Friends, Lovers, and Betrayers

Verya could feel Aedael's relief and knew she had made the correct call. She wanted to discuss this further with him before coming forth with a plan. She needed him...in more ways than one. She wanted to be in his arms again and feel his lips against her own. She felt as if she were slowly losing control of herself, but having him near her had helped her to regain control of her emotions and think clearly. She was scared...of this Aedael could be certain.

As the Generals left the throne room she felt a sense of peace come over her and her body visibly relaxed. She was now left with her Guardians and Aedael...the beings she trusted most in this world. She wished to speak to Aedael, but did not want to raise suspicion by dismissing the other Guardians and not himself.

"You all are dismissed," she said and then glanced at Aedael. "I shall retire to my rooms for a short time to take some tea."


Meanwhile, Authiel shock at Trikan's almost violent behavior towards her melted into anger when he threatened to punish her for not having attended the meeting that morning with the Queen. Her gaze narrowed at him. "How dare you threaten me! I am not yours to command Trikan. I shall do as I wish and not otherwise." She pulled herself free from Trikan's grip and walked away a few steps. "You are asking me to betray my cousin. I...I am not certain I can do that."

The royal apartments were among the largest and most spacious rooms in the palace. The Silverlake forest was home to some of the largest trees in the world. Home to the Wood Elves their entire home was built as if the trees themselves were grown specifically to hold the rooms, halls and lifts that made up the palace and the homes around it. The royal apartments could not be reached by lift directly. It was situated near the top of the trees and depending on which terace or overlook you were at, you could see down through the trees and beyond. They were lavishly decorated with artifacts, paintings, tapestries, furniture and other things that have been in her family for millennia. Everything had an esthetic, beautiful quality to them and the wood of the trees themselves had an inner glow all its own.

Aedael went to his rooms and took off his armor. The events of the day, of the past few days had left him...uncertain of who he was anymore. The bond with Verya had opened up a part of him that he never thought existed. Her passions became his and her desire for him conflicted with his mental control over his emotions. He could resist it but he wasn’t certain he could resist her. Just being as close as he was to her made it difficult to focus on the others. What was he going to do? Mating with her was considered an abomination of who and what he was and her too. And yet he wanted her as surely as water was wet. Taking hold of himself he used the secret passage and came into her inner chambers…

Aedael wore a golden suit that shimmered as he moved. Pants and a long button down shirt with silver embroidered designs upon the lapels. His hair was long and well kept as it streamed down his back. Not a strand of his white-blonde hair was out of place as he stepped through the passage. The aroma of tea spiced with some kind of flowers and herbs permeated his senses but he could also smell her too and he could also feel her presence through the bond.

He could do this. He could keep his feelings for her under control. Feelings he didn’t understand. He had had more in common with Galara and wanted to talk to her but each time he tried to think about her his thoughts drifted back to Verya who he felt was coming closer now.

“You kept your temper today, I know how difficult it was for you,” he said loud enough for her to hear as he entered her office or was it a library or study? There were shelves and shelves of books and other things along the walls. He slid the bookcase back and felt a little mournful that his only avenue of retreating from her was closed now. He didn’t know the mechanism to open it up again. She’d have to show him that.

Verya was glad to be back in her rooms. Her chambers were a place of solitude for her and a place where she didn't have to be "Queen Verya". While the palace had a library, in her rooms she had her own private collection, which included her father's books. There was also a large terrace that overlooked a quiet part of the forest. In the distance she could hear the sound of the stream that ran nearby. It gave her a sense of peace and always had a calming effect on her.

As Verya prepared the tea, she could sense Aedael in his room. Through the bond she could sense his conflicting feelings and in many ways they mirrored her own. She felt whole now with Aedael, but the bond that existed between them had come on so suddenly and intensely. That was evidence that they were meant to be together...but for what purpose exactly? Had they only been brought together to bring peace between their peoples? Or, was there more? Verya knew that she felt desire for Aedael and could sense the same from him, but was this what he really wanted? Bonding between elves usually happened after love had developed between them, but in their case the bond had happened first. Verya would not hold Aedael to the confinements of their bond if he wished to be set free. One could not force love and Verya knew that she cared enough for Aedael to want him to be happy.

