Chapter 23- Wake Up!

The air was chilled due to nightfall. I awoke feeling energetic and ready to complete my mission. I sat up looking down beside me. Sabasmus was so cute as he lay there peacefully. As much as I wanted to let him sleep, I knew I better wake him up soon. I lightly touched his hair leaning down to kiss his cheek.

"Sabasmus, it's time to wake up now." I said soothingly. With each kiss I planted on his face he stirred slightly. Finally, I decided to lick him awake, I stuck my tongue out to trace his ear. However, I didn't expect it to be so effective. Sabasmus jolted awake grabbing me. He rolled me from hovering over him to being beneath him. His breathing was harder and his gaze wild. I smiled at him saying, "Good night, Sebby," as I reached out to tap his nose.

He shook his head briefly, erasing the wild look in his eyes. "Yes, it's night now. I'm sorry you awoke me with such a strange feeling method." He said looking down in thought.

"I'm sorry, I tried to wake you up sweetly, but you were dead asleep. Haha. Anyhow, unless you want to go further," I gestured to his position on top of me, "I suggest you move aside so we can get ready." I joked with him.

His face blushed pink making him look adorable. He looked up at me with his big round eyes. I saw hesitation flash by before he slid off me.

"Good, there's much time to have our wedding night later on." I concluded as I sat up to give him a quick kiss and ruffle of his hair. We hurried and dressed ourselves before exiting to meet the others. Fraren stood under the moonlight looking majestic as ever while checking our eagle mounts. His long dark hair and pale skin made him look like the prince of night.

"Is everything prepared?" I asked him as I approached my personal eagle mount Xander.

"Yes, the troops are ready and awaiting your instructions," he said in a monotone voice.

I could tell my inconsideration for his feelings this past afternoon was catching up to him. I wanted to console him and reassure him of my feelings for him. Right as I was about to speak up, he mounted his eagle heading to the flight deck where we would take off. I followed suit, climbing our way to the top where we would get our jump start into the air.

All hundred eagles were lined up ready to make their plunge. Mounted and packed with all the necessary gear I took the lead. I squeezed Xander giving him the signal to start our journey through the clouds.

Xander lurched off the edge of the platform with his powerful claws. The chilled wind rushed through my hair as we plummeted downwards. He reminded me of our first flight together pulling his little trick.

A second later he opened his wings reversing our direction from down to upward. He cruised the breeze that would carry us through the night. Sailing smoothly now, I took a look around me to make sure the others had taken off just as "effortlessly".

Fraren, looking straight ahead, was to my right. Sabasmus, with his blushing face seeming deep in thought on something, was to my left. Our troops behind us filed into their formation.

Several hours passed by in silence. Words wanted to be spoken but both sides were unsure how to do so. Fraren seemed to be giving me the cold shoulder at the moment. The distance between us hurt my heart after the intimacy we had shared only a few nights ago. I missed him, I never imagined one could feel so close to another yet then so far. I wonder if he feels the same way and misses me...

We flew onwards as my thoughts ran rapidly through my mind. I took a few sips of water here and there. A bite of bread to soothe my stomachs grumbles of discomfort.

We were hidden in the darkness of night flying unseen nor heard. Slowly the sun began to rise signaling the end of our first night of flight. We had successfully traveled until sunrise covering over half the distance we needed to travel. The heat of the day was too much for our eagles and fair Elvin skin to handle. Their dark feathers attracted both the sun's rays and the eyes of those who were unwelcome.

We landed swiftly and began to set up camp for the day. Our white tents were formed into a circle with mine at the center. The eagles took shelter from the rising temperatures as did the troops.

I had a tent with several rooms to it. I asked Fraren and Sabasmus to stay in the rooms adjoining mine. After unpacking a few necessities, I got ready to eat and sleep through the day until night fall. My skin felt uncomfortable in this new dessert environment making me want to wear the least amount of clothes possible. I had a special pair of silken shorts prepared for such a moment. A matching thin strapped top to pair.

I walked around freely searching for a quick bite to eat. I noticed Fraren alone in his room. I decided it was now or never to face him.

"Fraren," I said approaching him.

He turned to look up at me before continuing his task at hand.

"Yes, your majesty?" He said still in a distant voice.

"Can we talk?" I pleaded walking closer. I reached out putting my hand on his shoulder. I felt his body shake before he collapsed onto his makeshift mattress.

"Fraren, what's wrong?" I asked now frightened. I squatted down to meet his gaze. His eyes were leaking water down his face.

"Talk to me," I pleaded further placing a hand on his shaking arm.

A minute passed before he spoke up with a choked voice, "I tried to prepare myself the best I could." He said slowly, "but nothing could prepare me for the unimaginable." He continued.

"I never allowed myself for a moment to believe that you could be mine. Then the day I was told that I was wrong, and you were to be my wife was the happiest day of my life. We shared the most intimate moment together and it was pure bliss Fanariel. I never dreamed I could feel so whole and content." He paused.

"But then the moment came when I realized even after our connection, I had to share you with others. That you would have that same connection with them too. My heart... it's been hurting at the thought of another with you. Having what we have. If only I had..." He trailed off letting more tears run down his face.

I hadn't realized the toll our circumstances had taken on him. I never thought he would feel so strongly about me.

"Fraren, I promise you that what we have is like no other. You are my best friend, I've loved you since we were kids. Nothing will ever take that away. Our bond will only grow stronger." I promised him. "Look I know this is hard, it's hard for me too, but I know our love is worth fighting for."

Fraren calmed down with my words. "I'm sorry, I know this hasn't been easy on you either. I will be okay, and I know now that our feelings are mutual. Thank you." He said while pulling me into his embrace.

I collided into his chest making him fall onto his back. We laid there enjoying each other's presence feeling at peace again. My eye lids shut, and the light began to fade as I drifted to sleep in the comfort of his arms. We both slept easily now that those words had finally been spoken.

Outside the campground the sand moved slightly in straight lines. A hidden enemy was concealed beneath the ocean of sand. Their movements causing small waves that could be detected only by a Sphinx of high class. Sabasmus's senses were on guard since the departure from the castle. He was constantly scanning their surroundings on ground and air for any dangers.

Once the enemy had gotten close enough, he immediately picked up on their location. Sabasmus leaped to his feet and ran from his room to find Fanariel and the others. He must alert them to the possible danger at once!

"Fanariel!" Sabasmus called out into the tent.

His voice awoke Fraren first. "In here," he called back making me stir slightly. Fraren could hear the panic in his voice and knew something must be wrong.

Sabasmus quickly ran to Fraren's room pausing at the scene before him. He then shook his rushing thoughts of jealousy out from his head before saying, "the enemy approaches. I've sensed approximately twenty or so figures moving within the sand currently surrounding the camp as we speak. We must alert the others immediately." He said with worry.

Fraren woke me up to inform me of the situation. I thought it over briefly before deciding, "listen closely, we will each go tent to tent to alert the troops. We will do so quietly. I want them to be dressed and ready for battle. They are to remain quiet and wait for my signal. I do not want the enemy to know we are ready. Our numbers are far greater than theirs, surprise being the only element they had. But with that gone now we will surely be victorious. Now quickly make haste." I said as I bolted to get dressed for a fight. I expected to wait another day before battle but seems the enemy has saved me time making the extra journey to me. Very well.