2.2: DestinedBlakely looked around. A chill ran down his spine. The graveyard had that affect on one, even him. Especially since dark was going to be falling soon. Or maybe it just seemed that way because of this place.
Halloween Graveyard by SimprovedHe moved carefully, senses on a hair trigger. The message had said to meet here, but the place was massive. He didn't like it; there were too many places for those with ill intentions to hide as well. Maxim nudged his owner's leg with his muzzle. Blakely reached down to pet his big head. The vet had checked him over and treated his wounds, though Blakely had wanted to leave him home. Maxim wouldn't hear of it. He'd simply followed after his owner.
With no sign of their contact in the immediate vacinity, Blakely looked up at the mausoleum, frowning. He slipped inside, Maxim not far behind. The dog sniffed the air. The hackles went up on his back for a moment as he gave a warning growl. A soft murmur had him subsiding immediately and to Blakely's surprise, the big dog's tail started to wag and he lunged forward to the figure in the corner. An elegant hand came down to pet his head.
Blakely stood there for a moment, watching the figure as she gave Maxim a vigorous rub on his head and chest. "Princess Adisa."
She stood up, watching him with the same haunting red eyes as her sister. They were definitely twins, though Blakely found himself noticing the differences. The Queen held herself regally, her power surrounding her. Her sister wasn't any less elegant, but there was a different kind of aura around the Princess.
"Lord Doran." She inclined her head. "Thank you for coming. Please, sit. We shouldn't be interrupted here."
He looked around, grimacing. Then he shrugged and joined her on one of the benches.
"I apologize for asking you to meet me here." Adisa sat straight and kept herself held back from him.
"I'm just glad you're alright. Your sister has been worried sick about you."
The Princess sighed. "I know. I communicated when I could, but it wasn't easy."
Maxim, who had done a circuit around the room to make sure they were alone, returned, tail wagging again as he greeted Adisa. Blakely looked back and forth between the two for a moment.
Adisa swallowed. "I'm so sorry, boy." Her hand touched gently over the healing wounds on his side. She looked at Blakely. "Maxim was hurt- because of me."
"You? What happened exactly? And- how are you so friendly with him?"
"I-I admit that I have been to your home before, to the outside," she assured him. "I-" She hesitated, a faint hint of color staining her cheeks, even in the odd light. "I had been having dreams, even before my sister and I performed a Viewing. I saw you. I knew it was approaching a time that I would need to be wed. If I was going to be wed for the good of the kingdom, I didn't want it to be to just anyone. Since I kept seeing you, I decided to see for myself. Maxim found me one evening. We made friends."
As if in agreement, Maxim nudged her thigh. It made her smile. But it faded soon enough. "Things in Oasis Springs are not as peaceful as they appear on the surface. I became aware of something in doing some research. Something that could mean a war may start. I wanted to stop it before then."
"Alone?" he interjected, holding up a hand. "You were trying to stop some kind of- what? Coup attempt, alone?" The incredulousness in his voice had her narrowing her eyes dangerously.
"I am more than capable!" she spat out, her red eyes flashing.
Blakely had the grace to look chagrinned. "I don't doubt that. Truly. But something of that nature? It would require more than one person. Aside from that, it's dangerous. What happened?"
"I was in Newcrest once again. I found it a good place to work in secret when I needed plus-" She let it dangle, grinning at him for a moment, the expression impish and full of fun. It was like a punch to his chest for a brief moment. He had to shake his head to snap himself out whatever spell she may have been casting over him. "-was almost finished. I had some treats for Maxim I wanted to give him. So rather than going right home, I went to your place. But as I approached, I was grabbed from behind. I managed to scream. Maxim heard it and ran out. He attacked, but there were two of them. The other had a knife and-and-"
"I know the rest," Blakely told her grimly. He looked at Maxim. The big dog wasn't a soft touch by any means. He was loyal to Blakely (and Meredith), but otherwise, he could be quite aggressive. For him to take a shine to another was a sign. Of what, Blakely wasn't entirely sure. The sensation of sinking gripped him again, but he shoved it away. There wasn't time to worry about that, not at the moment.
"He's a stubborn animal and too tough to die. The vet was able to treat him quite well."
"I'm glad to hear it." There was just the hint of a tremor in her voice. Silence stretched between them for a moment. Adisa stood abruptly and ran out.
"Wait! Adisa!" Blakely ran after her.
Maxim gave a bark. He ran after the Princess as well, helping corall her so Blakely could catch up. "Wait, Princess. Please, I know you feel guilty for putting Maxim in danger. It's alright. It's obvious he's taken a shine to you. Don't run again." He was doing some furious thinking. If she was in the kind of danger he thought, she needed a safe place. Normally, he'd think the castle would be more than enough, but if it was her own people, then that was no guarantee.
