Jenna shifted her staff to her other hand and yawned. She hoped
they'd be stopping soon (her feet hurt and she was hungry). She looked
over at Raven and couldn't help but smile. The beautiful girl beside her
cut a handsome figure even in her traveling clothes (of course she could
be wearing burlap and Jenna wouldn't care). As her eyes traced over her
figure and fell upon her face, Jenna smiled as she remembered their
first kiss.
It had completely thrown her off guard; so much so that when Raven
had asked her to come with her she had jumped at the chance. Yes, she
was certainly in love.
But even with all this they hadn't really talked about that
afternoon. To be honest Jenna didn't really know what terms she and
Raven were on: Friends? More than friends? Dare she say it... a couple?
Her train of thought was interrupted when she noticed Raven had
stopped a few feet behind her to peruse a map. Jenna turned and jogged
back. "Lost?"
Raven nodded. "Yes. For the life of me I can't remember which way
to go. If we're going to Leranon the sunset should be in front of us.
But you see? It's behind us and I can't figure out where we got lost."
Jenna's eyes widened as she suddenly processed what Raven had
said. "Leranon? The Elven city? We're going there??"
The other girl grinned at Jenna's excitement. "We're going to
visit my friends and my sister and brother in law."
The novice snatched the map out of her hands and mumbled, "Ok,
which way do we go...?"
As she watched her, Raven took a moment to reflect on all that had
happened. She certainly hadn't expected Jenna to actually come with her.
Not that she minded of course, but still...
She wasn't sure how she'd fallen so quickly for the novice, but
she undoubtedly was in love. But she wasn't certain if she could let
herself feel that way. Ciege's rejection was still fresh in her mind,
and she wasn't convinced she was ready to open her heart again. And what
with her Power being as unstable as it was... what if she had another
attack and Jenna got hurt? She hoped that would never happen.
"Aha!" Jenna looked up at Raven, her brown eyes gleaming. "You
were holding the map upside down, silly! Look!" she turned the map
around and Raven saw that they had been going in the right direction.
She blushed and Jenna giggled as she handed the map back to the elf.
"Well, uh... let's go then. The forest is just over this hill."
----------
(Flashback)
Raven swallowed as she watched Ciege sitting on the balcony. His
grey-blue eyes gazed at the night sky and she felt her knees grow weak.
She took a deep breath and walked into the moonlight. "Ciege?"
The Elven prince turned and smiled at her. "Hello Raven. To what
do I owe this honor?" he stood up and strode toward her.
Raven took an unsteady step back, and then forced herself forward
knowing she had to say something. "I...I wanted to speak to you."
"What about?"
The speech she'd prepared flew out the window and she stood there,
not knowing what she was going to say. After a few tense moments
everything she'd wanted to say for months tumbled out all at once.
"Ciege from the moment I saw you I knew that you were the one and
when you stood up to the king and you saved me from his assassins I
thought that maybe you cared for me too and you've been there for me
through this entire mess and I guess what I'm trying to say is that I
love you. I love you." Raven finished and exhaled; a great weight
finally off her shoulders.
Ciege hadn't moved or said one thing during her whole tirade; just
keeping his eyes fixed on her the entire time. His silence made her very
nervous and she finally said timidly, "Ciege?"
He sighed and turned away. When he looked back, Raven saw
his eyes and knew what he was going to say. In that moment her heart
shattered.
"I'm sorry Raven. I don't... I don't see you that way. Please
understand that I hold you in the highest respect but..." he sighed once
again, and then cupped her face in his hands looking her square in the
eyes. "You deserve someone who can love you for who you truly are, who
loves you no matter what."
"So that kiss," Raven whispered brokenly, "at Tek's funeral. Was
that... pity?"
"Yes. I'm so sorry Raven."
Raven gently pulled away from him and sniffled. "I understand.
I'll go now." And before he said another word Raven bowed and fled down
the corridor trying to muffle her sobs...
----------
Jenna threw herself onto the soft bed and laughed. "Wow! This
place is amazing! And I haven't even seen the rest of the city yet!"
Raven chuckled as she watched Jenna stand up and go to the balcony
to stare out at the glittering city before her. She put down their packs
and leaned against the wall, smiling. Jenna looked about excitedly, the
light from the torches enhancing her profile. Those beautiful eyes
sparkled and Raven caught her breath as she suddenly remembered the last
time she'd been a on a balcony with someone she loved. This time, there
won't be any tears, she decided. She felt like laughing, screaming and
crying all at once. She knew now what she had to do and closed her eyes;
letting her emotions go. When they opened they burned with a soft blue
fire.
Jenna suddenly felt eyes watching her, and she turned. The sight
before her was beautiful. Raven leaned against the wall, her arms
crossed and the shadows enhancing the contours of her face. Her eyes now
glowed electric blue, though it was different that the attack in the
inn. Suddenly Jenna felt a little afraid, clutching at the rail of the
balcony for support.
"Don't be afraid." Raven's voice was low and sweet; it sang with a
sensuality that made Jenna grip the railing even harder as she felt her
knees weaken. She and the elf were now face-to-face and she ran a hand
through Jenna's hair, removing her cap. "I won't hurt you.
Just...stay...perfectly...still." She leaned forward and slowly, gently,
and tenderly kissed her.
The novice gasped as she felt a rush of heat wash over her right
down to her toes and back again. She wound her arms around Raven's neck
and deepened the kiss; her head swimming with love and desire. Her heart
began to pound against her ribs and she sensed that Raven's was too.
Raven smiled and pulled Jenna closer. Just a little bit longer...
then a moment later she pulled away, smiling. Jenna's eyes opened and
she blinked a few times as if to collect her wits about her.
*If that's what it's like every time we kiss, I don't know if I'll
ever be able to keep my hands off of you.*
Jenna started. Raven had spoken to her, but her lips hadn't moved.
"Wait, how can you hear—"
*You can read my thoughts now. It's called a bond. Tek, Belle and
I shared one, and so does Belle and her husband.* Raven replied,
blushing.
Suddenly the nature of the bond dawned on Jenna, and she looked
incredulously at the other girl. "You mean..."
"Yes. I... was afraid to say it but... I love you Jenna." Raven
whispered. "I never want to leave your side."
Jenna laid her head on Raven's shoulder as she fought the tears of
joy in her voice. "Do you mean it? Because the feeling is definitely
mutual."
"Of course I do," Raven murmured into the other girl's hair, "I
love you. And I promise I'll never leave you."
The two held each other, each listening to the other's breathing
as the stars and torches twinkled. In that moment Raven swore with every
bone in her body that she would always be with Jenna...
No matter what happened.
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