She heard him emerge through the passage into her chambers. Carefully, she picked up the tray of tea and walked her private library, where he had emerged. Aedael would immediately notice a difference in Verya's appearance. She had changed from her more formal attire into a forest green dress that was much more casual. The green color accented her red hair and made it appear that much more vibrant. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and down her back and fell in soft waves. Gone was her tiara and jewelry and unless one knew she was Queen one might not have suspected her. Standing before him was no longer a Queen, but a strikingly beautiful female elf, though she still moved with a regal and elegant quality.

She set the tray down onto the table and began to prepare a cup for him as she considered his comment. "Ever since becoming Queen I have struggled with gaining respect from those two. They question me because of my age and because I am a female. They respected my father and when I was crowned I kept them in their positions because their soldiers were very loyal to them. However, as you can see they will not be easily swayed...if they can be swayed at all."

She handed him his cup and then started to prepare her own. "I would give it all up if I could. I long for peace and solitude. I miss being among the tree tops and exploring every inch of the forest. My days are filled with endless political debate and insignificant issues. My heart yearns for something more."

When she said that the image that the bond brought him was the two of them making love, their bodies facing one another, himself on his knees, her atop him. He groaned softly. “Don’t do that,” he said softly and assumed it came from her. Being this close to her...the bond kept trying to draw them together and it took alot of his mental faculties to resist the urge to move closer to her. He was careful not to touch her fingers when he took the cup of tea. Her smile made him almost shiver knowing that she saw it too.

“I don’t think that will be your fate Verya. You have a responsibility to your people first and...and to yourself after,” he said softly. He was watching her now. Her hair was so unusual and it appeared to change as if it were real fire in the differing amounts of light. He licked his lips unconsciously and swallowed hard. He was resisting the bond with every fiber of his being and it had made his throat go dry. He took another sip of tea.

“I never met Authiel, your cousin,” he said. He had plucked her thoughts from her head without asking. Something his own people would consider very rude, here it was almost as if he had assaulted her but his concern about why she had not appeared mimicked her own.

“I do not ask you to betray anyone Authiel!” he said and shoved her back against the wall again. “You betray your people by letting your love for your cousin cloud your judgement. I’ve seen you lead men and women in battle!” he snapped angrily. “Now look at you, does my love mean anything?!” he said and then kissed her quite passionately. This time though it was different. Rhazien wanted to kiss her, wanted to feel her breath into his mouth. He couldn’t help it, she had infected him with her love and he wanted more. More of ‘it’ whatever it was. His sisters made him love them, Authiel was different. She ‘did’ love him and wanted to please ‘him’ for a change. “Make love to me Authiel,” he whispered into his kiss.

The image had likewise come into her own head and she had assumed it had come from Aedael. She gave him a little smile. "That didn't come from me," Verya replied as she finished preparing her tea. She sat in a chair near Aedael, but gave them each some space. She also found herself struggling to resist the urge to move closer to him. She found she felt some comfort just by having him near her.

"My cousin is young, like myself, and very ambitious. She sometimes allows that ambition to cloud her judgement. She holds a grudge against me for not promoting her to a position which I knew she was not yet prepared for. She believed that because we are related by blood that I should not have hesitated to grant her that position."

She was quiet a moment and looked almost sorrowful. "We used to be very close as children. We grew up practically side by side. She, Galara, and myself were trained together and we fought together. Then, when my father was killed and I was made Queen, our relationships changed. I was no longer their friend, but their Queen."

Tears slowly filled her eyes. "I miss my friends...I miss my father. I...I feel so alone."

Authiel was outraged at Trikan's handling of her. However, as he yelled at her she felt that outrage slowly morph into an unbridled passion. When he kissed her she kissed him back just as passionately. It was a kiss unlike any he had given her. He loved her...truly loved her and she loved him. She wanted him...needed him. He made her feel as if she could conquer the world. "Yes," she whispered back before they tumbled onto her bed.

