Negasis- Chapter 6

Rini stood on her balcony. It was late at night, the sky was clear; thousands of stars could be seen as far as the sky stretched. She couldn’t sleep that night. Too much on her mind. That morning when she had woken up, she had found a few feathers next to her bed. She had wondered if they had just been there from the day before, but Raylin wasn’t at the castle that day.
Rini: He’s been acting very odd…
She took a look at the feather in her hands and sighed. Turning her back to the edge of the balcony she sighed. Yes, Raylin did live there, but he was always himself, the same way he was the day he showed up. Why was he acting so odd now? It had been a long time since he showed up. And all the times they had met with each other they ended up arguing and threatening each other.
Rini paced in and out of her bedroom onto the balcony. Shed was going to figure out why he was sneaking around, especially into her bedroom at night. She finally decided to get to bed and see if he would show up again and then corner him. She got into her pajamas quickly and crawled under all her blankets. After getting comfy she waited. It seemed like hours had passed, and her eyes were starting to get tired of waiting, but she felt that breeze that stirred when he was about to show up. She watched through the almost see through curtains of her canopy bed as a figure showed up in her balcony door way.
Grinning, she rolled over and waited. Finally she felt him close enough to the bedside that she could have swung around and grabbed him. Rini stayed as still as possible. She watched his shadowy figure make its way around the bed to the side she was facing. Quickly she closed her eyes. Even though her eyes were closed, she could tell that the curtains to her bed were open, and someone was looking down on her. When she knew he was good and close she jumped up and grabbed his shirt.
Rini: What are you doing coming into my bedroom at night?
Raylin was too startled to answer. Rini sat up in bed and dragged him down into a sitting position on the edge of the bed.
Rini: I will not ask again. What are you doing in here?
Raylin: Watching you. I told you I’d be watching you.
She could see him trying not to make contact with her eyes. Rini reached up and made him look at her. She almost laughed when she saw his face. His perfectly pale skin was pinkened, and he was still trying to look away.
Rini: You wanted to see me sleeping, you naughty angel.
She let go of his face and hugged her knees to her chest under the blanket. She watched the angel struggle to find words or an excuse for what he was caught doing.
Rini: What? Now you can’t look at me because I’ve caught you?
Raylin: You’re nuts. I’m just doing what I said I’d be doing.
Rini: Tell that to my face, Raylin.
Raylin turned and looked right at her face, but when he opened his mouth nothing came out. He had a look of complete frustration on his face. Rini just grinned at him. This was completely amusing to her.
Raylin: And what if I was trying to watch you sleep?
Rini: I’d say I’m flattered.
That caught him off guard. He just looked at her wide eyed.
Rini: Raylin, can I ask you something?
Raylin: I suppose.
Rini: Why do you stick around here so much? Why do you so intently watch me where ever I go?
She watched his face. He looked very thoughtful. After a few quiet moments he turned back to her, the most serious look on his face. Rini almost felt like she regretted asking the questions.
Rini: Are you going to stare at me all night, or are you going to answer my—
She stopped in mid sentence. Raylin had reached out and put his hand on her cheek. It was the first time he’d ever touched her nicely. She could feel her face getting warm under his touch. Her chest felt like someone was squeezing it. Before she knew what was happening Raylin’s face got centimeters from hers.
Rini: What are you doing…?
Raylin: I don’t really know…
Before Rini could push him away or move her face back his face came right up to hers, lips touching hers lightly. He seemed to be hesitant about getting any closer, but leaned in to finish it. A cold chill ran down her back, and to her amazement she didn’t pull away from him. Though the kiss only lasted a mere few seconds it felt like forever. Rini could feel his face move away from hers. She slowly opened her eyes. When they were fully open Raylin was where he started a few feet from her face. She reached up and put her fingers on her lips, feeling them like they had gone missing. She watched Raylin stand.
Raylin: I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to do anything.
Rini: No… It’s fine. Really.

Rini pushed the blankets aside and climbed to her feet. Raylin watched her pad across the floor to him. She looked up at him, trying to find something in his face that wasn’t showing. Before she could say anything else he turned and went to the balcony. She followed and grabbed his hand before he could leave. He looked down at her and turned to face her completely.

Raylin: What is it?
Rini: Do you want to come with me for a walk?

Raylin looked surprised at this. A light breeze blew, pushing Rini’s hair across part of her face and neck. Raylin found he was not able to look away from her.

Raylin: I’d love to.

Raylin let Rini get a cloak from her bedroom, and then picked her up. This surprised Rini a little. He had always seemed so rough and rude. But tonight he was gentle as a lamb. With a flap of wings Raylin brought himself with Rini in his arms down to ground softly in her garden. He let her to her feet and watched her. Rini noticed it and looked at him, smiling a little. She held her hand out to him. Raylin took it and let her lead the way.

Rini: I hope no ones awake…
Raylin: Why?
Rini: Because everyone in the castle is a little wary about you. They think you’ll come one night and kill me or something. I’m sure they’d be pleased to see me out so late with such a dangerous person.
Raylin: I see. Rini, may I ask you some things, since I allowed you to ask questions of me?
Rini: Go ahead. I don’t see anything wrong with it.

