A gentle breeze was blowing through the mangroves. Arlana was sitting in the garden by a small waterfall. This was her favorite place. It was a bit of a climb to the falls but from the spot she sat she could see the whole camp. The first time she had come here she was 7 years old. Her Mom had woken Arlana and her twin sister, Avalynn, up early one morning. She had brought her and Avalynn to this exact spot. "This is a very special place. I have not even shown it to Diokles. I thought it could be our safe haven. I don't know where the waterfall came from but no one else seems to know about it. Look girls, you can see the entire camp from here! Isn't it wonderful?" Arlana's mom had said to them. She had been so excited that Arlana couldn't help but giggle. Now her mother had been gone for 7 years and Arlana sat here alone.
In the year after her mother had passed away she and Avalynn would come up here to play the games they played with their Mom. It had been a way for them to cope with the grief and loneliness they felt. Then Avalynn began to spend more and more time with their stepmother, Marika. Arlana never liked Marika. Marika had never been kind to Arlana's mother. She did everything possible to keep Arlana and Avalynn away from their Mom when they were younger. Since that time Avalynn has spent a lot of time traveling around with Marika. Arlana has never been allowed to join them.
It had been an extremely warm day and Arlana was grateful for the breeze. She closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sky. She felt at peace. She knew that she should be at the tailor's cabin with her sister but she didn't see the point of it. Marika had already let the tailor know what she expected of Arlana's gown and her being there wouldn't change anything. The tailor made all of her clothes so a fitting seemed unnecessary. Arlana opened her eyes and stared at the mangroves. A gown for the ball, that is what she was having made. The ball was for her and Avalynn's 17th birthday and for their friend, Kellam's immortality ceremony. Arlana had learned long ago that these gatherings were Marika's chance to show off Avalynn. If it weren't so important to Avalynn and Kellam she wouldn't even bother attending. Marika was a terrible step mother and she hated doing her bidding. Yet I did promise Avalynn to make an effort this year she thought. Besides it was Kellam's day. In one week he would be immortal.
Everyone had been surprised that Kellam had been selected to drink the elixir of immortality. Typically non-family members only became immortal if they were to become protectors but Kellam was unique. Arlana didn't think it so surprising, though. Kellam was one of the servant’s sons. He was born at the camp and he had been playmates with Arlana and Avalynn all their lives. It was as though he were part of the family. He was extremely handsome. He also was extremely kind and always had a smile for everyone. When Kellam was around time seemed to stop. Arlana had spent years watching girls fall all over him. He never seemed interested in anyone but Avalynn and herself. Although he was 20 he never treated Arlana like a child.
Arlana sighed and looked across the garden. From this point she was able to see the garden entrance. Every day at this time the lead protector, Cole, would sit on the bench at the entrance and stare at the orchids that grew there. Where was he, she wondered. The bench was bare. She always found it a guilty pleasure to watch him from a far. Up close he was so cold and emotionless, but when he was at the bench it was different.
He always seemed so sad when he sat there. Whenever she saw him there she felt a need to comfort him. She wanted to put her arms around him and let him know that everything was alright. She longed to run her fingers through his thick brown hair but of course he would never allow any of that. She was merely his boss' child that he had the burden of protecting. Arlana frowned. Where was he already? Perhaps this was a sign that she needed to stop this fantasy and stick to reality.
"Daydreaming about Prince Charming? " Kellam asked amusedly. Arlana scowled at him, "how did you find me?"
"You forget that I know you so well, my sweet Cherie." Arlana scoffed "ha ha"
“Come, Avalynn is looking for you. She said to tell you that you promised, whatever that means."
Arlana sighed, stood up and followed Kellam down the hill. Kellam was such a dear friend. It wasn't a surprise that he was running Avalynn's errands. As close as she herself was to him it seemed that he and Avalynn were much closer. Arlana was happy for her sister, but there was a small part of her that was envious. Kellam was amazing and a girl would be lucky to have his sole attention. As they reached the garden entrance Kellam turned to her. "Oh good you ARE still with me. Hmmm, why don't you take the lead so I can make sure you don't sneak away?" he said mockingly.
Arlana scowled again and moved around him to take the lead. Before she could move ahead of him he grabbed her arm to stop her. As she turned towards him to ask what he was doing the words caught in her throat. She hadn't realized how close they were. She felt him tense up. As she looked up at his face she noticed his beautiful blue eyes. They were typically as blue as the sky but at that moment they had become a deeper shade almost violet. She was mesmerized by them and although she could live forever in that moment she felt she had to pull her eyes away from his. She began to look down as he began to move closer to her. She could feel the warmth of his body drawing near. She held her breath not knowing what to do. What was he doing?
"KELLAM! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF ARLANA!"
Kellam and Arlana jumped and turned towards the voice. Cole was standing at the garden entrance. Arlana held her breath. His hazel eyes were stormy. He was furious which was a dangerous thing to see. Arlana had never seen Cole this angry. This was not the emotionless protector she knew. This was the man she had seen sitting at the bench. There was passion behind his words. Why was he so angry?
Perplexed Arlana looked at Kellam. He seemed rattled but then slowly smiled. "Relax. I was trying to stop her so we could brush the grass off her clothes. She is a mess." He said with a laugh. "Arlana what on earth were you doing up there to have this much grass on you?" He asked.
Arlana turned red. Cole looked at her and then at Kellam, "Yes Arlana what were you and Kellam doing in the grass?" He asked in a cold, stern voice.
"Don't be so serious Cole. I was sitting or rather lying down on the grass in my usual place by myself. I had hoped to avoid the gown fitting today but Avalynn sent Kellam out to find me and drag me to the tailors. What on earth could you be thinking happened?" Arlana asked completely perplexed by Cole's reaction.
"I...I...Well then, if you are not harmed I shall take you to the tailors to ensure you arrive safely." Cole said. He was his usual emotionless self again.
"Cole, why don't you find something better to do? I can handle this!" Kellam said. He started walking towards Cole. His hands were opening and closing into a fist.
"Kellam don't!" Arlana said. She knew that he was frustrated with the way Cole treated him. It was as though Cole blamed Kellam for all the bad stuff that had happened in the camp. Arlana ached for Kellam. He was well liked here but Cole always gave him a hard time. Arlana was furious with Cole for treating Kellam and her like children.
"Kellam and I can handle the walk. Why do you have to be such a downer Cole! If you will excuse me I am late to meet with my sister!" Arlana said haughtily. "Kellam? Are you coming with?"
Kellam was staring at Arlana in an astonished manner. She had never spoken to Cole like that. She had never spoken to anyone like that before. Arlana herself was mortified but she continued walking. He just made her so mad sometimes. Yes he was their protector but why did he have to be such a stick in the mud. A small part of her was thrilled that she was the reason he broke his cool façade. It was disappointing how quickly his cold emotionless front returned. She also was embarrassed that he saw her standing so close to Kellam. What on earth was that about? She was so mortified she couldn't look at Kellam.
She peeked back at Cole and saw that look of pain in his face again. She felt horrible for what she had just done. Something about that part of the garden was a special spot for him and she just ruined
it. She wanted to run back and hug him and say she was sorry but she knew he wouldn't let her near him.