven would clearly know, if he hadn't already, that the Guard was behind the attack on his mother, and fire was soon to rain down on Mare's head.

     Our small band of Mare's "Friends" had been gathered in the control room ever since we heard news of Iris' arrival, but following her exit, we took ourselves into Shade's room. Kilorn had been brushing his fingers over his lips for the past hour or so, most likely doing it subconsciously, and glancing off towards the spot Gisa usually took; Gisa, the only one of us who hadn't been seen. Most of the bunch had been too preoccupied to notice her disappearance, but it wouldn't be long until someone else noticed her leave as well.

"I've a few ideas on what's happened today," Shade pushes himself off of his bed, "And I'm not too fond of any of them."

     There's an edge to his voice that makes me warry. I'd normally rely on my flames to warn him, but Cameron wasn't giving me a long leash. Instead I push off the door frame and met his eyes. In that moment I realize that maybe I was wrong; maybe it's never been my looks or my personality that's made people cower. I was the heir to a Burner's throne, but now I'm nothing and Cameron is constantly damping my powers.

"I know what my brother did, or is doing, to Mare; you don't have to remind me," I growl.

Shade spares me a sad look before turning to Kilorn, "You're nearly four years older than her Warren, so you better have a dam good answer when I ask you: 'what the hell were you thinking?'"

     My mind briefly turned in circles before I understood who Shade was referring to. The youngest Barrow had most likely had a little rendezvous before she left.

"That's never seemed to bother her," his voice is level, no fear evident in his voice.

Out of the corner of my eye I catch Bree and Tramy meeting each other's eyes, but neither of them speaks over their brother, "I'd shut your mouth before you make things any worse for yourself. First you give my sister, a young, naïve girl, ideas, but then you put her life in danger by helping her sneak off!" Shade's face is a bright red.

Kilorn pops himself off the wall and takes a step in towards Shade and myself, "She was going to leave with or without me. It was better that I did help otherwise who knows what would've happened to her," he rolled his eyes, "And what do you mean 'Giving her ideas'? You know I'd never do anything to hurt her," there was an uncontrolled demeanor in his voice.

"You know what I mean. One day, Warren, you're going to want something more than she's willing to give, so don't go making her think that you're still going to be with her anyways. I don't want to see her get hurt."

"You know I don't care about that," he growled, "But Mare's only been gone a matter of days and you're more than happy to let Calore mess around with Cameron!"