Before he knew what he was doing Aedael had taken her cup and set it on the table near her. He was surprised to see her stand and without pausing he hugged her to him. He was taller than she, he stroked her long, luscious red hair and kissed her head. Tears were in his eyes as well, the bond forcing her emotions into him and his body just reacted to them. Part of him wanted to pull away and knew what she was. He had fought Wood Elves for so long it was as if an alarm sounded deep within his head. Yet she held him to her and he continued to stroke her hair.

He didn’t know how long Verya had been without personal contact. Sometimes, as living beings physical touch was something they craved. But his people had long since learned to control those urges, one of the reasons they did not procreate as fast as their woodland kin.

“You are not...alone Verya,” he said though it was difficult. The bond was breaking down the walls of his resolve and of the prejudice and disdain he had once had for her and her people. It was an odd thing to have these feelings for the person you were sent to murder. He hoped she didn’t look up at him he wasn’t certain if he could resist those beautiful, golden eyes.

Galara tossed and turned in her lounger. She had decided to take her ease before her patrol tonight. She was dreaming of Aedael who held her close to him as they danced. His hands were warm on her body and his eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire that made her throat go dry. Alot of people watched them as they danced and he leaned down and kissed her neck. His lips sent shivers up and down her spine and she felt her flesh begin to heat up. As he continued to kiss and lick her there, his lips were so warm on her, parts of her body that had laid dormant for so long suddenly tingled with life again. She woke completely aroused, echoes of her dream faded but the space on her neck that he had been kissing was warm and damp as if he had really kissed her there. She needed to speak to someone about him and knew who that person was. She rose changed her dress and decided to speak privately with Verya. They had been friends once and hoped she could give her some advice.

Rhazien held the sheet up to his chest. What they had just done...what he had just done made him feel as if he was betraying something. Authiel had done things to him that he had never felt before. Her unbridled passion and affection had begun to seep into his bones. What was he going to do?

Authiel left her apartments decidedly torn. What was happening between herself and Trikan was wrong but her heart ached for him. Her heart and her body. He made her feel loved and desired and beautiful. As her mind went over what she had did to him her eyes bulged in surprise but her mouth curled in a smile too. She needed to talk to someone about him and though she had not spoken to Galara in some time, they had been close once and so she decided to seek her out.

Verya looked over at Aedael as he gently took her tea cup from her. She stood and felt him take her into his arms. She sank into them and closed her eyes as she rested her head against his chest. She breathed in his scent as she felt him stroke her hair. Just feeling his arms around her brought her comfort and she knew that she was not alone anymore. Fate had brought them together...despite the war that raged between their peoples. Verya no longer wished to fight her feelings. She wanted instead to just give in to them entirely and let what was going to happen happen. She no longer viewed Aedael as a 'High Elf'. He was just an elf and she was slowly feeling herself falling in love with him. Slowly, she opened her eyes and raised them up to look deeply into his own. Slowly, their heads drifted towards one another and their lips touched. Verya closed her eyes once more and sank deeply into the kiss. Quickly, she felt the kiss deepen and become much more passionate. She wrapped her arms around him and she felt his arms tighten around her and hold her close to him. She moaned softly and ran her hands over his hard chest. She felt her heart beat hard within her own and she began to tremble with desire.

Just then she heard a knock at the doors to her chambers. She pulled reluctantly back from the kiss. Her cheeks and lips were flushed and she felt rather startled. She had not been expecting anyone and she was rather upset that her moment with Aedael had been interrupted. She gave him an apologetic look and smoothed out her dress and hair before leaving the library. She shut the door behind her and walked over to her main doors. She opened them and was surprised to see Galara standing outside.

"Galara...is everything alright?"

Galara thought at the last moment, that her coming to THE QUEEN! Was now not such a great idea. However before she could step away Verya answered her door. “I...I needed to speak with you,” she said softly. “Not as officials...I need a friend...I need to speak to Verya...not my queen, if you...if you have the time I mean,” she said awkwardly and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. As Verya invited her in she realized that this was not going to be easy. They hadn’t spoken in years. But the topic involved something that could turn political in less than a heartbeat.  

