Chapter 5

Nathaniel kept his head bowed.  He could feel the two of them staring at his head.  Gritting his teeth together, he waited for the man to speak. 

"No need to bow your head at me," the man said with a chuckle.  "Our family is not the only powerful ones out there."

Nathaniel looked up at him with a small smile plastered on his face.  "I do not think it would be very wise to disrespect a family like yours, while in your land."

"Ainsely," the man said while putting his free hand out for Nathaniel to grab.

He kept his grip strong, but not in a way that would issue a challenge. "Nathaniel."

"Yes, I remember you," Ainsely said.  "You were the one who was promised to my sister, were you not?"

The woman standing next to Ainsely froze.  If Nathaniel wasn't good at picking up on other's actions, he would not have even noticed the movement.  What was it about those words in particular that the woman did not like?  Ignoring the question for the time being, Nathaniel sent the woman a charming grin.  "May I ask who this is?"

"This is A-" Ainsely started before the woman cut him off. "Anne, you may call me Anne."

Nathaniel sent her a genuine smile.  Either the lady was eager to make his acquaintance or she was hiding something.  If he was betting man, he would place his money on the latter.  Grabbing her hand, he placed it to his lips, lingering only for a moment.  His back straightened.  "It is a pleasure to meet you, Anne."

She smiled and attempted to tug herself from his grip.  Taking pity on her, he let her hand slip from his.  Nathaniel waited for her to speak, but once he realized she would keep silent, he turned toward Ainsely.  "We had a contract, but your sister found a way to change my father's mind.  I do not know what she told him, but I wish I did.  Any person who can make my father do something he does not wish must me magnificent."

"She is a wonderful woman.  Is she not, Anne?"

Anne looked at him with a pained smile.  "She has her flaws."

Ainsely laughed.  "You would speak about her like that?  I have heard that she can hear when someone speaks about her."

"Can she?" Nathaniel asked.  If it was true, then the woman had more power than people let on.  Could she really hear the whispers in the night when someone spoke her name?  It was a magic that the leader of this land was rumored to have, but none had spoken of his daughter possessing that particular power.

"Can she hear when someone speaks of her, Anne?" Ainsely asked, but the woman kept her mouth shut.  The man nudged his companion.  "Did you hear me, love?  I said can she hear when someone speaks of her?"

"Ainsely," the woman hissed.  Nathaniel glanced at the two.  Anne's fingers were digging into Ainsely's arm, but the smile stayed on the man's face.

"One more time, Anne, can she hear when someone speaks of her?"

"Yes! She can," she snarled while ripping her hand away from her companion's hold.  Sending Ainsely one last glare, she turned and ran.

"Damn," the man mumbled before glancing over and Nathaniel.  "I apologize for Anne's rude departure."

"Think nothing of it," Nathaniel replied while looking over Ainsely's shoulder as the woman weaved herself through the crowd. 

Ainsely stepped to the side, effectively blocking his view.  "She has many things on her mind; please do not blame her for the offense she made."

"I do not blame her," Nathaniel said impatiently while moving in attempt to find her once more.  No matter how hard he looked, he did not see the green gown she wore, or the red hair she sported.

"Good, that is good," Ainsely whispered.

Nathaniel gritted his teeth together.  Opening his mouth, he turned to the man to reply, but he was nowhere in sight.  Turning in all directions, he attempted to find Ainsely.  The man had disappeared.  Nathaniel had a feeling something had happened.  What it was, he had no idea.

Aubrey bent down and grabbed her slipper.  Tossing it, she watched as it embedded itself into a hedge.   She was furious at Ainsely.  Her brother pushed too far.  She kicked her other slipper off and watched as it sailed through the air, heading in the opposite direction as the other.  One last thing and she would be ready.  Ignoring the sound of footsteps behind her, she reached down and pulled.  A loud ripping sound echoed through the night as the skirt of her dress fell to the ground.

"Aubrey!" a voice called out. 

She looked over her shoulder at Ainsely, but did not stop as she ran deeper into the gardens.  If he came any closer, she was afraid she would not be able to control her actions.

"Aubrey, please!" Ainsely yelled.  "I am sorry."

She stopped and turned towards him.  "You are sorry?  How would you like for me to use your curse against you?"

"There is not a way for you to use it against me," he said while taking a step towards her.  "I knew what I was doing, Aubrey, and I know I should not have."

"You wonder why I do not stay home?" she asked with a harsh chuckle.  "It is because of that.  Why would anyone want me around them?"

Ainsely reached out and grabbed her hand.  Pulling her towards him, he wrapped his arms around her.  Aubrey just stood there immobile.  She would not give him the satisfaction of forgiving him so soon.

"I was trying to show you that your curse is not a bad thing."

"By forcing me to answer a question I did not want too?  I think your plan was an ill thought out one."

"Three is a powerful number," Ainsely mumbled into her hair.  "I should not have done that."

She pushed him back.  "Tell me the truth, why did you do it?  You owe me that much, why did you force me to answer the question."

Ainsely glanced at the ground before locking eyes with her.  "You need fun in your life, and I have a feeling that Nathaniel could give you that."

"And that display was an attempt to what?  Make him see how crazed I am?"

"You look crazed," he whispered while gesturing at her corset top and the pants she had worn under her gown.

Her eyes narrowed.  "I am going for a ride."

"On Daisy?"

"Do you see another dragon I could possibly take?" she asked sarcastically while glancing around.

He smacked her shoulder in a playful way.  "I thought you may become a normal person and ride a horse."

"You would not love me if I was normal," she replied with a smile.

"True," he said with a shrug.  His face turned serious.  "Am I forgiven?"

"This once," she replied, "but do not let your guard fall.  I will get you back."

"Be back by midnight?"

She smiled.  "I am the Princess of this land; I will be back when I please."

"I am the Prince of this land, I can call you back if I wish," he said while raising an eyebrow in challenge.

"The land likes me more than it likes you," she jested.  "I listen to it while you dally in other things."

"It frightens me, Aubrey," he said in the same serious tone he used earlier.  "You embrace it, but I can't do it.  I cannot let it flow through me like you allow it to do with you."

The air shifted behind her.  Hot air blew down her back.  Without turning, she knew that Daisy was shifting restlessly behind her.  "Ainsely," she said in a pleading voice, "can we talk about this later?"

He smiled at her.  "Of course, love.  Your dragon looks to be ready to go.  Can I ask you where you are going?"

"Two more times and I will have to answer you," she said with narrowed eyes.

"I only asked once."

She shook her head until the curls straightened out and the red darkened to a deep black.  She concentrated until she knew her eyes were the dark, almost black color.  Her clothing shifted to black and red.  Smiling, she did a little curtsy.

He laughed at her.  "Wake me when you return home?"

"Of course," she replied while turning and grabbing onto Daisy.  Hoisting herself up, she settled comfortably.  She ran her hand over Daisy's head.  "How have you been girl?"

The dragon shook its head with a huff making Aubrey laugh.  "You are ready to go are you not?"

Her wings flapped gaining air.  Aubrey glanced up and waved.  "Bye, Ainsely!"

"Be home soon, Abe!" he called out as she took off into the sky.