Arranged (17 page)

He was completely aware of the way her arms wrapped around him tightly and how she pressed her forehead into his shoulder, which was covered by a sash. He could feel his heart pick up and hoped that she couldn't.

After a moment, she looked up at him with a confused and curious light. "Who are you taking me to meet?" she asked.

It was as if her words jump-started him. He started toward the door. "You will like her. Everyone does."

THE EMOTION THAT OVERTOOK ALISON for a moment surprised and scared her. Jealousy? Surely not! But he had spoken about the mystery woman with a tone that was only used for family or…love interests.

They entered the hallway and Alison puzzled over the sadness she was facing. He was the only one nice enough to actually speak to her, besides Naliya. So why was she so sad at the thought of him having a wife or fiancée? She should be happy. Besides, he was a creature. She should have no feelings for any of them.
They've kidnapped me for goodness sakes!
She reminded herself.

She forcefully shoved the feelings and thoughts out of her mind and decided to study the halls as they walked. Perhaps she could find an exit.

She took in the dark stone walls. Some had patches of glowing moss and others intricate cloth with designs that made her mind swirl. Then he stopped before a door. Alison's heart picked up. "Are you going to leave me?"

He stared at her for a moment in silence. "You are in good hands. I wouldn't leave you if you were in any danger."

Alison looked away. She hated seeming so weak and dependent. This wasn't like her, she'd always taken care of herself, physically and emotionally. Now she couldn't seem to stop herself from clinging a little tighter to him.

He opened the door and let them in. The smell of flowers hit Alison's nose and she dared look around. A woman stood from a pile of comfortable looking pillows. "Welcome," she said in a tinkling voice. Alison watched as the female walked gracefully across the room. It almost seemed like she danced through the air. She was wearing a similar outfit to the one Alison was wearing, however hers showed some of her belly and was dyed a deep blue. It looked beautiful against her bluish, silvery skin.

Her hair hung in thick braids and dreadlocks down her back, feathers and flowers weaved into it. As she stepped closer, Alison couldn't help but realize she looked familiar.

Qwinn walked the rest of the way to meet the woman.

"My name is Adalia. You must be Alison."

Alison nodded hesitantly. She was used to hearing the broken English everyone seemed to have. This woman spoke clearly, just as Qwinn did. Sadness struck her again. The woman was beautiful and obviously perfect for Qwinn.

"Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you."

Qwinn chuckled softly, "Adalia wouldn't hurt a fly."

She glared up at him playfully and Alison suddenly wanted to leave. She didn't want to see them flirt. She wanted to be alone.

As if sensing her mood, Qwinn watched Alison. "Are you alright?"

"You don't still feel sick, do you?" Adalia jumped in. "Hurry, sit her on the pillows."

Alison was sure the woman said all of that in English for her benefit. Qwinn gently laid her down. She was surprised to find that her arms didn't want to let go of him. He stilled, studying her eyes. Her heart skipped at having him so close. Alison wanted to shake herself. She shouldn't be reacting this way to a creature!

She released him; however, he stayed just as close as when she was holding him. She backed into the pillow, trying to create space between them. When her eyes touched his again, he spoke. "You are not in danger here. I will return before the next meal," he said as his hand reached out as if to touch her face. He stopped himself and a moment later, he straightened up and cleared his throat, turning to the woman, speaking their weird language.

Alison took the moment to study the room. Vines of flowers hung from the ceiling and climbed up various walls. Tiny lanterns were strung around the room. The large bed was covered with a sheer green cloth. Alison felt as if she were in the forest again. The pillow she was relaxing against sucked her into its comfort.

Qwinn glanced toward her one last time before leaving. Adalia turned to Alison with a kind smile. "Are you hungry?" she asked as she offered a platter of strange looking foods. "Prees fruit is my favorite. We never had them on the surface."

Alison turned her attention on the girl. "You were on the surface?"

Adalia nodded. "When I was young. That was a long time ago."

"How long ago?"

Adalia looked at the ceiling, counting in her mind. "Centuries."

Alison's jaw dropped. "You're centuries old!?" She looked to be only a few years older than Alison.

Adalia snorted. "Please, don't remind me," she said with a smile. "How old are you?"

"Almost 18."

Adalia's smile grew. "You are just a baby!"

"Where I come from I am an adult," she ground out.

Adalia held her palm up. "I didn't mean to make you feel inferior; sometimes my mouth gets away from me."

Alison nodded, accepting a fruit from the tray. It was one of the spiky fruits she'd tried before. "So…who are you, if you don't mind my asking?" Alison dared ask. "I mean…you must be important if you have your own room in the palace."

Adalia pursed her lips. "Leave it to Qwinn not to introduce me properly," she said mostly to herself. Alison tried to ignore the familiarity in the way she said his name. "I am Princess of Vidar."

Alison's eyes grew wide. She didn't know what to do, or what was custom, so she bowed. Adalia laughed, her giggle a tinkle of light. "You don't have to do that. Please."

Alison straightened, blushing slightly. "I've never been in the presence of royalty." It didn't escape her that Adalia was royalty of a different race, but royalty nonetheless.

"There's nothing special about me besides my bloodline. Enough talk about me. Tell me about you."

Alison turned the spiky fruit over and over in her hands nervously. "…What did you want to know?"

"We'll start with something easy. What do you think of Vidar?"

Alison was silent for a moment as she thought about how to answer. She couldn't tell the Princess of Vidar that she hated her strangely beautiful land. She couldn't say that she was terrified of every new creature she met, even though none of them had hurt her, yet. She couldn't say that she missed the sun.

