Rising of the Moon - Chapter Thirteen

Sorry for the delay. Been occupied with studying etc. Will try to post faster. Enjoy : )

Chapter Thirteen

- First kiss -

Ranel was smiling to himself as he was walking to his fathers rooms. The image of her smile when he told her to call him by his name got stuck in his mind. He started believing that may be, just maybe she could learn to love him... In time... As he was approaching golden doors to his fathers rooms he came back to reality. He realized that he had to start planning overthrowing his father, taking his crown and become a king. He wasn't looking forward to that and he had no idea how he'll achieve what he planned. First, Leana needed training in sorcery. The sound of his footsteps died out as he stopped in front of the gold gilded doors and knocked slowly, two times. He took a deep breath as servant opened the door and let him in.

As always, his father was sitting in front of the window with his mothers scarf in his hands, looking at the sky. For a moment, Ranel thought he saw a tear in his fathers eyes, but he was probably delusional.

- "Father. " he gave him a small bow.

- "Ranel. " it always hurt him how he called him by his name and never referred to him as son, like he did with Roan. But he pretended it didn't affect him.

- "I was told you wanted to see me. "

- "And who told you that? "

- "Roan. "

- "Then I probably did have to see you. " King was gripping his mothers scarf. He never once looked at Ranel. Ranel got caught by panic a bit, because he realized that Roan only sent him away to be alone with Leana. He was standing patiently, waiting for his father to speak.

- "Tell me about your trip to the villages. Did you find out who's plundering and burning? What news do you bring? Is it the moon people? They are seeking their revenge now. "

- "Father... They are in hiding, they are to afraid to try anything. It's new threat, coming from the south-east. You remember mother talking about it when..." and he was forced to stop there for his father yelled at him:

- "DO NOT MENTION YOUR MOTHER ANYMORE!! " He yelled with madness in his eyes. "You will not mention her in front of me. " King was holding on to queens scarf like he was holding on to his life. " Do not..." he started and fell silent as the words died out. Normal man would start crying at this point, but not his father. His eyes were blank, distant.
"Leana... " Ranel heard another faint whisper from his fathers lips. There were moments like this when he could almost understand his father and forgive him for being such a monster. He calmly knelt in front of him and placed his hand on his fathers knee.

- "I know you miss her. We all do... But you can't give in to the madness anymore. Your people needs you. We're facing serious threats from the south and east. We are not even sure yet who we are fighting against. You must get hold of yourself father. You were once a good king and I know you could..."

- "Get out. " He looked at him with hatred in his eyes.

- "But father. "

- "Get. Out. Can't you see!?! You remind me to much of her! Get out!!! "

- "I... I will come and visit you later. " Ranel said with a bow and walked out of the room. While the doors were closing, he finally heard sobs fading away with the sound of his footsteps.
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Leana walked inside of a beautiful white building. She was never before in a building of that size and yet, as far as she was able to notice so far, it was one of the smaller ones in the royal yard. She was gripping her bag firmly with her left hand. Her lip stopped bleeding immediately but it was swollen. She ignored the boring pain and started looking around. Her eyes were coming back to the beautifully painted ceiling that was representing the sky with couple of birds flying in it. It looked so realistic, she almost thought that there was no roof. But sun was already down the horizon and dark was approaching fast. She was standing there for couple of minutes maybe, when an older servant lady approached her with a smile.

- "Ah, you must be Anael. " She said with the most friendly expression that Leana had ever seen. " Let me show you where your room..." then she stopped to see her face " My poor girl, who did that to you? " the lady asked her as she was gently holding her chin up to see how serious the injury is. " Well we have to clean that up. Oh my, you have such a beautiful hair, and tan... You are going to be queens personal maid. That is a great honor for someone that came here for the first time. Queen is a lovely woman. Oh but look at me, talking so much. I should bring you something to eat. You look tired and exhausted. " they were already in the kitchen now after going through a long corridor. She could smell the delicious meals prepared for king and his family.

- "I'm sorry, but how do you know my name? How did you know I'm here. "

- "Silly girl, I know everything about new servants. I'm the head of the servant quarters. Queen Leana gave me that position, may she rest in light. I will be honest with you, prince Ranel personally asked me to treat you with special care. He told me about your sad story. You are in safe hands now. Now eat child, and I'll take care of your bath water. Tomorrow is a brand new and exciting day for you. " the woman smiled as she touched gently her chin. " And we have to fix that as well. You just leave it to me. "

- "Thank you. " Leana said quietly while looking gratefully into woman's eyes. " I didn't get your name. "

- "Call me Tara. " she said while leaving the room in a hurry.

