As much as Aislin was hyped up about talking to Ayduin after a month, she was more tensed about Math Decathlon and she had no idea why. She had prepared enough and studied hard , still representing the school was a big burden.

For her, it was another chance to get counted in the living and not the depressed zombie everyone considered her to be after Drake died.

She tossed and turned in the bed, looking at the clock after every five minutes. It was three in the morning and she couldn't sleep. This hasn't happened for a long time, she had slept well for past few days. There had been dreams but they were all so dull that she couldn't even remember them once she woke up.

She sighed and closed her eyes to think about something that might hold her attention and then gradually tire her mind enough to drift her to sleep. Automatically the first thing that came to her mind was Ayduin. What if only his voice was sexy and he looked terribly old, evil elf? She had seen many people through his eyes, his father, the two guards and his ... younger brother maybe, Folred. The name still amused her.

Folred, as she could remember, was the one you could easily put into the cute nerd section. He was adorable best friend every girl should have. Folred seems scared of Ayduin and Aislin felt the sympathy towards the boy. If they ever crossed the dimension, she will befriend Folred first so that at least the two can divide Ayduin's temper.

And then somehow after thinking and smiling to herself, Aislin drifted to sleep.

Aislin, please, answer me. I leave for Flames of Vita and the barriers there might not allow our contact. Please answer me; I am terribly sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it. Aislin, please!

His voice was so desperate and wanting, Aislin could never have imagined Ayduin sound like this. But his voice clearly said he was asking for forgiveness and he missed her presence. This elated Aislin more than it should.

She realised that she was now dreaming about him, of his voice. She tried replying his thoughts, his requests. He thought he she had been away from him because he was angry at what he said last time. She was easy forgiver but she thought that was for best, for him to think this way else she would have to explain the real reason of her absence and that might give him a hint of her feelings for him.

I am here now Ayduin. I am here!

Thank heavens! It has been thirty days Aislin, thirty days! Where have you been? You should have at least given me some chance to explain myself or apologise.

Relief, anger, guilt, concern all these enveloped his words. It almost made Aislin laughed. It was funny to see cold Prince of Elm Lenora act this way.

I was busy with my school.

It sounded as lame as any excuse could get. What girl in the world will ignore supernatural to get busy with school! But that was best she could tell Ayduin.

Oh, your books you mean. Did you win the test you suppose to give for Mathematics?

God, he remembered. He remembered about her decathlon. She actually felt her heart swell with happiness.

You know what Math is? Well, the test is tomorrow and I have hard for it, really hard.

Of course, I know Mathematics. I have learned every subject you do just at a very early stage. If you need any help tomorrow I can be of assistance.

Ayduin! That would be cheating.

No, I will actually be the voice in your head helping you out.

Wow! Frozen prince has a sense of humour!

He laughed at her reaction, he laughed after a month and some of it was because of relief.

What was that about you leaving for Flames of Vita, have you accepted to be the guardian?

Yes, well as you said Mermaids were attacked and I felt guilty knowing that I had an idea and still I haven't done anything about it and you also were not talking to keep my head straight so I just accepted my father's wishes. I asked him to leave me alone, so no army for a while.

I am sorry about the attack. Does that mean tonight is the last time we talk?

The intense worry and sadness hit her, almost so bad that she had the struggle to breathe for a second.

I have no idea, there at Flames of Vita, there are various kind of magical barrier so I don't know if our connection would remain.

He felt even more terrible as he said it out loud. After much distress, he had come to accept that he liked having her around and that when she was not there, he missed her. It was a new and devastating feeling.

Well, I met the Hermit you told me about finally!

She said in a desperate attempt at changing the subject and not allowing him to show how wretched she felt.

That is amazing, how he can so easily travel between dimensions. He possesses great power. What did you two talk about?

Well, he did tell her she was Ayduin's antidote. Should she tell him or does she first make him her friend for a genuine reason and not because he would need her as some counter?

He told me to keep the bracelet and even scolded me for taking it off. I told him because you were too angry with or might hate me. And I told him about my dream and he was surprised why Darkmir who has never surfaced was now talking in my dreams?

Well, it is really unusual for the ruler of Darkness to reveal himself. Never once from the beginning of time had he ever come out. It is after all the darkness and not something that you could easily see. It just disappears right in front of your eyes.

So does that make me even more cursed than I am?

She said suddenly feeling ashamed of her choice to contact Ayduin.

