~9~
Delrina curls up in front of the crackling fire to read her book. She scans the worn pages and sighs, not wanting to pursue her studies. She glances up as she hears the door open and watches as Ava enters the room with a letter, sealed with the royal crest, in her hands.
"News from the palace?" She inquires as Ava nods in response.
"I am afraid to open it," Ava whispers as she looks up at her friend expectantly.
"I am here for you," she replies softly, crossing over to her.
Ava smiles warmly at her, "thank you-"
"Well?" Delrina laughs as Ava stares blankly at the letter.
Ava takes a deep breath and breaks the seal. She opens the letter and reads the simple note, "they want me to come and live at the palace-"
"They do?" Delrina gasps. "How exciting- even though I hear the Ice princess is even more of an Icy bitch these days. And Rath! He is so rude-" her voice trails off as she notices Ava staring blankly at the fancy parchment. "Ava?"
"I am not ready," she sniffs.
"Ava?" Delrina questions as she notices the tears in her friends blue eyes.
"I am not ready to be his queen," she whispers her voice shaking as tears run down her face.
"Oh, Ava!" Delrina sighs as he wraps her arms around her friend. "Can I do anything for you?"
"Oh, Rina what ever am I going to do with out you?" Ava wonders as she wipes away her tears.
"It can not be that bad," she reasons as Ava stares at her. "Really? How bad can it be?"
"I do not know," Ava sighs as she studies her friend. "Like eating Lady Marlins cooking-"
"Ew!" Rina cries as they both laugh. "Anything is better then that!"
"Maybe," Ava agrees.
"Think about it! No more studying, servants to boss around-"
"Rina!" Ava gasps as her eyes light up.
"What?" she questions as Ava grins.
"Come with me!"
"Come with you?" She repeats as Ava nods in reply. "I do not know-"
"Please?" Ava begs. "It will be so much fun if you were there! You are my closest friend. Every queen must have a lady in waiting, her trusted advisor-"
"Ava," Rina sighs as Ava takes her hand and drags her over to the window.
"Look at it," Ava whispers as she points to the far off palace. "We could live there-"
"I do not know-" she sighs once more as Ava turns to her.
"Please!?"
"Ava-" she begins as Ava looks down at her feet.
"Very well-" she sniffs. "I shall go alone and die of boredom."
"Then I better go," Delrina laughs. "I can not be at fault for my queen's death!"
"Oh, Rina!!" Ava cries as she throws her arms around her friend. "How ever will I think you?"
"I shall think about it," Rina smiles as Ava laughs in response.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you-" Ava gushes.
"Is that all?" Delrina grins as Ava laughs.
"I love you-" she sighs. "You are the best."
"I know-" Rina smirks as Ava hits her playfully on her arm.
"You are not that good-" Ava grins as they laugh and run off to their rooms to prepare for their trip to the palace.
~
"Rath?" Vilondra whispers as she wraps her arms around him. He tenses at her touch and glares at her.
"What do you want?" He questions as she runs her hands down his chest.
"Is that any way to treat your wife to be?" She snaps as he stares at her and pushes her away from him.
"We all know that our engagement is purely political," he responds dryly. "I do not love you, and I doubt that you even care about me-"
"You should know better, my love-" she replies as she presses her body against his.
"Should I?" He snaps as she pulls away from him. "Did you not proclaim your love earlier this week to Khivar?"
She stares at him, feeling her anger rising. "You followed me?"
Rath snorts in reply, "what do you think?"
"Do not cross me-" she warns him. "I will get what I want!" She snaps at him and turns away.
He stares after her and sighs, knowing the worst was yet to come.
Tbc
