THE NIGHT BEFORE
1075 Words
“So, what did you come to talk to me about, Jerome?” Ara asked.
“Was it that obvious?” Jerome asked.
“I’m sure Zhiyi noticed as well. Kiro is not the most convincing actor. So, what is it?”
Jerome took a deep breath before sitting on the chair at the edge of the room. It was a wooden chair made of mahogany, with intricate markings on it. The same was with all the furniture in the healers nest. It cost a fortune, but king Reagan Croft believed in getting the best only. He was a little too close to the door for gossip, but whatever he wanted to say, he was sure anyone who heard already knew. Even Ara as well. But he still had to mention it.
“The king is not happy. He wants you to keep Yeelva in check. But I’m sure you know that much. Except that he is threatening to rescind his invitation. The king is not a patient man. If he does, it could cause further strain with Galan and maybe the entire northwest region. We certainly do not want that, but we cannot have her insult us much longer,” Jerome said.
“I understand,” Ara sighed.
“She’ll be okay. You need not worry,” Jerome said. He could see the concern in Ara’s eyes. He turned to leave but Ara’s voice pulled him back.
“She said something. Yeelva. Something about Aroha’s real mother being Raya – Miya’s twin. Is there any truth in that?” Ara asked.
Jerome smiled softly. “We both know that Yeelva only seeks to cause trouble. Ignore her as best as you can. She’ll be gone after the ball. Don’t let any damages she causes remain after she has left. If you do, she wins. Remember that,” Jerome said.
Ara stared at the door long after Jerome left. Would he really be able to deal with Yeelva? She was tricky, but he was the only one who could keep her in check, even though Zenon would certainly hate to hear that.
“Trying to fulfill your duty as my date, aren’t you?” Aroha asked. Her voice was faint, a shadow of what it normally was. She certainly did not expect Ara to hug her as quickly as he did. Or at all.
He seemed surprised by his own actions as he quickly retracted himself. “Sorry about that,” he said. Aroha was too red to utter a word. She simply looked away. “How do you feel?” he asked. His eyes stared deep into hers, neither of them willing to look away.
“Aroha?” Ara beckoned to her once more. But before he could say anything else, she kissed him. It might have lasted for only a second, but it was enough to throw Ara – the most powerful individual on Maori into a trance.
Aroha cursed beneath her breath. She acted impulsively. But what else would she have done? He was so close and the way he stared at her… she couldn’t hold back. But she didn’t expect that reaction. In fact, she had no idea what to expect at all.
“I’m sor---” she said, but Ara returned the favor before she could complete her statement – this time, a little longer than hers.
“I guess you’re okay,” he teased.
She fell sharply onto her bed. Quick enough for Ara to worry if she didn’t hurt herself, even though her head landed on the pillow on her bed.
“I didn’t know you to worry so much,” Aroha teased as well. Somehow, she took delight in seeing him uneasy. He always looked so in control of his environment. It was nice to see that even the mighty Ara Croft could be flustered.
“I should let the others know you’re okay. I’ll be back,” Ara said. But in truth, he needed some air before he said things he wasn’t ready to.
Zhiyi jumped on Aroha as quickly as she stormed into the room. Everyone was worried she might be doing more harm than good.
“Where’s Zenon though?” Aroha asked.
“Right here,” he said as he walked into the room. “I came here as quickly as I could. Yeelva can be quite the pest,” he added.
Aroha smiled at him, but it faded as quickly as he mentioned Yeelva’s name.
“Don’t let her get to you. That’s what she wants. You’re tougher than that,” Zenon said.
“Okay, that’s enough everyone. Get out. She needs some air,” Vela said, as she pushed Ara out.
Ara felt hurt that he was the target. “I’m not even the one closest to her. Push Zhiyi first. Or Kiro!” he exclaimed.
“Well, Zhiyi is a healer. Kiro is already leaving without any complaint,” Vela said.
“Well, I’d have left too. This is your future king. Show some respect,” Ara teased in his usual dramatic fashion.
“This is your future grand healer. Get out,” she said as she successfully got him out. surely, if he meant to resist, he wouldn’t move an inch, but it was all fun and games to them. And just as Vela hoped, Aroha’s face lit up again in amusement.
***
The days before the ball passed without event. Yeelva did nothing out of the ordinary… by her standards, but they were things that could be overlooked. She was allowed nowhere near Aroha, however. Security was tight around both Yeelva and Aroha was never left alone. Any of Ara, Zenon, or Vela would accompany Aroha and Zhiyi wherever they went. And so far, it worked. Yeelva made no contact with Aroha. The ball was the next day. Finally, they would be rid of her and go on with their lives.
A shady figure moved swiftly through the night. It moved so naturally, that even the wind failed to notice. And just as Alex walked into Adamas’s hideout, so did this figure.
Adamas stood before this figure as she dropped her cloak to reveal her purple hair.
“You’ve made quite a nuisance of yourself, haven’t you, Yeelva?” Adamas said.
“Is this what you look like these days? Life has not been so kind to you I see, Adamas. Or should I say, the mad wizard?”
- Writer
