Divine Realizations [ Clarion X Milori ]

Chapter 27

Briskly, Clarions' calm stride ate up the last few yards remaining between both parties.
In maintaining eye contact with Ash, who looked as though frozen in place,
Clarion had stopped just as Avalon seemed to notice the change in her friends' demeanor.
She watched as the girl turned her confused gaze in the direction that Ash's was seemingly transfixed upon, only to come face to face with Clarion.
Quickly, she masked her surprise, and gave a bright smile before attempting to speak.
However Clarion beat her to it,
"Avie, dear, run along and go find your father, he wished to speak with you on some matters regarding the garden you were wishing to plant."
At first, Clarion feared the ruse would not be sufficient enough to distract Avalon, but upon seeing her little girl's face light up, she knew she was safe.
Nodding her head vigorously, Avalon barely yelled goodbye to both her and Ash before running off to discuss her long-desired wish into fruition.
With that out of the way, Clarion tried to push aside the guilt that lying to her daughter had churned up inside her.
Technically it wasent a lie, Clarion mused, as Milori had mentioned that he at some point wanted to broach the subject with Avalon as not a day seemed to pass without her asking about it.
Pleased with that notion, Clarion turned to Ash just as he started to move away as well.
With a halting hand, Clarion called out to him.
"A moment if you please, Ash."
Once more a look of trepidation came over his face and Clarion couldn't help but be reminded of prey being caught by a predator.
So be it if it meant keeping Avalon safe.
But the momentary look was quickly concealed as Ash seemed to compose himself and answered confidently, "Of course, my lady".
Bowing once, he came closer and Clarion was finally able to get a good look at him.
The boy was handsome no doubt.
He had dark chocolate hair that curled at the top and was shorter on the sides.
This only served to compliment his tan skin, perfect complexion and those magnificent eyes of his.
In fact Clarion was taken aback as she stared into his eyes with more scrutiny.
Twice today she found herself being entranced by sea green eyes.
First with Skye and now Ash, both had a mesmerizing aqua eye color.
Both achingly familiar...
Wondering if she was going insane, she heard Ash clear his throat as the minutes ticked by.
Shaking her head to clear her racing mind, Clarion tore her eyes away from his.
Well hell, she certainly knew why her daughter seemed to be besotted, Ash was gorgeous.
"I beg your pardon your majesty, but I do have some messages in need of being delivered to the Minister of Spring." Ash hesitantly said.
Quickly Clarion responded,
"Yes, I'm sorry to hold you up as my thoughts seem to be scattered today. Would you mind taking a short walk with me?"
Surprise once more evident on his face, the young fairyman nodded anyway.
Smiling, she turned away and started walking, hearing Ash follow behind her.
Without delay, she started instantly.
"So what are your intentions with Princess Avalon?"

Later that night Ash shakily entered his chamber in the servants' quarters of the castle and shut his door quickly.
Exhausted mentally from Queen Clarion's nosy questions, he rubbed his hands through his hair and about his forehead.
Evening had descended upon Pixie Hollow and he was eager to go to bed.
Between the guilt, stress, and the demands of his new job, he couldn't wait to let sleep claim him where serenity ruled for a few hours.
And while many would mistake the tough job that tormented him for being a missive runner in training, they would find themselves in fact incorrect as that job gave him no grief.
For there were rules, boundaries and guidelines laid out that paved the way to success, respect and honor.
No, the job he spoke of was the opposite.
It was based on deceit, hatred and revenge.
Revenge for the death of his father.
Turning on lights as he moved through his small room, he began to undress.
As he changed into his night clothes and laid out necessary items for the morning shift, a funny thought occurred to him.
Well, not so much funny but amusing.
He didn't care.
He did not care for any revenge, lies or festering hate.
For the event that had claimed his fathers' life had been far out of his hands and beyond his knowledge.
Ash had been about Avalon's age and across the country in fact when he had lost everything.
Everything but nothing that mattered.
Finished dressing, he went back to turn all the lights off and then got into bed, still pondering the past reluctantly.
If not for the Queen innocently inquiring about him or his past today, he'd be well on his way into deep sleep right now.
Yes, while he was told his father had been murdered, he did not care, for the man was a monster to Ash anyhow.
If anything was to be missed it was the precious land that was taken by the victor, his birthright.
Whereas everyone in the palace looked down upon him as a lowly servant, only he and one other knew the truth; he was a high prince.
It took all his will power not to blurt that out when so many questioned as to why he should get to court the princess.
Avalon.
Just the thought of her sent a burst of happiness down his spine.
She was perfect in every way, and while he admired her greatly, he knew nothing could become of their relationship.
Now or ever.
She was like the little sister he never had and the best friend he always wanted.
He had reassured Clarion that nothing physical had gone on between them because that was the truth.
There was also the none-too-small fact that she was a child and he nearly a man of 18.
Thinking back, he could only recall holding hands with her once and that was the extent of their physical relationship.
Rolling over, he tried to let sleep claim him.
He never wanted to hurt Avalon and that's why this was becoming increasingly difficult to continue as he saw no other ending but her getting hurt.
So if he didn't care why was he doing this?
He could hardly breathe as that question rang through his mind.
And then a picture of his uncle was also procured in his brain.
His hard, handsome face and flashing green eyes so like his own blinded Ash's thought process momentarily.
He was the reason why.
His uncle could not let his brothers' murderer go unpunished.
Even if it meant dragging his scarred nephew along in the process and bringing down everyone else.
Revenge was a horrible disease, one that consumed you.
It would all soon be over though as they were quickly making progress.
Slowly, both had infiltrated not only the palace but the trust of the two most powerful fairies in all of Neverland; the King and Queen.
One was proving to be fairly easier than the other however, as Queen Clarion seemed to be easily won by a handsome face and nice personality.
Her husband moreover, was proving to be difficult as neither him or his uncle were particularly liked by Milori.
Ash especially.
Still Ash didn't even know what his uncle was fully planning, but he figured he would find out in the morning.
Finally sleep overtook him and Ash fell into a restless sleep.