Author's note:
Since I have less time to write during the week, I worked on a big chapter this weekend to compensate for the lack of chapters that will be posted this week. Good reading !
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Egan's POV:
It's been 2 months since Arya started teaching us their language and I have to say that unlike my bipedal partner, I hate theory and study! It's so boring...
Eldar was not shy about getting revenge and teasing me about my boredom and lack of spirit. Unlike him, I appreciate physical activities much more, I don't understand how he can love learning so much. I am also curious but also much smarter than him! Why bother learning when I can pick whatever information I want from his mind. All his knowledge is accessible to me so all the better if he is so good at learning. I let him stay still all day and learn. Thanks to this I have access to always more information without making any effort.
However, I learned the hard way that this method has limits: going to find information does not allow me to acquire the skills that go with it. For example, I can fetch information from his mind to find out what a character or a word corresponds to, but that does not allow me to have a normal conversation because I have to dig up the information to translate each time and that makes the long and tedious discussion and reading.
I relaxed thinking I could use this method to avoid having to undergo this slow and tedious learning process, but alas, that's not how it works...
The only good news is that I don't need Arya to learn, I have all the knowledge available in the mind of Eldar, I just have to practice for it. learn properly.
-- 3 weeks ago --
Eldar has already learned to write and speak perfectly and for the past few days he hasn't left the library to satisfy his curiosity. He's so absorbed in his reading that he's missed our last three evening with Islanzadí and Arya. When Islanzadí learned the reason for his absence and understood that he was able to read and converse perfectly, she asked to see our progress. Eldar came the following evening and we spoke only in their language. Eldar was able to speak as naturally as them while it was impossible for me to translate all the words fast enough to hold a conversation. This jerk took the opportunity to trap me and punish me for my lack of investment in learning Arya and the surprise attack during the egg ceremony.
When I was taking too long to answer the questions that Islanzadí, Eldar decided to stop sneering and help me by mentally providing me with the answer
Islanzadí repeated: "So Egan you are not able to answer? Arya told me about your lack of involvement in her lessons. A dragon like you should have no trouble learning a simple language, right? »
The answer came to me via mental message from Eldar and I was relieved to be able to respond so as not to completely ridicule myself.
' Of course ! I am a dragon prince! Such a task is so simple that it is unworthy of my time. I prefer to cheat by delving into Eldar's mind. I thought I was smarter than everyone else and thought I didn't need to attend Arya's lessons. My ego is so big that I didn't bother to heed my partner's advice and didn't reflect on the fact that my attitude was one of huge disrespect towards our teacher. In conclusion, I am a far too proud big bag of scales who has just learned a good lesson.'
….
Luckily Eldar helped me, I'll learn more seriously tomorrow, I can't afford to make a fool of myself.
Coming out of my mind I see the two females looking at me with wide eyes while Eldar puts on a huge satisfied smile.
He starts to laugh so hard that he can't speak properly but ends up articulating between his laughs:
"I wasn't sure this would work AHAHAHAHAH!" ... These words had to reflect the truth for it to work AH! AH! AH! … I don't regret having been chomping at the bit for so long! phew , shit, I can't breathe! … Here's how to teach an arrogant big bag of scales a good lesson! WHA HA! HA! »
Forgetting all dignity, he howled with laughter holding his sides with both arms...
The three of us watched him cry with laughter and it didn't take long for the queen and her daughter to burst out laughing too! Islanzadí had his head resting between his arms on the table to hide his face and was laughing out loud! Arya had one hand in front of her mouth to try to hide her laughter and with the other hand she wiped away the tears that were gathering in the corner of her eyes.
I took the time to translate our conversation to finally understand what I had just said in the old language. Anger and shame made me make a big mistake. For the first time I truly hurt Eldar and I did it consciously which further aggravates the remorse I still feel today.