"Where can I go? I can't go home. My sister is Queen, but that position is tenuous at best. And there's the new baby-"
Blakely put a hand on each of her shoulders. "I have an idea. You may not like it, but I think it will work until we can come up with something else. And it gives me some time to look into it." He held up a hand again at the thundercloud that fell over her expression. "I have resources at the department I can use, resources you won't have access to. And yes, I'm aware you're a witch. But that didn't help you over much a few days ago did it? Especially if you are dealing with other witches. Since I don't want Maxim made at me for losing his new friend, can you please cooperate with me?"
Adisa pursed her lips and looked down at the dog who was sitting in between the two, looking up at her with his dual-colored eyes. She sighed. "Yes. I will cooperate. I do thank you for this. I just- would prefer it wasn't necessary."
"That makes two of us," Blakely agreed. He had a few things to put into motion.
*****
Blakely wandered downstairs, ready to hit the weights. He needed a good workout to burn off the frustration he was feeling. The current arrangement certainly wasn't ideal and he thought if he had to have another argument with Adisa about leaving the house, he was going to say a few things he might regret. He was looking forward to sweating out the stress. As soon as he reached the basement, however, he stopped. Meredith was standing by the treadmill, sobbing.
"Meredith! What is it? Are you ok?"
She started. "Oh! Blakely! F-forgive me." She hastily wiped at the tears, scrubbing at her face a moment.
"Hey now. What it is?"
She shook her head, unwilling to look him in the eye. He put a hand on each of her shoulders. "Talk to me," he murmured.
Pulling herself together, she looked up at him. "I'm just afraid, for you. I know you want to protect the Princess. It's the kind of man you are. But someone tried to hurt her already. I-I just can't stand the thought of someone trying to hurt you."
His grin was wolfish. "Meredith. I won't ask you to stop worrying because I know you won't do that. But I will ask you to trust me, alright?"
Even as she sighed, she let out a short laugh. "Oh, my boy, I do trust you. I just know you, too. Just promise me you'll be careful, alright?"
"Of course." He kissed her cheek. She hugged him tightly and then went upstairs, leaving him to his workout.
*****
The interrogation room was lit with a single lightbulb. Blakely could smell the sweat of the other person in the room. He looked at the young man. "Listen carefully. This isn't your first go-around here, is it? Your sheet is a long one. You may think you've been through it all. But let me tell you, this is petty stuff compared to the charges you're looking at now."
The belligerant youth crossed his arms over his chest, looking bored. "What ya gonna do? Throw me back in that cell? I can take a nap."
Blakely slammed the file he held on the table. "You think assault is funny?"
The kid rolled his eyes. "I didn't do nothin'! You can't prove I did!"
Blakely leaned across the table, a fire in his eyes as he let some of that rage he'd been holding in out.
"Next time you stab someone's dog, you should be more careful. We have your DNA, punk. And we have an eye witness who has already IDed you. This means you'll be doing some hard time. Since you assaulted a Princess of Oasis Springs, you'll be transferred there for them to deal with you."
At that, the young man began to cry, screaming for help. "No no no no! You can't!"
"Oh, but I can. Unless you start talking. Tell me what you know." Blakely sat down and waited. As the stupid lad spilled his guts, Blakely took it all in and filed it away. After the kid was hauled away back to his cell, Blakely sat down at his desk. He looked around slowly and then used the code that Adisa had given him. Then he began to dig further, using some of the information he had just gotten.
*****
Blakely walked through the door, letting out a sigh. He was relieved (and then felt immediately guilty) that no one was there. He needed some time and space to think. It wasn't meant to be, however. After he had gone upstairs to change and then come back down, he had another guest. Adisa and her sister sat on the sofa in the parlour.
Queen Eve stood. "Lord Doran. I can't thank you enough for looking after my sister."
Blakely went to her and took the hand she had offered. "You don't need to thank me for that." Adisa was careful not to look him in the eye. That concerned him; she was all too comfortable calling him out when she felt like it. He'd been on the receiving end of it a couple times when he had forbidden her from trying to help find more information on her own.
"Please, let's all sit. You got my message? That we have the culprit and his accomplices that tried to assault and abduct your sister?"
"Yes, yes I got your message. I have some tidings of my own, which is why I wanted to come in person." The twins shared a look and then Queen Eve let out an explosive breath.
"The information you have and have passed on is invaluable. However, it doesn't get us closer to the true culprits, the one that hired those men. My sister's safety can not be guaranteed in Oasis Springs right now. That is something I hate to even think about. But it is what it is."
Blakely said nothing for a moment. A part of him was kicking and screaming that it wasn't fair. But the larger part went calm. "Then, the only course is that she must stay here. I- I can give her protection here, not just in my home, but- I can give her the protection of my name." He looked at her. "If she wants it, that is."
"I don't want to be an obligation!" Adisa threw up her arms.
She looked at her sister once more before she stormed off.