Authiel did not find Galara in her apartments and her attendant said she had gone to speak to the queen. She didn’t really want to talk to Verya, everything was a jumble of emotion inside her head. About her, about Trikan, about everything. She needed help sorting it all out. Galara, no, both Galara and Verya had been her closest friends once. They learned from the same teachers and talked about men. That made her want to smile and blush remembering. And so she wrapped her knuckles on Verya’s door before she could stop herself. Her eyes bulged knowing it was too late now to step away.

Verya could tell immediately from Galara's stance and the look in her eye that she was not there as a General. Something was perhaps not wrong, but it was clear that she wished to speak to her about something. She nodded and invited her in. They stepped into her sitting room. Verya had not spoken to Galara informally in years. The moment she had become Queen everything had changed between herself and Galara and Authiel. Both Galara and Authiel were Generals for her and as Queen, and a young one at that, she needed to establish her authority. It was harder to give firm commands to those that you socialized with informally on a regular basis. However, that did not mean that she missed her friends. She did...greatly. Being Queen was a lonely position...or it had been until Aedael had come into her life. She glanced at the doors to the private library and hoped he would remain there or return to his room. If he were discovered in her rooms things it would not look good.

"Would you like some tea?"

Before Galara could respond she heard yet another knock on her door. She excused herself and walked over and opened the door. She was shocked to find her cousin, Authiel, standing there. What was going on?

"Is something the matter Authiel?"

Authiel looked down the hall, this was a terrible idea but now that Verya was there. Memories of their time together as friends flooded into her mind. She needed that, need the comforting words of someone she could trust. Trikan had valid points but betrayal...betraying Verya, not just her queen but her friend too...she couldn’t even think it. What was she going to do about him? What was she going to do about that fact that she loved him? Even now she wanted to be with him. She wanted his soothing words. She wanted the way he looked at her. God help her, she wanted his touch!

“Yes,” she said as her eyes filled with tears. As she felt Verya pull her inside she sensed someone else was there. “I...i didn’t want to bother you, I could not find Galara…” she began then Galara stepped out of the adjoining room. “Authiel?” she said very surprised to see her. Her mouth smiled though, remembering see her and Verya just like they are now but younger. Without the troubles or responsibilities they had now. Authiel was surprised to see Galara too and she sighed in relief. Galara stepped up to them and touched their shoulders. “Authiel...oh, what is wrong?” she asked concernedly. They’d both recall that she had missed the council. She never had before either so obviously someone was very wrong.

“I...I know I have no right to ask it, but...but could we just...just speak as friends and put our badges of office aside? I...I need...I want…” And it was clear she was barely hanging onto herself. “Oh Authiel,” Galara murmured and hugged her.

So now not only was it apparent that Galara wanted to talk to her informally, she could sense from Authiel that something was wrong. Authiel had not been at the meeting that morning and she had never missed a meeting before. She remembered Galara telling her that Authiel was "indisposed" and began to wonder what was going on. She immediately invited her in and was surprised when she mentioned that she had been looking for Galara. As if on cue, Galara appeared from the sitting room. Suddenly, she felt as if she were years younger and still just a princess. For a moment she had both of her friends back. She was concerned about Authiel and could see she was on the verge of tears.

"Of course Authiel," she replied gently. "Let us go into the sitting room and I shall get some wine."

She had originally offered Galara tea, but wine now seemed more appropriate. After leading Authiel and Galara into the sitting room she departed momentarily to get a bottle of wine and three glasses. When she returned she opened the bottle and poured wine into each of the glasses. She handed one to Authiel and then one to Galara before taking a seat.

"You missed the meeting this morning," she said to Authiel. "I was concerned because you have never missed one before. Is everything alright?"

It took a little coaxing and a bit of wine but Authiel had seemed to relax enough to be able to speak. Galara too felt more relaxed, what she had to talk about she doubted was going to be taken very well. She didn’t know the nature of Aedael’s fealty to Verya but he was...occupying her thoughts of late...and her dreams it seemed, very passionate dreams that involved her doing things to him and he to her that she had never done with a man before. She had always thought she had no time for a man but now...now if peace might become a reality...well, what did she have to lose?