Leana smiled to herself and took a bowl with warm soup that Tara gave her while chattering. That woman sure loved to talk, but Leana liked her a lot. She seemed pleasant. As she was thinking of her new life and contemplating surroundings, Ranel slowly entered the kitchen. She didn't even notice until he sat right in front of her.

- "Oh I didn't hear you come in. " she was looking at him nervously. His eyes were filled with some strange sadness. It took him moments to notice the cut on the corner of her lips. Anger filled his eyes as he reached out and touched her chin.

- "Roan. " It wasn't a question. He knew...

- "I... Yes. But I don't want you to fight him for me. "

- "But... "

- "Ranel, I can fight my own battles. " His eyes softened as she pronounced his name. He didn't have to say anything, his look said it all. /" He... It can't be... " / She closed her eyes and single hot tear slid down her cheek to his finger. He wiped it off. Her face was on fire, heart beating faster. She opened her eyes slowly to see him looking at her intently. Their faces were coming closer, his fingers still resting on her cheek. She was about to have her first kiss. She finally decided to give in to the feeling. Very slowly their lips were coming closer almost at the point of touching when she heard footsteps coming. She quickly moved further away from him and pulled her bowl with her.

When Tara walked back into the kitchen her face was over the soup. She wasn't able to eat much, but she made herself. Warmth felt good in her stomach and her thumping heart was getting back to normal. Prince was still frozen on his seat, unable to say a word. If she didn't feel the same, she would have found it funny.

- "Your majesty. " Tara nodded with a wide smile to the prince. " I'm pleased to see you in my kitchen again. You got us a fine girl here. " She nodded her head towards Leana.

Ranel (Leana definitely referred to him as Ranel now) looked at the head maid with confused smile. She wondered how he felt now. It took him couple of more moments to regain his calmness.

- "Yes, she deserves a new beginning. I expect her to be treated with special care. " He gave her a wink as she lifted her head and looked at him angrily.

- "I don't need any special care. I am not lazy. I can do my chores just as well as anyone else can. " Leana said angrily.

- "Oh, I know you can dear. It will take time for you to adjust though. It is a big change for you. Don't worry prince, she will be like a daughter to me. " she smiled as she looked back at Ranel. " I always wanted to have a daughter. But silly me, let me take care of that bruise. Lift your chin high up. " Leana had to obey women for she was holding her chin up. Tara slowly applied some of the cream she brought with her and then a strange tingling sensation started spreading across the corner of her lips. She was sure it was magic.

- "How...? "

- "Hush, it's almost done. " The women smiled warmly. " There we go, sweetheart. As good as new. Now, I am going to take you to the bathing rooms. We have a fresh hot water ready for you. I'm sure that a warm bath will do you good. "

- "Tara, if you don't mind, I would like to accompany her. We have some matters to discuss before going to sleep. "

- "Alright. If it was any other but you, I wouldn't allow it. Just don't keep her up for long, she needs sleep. " she turned to Leana " It was a pleasure meeting you dear. Sleep well and I'll see you in the morning. " Leana smiled back and just managed to murmur thank you in return. She was again alone with Ranel. Her heart started beating stronger as he stood up and approached her. She slowly took his hand and joined him in the walk. Once they were out, fresh air filled her lungs and she felt comfortable with the open sky above.

Stars were shining brighter that night, or maybe it was only her imagination. The two of them were walking slowly through the royal gardens but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. Her hand was still in his, unable to let go. He was holding on to her gently. She loved the constant warmth of his body. It felt good having warm hands for once. After a short walk, they stopped in the center of the garden filled with blue roses that were glistering beautifully in the star light.
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Although only one moon shone this night, it was enough to color her hair to silver. Chills went down his spine as he was looking at her. It took him another moment to recover from the effect that she had on him.

- "I..." they were facing each other now, her hand still in his. Her figure had that faint silvery glow to it that made it more difficult to concentrate on talking. He laughed at how ridiculous he must look.

- "What is so funny? " She asked with curious smile.

- "Nothing... This whole situation... Ughhh it's so difficult to concentrate on talking while around you. "

- "And why is that? " Leana asked with a smile, coming one step closer.

He couldn't take it any longer. His right hand slid down around her waist, feeling soft texture of her dress. Fingers of his left hand moved up behind her ear, playing with her silky silvery hair. He could feel shivers and loud beating of his heart. His stomach felt strange as he was carefully approaching her lips. When they finally kissed, the time stopped. Ranel forgot everything that was and that is going to be. The only thing that existed was now. He felt dizzy as his lips were caressing hers. He felt her body coming closer to his, her hands going over his back. His body was on fire as the kiss continued.

A cough was heard behind them that hit them like a hammer and brought back to reality. Leana jumped away from him in surprise. Her face was all red, hair a bit messy, lips slightly parted. He turned around to see Heiller.

- "I hope I'm not interrupting anything. " sorcerer said with a grin.