Louisa Hendraki

Chapter Fourteen: Final goodbyes

A week passed and Zara had successfully avoided Tristan. She had met Sharon and pleaded with her to tell no one. Sharon had smiled amused, "I know, Zara. No one needs to know that you kissed your gorgeous man." Zara had panicked. "We didn't..." but Sharon only laughed, "Okay fine. My lips are sealed".

Zara breathed a sigh and looked at herself in the mirror. She was among the ladies to dance tonight to entertain the people at the feast tonight. She looked at her outfit. A black knee length gown with a gold mask.

She always loved dancing. Perhaps it would improve her mood. She had always been happy in the rehearsals.

But inside, she felt empty. She was the one who started the almost- kiss. Now she was the same person who was avoiding him and wasn't sure if he would still talk to her. She missed him and sincerely wanted to talk to him.

She left the room to the hall. It was full of people drinking and making merry. Her eyes scanned the room for Tristan. She found him with Roman and Louisa. She made to go over to them when someone held her from behind.

It was Lauretta, one of her fellow dancers.

"It's time for the dance, Zara. Come." Lauretta said and pulled her away before she could say anything.

****

Tristan's eyes scanned the hall for Zara. He had not seen her for a week. He knew she was avoiding him and he really wanted to talk to her. He still wanted to be friends.

Meanwhile, Louisa and Roman bantered between themselves over their intended sudden departure. "Why must you leave at such short notice?" Louisa asked again and Roman sighed, "For the umpteenth time, Louisa. There was an attack on the castle, which we suspect is a Blackthorne attack. We need to leave to protect the castle. If we cannot protect the king's home, how then do we go to war."

"Where is Zara by the way?" Tristan asked suddenly and Louisa replied, "Oh. She's dancing tonight." Tristan raised a brow. Dancing?.

Just then, the music started and drew their attention. Several ladies in black dresses and gold masks filed out. Tristan kept watching until he recognized Zara. She had her hair in a ponytail like all the other dancers. There was a wreath of flowers on her head and Tristan was sure she looked extraordinarily beautiful under that mask.

While everybody cheered, Tristan just smiled until the dance was over. Then he slipped out of the crowd before Louisa and Roman could notice.

He found Zara outside alone, gazing at the starry skies. She had a hint of a smile on her face. She didn't seem to notice him as he moved closer to her.

"Zara" he called softly, startling her. She smiled and bit her lip. "Tristan". He smiled and replied, "Glad to realize I'm no longer 'sorcerer' for now" and she laughed. "You wish, sorcerer." and he chuckled.

There was a tense silence before he said, "You were avoiding me for the past week." She averted her gaze, "Was I ?"

"You know you were."

"Well.. I embarrassed myself, didn't I?"

"When?" he asked, obviously enjoying her nervousness.

"You know what I'm talking about."

"Refresh my memory. You mean when we kissed?"

"We didn't..." Zara panicked and he smirked.

"You sound disappointed" he said amused.

"You know I don't, Tristan" she replied. He was annoying but she couldn't get mad at him for any reason.

"I'm leaving, excuse me..." she said and turned to leave.

"Is that how you say your final goodbyes?" Tristan asked with a raised brow. Zara stopped confused and turned back to face him.

"Final goodbyes?"

"We're leaving tomorrow..."

"Why?" she asked, surprised by the panic in her own voice.

"Now you're concerned. There was an attack on the castle. It was an unsuccessful Blackthorne invasion. We have to go back and guard the castle..."

"What do you mean 'go back and guard the castle' you've just said the attack wasn't successful..."

Tristan was amused. She wanted him to stay yet she was trying to avoid him again.

"Do you want me to stay?"

"Well, how else will I pay you back for the way you tease me?" she asked, making him smile.

"If the universe wants me to receive my dues, then I'll see you again... which I perceive will happen eventually."

Zara smiled and enveloped him in a hug. Tears formed in her eyes and she struggled to blink them back. They held each other for sometime, before releasing themselves. They both laughed, and Zara wiped her eyes.

"I'll go now. Goodnight, my lady" he said, then took her hand and kissed it, his gaze never leaving hers.

Then it happened within seconds.

Zara put her arms around him, pulling him down and crashed her lips with his, surprising him. She was clearly inexperienced but Tristan liked it and didn't stop her. Afterall, he had wanted it too. Then as if she realised something, she pulled away from him and gasped, covering her mouth.

She seemed to think she had embarrassed herself again.

Tristan didn't want that. "I'm sorry... I don't know what came over me..." she began to say with a sorry face but he stopped her.

"No... don't apologize." Then he held her and they kissed again. This time, neither felt the need to be embarrassed.

****

Louisa watched her friends climb into the horse. She had really enjoyed their company and was sad to see them go. She knew she would probably not see them again, except if there was another war.

She waved at them as they were about to leave, and kept on waving even as they rode out of sight.

Then she turned to leave and was halfway to her room when everywhere felt blurry. She heard Zara say, "Are you okay, Majesty?" she managed to say, "I'm fine" before she passed out, hearing only the scream of her ladies.