“I’ve...I’ve done something...something I know is wrong and yet...I...I can’t stop myself Verya,” she said in a soft, strained voice. She took another long sip of wine and the other women knew now what the problem was about. “This is about a man,” Galara said knowingly then winced. “I know because that is why I’m here as well,” she said abashed at her own words. She filled their glasses again and took another long drink of wine.

“I will not judge you if you do not judge me,” Galara said and seemed to pause until she had assurances from the other two women. Now this was alot like when they were younger. Talking about all the handsome soldiers that puffed out their chests when they walked past.

Verya was genuinely worried about her cousin. She did not seem herself at all and she could tell that something was weighing heavily on her mind. It took some time and some gentle coaxing, but Authiel finally began to speak. Authiel, who was usually so confident now seemed unsure and almost timid. Like Galara, she immediately assumed that it was about a male. She grew concerned as to what it was that Authiel could have done that made her feel this way. However, before she could question her cousin Galara spoke up and admitted that she too had come to talk about a male. Secretly, Verya wished that she could talk about Aedael, but she knew that she could not and would not.

"There will be no judgements passed," Verya replied finally. She could tell that she was probably not going to like what either of them had to say based on their behaviors, but she was going to do her best to remain calm and level headed.

"Who would like to speak first?"

“I’m in love...I know that it is wrong, but I am so in love with him...when I am apart I feel as if a large part of what makes me whole is missing,” Authiel said in a haunted voice. She took another sip of wine. “He is...he is married,” she said as a few tears escaped her eyes. Galara reached over and touched her wrist. Authiel looked down and shook her head. “I don’t know how this happened. But when he touches me and loves me it’s like my entire body catches fire,” she said and shook her head in disbelief at her own behavior. Galara’s mouth went try as she considered what a love like that would feel like. She licked her lips and took another sip of tea.

Adultery was rare amongst elves. Usually elves mated for life but it had happened before. Now her own cousin was in love with a married elf. Very much in love from the sounds of it.

Verya had no idea what to say at first. She was shocked by the news that her cousin was in love with a married elf and not only in love but also having...relations with him. She wanted to ask her who it was, but she knew she would not tell her. She took a sip of her wine as she silently considered what to say. Finally, she decided to just be honest with her.

"Authiel, this cannot continue," she said gently. "I am not passing judgement on you or him, but there is no way that this can end well for either of you. Marriage cannot be undone. He will always be married to his wife and consider for a moment how this would effect her if word should get out." She put down her glass of wine and reached out and took both of her hands into her own. "I strongly believe that you will find love again. You are intelligent, beautiful, and strong. I would not be surprised to find out that there are several eligible males already in love with you. Please...please promise me that you will end this though...for his sake and your own because if word gets out about this I will be unable to protect you Cousin."

Galara agreed with Verya but also not. Verya spoke like what Authiel was going through was just something she could stop like gobbling to many sweets. “Verya...look at her,” Galara said. Authiel’s hand trembled. “She knows it is wrong that is why she has needed to talk to us. “Authiel, have you bonded with him?” Galara asked. She had never heard of anyone being able to bond with more than one person but that could very well be something that has just gone unsaid. That and so few have ever committed adultery.

Authiel looked down. “I...I don’t know. I just know that he is a good man and I’ve never wanted anything more in my entire life,” she said. “Just thinking about never being with him again makes me want…” She could not say it and Galara’s eyes bulged. She thought she may have said hurt herself or his wive. This was serious, very serious and her and Verya looked at one another, both having the same thought. They may need to find out who this man is and work on that end to stop it. Galara wanted to change the subject, she’d speak to Verya later on what to do to help Authiel.

“My issue is a bit different I think,” Galara said. Authiel had swallowed all the wine in her cup then poured herself more. She dabbed at the corners of her eyes and tried to stop crying. She was better then this and knew Verya was right. But her connection to Trikan was powerful. No, his connection to her she felt. He was definitely in control when it came to it. She did whatever he told her to do and not because she feared his disappointment. She wanted to do these things to please him. And the things he did to her...she blushed just thinking about them.

