Wake up Akiore

More Project FALL fun:

“Because I have faith my dear cousin, don’t you have it as well?” Angelie asked and the silence that followed was deafening.

After a few moments he felt her clench his arm tightly and in a hollow voice she spoke, “Of course I do, how could I not. You know how hard it is for us already, all we have is faith. But everything that happens just messes things up worse than how they should be.” There was more silence. “We’ve been through so much, he has been through so much Angelie, and now this?”

“He will be fine Claire, you will both be fine,” Angelie whispered. “And as for your little relationship, I think things may change, especially since you turn nineteen next month. Akiore is a hero now. All of T rejoices and sings his name in the streets and taverns for saving us. The lone man who saved our capital is in higher places with my father now compared to last week, and he has always had a soft spot for Akiore.”

He laughed, “You may be my cousin and the only princess of T, but Akiore became General of the army last autumn, he’s second on the court after inheriting his father’s place and will most definitely be head like his father once old Kostix falls down a dune. I know that he is still all new to this, but things are looking better than before for his rank.” Angelie sighed, “And after what he did a couple days ago, he has proven his rank and status. He deserves everything he has; no one can ever say that he has what he does just because of his father.”

Claire remained silent.

“Now, don’t look like that, you know it’s true. Father might be surprised at first if Akiore asks for you but he certainly will not refuse—so long as the fact that you’ve been together for years remains secret, all will be fine.”

“And it won’t look like Akiore just wants more power by marrying me?” she whispered angrily. “There is nothing to be gained by our marriage.”

“Yes, but your engagement to Sarin has been over ever since he died years ago in Coll. There isn’t really anyone else… the forest children like to be on their own and the Wingless just wouldn’t do.” Angelie continued and Akiore felt his temper rise at the mention of Claire being with anyone except himself. Angelie laughed, “I doubt the Klithë are in the running anymore and I doubt father would want to start a new breed of Halflings with the Gleydens. Imagine the children! Actually, do not imagine that, I have enough to fuel my nightmares as it is.”

“Uncle will still manage to find someone I’m sure,” she huffed.

“Oh well then,” Angelie sighed dramatically. “I guess you will have to wait until I am King to have your scandalous marriage approved. I plan on kicking Kostix out and making Akiore head if the old man hasn’t died by then. I also plan on changing a lot of things, and I guess your little romance can be added to my list as well.”

“Or you could keep your nose out of my business Prince Draynos,” Akiore said roughly as he opened his eyes.

A smiling Angelie could be seen standing across the room by the window, his arms crossed. He wore a long white tunic with gold trimmings and crests. His pale blond hair was messed around his circlet and his piercing ice eyes stared at him. While his face seemed amused, his eyes showed concern.

“Someone must be in a foul mood to be calling me that,” the prince remarked.

He felt the fingers that clenched his arm tighten and he slowly looked away from Angelie to the woman sitting beside him.

Claire sat next to the bed, slightly leaning towards him from where she was. Her bright violet eyes were round in shock and it slowly travelled across her beautiful face. He caramel hair was long and fell around her face which was not as pale as her cousin’s. She was dressed in traditional T wear, her white flowing dress folding and creasing as it fell around her.

Both she and Angelie looked different considering that they were family and first cousins. While they were both pale, Claire liked to think she was of normal skin when compared to her cousin—and they each had angular faces. This was to be expected as Angelie took more of his mother’s looks than his father’s.

Akiore watched as her face slowly recovered from her stunned expression to one of warmth as she lunged at him. She buried her head into his neck as her arms closed tightly around him.

“Oh Akiore! You’re awake!” she cried against him.

“About time too, has the sleeping princess had enough shut eye?” Angelie asked, a large smile plastered on his face.

“Shut it Angelie,” Akiore mumbled.

“That’s Prince Draynos to you, Sir Lexis.”

“Don’t mind him, you know how he gets when he’s worried,” Claire said, still glued to him.

“Worried? About him? Never! I’m just taking advantage of his current state of unawareness to torture him the same way he’s done to me all my life. And I doubt you, Claire, are in any mood to be his partner in his deeds,” Angelie replied as he moved towards them.

“I can assure you that I am quite aware and that I can knock some more sense into you,” Akiore said, before laughing. Angelie now stood a few feet away though, weary of the light hearted threat.

Angelie smiled warmly, his smug expression melting from his face. “I am glad that you are alright Akiore.”

“I am as well Angelie.” he replied softly.

“Idiots,” was Claire’s dry reply. “The both of you.”

---

T=kingdom of the sun.

Aftermath of the teaser chapter I uploaded today. You can read that here: [link]

...I love how adorable Akiore looks. Even though he's bandaged up EVERYWHERE. No mummy face though.

I'm going to stop sharing now.