Chapter Twenty-One - The Winds of Change

Chapter Twenty-One – The Winds of Change
At dinner the announcement was made that the fight would be held the next day after lunch. I could tell no one was very happy with this idea. There was so much tension in the room that I found it nearly impossible to eat.
When dinner was finished I could tell that no ones mood had changed. The worry and anxiousness was worn deeply on their faces, even Zayne who normally seemed bubbly. Annie, however, was taking it the hardest. I could tell she was fighting back tears as she left the room, worry lines forming on her forehead. She stole a quick glance and me and turned away. The sadness in her eyes was far too much for me to handle. I went to Saeron for comfort, hoping the surprise he had mentioned earlier would cheer me up.
“Not tonight, sweetheart.” He told me in his soothing voice. The sound of it alone made me feel a little better about the upcoming events, but still didn't take away the anxiousness.
“Why not tonight?”
“It's better we wait till this is all over.” Saeron smiled warmly. He turned away to head in the direction of his room.
“But...but what if you don't win.” As I said this I hoped the complete opposite. His head turned around to face me. There was seriousness in his eyes, uncertainty, and other unfamiliar feelings I couldn't quite decipher.
“I'll win. I promise.” His words sounded sincere and believable. I relaxed a little. He walked to his room and disappeared.
I crawled into my bed, my pajamas on and the lights still on, and I propped my head up on a pillow. The previous reassurance Saeron had gave me was starting to wear off and I was beginning to wonder if her really could take on Jurah.
I couldn't get mind off of that day I spent at the library with Annie. The things she said about Jurah's strength, how he could take on all of them if he wanted to. Was he really that strong? He had killed that creature in the forest with a single swipe of his sword. Maybe he was powerful. I hoped not more powerful than Saeron.
It was sad, in a way, that Jurah had no one of his own to care for. If Saeron had never existed I would have probably fallen in love with Jurah. Of course if Saeron hadn't existed I would have never been in this predicament or this kingdom, or even in love for that matter. So much had happened because of Saeron, and even though there was some good and some bad I still cherished the moments I had created with him. They were moments most ordinary girls couldn't even dream of having.
I was lucky to be with Saeron despite what circumstances I had been through to be with him. It was all worth it in the end. I had to admit, there were times when I felt like the relationship between us could never work, but it's like they say, fate somehow finds a way to bring two people who are in love together. So perhaps fate will be on our side this time. If it's really meant to be Saeron will win and we'll be able to live together forever in peace. I only wished it didn't require that the two have to fight. It was so sad seeing Annie and the others so sad and worried like that. It must be hard seeing two of their kind going at it. Their probably afraid they'll kill each other, and that's the last thing they would hope for with their dwindling population. What am I saying?! Their human beings! I would never want Saeron to die or get injured, and I'm sure they don't want that either. And as much as I'd had to admit it, if Jurah ever was killed or badly injured it would make me sad as well. Even after the bad things he done to me I still care for him. He may be stubborn, but he is a generally sweet person who I'd hate to see get hurt.
I turned my head to the sound of the door opening. Speak of the devil. I laughed to myself.
“Jurah, haven't you caused enough trouble tonight?” I saw him wince at my comment, as though my words has pierce his heart.
“I only came to apologize.” There was true sincerity in his voice. “I never meant to make you cry. I just want you to love me.”
He sounded like a broken record. I wanted to tell him to get out, but my sympathy for him was rising with each second. His face looked torn and his eyes filled with sadness. He gaze met the floor.
“You don't understand what it's like living without a mate for so long. I've longed for someone to hold for too long and now that I've found you it's become all but easy to conceal my wanting.” He paused with a sigh. As his eyes looked up to meet mine I saw as glint in them. A small tear trailed from his eye down to his chin and he had to look back down to regain his composure. “Please forgive me Dante. I promise I'll never hurt you again and I'll fight my hardest to try to win you for myself. But if I don't win....just know I still love you.”