Galara tried to ignore Authiel’s expressions and went on. “He is...different and I’m afraid of what it might mean if something grows between us. I’ve been having...dreams about him...vivid, erotic dreams,” she said and winced. She had never been with a male. She had seen a male’s anatomy, she was an officer among many more male soldiers than there were women and had seen many nude males in differing states of undress. So it was confusing for her to be able to imagine being seduced or made love to in the way she had been in her dreams.

Verya did not mean to upset Authiel or to make her think she did not care. In fact it was the very opposite. Verya cared very much about her cousin and feared what might happen if it was discovered that she was engaged in relations with a married male. She would lose the respect she had worked hard to gain among her soldiers and would likely lose her rank and be shunned by their people. It would not end well for either of them and she did not want that for her cousin. Like Galara, she knew that they needed to find out who this male was and try to put an end to this. It would not be easy for Authiel, but perhaps in the end she would realize it was for the best.

As Galara then began to speak, Verya turned her attention to her. When Galara mentioned him being "different" Verya's heart nearly stopped. She knew immediately who Galara was speaking of. Wherever he was, Aedael would sense Verya's internal anxiety. She remembered suddenly the images she had seen in her head earlier that day and quickly realized that Galara was falling in love with him. What was she to say? What could she say? She wanted to tell her the truth, but she knew she could not. Quietly, she began to wonder if Aedael had actually had feelings for Galara as well. What would she do then? She was an inner turmoil of emotions, but she knew she needed to say something without giving away that she knew who it was she was speaking of.

"I am sure these dreams will pass," Verya finally said. "These things happen and it is nothing to be ashamed of, but one must differentiate between lust and love." She was quiet a moment before speaking again. "How did you meet this male?"

Galara winced not really wanting to say much more but, these 2 women were her friends. At least she hoped they were. “Why have you waited so long?” Authiel asked. If there was a male that she wanted it was her obligation to let her feelings be known. In that way he could decide for himself if he wanted her as a mate, potential or not. Her situation was different because Trikan already had a mate. That would not be her, likely ever but she still couldn’t stop herself from loving him. Or from wanting his touch.

“It was at a state dinner...a long time ago. He was...magnificent,” she said remembering. “And these dreams were more vivid than anything I’ve ever dreamed before. There is something...odd about them as if when I wake I can still feel where his hands touched me...and his lips,” she said and  blushed a deep red. Authiel blushed too and nodded. “Aye, that was how mine were. Vivid in every detail and when I woke I could even catch his scent on me. Odd indeed that it should happen to us...now,” she said and her eyes  took on a distant cast as if she were thinking hard about something.

Galara tilted her head and nodded in agreement. “A coincidence?” She asked and looked from Verya to Authiel. Authiel looked at Verya and frowned. Her sensibilities didn’t like coincidences. Not with the recent events involving the Dark Elves. Something was going on she felt and she wished she could see it.

Aedael had sat down on the floor in the other room. He was listening to their conversation though he knew he should not have. He knew Verya knew and also knew of her irritation about that too. This conversation wasn’t meant for him but he had told her that he was not going to leave. What she sent back was even more irritation and he knew  she was going to have words with him about that. This thing with Galara though was interesting he thought. He wanted to talk to her and that desire moved through the bond as well.

Verya found Galara's description of her dreams strangely similar to that of Authiel. Neither of them had experienced such dreams before and it was odd that both of them would start to experience such a thing at the same time. There was too much of a coincidence for Verya's liking. She began to fear that someone was causing these dreams for some reason. But for what purpose? Verya stood up and began to pace, as was her habit when she was thinking hard about something.

"Somehow I don't think so," Verya responded when Galara asked her if it might just be coincidence. "I think that something else is going on here, but to what end I am not sure. Such vivid dreams are not normal for either of you and the fact that you both say that after you woke up there were things that seemed to be amiss makes me believe that your dreams are being fabricated by someone or something."

Verya could sense Aedael in the library. He was listening to their conversation and she did not like that. However, there was little she could do about it. However, she could also sense his sudden desire to talk to Galara. She sighed softly, unsure of what might happen, but she needed to let it happen.

