Fan Fiction ❯ Starrlei ❯ Chapter 4: Forbidden ( Chapter 4 )

Starrlei

Chapter 4: Forbidden

By Selenity Jade

 

Starrlei's eyes widened as she felt Dylyan's lips press hers roughly. She froze for a half second before giving in to the kiss. Soon, the desperation that had fueled the kiss turned into loving tenderness. His hands moved to her back, pulling her towards him. The movement sent warning bells into her mind. What was she doing? She pulled away, almost reluctantly, looking apologetically up at him. "I'm sorry, we can't. I am Zuni," she whispered as she fled the room, leaving a confused and hurt man behind her.

 

She rushed down the stairs of the inn and outside, tears clouding her eyes. Why couldn't she just give in to what she felt? What was so wrong with that? She could feel her master's words, so clearly. Never love, Starrlei. As the last Zuni, you cannot afford it. All others are gone. You must fulfill your mission, little one. You must never love a man, Amaris had spoken shortly before her death.

 

Looking around, she quickly ran down the alley towards the stables. She needed to get away from him. Get away from how he made her lose control. Get away from what she felt. She could feel her lungs burning with exertion, but continued running. Away. Like a coward. She was running away like a coward! But what choice did she have? She couldn't stay there, she just couldn't. She'd give into him so easily. His dark blue eyes drew her to him. His eyes that spoke of wisdom, pain, and loneliness. The same loneliness she had felt for so long. She wanted him. Gods, she wanted him so much!

 

She tripped and fell forward on to her stomach. She looked around through her tears, noticing she had found her way into someone's crop of barley. She pulled herself onto her knees and let her tears flow. Her body shaking with her silent sobs. She bent over her knees, rocking back and forth softly. Didn't she deserve to be happy? Didn't she deserve to have someone to love her? To love someone? How can the Gods be so cruel as to make her the last? The last Zuni and she couldn't even mate to create another Zuni. No, she had to fulfill a mission. A mission she didn't even know.

 

She banged her fists against the ground, repetitively. Why me? Why couldn't I have been born a normal human woman?

 

She collapsed on the ground. Tears falling harder. She wanted him so much. She wanted that infuriating man so much. His black hair, his blue eyes, his muscular body, called to her. Her mind tormented with thoughts of him. Yet, she was forced to deny her heart, deny her soul! Something the Zuni hated! "We are suppose to listen to the hearts... not destroy them," she whispered to herself through her weeping.

 

She curled into a fetal position, rocking slightly. Tears falling silently. "Dylyan," she whispered before exhaustion overcame her and she fell into a fitful sleep on the cold ground.

 

x

 

Dylyan looked up as the door opened. His jaw dropped as soon as he saw her. She looked horrible. Her face was tearstained, her beautiful silver-blue eyes red, her clothes rumpled and dirty. She silver hair tangled and hung loose and wild down her back. Her eyes wouldn't even meet his.

 

"Starr, what's wrong?" he asked her softly, concerned.

 

She looked at her feet a moment before looking up at him, her eyes showing him how hard this was for her. "I'm sorry, Lyan. I'm so sorry, I can't. No matter what I feel, I can't."

 

His brow furrowed. "Why?" he asked simply.

 

"I can't explain it. I can't tell you. I just... can't. Please, don't make this harder than it already is," she pleaded softly.

 

He sighed. "I'll lay off. I'm sorry."

 

"It isn't your fault, Lyan. It isn't your fault at all. I'm the last Zuni, I have a duty to fulfill."

 

He looked curiously at her. "You are the last?"

 

She nodded and went to sit beside him on the bed. "I'm the last Zuni. After me, the Zuni will be gone. Our beliefs, our way of life, our pride, will be gone. I'm sorry, Lyan. I must fulfill my duty to Amaris. I must complete what I was set forth to do. I can't love, Lyan. I can't let myself love," she whispered sadly.

 

He wrapped her arms around her. "Shhhh," he whispered as she tensed up. "I'm not putting moves on you, Starr." He rocked her softly before she relaxed and buried her head into his chest, her shoulders shaking.

 

"I'm sorry," she whispered repetitively as she let him rock her soothingly. He began to hum a tune under his breath, his voice surprisingly soft and soothing. God-like almost. She let herself be comforted by the man she could not let herself love, and soon found herself asleep once again. Her heart no longer tormented.

 

x

 

Dylyan watched her sleep nestled within his arms, her breathing soft and even. ::Rian?::

 

::She's hurting.::

 

::Do you know why? What's wrong with her?::

 

::I don't know, Lyan. Her heart is troubled. She feels for you but she isn't supposed to or doesn't want to. I'm not sure which.::

 

::Damn it! I can't just... Gods, Rian, I'm half in love with the girl.::

 

He felt his friends soothing love through his mind. ::I know, Lyan. It hurts you, also.::

 

::Damn right it hurts me!::

 

::Dylyan, sleep, my friend. It'll ease you for now.::

 

Dylyan sighed and leaned against the wall, still cradling Starrlei. He kept her there all night, dozing only a little himself. He couldn't let her go.

 

x

 

Dylyan woke slowly to find himself alone. He blinked sleepily and rolled out of bed. He pulled on his clothing quickly, becoming concerned when he realized how late it was. Starrlei was nowhere in the room, and all of her gear was gone. Almost as if she had never been there. He grabbed his things and rushed downstairs, stopping to talk to the innkeeper who relayed to him a message from his partner.

