Chapter 20 You are clueless, aren't you?

*****************************************

Athena walked around that evening, she did not see Sarah or anyone at all and the moon wasn't out yet, she kept stumbling and falling until she bumped into Alex again, she was completely wasted.

" Hey Alex," Athena said flashing a smile at him, her perfect white teeth, revealed for him to see. but there was some kind of smell.

"Are you drunk, Athena?" Alex asked as he inhaled the liquor's hard smell.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that, I am not... Hiccup."

"you are drunk, where did you get liquor?" Alex asked, but then he suddenly remembered she was with Sarah, he grunted and face palmed himself knowing with Sarah, any damn thing is possible.

"I'll never tell," she said, still smiling at him."Think fast!" she suddenly jumped on him encircling her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, everything played in slow motion with her in his arms. His heartbeat picked up its pace and he couldn't help but stare at her. The wind blew softly and her silky long red hair danced in rhythm to it as she spread out her arms with her eyes closed.

Alex shook his head to distract himself from staring at her that much "Come, let me take you back to your quarters."He said but she was unwilling.

She instantly hopped down and clutched his shirt bringing her face close to his as beads of sweat rolled down his face.

"No, I don't want to go there, today...I am sleeping with you," Athena said and he gulped, the wind was blowing but he still felt immense heat inside him and his breath was cut short.

"No, you are going, now come on, "He said carrying her on his shoulders and walking in the direction of the maid's quarters.

"No I don't want to go, put me down Xavier" Athena said as she struggled. He stopped and put her down, clutching his fist tight.

"Xavier huh?" Alex said with a sad-faced chuckle.

"Athena, why do you do this?"Alex said.

"Do what?" She asked with dimmed eyes and Alex grabbed her shoulders shaking her violently.

"Why, why did you fall for him, why didn't you see me, Athena, why did you get drunk all because of him, does he matter to you that much, do you love him that much?" Alex scolded, the hurt was evident in his voice.

"Alex you should stop shaking me, I

don't feel so good," She said.

"I need a serious answer, Athena," He said "I love you...I always have since we were kids, I got like this all because of you, you were my motivation!"

She didn't say a word and just kept staring at him, there was utter silence, her gaze was unfathomable and Alex could not read her expression. He leaned forward, slowly carrying his head to hers, he maintained eye contact, he was about to kiss her, just an inch away from her lips, she pushed him and turned to the side as she threw up.

Alex facepalmed himself disappointed he said all this to a drunk girl and not to the sober Athena, he patted her back as she puked and when she was done she collapsed in his hands.

The sun shone through the window and rested on Athena's face, she woke up with a loud grunt, in a sitting position she massaged her temples with a groan

"My head hurts so bad, am never drinking that again," she said.

"Here drink this, it'll help with the migraine," she heard a masculine voice say and when she looked up she saw Alex holding a bowl of hot soup.

"Oh, it's just you." She said running her fingers through her hair, then she looked around noticing she was in Alex's room. She always thought it was unfair the guys had their rooms in their quarters while the girls had a hall, but who was she to question the crane's castle?

"Hmm sorry to disappoint you, it's just me, not Xavier," He said sarcastically, she raised her head to meet his gaze memories of last night flashed in her mind and she also recalled his confession.

"Alex..."

"Here, just drink this and leave, Madam Lisa is looking for you."Alex said, giving her the bowl of soup." I will be with the army if you need me, we are expecting a very important guest."

"Which Guest?"She asked taking a sip out of the hot soup.

"Yes, the king Epirius of Stones kingdom is on his way here."He said.

"Why?" she asked.

"I think the king wants to trade, but it has something to do with an upcoming war," Alex said.

"War?" Athena asked, taking another sip out of the hot soup and jumping out of bed.

"Yes, I hope we get those metals, I think we can survive against the dragons," Alex said.

"You mean real fire-breathing dragons?" She asked.

"You are clueless, aren't you?" He asked and she nodded.

"The King thinks the dragon empire will declare war on the Crane's kingdom and in case they do we need to be prepared. Stones Empire has the strongest metal in the world that cannot be melted even by a dragon's flame..."

"So the king wants to trade something for their metal?" Athena asked and he nodded. They both came out of his room walking together towards the field where the army was gathered still engrossed in their talk.

"Yoo Athena what are you doing with this squirt," A black guy who she recognized as Alex's friend and partner Jackson said as he ran towards them.

" He was just briefing me on King Epirius of the Stones kingdom," she said with a smile.

"Oh I thought he was bothering you, he's always ranting about how much he wants you to be his, and how you are the prettiest girl he has ever laid his eyes upon, the dog even said you're prettier than his mama, even if it were true I'd never say that about my mom..."

"Jackson!"Alex scolded and he instantly kept shut, there was an awkward silence between them, he took a glance at Athena, and their gazes met and she quickly turned away looking everywhere except in his direction.

"I...I should go, madam Lisa must be looking for me, bye" She said and ran off.

"Hey man, you did tell her right, don't tell me you didn't?"Jackson said but was ignored by Alex whose gaze was still fixated on the empty space she ran through.