No, No, No, It is not like that. Maybe you are someone powerful to defeat him or subdue him so he just came to check his competition. Even his consolation was half-hearted.

She laughed really hard at him trying to make her feel better. Maybe he did miss her and require a friend.

And whatever the case is I strongly advise you not to break our connection again..because...because..well there is no one stronger than me that could help you against Darkmir.

His acceptance that Darkmir existed surprised her as well as made her relieved.

Well, trust me when I say I have nothing special to defeat or battle Darkmir and secondly I will not break the connection, it was you who scolded me.

She said sounding like a whiny kid and regretted her action.

And I am terribly sorry for that, I hope that might not happen in future. He said sounding quite unsure of himself and his temper.

Once again she laughed and Ayduin felt all the warmth spread through him. It was an amazing sensation to his ever cold interior.

No, I would rather accept you as you are. Friends should be comfortable with each other. So continue with your temper, like I said I am an easy forgiver.

Friends, huh? So that is how you describe us? He asked not sure he was happy or sad about it.

He could feel a dull ache but he ignored it.

Yes, well aren't we friends. After all, we know what goes on in each other's head and that we both are cursed. How will you describe us? Aislin said feeling depressed with every lie she uttered.

Even though she knew him for a small time but she could feel more than just friend's vibes around him. Was this wrong? Was he disrespecting Drake's memory? Well, she was not allowed to love so she will not be cheating. Ayduin will be left in friend's territory no matter what since she was not going to harm another person with her probable curse or bad luck, whatever that was.

Ayduin sudden thought was the word beloved but he punched something in front of him and squeezing his eyes shut, he tried to murder such absurd thoughts. Where did this unplumbed thought come from?

More like sympathisers I would say. I never had friends so I have no idea what to expect and how to put you in this category. He said truthfully since he had no idea what being a friend was like.

Fine, then Mr Sympathiser make sure you actually show some sympathy to me next time.

She said lighting up the serious conversation at the same time feeling for Ayduin since he had no friends ever! She now knows the feeling of loneliness that swallowed you. It seemed like Folred was his only companion.

How is Folred? She asked suddenly remembering how the other night she was thinking about the boy.

Why do you bother? He said rather sharply as if the question annoyed him.

Just like that, I like him. She said genuinely.

What? You like Folred? Why? How much? Ayduin gulped down the building rage and gritted his teeth together at the mistake he made, again!

What kind of response was that? Why is he so bothered by who does she like? It angered him and he was somehow seething with an unknown emotion. He couldn't name it but it was poison flowing through veins.

Relax Majesty! I like him because he has been the only true companion to you as per my knowledge and that the boy genuinely cares for you even after your stand-offish nature.

She said baffled at his almost panicked response. Was he worried that her liking Folred will be fatal for him or did her liking anyone else was a displeasing idea? Somehow the first option made lot more sense.

Ayduin calmed down and totally embarrassed at his behaviour he realised that the anger was for nothing. She only thought Folred was nice because Folred was nice to him. She was really caring and thoughtful. A quality one's friend should have.

But it was still too soon to call her friend, after all the peace and warmth she made her feel she was also the first person to converse with Darkmir. For now, not only he needed her voice in his head as a moral support he never had he also needed to keep an eye on her and what she did. After all, he had been taught not to trust anyone.

But despite all the warnings all he wanted to do was blindly trust the girl.

Aislin please do not take off the bracelet next time. He said it less like a request more like a threat.

But she didn't seem to mind.

Then suddenly she gasped.

What? What is it? Are you well? Are you in danger? He had the instant feeling of dread and desperation.

Ayduin, I cannot take off the bracelet since I am not even wearing it yet.

She thought about how she slept with the decision to wear it as soon as she was over with her test.

Are you sure? Ayduin asked feeling stupid for asking this but he couldn't believe what he heard.

I am damn sure. I am actually talking to you without it. I am communicating with you through my dream Ayduin.

It felt unbelievable and amazing, they were connected without any medium. Suddenly Ayduin was filled with another new emotion, hope. If they could manage to communicate through two barriers without the medium that there will be nothing to stop them from talking to each other even within the vicinity of Flames of Vita.

Friends, sympathisers, cursed people or....whatever they were. These two were surely connected.

***

See told you... ;) almost 2000 words!

Hope you like since I was kind of happy writing this one :D

Shout out to @PrakritiPushp for writing a poem on cursebreaker which I will share in the next chapter this is already too long xD Thanks dear for the beautiful poem!