"It is growing late and I have no answers tonight. Let us all get some rest and I shall try to see if I can find a way to uncover the source of these dreams."

She bade goodnight to Authiel, but before Galara could leave she gently grabbed her arm. "Please stay for a moment. I know who it is you were speaking of tonight Galara. I did not want to say anything in front of Authiel but I feel I should be truthful with you because you are my friend. You will find him through those doors into my library. He and I were discussing a few things before you and Authiel arrived. I think perhaps you two should speak."

Galara blinked and couldn’t help but look back at the doorway that supposedly Aedael was on the other side. Her mind frantically went back through what she had said and her cheeks went flush once more. Just thinking about those dreams made her lips tingle with anticipation.

Aedael waited for them to do whatever it was they were going to do. He felt Verya’s uneasiness and more than a little bit of jealousy creep in through the bond. He didn’t really know what he could say to Galara now that he was bonded to Verya.

As she entered he was standing near one of the large, wooden desks. He nodded a bow to her and his eyes drifted across her form then focused up into her eyes. He felt Verya drift away and also felt his connection to her dwindle as if she walled herself off to him. He didn’t like that but he knew why she did it. “It is good to see you Galara,” He said smoothly and then stepped to her and put his hands on her shoulders. He could sense that she had felt like hugging him...and more but that was all he could manage right then. He was trying to sort out the jumble of feelings and thoughts in his head right then, Verya’s light still visible to him as if the wall was made of a white parchment where light left only a silhouette of her mind to him.

“There is much that can be learned from dreams, sometimes,” he said in a calm, soothing voice.

As Verya watched Galara enter the library she felt a wave of emotions come over her...uneasiness, jealousy, and sadness. However, the strongest of all was loneliness. She suddenly felt more alone than she had before Aedael had become bonded to her. She knew that they were not mates and thus he could choose whomever he wanted. Just because they were bonded it did not mean he had to choose her. He could very well choose Galara or anyone else...or no one. At first Verya had believed they had been bonded for reasons beyond just establishing peace between their peoples. She had felt a strong connection to Aedael from the first moment she had laid eyes upon him all those years ago. She had begun to fool herself into believing that perhaps he had felt something too. She did not want to feel anything from Aedael while he was with Galara and she didn't want him to sense how upset she truly was. And so she walled herself off from him psychically. She picked up her glass of wine and walked out to her private balcony. Cormanthor flew out of the trees and landed on the arm of her chair. She gave him a sad smile and gently stroked his head.

Galara's emotions were also running high. She did not know what to expect, but after those dreams she had been experiencing she had all sorts of images and thoughts running through her head. What would he do? What did he know? Just being near him made her heart start to beat harder in her chest and she felt her cheeks flush with anticipation. Of what she was not entirely sure though. As he stepped up to her and placed his hands upon her shoulders she looked up into his eyes. She wanted to kiss him...badly. She wanted...needed to feel his lips upon her own. However, when he mentioned dreams she knew that he had overheard her conversation with Verya and Authiel and she blushed hard, but did not step away from him. Working up her courage she looked back up into his eyes.

"Such as?" she replied in a soft, almost sexy voice.

Aedael smiled warmly at her, the sound of he voice making his flesh prickle. She was quite lovely with long, dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. It was nice to see her out of armor and uniform. She was more lithe and a bit taller than Verya but her muscles were hard underneath her dress and his hands that held her shoulders. He shifted them to her triceps that were just as hard.

“Dreams can teach us about ourselves...things that our minds resist to learn. Tell me about your dreams Galara. Or allow me to ‘see’ them. Something odd is happening and I would know the truth of it but I need your help in this,” he said in a soft tone. He was the embodiment of outward calm but his heart fluttered just being this close to her once more. He saw her cheeks flush. To aid her in her decision he leaned forward and touched his lips to hers. He felt her breath catch and her flesh grow much warmer than it had been just a moment ago. His lips gently caressed hers and he felt her body soften into his. It was a struggle to keep his thoughts organized, her scent and the feel of her lips on his wanted to scramble his thoughts into oblivion.