Adalia seemed to take her silence as an answer. "I know it is a big change for you. But I assure you, if you give Vidar a chance, it can be a wonderful place to live."

"I don't understand why I am even here," she said, tugging at her dress to cover her legs.

Adalia sighed. "Qwinn isn't the best at explaining things…what has he told you?"

Alison explained that she'd been told she couldn't leave because she'd seen them.

Adalia nodded. "Sadly, there is no way to change that. For the protection of my people, we cannot let you go."

"Do you allow all the humans who see you stay in the palace?"

She didn't answer for a moment. "No."

"Then why−"

"I would not let the guards kill you," she cut in. "You…have a unique aura."

"Aura?"

"Your spirit, it is pure. Because of that, the King and I have decided to let you live among us. We have given you a chance at life, a new life."

Alison frowned. "I was running away, far away. If you let me go, I promise I will run and not look back. I'll never tell anyone!"

Adalia starred off into the room. "If only it were that easy. I'm afraid you are in this much deeper than you know."

"What do you mean?"

Adalia shook her head, laughing softly. "Speaking nonsense. May I ask what you were running away from?"

"I…I was being set up for an arranged marriage."

"I thought that was custom on the surface?"

Alison nodded. "However, the man my uncle had chosen for me was cruel, so I ran."

The princess frowned. "I am so sorry."

Alison shook her head. "I didn't want to marry any of the suitors my uncle chose."

"What did you want?" she asked, all her attention focused on Alison. Strangely, that encouraged Alison instead of scare her. She never had any one to talk to, let alone a female. Adalia made her feel comfortable enough to speak. Maybe if she spoke her story aloud, she could make sense of it all.

"I wanted to move into a small house in the city. I wanted to travel and see all the beautiful places I have only ever read about in books. Mostly, I wanted to find love on my own; marry
who
I wanted to marry
when
I was ready for it. I wanted a family, like one I never had. I wanted a new life, not one where I took orders from my uncle... I don't know why I just told you all of that…"

Adalia smiled encouragingly. "It is nice to have someone to talk to. Qwinn isn't a great conversationalist," she said with a snort.

Alison looked away awkwardly. "So, what do people do around here?"

"There is plenty to do. Our world is almost like yours. Perhaps Qwinn would allow me to take you out of the palace and into town."

Why would she need to ask Qwinn?
Alison wondered. "That would be nice," she said instead.

Suddenly, Adalia jumped up and rushed toward a drawer, pulling a small box out and returning to the pillows, handing the box to her. "I made this for you a long time ago and have been waiting to give it to you," she said with a bright smile.

"What do you mean a long time?" She'd only been there for a few days, a week at most.

The princess' smile strained slightly. "Oh never mind. Open it!"

Alison studied the woman before opening the box. Inside was cloth. She parted the thin white cloth and pulled out a beautiful necklace. Stones and shells had been woven into an amazingly intricate piece. The blue and purple stones caught the light of the lanterns beautifully. "You made this?" she asked in astonishment.

Adalia's smile bloomed again. "Do you like it?" she asked, taking the piece from Alison and looping it over the girls head.

"I've never seen anything like it," Alison said, fingering it against her neck. "It's beautiful." Then her forehead creased as she tried to pull it back over her head. "I cannot take this…"

"Why not?" Adalia asked, stopping her hands. Alison caught the hurt in her voice and felt ashamed.

"Why would you make me a necklace? Why is everyone being so kind to me? I'm human! Shouldn't you want to skin me and eat my insides or something?" she asked, shivering at the thought.

Suddenly, Adalia burst into a fit of laughter. The sound was so pleasant that Alison couldn't help but smile at how ridiculous she'd just sounded. When Adalia was finished, she cleared her throat, but laughter still twinkled in her eyes. "We do not eat humans. And we are nice because that is how my people are. We help each other and care about one another. You are one of us now, so I will treat you with the same kindness I treat other with. I made the necklace for you, I would be honored if you would accept it."

Alison looked at the necklace in thought.
No wonder Qwinn is in love with this woman, she is amazing.
"Thank you," she finally spoke.

Adalia nodded and fingered a flower hanging nearby. "I insisted on having these brought in. I wanted to be surrounded by beauty, not dreary stone walls."

Alison looked around once again at all the flowers. "They are pretty. I've never seen anything like them."

"Of course not. These don't grow on the surface." She suddenly leaned closer. "This world isn't all bad Alison. Give it a chance. Don't harden yourself to the beauty around you."

She seemed to be reading all of Alison's insecurities and speaking just the right words to make them seem smaller. She stood. "I almost forgot. I got you something else."

"You didn't−"

"I wanted to," she said silencing Alison's protests. She walked to the corner of the room, grabbing a gnarled stick with carvings in it. "This should help," she said, handing the stick to Alison.

She eyed it. "Uh…thanks?" she said, turning the stick over and over, studying the swirls carved into the old wood.

"It will help balance you when you walk. I heard your leg is hurt."

A staff. "Thank you."

Adalia sat back down. "It has been so long since I've had anyone over."

Alison smiled sadly. "I've never been invited anywhere."

Adalia's eyes grew wide. "What
did
they allow you to do on the surface?"

"What proper women do; knit, study, entertain my uncle's company…that's it."

The princess sneered in disgust. "You poor girl."

"It could have been worse…"

Adalia looked at her seriously for a moment before both girls burst out laughing. Alison felt more comfortable by the minute. "What do you do?"

"Anything I want. Mostly, I go into town to dance."

Alison looked at her in confusion.