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[I]I managed to finish another chapter tonight. Not too much happens, but I'm working on setting up the rest of the story. I hope you all enjoy.

Meg[/I]


Chapter 7

The night seemed to drag on before him as Allarick paced his chamber. He had sent his guest with some of the servants to be given a room, bathed, and fed. That was hours before, and now he was pacing his chamber like a starved animal waiting to be fed. He knew the reason for his agitation. It was lovely Arabella that was troubling his thoughts. For some reason, he was unable to get her out of his mind. Each time he closed his eyes to sleep, images of her troubled turquoise eyes entered into his mind. He did not need the type of distraction that she would pose. He was the Syine, lord of his people, and he was bound to them with no room for another in his life. His days were filled with listening to the cares of those he ruled and resolving any disputes brought before him. When his time wasn’t occupied with this, he was standing as the leader in worship. It was his duty to see to the proper worship of their gods and goddesses. There was no time in his life to devote to friends or even to the things he found pleasurable. It was impossible that he would find the time to spend with Arabella, but he craved it anyway. He was awed by her strength, and Allarick knew this was what drew him. He was a strong willed man, and it would take a female of equal strength to capture his attention. He was also compelled by the aura of vulnerability about Arabella that she tried to shield under a tough exterior. She was terrified, but she was ardently trying to keep her fear hidden from everyone around her.

Shaking his head, Allarick moved to the balcony outside of his window. He gazed upon the night sky and tried to clear his mind of all thoughts. If he continued obsessing over Arabella in this fashion there was little doubt that he would go mad in a matter of days. Allarick surveyed the city in the dim glow of the night. Because the system had two suns, the sky was never entirely dark the way you would see on Earth. It always maintained illumination, and night time was only as dark as dusk on Earth. His people were always in his mind and heart, and he had never considered what it was that he was sacrificing for their desires. He had given up any hope of having a mate and children. He had no close friends, and he was required to be always on guard for others who would wish him harm. He could still remember what it was like to have companions when he was a youngster, but he had not allowed closeness with others in many seasons. He had been Syine for most of his adult life. He didn’t know what he would do if he wasn’t the ruler, but, for the first time, he started to wonder if he had made a grave error in accepting the position. He had only competed in the grand tournament for pride’s sake, and he had not competed because he wished to rule after the death of the previous one. He had won because he had been a hot headed youth with something to prove to those who had insulted his fighting skill. He had always believed himself to be content with his life until the arrival of the young woman. In less than a day she had upset all he thought to be true and she had made him wish for the life of another. It didn’t matter that without his position he would have never met Arabella. He only wished that it would be possible to act on the desire burning within him.

Allarick would have been pleased to know that he was not the only one kept awake this night. Arabella was also pacing the room which she had been given. She had been shown to a grand chamber which was the height of luxury. She didn’t know what type of fabric was used for the bedding, but it was softer than the finest silk. Everything was trimmed in jewel tones, and the room seemed fit for a princess. There were two wide doorways that exited onto a small balcony that overlooked a sumptuous garden. The floor had a type of carpeting that was like rabbit fur against her bare feet. Allarick had seen to her every comfort by ordering her a bath and dinner in her room. He had even seen to it that she had clothing more fitting to this world brought to her. It was one of the sleeping outfits that she wore now. It was a long gown in a deep blue with a matching robe that had a small flower she didn’t recognize embroidered upon it. The material was soft and lightweight, and it the sleeping gown seemed to float around her to the floor. Arabella had never worn something of such high quality. If only she wasn’t stranded in some unknown part of the Universe, she just might be able to enjoy the comfort she was being afforded.

Arabella continued to pace, and she glanced at the half-dark night through the window periodically. Given the situation in which she found herself, it was not abnormal for her to be upset and anxious. It seemed odd to her, though, that she was not being kept awake from fear or upset. She was unable to sleep because thoughts of the haughty Syine plagued her. She found herself intrigued by the man’s aloofness, and it made her wish to find a way to break through his reserve. She was not sure why it mattered to her, but Arabella wanted to breathe life back into the Syine. She wanted to give him a reason to smile again, and relieve some of the tormented loneliness that she had glimpsed in his eyes during unguarded moments. She didn’t know what could put that kind of look into someone’s eyes, but she was certain that there was more beneath the surface than he let on. When she had first seen him, there seemed to be a coldness and disinterest about him, but, as the day had progressed, she had seen moments of humor and lightness. At one point, when they were examining her ship, the Syine had openly laughed, but the emotion was quickly hidden when he set his face back to its normal scowl.

With a sigh, Arabella threw herself on the bed. She vowed that tomorrow she would learn more about the Syine. She was still unsure about why she cared, but she was determined to help in any way that she was able. It was the least that she could do after the hospitality that he was showing her. Finally, she was able to fall into a fitful sleep.

Within his own room, Allarick was also able to find slumber. He had resolved to keep his distance from his guest. Given the attraction that he already felt for Arabella, spending too much time in her presence would only end badly. He was sworn to his people, and he had forfeited any rights to personal happiness when he had taken his position. He would keep her safe, but he would not allow himself to become too attached to the little traveler. She would be leaving, eventually, and that would signal an end to his self imposed torment. It would be easier to just refuse her aid and sanctuary, but he could not bring himself to make that decision. He would fulfill her every desire, but he would guard his heart from being stolen while keeping watch over his precious charge.