 

::Rian!::

 

::Yes?::

 

::Do you know when she left?::

 

::Of course, Lyan. She left an hour before dawn.::

 

::Damn it! Of all the stupid-::

 

::Calm down, Lyan. She has her reasons for leaving us.::

 

::Why the hell didn't you wake me?::

 

::She asked me not to.::

 

::What?! Rian, whose side are you on?:: he demanded angrily, rushing into the stables. He glared at his steed.

 

::She has her reasons and felt it was best. It was her decision, Lyan. Respect it.::

 

Dylyan sighed. ::Fine, beast. She left a message with the innkeeper telling me where that stupid bridge is. Let's head to the Capital.:: He attached his bags to the steed and quickly saddled him. ::Ready?::

 

::Of course.::

 

x

 

Dylyan stared at the large city in disdain. ::I hate cities,:: he grumbled irritably.

 

::You and me both, Lyan,:: the amused voice answered.

 

::Well, let's go get a room.:: He sighed and urged Lyrian down the long road to the Capital. He entered the busy city and quickly maneuvered his way to an inn. He checked them in and secured a place for his partner before deciding to gather information. Hopefully, someone might have seen Starrlei.

 

::Don't count on it.::

 

::Hush, you.::

 

::I know you feel for her, Lyan, but give her time and space, hmmm? We don't even know if she decided to come here or go back to her home.::

 

::I know, I know!:: he snapped peevishly.

 

::Touchy today, aren't we?::

 

::Shut up, damn it!::

 

Dylyan felt Lyrian's quick flash of hurt before his presence disappeared from his mind. It felt peculiar after having him there for so long. He could still feel the animal, but just barely.

 

::Lyrian, I'm sorry,:: he said softly. When an answer didn't come, he sighed. ::Lyrian, I'm just upset, okay? I didn't mean to take it out on you. I'm sorry, Rian.::

 

::Fine.::

 

::Don't be mad. I'm just so confused about her. I just don't know what I should do. Or if I should do anything. Life was so easy before I met her. Hell, life was less confusing, too.::

 

::Let her be. You'll see her again.::

 

::Are you sure? I mean, she may be gone for good and for some stupid reason, it hurts when I think that.::

 

::You'll see her again,:: he repeated confidently. ::Trust me.::

 

Dylyan smiled. ::Thanks, Rian.::

 

::Anytime.::

 

x

 

"Dylyan!" a voice roared over the rowdy crowd that decided to gather in a local tavern. Dylyan glanced up sharply and grinned at the large man that was pushing his way through the crowd towards him. "Dylyan, you fool! I haven't seen you in months! Where the hell have you been?"

 

"Well, well. If it isn't Klitos. Where the hell have you been hiding, idiot? I've been following my usual patterns. It is you who have disappeared."

 

The bulky man laughed loudly. "I found myself a woman, Dylyan."

 

Dylyan's eyebrow rose in surprise. "You did? A woman who is actually willing to bed a monster such as yourself? What'd you do? Slip her a love potion?"

 

Klitos smirked and slapped Dylyan roughly on the back. He sat beside the younger man and brushed his thick brown hair out of his eyes. "Nope. I got her honestly. Can you believe it?"

 

Dylyan smiled and downed his ale. "No. There has to be some kind of mistake. How can an ugly soldier such as yourself find any woman?"

 

"Easily. She's a looker, too. She lives here and I've been hanging around the area lately. She's something, Dylyan. Really something."

 

Dylyan snorted. "I bet if she's settled you down enough to have one woman."

 

"When are you going to get one? You never pay attention to the fairer sex."

 

He laughed bitterly. "Well, I found one all right. Problem is, she has other... obligations."

 

Klitos raised a bushy brow in surprise. "She must be something to attract the cold, heartless wanderer. What's her name?"

 

"Starrlei."

 

"Pretty name. Is she beautiful?"

 

"Gorgeous. But right now, I don't really want to talk about it. Still a little too fresh for me."

 

"How long?"

 

"I last saw her about three days ago."

 

Klitos blinked. "Serious?"

 

He nodded and ordered another drink. "Let's change the subject. When are you getting hitched?"

 

"Next spring."

 

"Wow. Klitos the flirt is getting married. I must meet this woman."

 

"Hell no. Once she takes one look at you, she'll fall for the cold dark prince and leave poor me to long for her."

 

Dylyan laughed. "Right."

 

"Seriously. All the women fall for you. You're fucking beautiful. Which is a shame, being a man and all."

 

"Shut up, Klitos. I know about my looks."

 

"Well, some things never change. Look, sorry, buddy, but I have to go meet Klania. Promised her I'd help her folks today."

 

"I see. Good luck, my friend."

 

"Hey, Dylyan. If you really want the girl, go after her. It'd be a shame to see the only girl you want get away. I was beginning to think you were swinging the other way. Especially with your looks."

 

"Ha ha. Go see your woman, Klitos. I'm going to drown myself here tonight and leave town in a few days. Come see me at the Bird's Nest if you get a chance. That's where I'm staying."

 

"Can't promise you, but I might stop by. Having a woman is a whole lot more work than being alone, ya know?"

 

Dylyan laughed. "I know, but you must think it's worth it sometimes."

 

"It is. It most definitely is, Dylyan. Good to see you again, my friend. Don't be a stranger, you hear?" he said before disappearing into the crowd, leaving the solemn wanderer alone with his ale.

 

x

 

AN: Very short.

 

Lovies!