They walked slowly towards the rose maze and the giant fountain in the center of the gardens. Raylin stopped and took a rose from one of the bushes and handed it to Rini, then continued to follow her.

Raylin: Why did you let me touch you up there? Of all beings, me, an angel. I was expecting you to lash out at me.
Rini: It all happened so quickly that it was hard to not let you.
Raylin: I was worried it would upset you. I’ve seen how you can react to some things.
Rini: I’m not upset per say. More caught of guard.

Rini giggled a bit. Raylin looked at her, wondering what was so funny.

Raylin: What’s so amusing?
Rini: Raylin just say it.

Rini stopped in her tracks. She stood staring him down. A wind picked up, blowing her hair gently to one side, along with her cloak and the dress like night gown. Raylin caught himself staring at her again. He was finding it harder and harder to look away from her deep red eyes, especially in the moonlight. He walked up to her, inches from her body, looking down into her face. Rini leaned towards him, closing her eyes a bit. Raylin felt like something was pulling him to her, but he found himself with his arms around her waist leaning down to her face.

Rini: Tell me what you came to tell me.

Rini whispered it to his lips. She could see he was trying to get it to come out, but words weren’t his strong point. When he did find his voice, it was almost too quiet for her to hear.

Raylin: …I think I love… you.

The tightness in her chest came back. All she could do was look into his eyes. No one had ever been this way with her. Nate had always told her that he loved her, but that wasn’t the same as this. Raylin noticed her eyes welling up. He reached up and brushed the tear off her cheek. Rini took hold of his hand and held it to her cheek. She looked up at his face. Until now she hadn’t noticed how fragile he looked. His long white hair flowed around him, and his white eyes, for once, looked safe. She gently went to her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his slowly.

Up on one of the balconies, unseen by the angel and demoness, Nate and Aura watched quietly. The girl looked peaceful, but the boy looked like he was watching something get killed. Aura had thought that something was going on, but Nate didn’t quite believe her. They were finally seeing it though.

Nate: You were right…
Aura: Takes a girl to see these things. Don’t look so displeased. She’s finally found someone that’s not scared to face her in a fight or like this.
Nate: I don’t know… He’s an angel. This isn’t right.
Aura: Is anything around here ever right?

Back down in the garden the two found themselves lost. They didn’t know how to react to everything that had happened in a matter of minuets. Rini didn’t know how to act towards someone this close to her, and Raylin seemed worried that she might either lash out or break in his hands. Rini pulled away first, but still looked at Raylin ever so carefully.

Raylin: I think I should get you back to your bedroom. It’s getting very late and you need your sleep.
Rini: As you wish…

Raylin lifted Rini up with no hassle. In a few seconds they landed back on her balcony. Rini got to her feet and looked to Raylin. She went up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, hiding her face in his chest. Raylin ran his fingers through her hair, and then lifted her face up by her chin. He leaned down and gave her a slow kiss. When they broke Rini spoke first.

Rini: Raylin you surprised me.
Raylin: What do you mean?
Rini: When I first laid my eyes on you I saw a horrid creature making my life a hassle. But tonight you’ve made me take all that back. I’m almost happy you came and tried to kill me.

She kissed his cheek and slowly went to her bedroom door. Turning, she grinned a bit and whispered ‘I think I love you too’ to him before she disappeared into the darkness.

The next morning when she woke, she found another feather. But this time it wasn’t near the door or on the floor, it was in her hand. She got dressed and put the feather on her vanity. When she made her way down stairs she was greeted by Aura. She asked if Rini had a second. Rini nodded and went with her friend. They went to the smaller of the sitting rooms and sat down.

Aura: We saw you last night.

That made Rini’s head jerk in her direction. A look of fear washed over her face.

Aura: I’m happy for you, don’t worry. But give Nate Chan some time. He’s very worried that Raylin may be doing this to get to you.

Rini nodded. She couldn’t believe that they had seen her with Raylin. Aura took her hand and smiled.

Aura: I have faith in you two. But don’t rush things. Be careful. Love can be dangerous. Promise me you won’t jump into anything.
Rini: I promise. I think it’ll be a bit before he comes back anyways. I think everything scared him.
Aura: Don’t worry. If he meant what he said he’ll be back to make sure he shows it. That’s one good thing about an angel; they never lie.

Rini stood and smiled. Aura got up and offered her breakfast. The two girls walked from the room and headed out to get something to eat. After breakfast Rini went to Nate’s room to talk to him. When he let her in she went to him, hugged him tight, and started crying. She tried to explain to Nate that she didn’t mean for any of it to happen. Nate told her it was ok and that he wasn’t mad, he just wanted her to be careful. He kissed her forehead and smiled.

After that night in the garden Raylin made himself a little more at home. He and Rini got closer each time he was there. Everyone in the castle saw a change in Rini while he was there. She seemed less tense, less ready to jump the gun and get angry at small things. For once Rini seemed to be truly happy…