Eve watched her twin leave, then sighed. "Lord Doran-"
Blakely shook his head. "No, please, don't apologize. The situation is one that isn't ideal on either side. I would prefer circumstances have been different myself. Why don't you let me speak with her?"
The Queen tilted her head to the side, watching him from hooded eyes. She nodded. "Of course. And thank you, truly. I can never repay you for what you've done."
Blakely managed a rueful smile. "Family doesn't talk of repayment. Good night, your highness."
"Eve. Please call me, Eve."
"Good night, Eve."
"Good night, Blakely."
*****
Blakely sat at the card table after the Queen left, shuffling the cards in his hands just for something to do. There was the soft sound of footfalls coming down the stairs, along with the click-click-click of Maxim's nails. The dog greeted his owner with a happy yip. Adisa, changed after a shower, came and sat down at the table. She picked up a card, staring at it hard. Silence stretched between the two of them for a moment.
It was broken when Adisa swallowed. "Blakely, I-I am not ungrateful for your help and all that you've done. And I know that my attitude must seem baffling, since I found myself drawn to you initially. But the one thing I wanted was more than just obligation, more than duty. I-I want a real marriage."
Blakely didn't say anything. He stood up. He turned his head just enough to look at her. "Adisa, I would never force you to do something you didn't want. I don't see you as an obligation. The situation isn't what either of us want, I know. It doesn't mean we wouldn't have a real marriage, though." With that, he went upstairs.
*****
For several days, the atmosphere in the Doran household was rather tense. Adisa and Blakely seemed to walk on eggshells around one another. They hadn't spoken about their circumstances again. They were each wrestling with their own demons and trying to put everything into perspective.
It helped Adisa that Blakely was putting in some overtime at the department. She knew that he was still trying to find information on the true culprits behind the attack on her. "Ms. Hanover?" Adisa had never been shy, but she was finding it hard to find the right words.
The two women had gone downstairs to use the equipment a bit.
"Yes dear?" Meredith turned her head to look at Adisa and smiled.
"I-I was hoping to talk to you, about Blakely."
Meredith's smile widened. She shut the treadmill down and stepped off. "Follow me. We can be more comfortable upstairs."
The two tropped up the stairs and then made themselves comfortable on the sofa. "Now. I have a feeling I know what you want to ask. I'm not going to answer that. Instead, I want to tell you a story."
Adisa settled back, tucking her legs up beneath her as Meredith leaned against the arm. "When Blakely was about twelve, he came home from his courtier training. He'd been waiting for that training since he could walk. But he came home and was a bit more subdued than I could remember seeing him. When I asked him what was wrong, he didn't want to tell me at first. He's always been a private boy. Eventually, I pried it out of him. During training, one of his mates was injured, pretty badly. No one was sure if the boy would survive, let alone be able to be a knight. Having lost his parents a year or so before, it was hard for him to see a friend in that kind of state."
Adisa nodded. She felt for that little boy that Blakely must have been. "What happened?"
"Well, the young man survived. But he had been badly injured. Every day, after he had completed his own training, he'd go and spend time with the boy. When the boy was strong enough to get up, Blakely would help him walk. He helped him build up strength and eventually, he helped him hold a sword again. He worked with him for years. Eventually, the young man became a knight."
Adisa was silent for a long moment. "Years?"
Meredith nodded. "Years. Blakely is a stubborn boy. But his heart is in the right place. He takes care. He takes care of those around him."
The Princess stood. Though doubts and fears still lingered, she had made up her mind. "Thank you."
"Of course, dear."
Adisa looked over at Maxim who had been sleeping on his bed. "C'mon, boy. Let's go for a run!" The dog yipped in excitement and turned around in a couple circles. Adisa attached the leash to his collar and the two were ready for a run. She thought it would help clear her head before Blakely got home.
*****
Blakely found his home strangely quiet as he walked in. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. It had been a long day. Cases were piling up and he still hadn't gotten to the bottom of those who posed a danger to Adisa. The papers had arrived from Eve the night before. The two were going to have to come to grips before too long. They were to be wed. It was happening. They needed to make peace; hopefully before they were married.
He ran up to his quarters to shower and change. As he came back downstairs, he noticed it was still very quiet. But where it had been devoid of anyone, Adisa sat on the couch. "Hello, Lord Blakely," she greeted, oddly formal.
"Princess." He tilted his head at her. "Is everything alright?"
She thought about it for a moment. "Yes, actually. I do believe it is." She braced one arm and began to stand up. She looked at him, something in her eyes that had him freezing. Two steps brought her right in front of him. Before he knew what she could be planning, her lips were on his!
He didn't move for a brief second, then he was losing himself in the kiss. It didn't least near long enough for his liking. As she stepped back, she smiled up at him. "That was just to let you know that I won't mind being an obligation." She turned and went upstairs to the guest room.
Blakely could only stare after her for a long moment, then a huge smile pulled the corners of his mouth upward. He headed up the stairs, humming.