“Share your thoughts with me Galara...please?” he asked in a whisper into her mouth. He would not take them without her consent. He was very careful about that now that he had given his oath to Verya. Which in turn meant her people as well as far as he was concerned.

Feeling Aedael's hands upon her made Galara's face flush with desire. Images of her dreams flooded her mind and she began to tremble just imaging him actually doing such things to her. She looked deeply into his eyes as he spoke softly to her. Her cheeks flushed again and her entire body felt warm. She thought her heart might burst from her chest as she saw him lean towards her. As she felt his lips touch her own she closed her eyes and kissed him back. It was a dream come true! She felt waves of desire wash over her. Everything about him was...perfect.

As he pulled back she made a slight sound of disapproval and opened her eyes. However, before she could say anything he asked her once again to share her dreams with him. She was hesitant at first, but slowly she began to open up her mind to him to allow him to see memories of those dreams.

It took him a moment...a few moments to acclimate himself to Galara’s mind. He closed his eyes and a smile came over his face as he began to ‘delve’ her thoughts…

Because he had given her prompts on what he wanted to see, therefore her dreams, what was contained in them were at the front of her mind right then. Strong, vivid dreams of the two of them together. His eyebrows raised at some of the things her dreams had him doing to her. He had never been with a female and what he witnessed amazed him. That and desire began to build within him. Desire for her and for Verya. A desire to do some of the things he saw.

She was indeed lithe, small of breast and able to do things he would never have imagined a woman doing. He swallowed hard and felt her hands go around his waist and pulled him closer to her. She was reliving her dreams just as he witnessed them and her body seemed to react to how he reacted. To how he urged his own effigy to do more and try harder to bring hers pleasure. The sensations had excited his flesh, something he had always been capable of controlling. She feltl him on her leg and he felt her kissing his neck in the real world.

It was then that he detected something wrong. Like a shadow that resolved around her form in her dream. It reminded him of an echo but of a shape not a sound. Her body in her dream had a dark aura that looked slightly different than she. It had dark flesh and white hair for the moment that he could see it clearly. It was that aura that seemed to be affecting Galara in some way. Driving her to do these things...sexual things to him in the dream and now in the flesh. He felt himself begin to want to do the things his persona in the dream was doing as well. Like the aura was trying to take him over now. Replace logic with passionate desire, his sanctity of thought and purpose with carnal desires of a much more primative nature.

In the flesh their kisses became much more passionate and he had moved to pin her up against the wall. “I want you,” he heard himself say but was it in the dream or without? He was no longer certain and moreso, he wasn’t certain he even cared. He saw his hands begin to draw her dress up and hers fumble for the buttons of his coat. The alarm that went off inside his head was like a gong that seemed to shake the very foundation of the dream itself and their minds rebounded. Hers throwing his out. As his senses returned he looked at what he was doing and quickly dropped the hem of her dress. His eyes grew large and his cheeks colored to what he knew he was about to do.

“Oh Galara...I am so very sorry,” he said as he looked down at her hands that had been unbuckling his belt. He was panting and sweat had beaded up on his forehead. He drew his arms down to his sides though and wondered what she was going to do. He hoped she would not become violent with him for doing what he did though he felt he was deserving of such.

As Galara began to open up her mind more and more to Aedael she began to relive those dreams herself. She trembled with desire as she felt him begin to pull her close to his body. Feeling his body against her own caused her heart to beat hard in her chest. She felt his hands begin to roam and she moaned softly through the kiss. All the things she was reliving through her dreams she wanted him to do to her in real life. The desire was strong...so strong. It was almost as if she wasn't herself...like someone had temporarily taken over her body. These were all things that she would not normally have thought of or done, but these dreams made her want to actually do them...with Aedael. She felt raw, carnal urges rise up within her. Their kisses had become much more passionate and deep. She felt him suddenly pin her against a wall. Their hands began to almost tear at each other's clothing. Suddenly, she realized that something was wrong...very wrong. What was going on? What was she doing? She felt Aedael pull back and reality began to set in as to what had been happening. Her face flushed bright red and she took a step back. She felt shameful and confused. She felt tears began to fill her eyes.

"What's going on Aedael? What's wrong with me?"