Ethereal

~Marcie~

I could feel the tendrils of energy, snaking their way over my shoulders. My vision was fuzzy for a moment, and I blinked, momentarily blinded by some strange light.

The floor was shaking, and I felt waves of energy drift through it. I looked down and followed the golden trails, until I was looking at Charlotte. She was leaning on Tennin, her golden aura pulsing brightly.

I shivered, and the last traces of her energy fell away. I felt strange--not tired at all, not even drained--like I had simply channeled something that wasn't mine.

A Power that wasn't mine.

I looked up at Charlotte, and as I met her eyes a thought crossed my mind. The memory of a hand, holding a glowing ball of energy...was that what I had just done?

But that made me think of Princes, and thinking of Princes reminded me that there was one standing right behind me.

"You!" I said angrily, turning around and pointing a finger to his chest. Ashan looked down at me, surprised.

Around us, the men were gathering together around the body of the fallen Grebon. Tennin led Charlotte away.

"You are a liar," I said, stalking closer to Ashan, and poking him angrily in the chest. He took my hand and raised an eyebrow, grinning slightly.

"Your reaction seems slightly disproportionate to this news. Other maidens would be very pleased to find out that their--"

"Their what?" I stopped in front of him and glared. I could hear the direction his tone was going. "Their what? Their bodyguards?" I stepped closer. "Their captors? Find out that the person who kidnapped them is a Prince? Is that what other maidens are pleased about?" I felt energy crackling around my fingers, and this time I was sure it was my own--it was certainly my own anger pulsing through my veins.

Ashan stepped forward this time, and brushed his hand against mine. The sparks at my fingertips only flared up.

"And that is why you have no right to be angry," He said calmly. "It's not exactly as if we are close confidantes,"

"But I thought we were friends," I said softly.

He reached out a hand to touch my face but I stepped back.

"And now your friend is a Prince," he murmured.

"A fallen Prince."

His eyes blazed. "It wasn't I who caused the fall. The people were the ones who called for order, to abolish the old system. And now I am part of the Order, in the same position of power I would have had as a Prince. Helping as much as I would have, if my father were still King."

My eyes widened as a sudden realization came to me. "No you're not," I said, staring at the badges on his chest.

He frowned. "Not what?"

"Not in a Prince's position of power," I said slowly, turning and pointing. "Tennin is."

Realization dawned on Charlotte's face and she looked at Ashan.

"Care to explain how a rejected orphan boy came to be in a higher position in the Order than the crown prince of Sub-Terra?" She said, raising an eyebrow. Tennin winced.

Ashan looked at his friend with a strange expression. Tennin glanced at him and sighed.

"The Order does not...place so much importance on titles," He said lightly.

"Then how was it that the King was immediately made leader?" I said sharply.

"I wouldn't say immediately," Tennin said softly.

"My father had to earn his place," Ashan said, fire sparking in his eyes. "Just as I have."

 I paused, looking at Ashan. Several expressions flickered across his face--hurt, anger, and it seemed almost as if he were indignant.

I understood. He was hurt that I didn't take the news well, angry that I didn't think he deserved his place, and the last was something I'd never seen Ashan express before. Annoyance. I had always thought of him as the ever patient, calm, soothing presence to counter volatile Tennin. But hadn't I seen the other sides of him? Not just the guard, but the Prince. The Protector.

"The Lovers," a hoarse laugh came from the other side of the room, from the direction of the pile of ratty clothing, otherwise known as Grebon.

"Excuse me?" I turned to him, energy crackling up again.

"Not you," he said with a mad chuckle, waving his hand in me and Ashan's direction. "Them,"

He pointed towards Charlotte and Tennin.

"Well isn't that just all kinds of awkward," I breathed, as the two stepped away from each other, looking away.

"Why is it that madmen are often so perceptive?" Ashan said smoothly.

I had to suppress a grin.

"While you two figure out your love life--" I started.

"Ahem."

I froze for a moment, and Charlotte and I stared at each other. The noise was prim and proper, and so unlike anything else we had heard in the past few days that we burst out laughing.

It took me a minute to regain control, and when I could finally breathe I turned around to see who was foolish enough to make such a polite noise in such a barbaric setting.

The boy had white-blonde hair and faded blue eyes. He fixed us with a disapproving glare and cleared his throat again.

"I am Risun. Sars Ashan and Tennin have been compromised. You have failed your duty to the Order and have disobeyed direct instructions. I am here to collect the Koreask."