Chapter Two: A World of Magic....

Bleu stared at Karina, utterly shocked. For several seconds she was unable to form words. "What?" she whispered at last. "What... did you say? I... don't think I heard right..."

Karina took a step forward. "I said cousin," she replied with a smile. "And so you are. My cousin."

"But... that's impossible," Bleu whispered. "You're also Katra and Ankara's sister, and I never knew they existed before they started causing trouble. How could I possibly be related to people I've never heard of?"

"Sounds strange, but it's quite possible. And quite true." Karina smiled.

"But...." Bleu was confused. "I know who and what I am! Where and when I'm from! How could I be anything else?!"

Karina sighed. "Very easily, Bleu. You don't really know anything about yourself. What you know, what you think you know, is a lie. You're not even half-Mystic. The Mystic who raised you was not your father."

"What?!" Bleu gasped. "You... you must be mistaken! You must have mistaken me for someone else!"

"'Fraid not, Bleu." Karina sighed again. "Look, just sit down and I'll tell the whole story as best I can. It's a long one, so I hope you don't have any plans."

"It all really started in 13,000 B.C. That was the great disaster that shaped Zeal Kingdom, partially. Up until that year, demon summoning had been quite common, and very popular. For a long," Karina giggled slightly, "time, humans and demons coexisted quite peacefully. Then some of them started to make trouble, and there was a great war. Afterwards, all demons, even the good ones, were banished back to the demon dimension, and summoning was made a forbidden spell."

"What's that have to do with me?"

"Everything. Not everyone was happy with the fact that summoning was made forbidden. For, you see, one demon had produced a son with a woman of Zeal. His name was Decamerone Nightshade." Karina smiled at the expression of shock on Bleu's face. "In time, he became a well-respected magic teacher and occasional soldier in the Zealian army. In 12,020, he took on a student by the name of Orina Farine. Your mother."

"What am I learning today?" Orina asked Decamerone. She smiled shyly at him. Fourteen years old, she had recently begun learning magic from him, her third teacher. She had been a struggling student until she was given him as a teacher, her previous teachers unable to put up with her apparent lack of skill and sarcastic, unfriendly attitude.

Now, though, she was beginning to truly learn, becoming quite skilled in magic. Her attitude was definitely different as well, due to her crush on her teacher. Too bad it was forbidden to have a romantic relationship with him.

Decamerone smiled back, making her heart skip a beat. He was so handsome, with his long blue-black hair and warm yellow eyes. She sighed inwardly, wishing for the millionth time that she were old enough for him to notice her and that it wasn't forbidden.

"Nothing today, Orina. You know as well as I do that today is your fifteenth birthday. So instead of lessons, I'm going to give you your present and then you can go do whatever you want."

"What? You got me something?" Orina blushed. "You... didn't have to."

"Of course I did," he replied with a smile. "How could I forget my favorite student's birthday?"

Orina smiled wryly. "I'm your only student," she reminded him in the driest of tones.

Decamerone laughed, sending a warm shiver through her. "So you are. Anyway, here is your gift." He handed her a small box. She reached forward and took it, blushing and trembling slightly when their hands brushed. She opened it up. A frog carved of clear green jade stared back at her. She smiled up at him.

"It's very pretty. Thank you."

"You're welcome," he replied, smiling down at her. "It's a good-luck charm, actually. Give it a kiss like the princess in the fairy tale, and it's supposed to bring you luck."

"Mmm." Orina brushed her lips against it and put it in her pocket. Now if only it could bring me you, I'd be truly happy, she thought with another inward sigh as she gazed up at Decamerone with a wistful smile on her face.

Two years later....

Orina smiled to herself as she brushed out her long black hair. Today was her seventeenth birthday, and she was very excited. For one thing, she was getting her own room in the Palace because of her enrollment in the Zealian army. She would no longer be living in the small house she had grown up in with her sisters and their guardian.

Her smile faded slightly as she thought of her family, such as it was. She loved her sisters, but... they had never really been close.

Alyse, the oldest, was the smart one. Wise and thoughtful, she had spent her childhood and teenage years training to be a Guru of Zeal, wise magicians and advisers to the royal family. Quiet and serious, the role suited her well.

Ithonie was, well.... not much could be said about her. She had first tried to be a Guru like Alyse, but lacked the wisdom and maturity it required. Then she'd tried to be a soldier, but had lacked the skill and endurance the training required. Finally, she'd been reduced to being an idle courtier, spending her days socializing with the other nobles. But she wasn't accepted with them, not really. They mocked her behind her back and treated her with condescending coldness to her face, if they even bothered to acknowledge her at all.

The youngest, Orina hadn't really known their mother. Their father had died in combat months before her birth. Heartsick and grieving, her weakening mother had barely survived her birth, lingering on for a few pain-filled months before giving up entirely. At times Orina felt that Ithonie partially blamed her for their mother's death.