I felt something wet fall off my cheek and realized it was a tear. His last words had deeply touched me somehow and I felt great compassion for him.
“That's all I wanted to say...that and...” He pulled out a small box and set it at the foot of my bed. “I made this for you. It's to say I'm sorry for everything I've done to you. Please forgive me.” He wiped away a tear and looked up with hopeful, yet sad eyes.
“Of course I forgive you.” I said cheerfully. “I know you only did those things because you really wanted me. And it's okay now because you said your sorry.”
“Thank you.” He smiled cheerfully. “Sleep well, Dante. I'll see you tomorrow.”
As soon as he left the room I reached down at the foot of the bed and scoped up the little box he had given me. I lifted the lid of the box and looked down at the gift he had given me. Inside a set of beads lay bunched up, locked onto some form of string. I pulled out the object and found a beautifully beaded necklace. At it's base, the most intriguing part of it, was a tiger amulet made of jade. I unlatched it and hooked the latch, the necklace laying flat on my chest. It was nice of him to have gotten it for me, but I wondered what Saeron would say if he saw it. Of course the necklace didn't interfere with the bracelet he had gotten me, but it would still come into question when Saeron caught a glimpse of it. I decided it was best to put it away until I everything had died down.
Morning came sooner than I would have hoped.
I got out of bed, brushed my teeth, got on some clothes, and very slowly ate my breakfast. I was nearly through when I got a knock on my door. I pictured either Jurah walking in with another declaration of admiration or Saeron coming in to talk to me before he had to fight. Instead his sister, Annie came in with a very somber look on her face.
“Annie, what's wrong?” I asked, though I clearly knew the answer. She threw herself to me and instantly began bawling.
“I can't believe this is actually happening. This is something I've feared would happen.” She said through tears. I softly rubbed her back in an effort to calm her down. It was starting to work. Her sobs were getting softer. “I just hope neither of them gets killed.”
“I'm sure it will all be fine. Jurah came to me the other night and apologized for all he did to me so I'm sure he wont get to carried away on Saeron, and Saeron is a gentleman. He won't kill your cousin.”
Annie was still sobbing, but I could tell she was taking assurance in my words because she nodded several times. I could only imagine how hard it has to be for her. Her cousin and her only brother fighting against each other. She may not have known Saeron for very long, but he was still her brother, her flesh and blood.
“I know you don't know Saeron very well, but I've seen him in action. I've seen him fight monsters five times his size and win.” I assured her. “And if Jurah's as good as you say he is I'm sure both will put up a good fight, and they'll both be fine.”
She looked up at me and smiled with reassurance in her eyes.
“Thank you so much.” She said with a hug. “It'll be tough to watch, but at least now I feel more assured about the outcome.”
“I just hope the outcome results in Saeron's win. I mean...I care about Jurah, but-
“I know, you love Saeron. I know if I was in your situation I'd only have love for one man too and that'd be my love Zayne. I'm really sorry your having to go through all this.” She hugged me again, rubbing my back this time. “But love will find a way, it always does.” She winked and smiled. “I guess I'll head back to my room now. I'll see you at the dining all for lunch. Our last meal together before the fight.” As she finished she headed out the door and closed it shut so that I was left alone to ponder my thoughts.
I didn't have much else to think about, unless you count all the things I had previously thought about before.
Finally I got bored and fell asleep on my bed, only to be awakened an hour later by Saeron who was graciously offering to take me to lunch.
“What's wrong? You seem quiet.” He said after we'd be walking silently down the hall for some time.
“It's just...well you know. All this! It's making me sick to my stomach. I don't want anything to happen to you guys.”
“Sweetheart, everything will be alright. We're both strong men and even stronger tigers. We can take on a lot of damage. Besides, it's not like it's a fight to the death.” I breathed out a sigh of relief when he spoke the last words. At least I didn't have to worry about that part. Now all I had to worry about was watching the fight and the injuries after. “And if your thinking of injuries were not like normal humans, we heal faster than that. I'll be fine. I just need to win is all.” He chuckled after he said this. He seemed so confident in his abilities that it was start to make me feel confident in them as well.