' *I may be proud but at least I'm not obsessed with a princess to the point of dreaming about it at night and parasitizing my partner's sleep! Me at least I'm not torn between my desires and my honor! I must not suffer in silence and not tell the one I desire her companion to love her much more for the throne than for her person.. You hide the truth from him only out of cowardice! You don't want to be the one to make her suffer and you don't want her to become single so that you don't become even more tempted and risky to break the bonds you have built with Islanzadí and Arya.
I may be influenced by my pride but I at least am neither a coward nor submitted to my lust!*'
….
The laughter suddenly stopped during my tirade to make way for silence. The heat in the room rose and two vertical green eyes stared at me.
I expected an outburst of anger given the temperature in the room and his eyes but his face expressed only sadness and shame. Even when he spoke it was only in a slow, scratchy voice.
"*That's a very mature response for a harmless prank you deserved to suffer after your actions Egan." Are you relieved now? Was your betrayal worth the satisfaction of your petty revenge ?* "
…
Islanzadi POV:
Eldar left leaving my daughter mortified and furious as Egan stood frozen. The good mood of our gathering is now not ready to return.
Arya glared at Egan.
"*What is this story of a companion who loves the throne more than my person ?* "
I confess to being in no way surprised. When my daughter decided to become our ambassador and leave our lands, Fäolin jumped at the chance to ask her to follow her. It is the fate of a princess and a queen to be approached out of interest. Fäolin thinks he's smart and if my daughter, who was just over two decades old, didn't realize his self-interested act, I didn't. If I accepted that he accompanies her when he was much older and interested in the opportunity to seduce the princess it is because he was experienced and that he could help and defend her if needed.
'I'm sorry to have taught you such a thing in such a way Arya. I should never have talked about it. I would prefer that you talk about it with your partner because I would like not to be involved in your complicated relationship.'
Ayra fumed, "*Not getting involved??? YOU HAVE JUST ANNOUNCED ME THAT MY COMPANION, THE ONE WITH WHOM I HAVE SPENT ALL MY TIME SINCE MY DEPARTURE SEDUCED MY ONLY TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE THRONE !* "
She screamed so loudly that the whole residence must have heard her tirade…
*Wow! I thought elves were able to stay placid and hide everything they think…*'
Arya resumed in a cold tone « *Not with our family, not with those we trust. Now Egan, you're going to tell me everything or I'm going to teach you that dragons aren't the only ones who are dangerous when they're angry .* "
…
'*Very good, I think it's better that I show you rather than explain it to you*'
Egan sent us a memory and I was suddenly in my garden.
Fäolin is in front of me and talks while drinking tea.
"I came to ask you to stop trying to seduce my partner, she is already in a relationship and it is behavior unworthy of a prince and very disrespectful. »
I felt Eldar's confusion and that's when I realized it wasn't Egan's memory we're reliving, it's Eldar's memory.
Fäolin sneers "Don't bother pretending, you lie very badly. Plus we can all see the desire exuding from you when you watch Arya or when you are in her company. »
Understanding dawned on Eldar's mind and he replied:
"I feel desire as soon as I meet a woman. Arya is simply prettier than the other women I meet so she arouses more desire in me. It's just desire. I can't control this however rest assured, I haven't once tried to seduce her and I have no intention of doing so. This conversation has no place. »
Fäolin didn't show any reaction but only answered "You may be telling the truth but you are a prince and the companion of a dragon. The queen might see in you a much better match than me so I wouldn't take your word for it, I came prepared. »
Eldar felt his skull compress and Fäolin smiled "It's useless little barbarian, that's what happens when you're ignorant...
What you drank is poison and your mind will be defenseless while it takes effect. This will give me time to verify your intentions. If you're telling the truth then I'll erase the memory of my visit. If you feel more than you lending it to my mate, I'll alter your memory to make you love another and make you can't stand Arya anymore. »
'Egan, prepare to protect my mind. If he tries to see anything that doesn't concern Arya then intervene. I don't feel numb enough to be unable to defend myself, but with you to cover me, I'm sure I can defend myself if necessary. I will use this opportunity to find out how the elves attack the spirit and what their mental strength is.'