But she wouldn't think of that. Shaking away the painful memories, she smiled back at her reflection as she pinned her hair up. The main reason she was so excited about today was that her new room was right next door to Decamerone's.

She sighed dreamily as she thought of him. Two and a half years and she still hadn't gotten over her crush on him. The cynical part of her derided how silly she got over him, but she couldn't help it. He just had that effect on her.

Her smile grew wistful and sad as her cynical, hopeless side rose up. "Who am I fooling?" she whispered. "He's never going to feel the same way about me, and even if he ever did, he wouldn't do anything about it because it's forbidden. Stupid rules..." Her lower lip trembled, and she swallowed the threatening tears with a lump in her throat. She wasn't going to cry. Not today. Not today of all days. Today was a happy day. Mustering up a smile, she finished arranging her hair and got up to pack her things and move in to her wonderful new room.

"Orina?" Decamerone knocked on the door to her room. "Are you in there?"

"Yes, come in," she called, smiling already.

"Very nice," he commented as he walked in.

"Of course," she said with a smile. "Now, what brings you here?"

"Why, your gift, of course," he replied, smiling. He held out a small box. "For you. Happy birthday."

"Th-thank you," she said, blushing. Her hand shook slightly as she took the box. As their hands brushed, it almost seemed as if his did, too. Drawing a shaky breath, she opened the box. Inside was a glittering silver chain, simple but lovely. Hanging from it was an antique heart-shaped locket. "It... it's beautiful," she breathed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Here, let me." He took the necklace from the box and unclasped it. Moving around behind her, he slipped it around her neck and fastened it. She trembled slightly and squeezed her eyes shut as his warm fingers brushed her skin. Again it seemed like his hand shook as he touched her. Swallowing hard, she turned to face him. For a moment they just stared at each other, unable to speak. Then it happened. Cupping her face gently in his hand, he kissed her softly. She leaned up into it, slipping her arms around him. Her heart pounded as he pulled her closer, holding her tightly. A soft sigh escaped her lips.

Then the moment was shattered as they pulled apart as suddenly as they had kissed. They stared at each other, shocked, their eyes wide, breathing heavy.

"I...." Decamerone tried to speak. "I'm... oh, Orina..." Looking appalled, he left the room in a hurry. She turned, wanting to call him back, but unable to form the words. With a muffled cry, she laid down on her bed and began to cry.

"Orina?" Ithonie rapped on the door. "Are you in there? It's time for your birthday party, you'd better hurry and come on!"

"I'm not going." Orina's voice was muffled by the door and the pillow she had buried her tear-stained face in. She didn't want anyone to see her like this. Not Ithonie, who would probably smirk at her. And certainly not Decamerone, who would most likely regard her with pity and disgust. "Nothing you can say will make me leave this room."

"Fine then." Ithonie shrugged. "No skin off my nose if you miss your own party." Brushing a lock of her curly black hair out of her face, she walked away.

Once she was gone, Orina whimpered, the sound one of utter anguish and heartbreak. She'd thought today was going to be so happy -- what a fool! A dejected sob escaped her, and she began to cry again, harder.

"Where's Orina?" Decamerone asked Ithonie as she entered the party.

"Oh, moping in her room about something," Ithonie said with a disdainful sniff. "What's it to me?" She smiled at Decamerone. "Her loss if she misses this party, no one else's. Come, enjoy yourself." She started to loop her arm through his, but he turned and walked away, not seeming to notice. Grinding her teeth together, she clenched her fists and glared after him.

"Orina?" Decamerone called softly as he knocked on her door. "What's wrong?" He immediately regretted his choice of words as soon as they were out of his mouth. He had a pretty good idea what was wrong.

"Go 'way," she whispered, sounding like a pouting child. She hated herself for sounding that way, so immature. "I don't want to talk to anybody. Least of all you."

Least of all you. Decamerone winced, her words cutting right through, exactly as she had intended. "Why?" he said quietly. "At least tell me why."

"You know why!" she snapped. "You know very well why! And don't talk down to me like I'm a child! But of course, that's how you see me, isn't it?" An anguished moan slipped out before she could stop herself.

Decamerone felt his heart break as he heard her in so much pain. "Orina..." he sighed. "Please. If you just let me in, I'll explain everything to you."

"Just come in, it's been unlocked the whole time," she replied cuttingly after a few seconds of silence. Sitting up, she brushed her disheveled hair out of her face and wiped her wet cheeks.

Entering the room, Decamerone's heart sank as he saw her, her cheeks pale and tear-streaked and her beautiful blue eyes red and puffy. Her face was cold and expressionless. "Can I sit here?" he asked quietly, indicating the space beside her on the bed.

"Whatever," she said dully, her voice hoarse from crying.

"Orina...." he began hesitantly. "I... want to explain this morning."

"Save it," she said icily. "I'm sure I know what you're going to say. A lapse of judgment, a mistake, something that won't happen again, etc. Which is it?"