“Just promise me one thing.”
“Okay, what's that?” He asked, stopping in mid walk.
“That you'll still love me, even if you lose.”
“Oh, I wont lose!” He chuckled again.
“Saeron, I'm serious.” He looked down at me and he too became serious. He smiled as he put his hand softly on my cheek, stroking it lightly.
“I promise I will always love you forever. No matter what.” He pulled me close and pressed a passionate kiss upon me. I swooned under the impact of it's excitement. Saeron pulled away and smiled. “Shall we head off to lunch then?”
“Of course.” I smiled pleasantly.
Lunch flew by fast. But just when I thought it was about done Saeron had an announcement to make.
“Jurah, I was think that since we're fighting for this beautiful lady that we might as well raise the wager. I think you'll find this one most appropriate.”
“What is it?”
“I think that the winner should not only get to keep Dante as their love, but become king as well.”
“I don't see why you find that so appropriate Saeron!” Jurah growled.
“Well, considering I am the rightful heir to the thrown I think I should have a fair shot at earning my crown back.” Saeron grinned through his gleaming teeth.
“Alright Saeron. I'll go along with your little wager.” Jurah said with much amusement in his voice.
“Good. It's settled then. Let's get on with the fight shall we?”
Outside it was beginning to grow a bit chilly. Almost all the Jyot's had transformed into their tiger forms for warmth. Luckily I had thought to wear a jacket. I sat on the grass pulling my jacket close to me waiting for the fight to begin. One the far left side stood Saeron, still in human form, and on the far right was Jurah, also still in human form. I assumed they were going to fight in their tiger forms, but they probably wanted to get as much fresh air as they could before they were in the heat of battle.
I looked over at Annie was was sitting next to Zayne. Her white coat greatly stood out next to the intense orange coat on Zayne, and her true blue eyes stood out even more. They didn't seem as sad anymore, only anxious, like a hungry tiger stalking it's prey, or a deer trying to find an escape from the hunter.
The wind started to blow furiously towards me. It was becoming very difficult to stay warm and concentrate at the same time. Finally Saeron transformed into his tiger form, which gave Jurah the signal to transform into his as well. Both Saeron and Jurah looked like night and day, one black, the other cream. Which was ironic, because they were indeed as different as night and day.
I waited anxiously for one to start the fight. A minute passed, but all they managed to accomplish was digging their nails into the dirt. Finally Jurah lunged at Saeron and the fight was on. Each one started to attack the other. And each time the other would dodge the attack. It was clear to see what tactics both were using. Saeron's was strength, and Jurah's was speed.
The wind started to pick up again, but still time it became even more violent. It came with a force that almost took me with it. I was sure a hurricane was on it's way. But Saeron and Jurah just kept at it. The wind didn't cease, in fact it got worse. It eventually got to the point where everyone of us was looking for shelter among trees and even Saeron and Jurah's movement started to slow.
I started to hear the clogging noise of hoofs. And as the wind got stronger so did the noise, until finally a black creature came storming out of the thicket. He came riding on his horse, I could tell instantly it was the Temple Keeper, and right away he caught everyones attention. His pace never slowed as he continued to ride, now circling me. The mane and tail of the horse I knew as Oris was a beautiful iridescent color in the light, and when I looked up so were the Temple Keepers eyes. They met me with a twisted gaze, one you'd only see in a psychopath bent on killing for fun. He finally slowed his pace and stopped the horse just in front of me.
The others gathered around, all looking very puzzled.
“I've been looking for you.” His voice was cold and demonic. I shiver went down my spine as I stared up at him, his evil gazing never breaking for a second. I shriveled back in fear. I finally knew why he had come to the island.