Fäolin searched his memories of Arya and showed them to us at the same time. He wore a sinister smile. "Inexperienced kids are really stupid. You feel more for Arya than just attraction. If she provokes in you more desire, it is because you are not only attracted by her advantageous physique. You enjoy his company very much and admire him for his independence. She followed his principles even if she has to risk her life, her relationships and her comfort for it. She is free, she chose the life she wanted without taking into account what others expected of her.
You also want to do the same thing and live your life as you wish when everyone wants to see you go to war against an enemy against whom you have no chance of victory.
Even if you can't understand his point of view and his choices, you have a lot of respect for his courage. You were telling the truth, you never tried to seduce her and you don't love her romantically. However, you enjoy her company too much, you feel too much interest in her, whether physically or spiritually. She stands out from ours because of the time she spent with humans. She's the only one you're so comfortable with and she's far more compatible with you than any other ceremonial elves you've met. If you spend more time with her you will inevitably end up succumbing to her charms... So you are definitely a danger. »
Eldar felt sincere surprise on analyzing Fäolin's words.
"If you're his companion, why be afraid of having competition?" She has already chosen you and I do not wish to have a companion without being sure that she is the right one. »
"Arya is still very young. She is always impressionable. You are a prince and the companion of the prince of dragons. You are particularly attractive and talented. The only downside is that you're going against her goals, which should be enough for her to hold a grudge against you, but I don't want to take any risks. Arya is not only my companion but also my access to the throne and even if I learned to love her during all the time that we shared together, she is still a child and I do not wish to risk my future to know if she will stay in love with me when you are such a temptation. »
Fäolin's confession enraged Eldar. I felt Eldar's fury through his memory. She is so strong! it invades him and his eyes take on this draconic shape again. He gets up suddenly, sending the table flying with the back of his arm.
Fäolin's smirk faded completely and disbelief was visible on his face.
" How !? »
"Idiot, I'm not alone, if you manage to weaken me, you have to make sure that my partner is also offside!" »
Eldar rushed forward, breaking his opponent's arm as the latter reached for his sword and lifted him off the ground, holding him by the neck.
A series of violent vibrations emitted from his hand placed on his neck and shook Fäolin violently!
Eldar smiled, he was jubilant! He had felt mad for Arya and the prospect of killing him in revenge for what he did to his friend was very uplifting. It is with a sneer that he says:
"It's hard to think and use magic when your brain is banging against your skull isn't it?" »
I could feel Eldar's unhealthy joy gaining momentum. However this joy was showered by a mental call.
'Eldar stop! Don't kill him!'
Eldar put it down and looked at it with contempt.
"Who's the stupid kid now?" I'm going to make a bet with you and you have no choice but to accept. I bet even if I don't expose your ambitions you can't become king.
I may not be good at hiding my emotions but I'm pretty good at detecting them. Islanzadí doesn't like you! I'm pretty sure she doesn't like your relationship and she already knows what you're up to. If she didn't intervene despite being his mother, it's because she has a good reason not to... Islanzadí is particularly intelligent. I'm not going to mess up her plans and let her take care of you.
So here it is: I'm going to give you a chance to fulfill your ambitions and not say anything about what happened today. I'll act like it's nothing but not being good at hiding what I feel you better avoid me and not show yourself in front of me.
In return, if you get caught and punished by the queen, I'll be the one to punish you.
I hate above all those who play with the emotions of others. Those who impose themselves on others and who manipulate them. If I spare you today, it's only because I'm sure I can inflict a lot worse on you than a quick death later. When that happens, I could make you pay for your actions without any consequences! I would be patient and do things right.
I may not be Arya's mate but she is my friend and the daughter of the one who gave me a home and a family. I wouldn't let anyone hurt my loved ones without making them pay dearly for it. I would teach everyone that no one can touch my family! »
Eldar burns with frustration and anger when he has to leave and leave Fäolin unpunished. I feel that Eldar's emotions are much more intense than what we feel and I understand better why despite all the work he does on his control, he is so subject to his emotions. Is this one of the consequences of the gift of dragons?