"Do you think it was a mistake?" he asked carefully instead of answering. He reached out a hand to touch her cheek, and his face fell slightly when she pulled back. He lowered his hand and sighed. "I guess I deserve that," he murmured.

"Why?" she asked hoarsely. "Why did you do that? Kiss me and then reject me?"

"I...." He stared at her, at the eyes beginning to fill with fresh tears. "I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry."

"Shouldn't have done what?" Her voice shook, thick with pain. "Kiss me?"

"Reject you." Her eyes widened. "I just.... I didn't know what I... what you.... I knew I was breaking the rules, but I just..." Orina stared at him, then she began to cry again.

"I'm sorry," he murmured again. "So sorry."

"Don't be," she whispered, smiling through her tears. "Don't be. Just kiss me again, and make me forget that everything between then and now ever happened. Forget the rules.... and lock the door...."

"I should go soon," Decamerone sighed, a few hours later.

"What? No, don't go. Stay with me." Orina snuggled closer to him. He kissed her forehead and sighed again.

"I wish I could, but we both know I can't. If I were to stay, we would be found out, and separated. I don't want that, and I know you don't either." He stroked her hair and kissed her again. "Besides, it's not like I'm going very far away. I'll be right next door."

"I don't want you right next door. I want you right here, next to me." Orina sighed deeply. "I know. It's just not possible at this point in time. But promise me that someday you will stay with me."

"I promise." Decamerone kissed her tenderly, then reluctantly got up. Slipping his clothes on, he left her room and went into his. With a regretful sigh, Orina slid onto the warm side of the bed he had left and went to sleep.

Orina sighed as she arranged her hair, preparing for another party. How many years had it been since that night? Five. Five years and little had changed. They still loved each other.... and he still left her every night afterwards. She was beginning to wonder if she really meant anything to him at all. He had never said the words she wanted so badly to hear. Then again, she hadn't said them either. But that was because she was afraid. Was fear the reason keeping him silent about his feelings for her? Or was it simply that he had no feelings for her? Whichever it was, it was killing her not knowing. She had to find out. Tonight.

Decamerone looked impatiently towards the door, becoming more irritated as Orina once again did not walk through it. What could be keeping her? Didn't she care at all?

He sighed to himself. Lately it seemed as though she didn't care about anything anymore. Even him. She'd stopped asking him to stay with her at night, and didn't even seem to want him there at all. He had a feeling it was only a matter of time before she asked him to just stay away. He had no idea what he was going to do when that happened. Then she walked in.

Orina saw his face light up as he saw her and sighed. She waited patiently as he walked across the room to her. The look on his face.... maybe she was wrong about him....

"You finally made it," he murmured as he lifted her hand and kissed it, the only show of affection he could give her in public. "What kept you? You look beautiful."

Orina felt a blush rise despite herself. "Thanks. I just... was running late." Trying to think of what to say to him. "Can we... go outside? There's something I need to talk about with you."

Decamerone's heart sank as she said the words. He knew it. She was going to tell him what he had dreaded hearing. Concealing the growing pain, he nodded. "O...kay." Giving him a strange look, Orina started walking towards the doors that opened out into the gardens. Feeling like he was dying inside, he followed her.

Sitting down on a bench, Orina took a deep breath to calm herself. It didn't quite work. "Decamerone, I...." She paused, trying to swallow down the fear and hurt. "There's... something I've been wanting to tell you for a while. The only reason I haven't yet is because I've been afraid of how you'll react."

She'd been protecting his feelings or something? Out of pity? Oh, doesn't that make me feel wonderful? he thought darkly, pain and self-loathing rising up inside him. Is that what you think of me, Orina? Someone to be pitied and protected? He swallowed. "Go on...." he said quietly, the overwhelming hurt he was feeling creeping into his voice.

"I...." Orina paused to collect herself. "I love you."

"What?" Decamerone stared at her disbelievingly, unable to really register what she had just said. "You what?"

Misunderstanding his shocked expression, Orina gulped as a familiar pain ripped through her heart. "It... it's true," she whispered. "I've always felt that way. But I was so afraid to tell you..." She gazed at him with hurt in her eyes. "And now it seems I was right to be afraid, wasn't I?"

"What? Orina, no." He leaned forward and kissed her, softly but with unmistakable emotion. "You've misunderstood. I... love you too. And like you, I was afraid to say it." He reached forward and stroked her cheek. "I thought you were going to tell me that you didn't want me around you anymore, that it was over."

"Over?" She blinked, surprised. "Wherever did you get that idea?"

"From you, I'm sorry to say. It just seemed like you didn't care anymore. You don't even ask me to stay anymore..."

"You don't anyway," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "What's the point of asking when I know it won't get me anything? I know that it's risky, but you promised me that you would someday. Do you remember when you made that promise?"

"Five years ago tonight," he murmured. Her face lit up with a small smile through her tears as he said it.

"You remember."

"How could I forget?" he whispered. "And I'll keep that promise. Tonight, I'll stay with you. But I don't know when I can again. I know it's not much, but is it enough?"