Inheritance: Scales of Change

Chapter Nine - The Doctor

    You weren't sure where you were going or what you were looking for in the sand, but you walked until you felt like you had found a good spot, and sat. Looking out into the dark water splashing up to your feet, you tried to tame your racing thoughts of him. You told yourself to focus on the jealousy. Focus on the rage. It was the only thing keeping you from thinking about the hurt. The sun had completely disappeared from view, and the moon was full, casting a bright white light on the spume as it crashed on the shoreline. You were faintly aware of a person coming to stand beside you.
"Is this how it's going to be between us from now on?" Caspain asked softly. You could hear no hint of anger or sarcasm. He sounded tired, and heartbroken.
"I don't know..." You brought your knees up to your chest and wrapped your arms around them.
He sat next to you. "I don't like it." He stated plainly.
"Me either." You admitted.
You both sat quietly for a moment, the only sound coming from the waves crashing in front of you.
"So what are we to do about it?" He asked.
"I don't know." You sighed.
"You have all the answers today..." He gave you a little smile.
"Caspian, what am I supposed to say? That I am happy for you? That she's a great match for you? Because she is. That she is much prettier than me? Because that is also true...."
"It's not." He interrupted.
"What?"
"It's not true. That she's prettier than you."
"Oh please." You rolled your eyes. "She's part mermaid, of course she is."
He shrugged. "Then you marry her. I find my tastes lie elsewhere."
You couldn't help snort a laugh, his attempt at diffusing you worked.
"I actually think you two would get along." He spoke out to the ocean. "She's not what you think."
"Is she not? She's not a spoiled Princess who is used to wrapping men around her little fingers? Was she not trying to get you to fall for her?" You silently thanked your temper for returning to you.
"You are being unfair. You don't know anything about her." He replied calmly.
    "I know she's going to be the one to take you away from me..." You gasped at your sudden admission to him, and yourself. Saying the words out loud was like breaking a wax seal. All the rage and jealousy you felt began to escape in the form of tears running down your cheeks.
"You know, she actually said she would give us permission." He looked at you finally.
"Permission?" Your voice cracked.
    "Yes. She and I spoke at length, that if we were to marry, it would strictly be for matters of state, and what would be best for each of our kingdoms. She also said she was of the mind that marriages of state should not deter one from being with the one they truly love. That we would each be free to pursue our hearts in our free time."
You were shocked. "She said that?"
"Yes. In fact not more than a few hours into the night she recognized my affections for you, and she was not perturbed in the slightest."
"Wait... you told her?" You turned to look at him, mouth agape.
"No. She guessed as much on her own, even going as far to compliment your beauty." He smiled at you.
"So... you're not in love with the Princess?"
"Absolutely not."
"And... she openly admitted to you she would be ok with you taking a mistress?"
"Well I wouldn't call you that... you mean much more to me than that...but essentially, yes."
    "Huh." You looked back out to the water. Suddenly the thought of being a secret lover wasn't as unappealing as it had once been. Taking the complete secrecy of it out made it seem less scandalous. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" You turned back to look at him.
"I was..." His voice turned sad. "Until I came to the top of the stairs to see you and Sir Mar..."
"Oh." Your heart thumped sorely. "I'm sorry you saw that..." and you meant it. You realized how much it must have hurt him, and no matter what the situation you never wanted to be the cause of his pain.
"Me too." He spoke under his breath.
"It didn't mean anything you know..." You began.
"No? I watched you two all night. It sure looked like it could have meant something. You didn't pull away..." His voice was small and hurt.
You thought about how to explain yourself, and realized "No. I think...I was trying to make it mean something. I think I was trying to feel something for him after seeing you with the Princess. I thought you had moved on, that you were over me, so I should try to do the same."
    "I will never be over you...I told you once before... I will always love you." He looked into your eyes. His were the same shade of black as the ocean, the moonlight cast the same glow off both. "Though I cannot blame you, I understand how it must have looked from your perspective. And he is quite handsome.
"He is. Handsome, chivalrous, courteous, kind, and though I tried to convince myself otherwise, I felt nothing for him."
     He turned back towards the water, and in the dark you didn't see the smallest smirk appear around the corners of his lips. "Good..." He whispered under his breath, thinking you couldn't hear. But you did, and the jealousy in his voice made your stomach flutter.

"So... are we ok?" You finally asked after a few minutes of silence.
"That depends..."
"On what?"
"Was he a better kisser than me?" He asked with a hint of a smile in his voice.
You blushed. "Oh...well...I..."
    Without warning, he leaned over and kissed you deeply. All the passions from the last few days escaped his lips in one moment, setting off a series of explosions throughout your body. You felt a warm tingling spread to all your extremities, and your breath was literally sucked from your lungs. Whatever chill was in the air was nullified by the warmth he forced over you. Every press of his lips was as equally passionate as the last, there was absolutely no comparison to anything you had ever felt before. He parted from you, and without saying a word, stood up, and walked back towards the campsite, leaving you flushed and breathless in the dark.