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Chapter 11
When the group stepped out of the portal and into the castle of the Dynasty
they looked around to get their bearings and Dais seemed to come out of the
wall to greet them. They all started with the exception of Aideen, as she
had time and the practice of expecting things like that out of the spider.
Kento just glared at his one time rival but nodded when it was agreed that
tonight's meeting was important.
Cale stepped out of the shadows and looked at Dais. "Kayura sends word that
you are to take Miss Aideen off to another part of the castle to speak with
her about the problem until she sends for you." He looked at Sage and then
the others. "You are to follow me and the discussion will be held."
Mia looked at Rowen and shrugged as they all followed except Dais and
Aideen. When they had gone to the meeting room, he turned to her and tilted
her face to look at before he spoke. "Come, I have been thinking long and
hard about your problem and I have already made my thoughts clear to Kayura
about it. We are not needed at the meeting so I have been sent to speak
with you alone about what they will be discussing in there."
As they walked off in the other direction Aideen noticed that they were not
headed towards the arena like they usually did when they had things to
discuss, but rather they were headed to the inner sanctum that was her
favorite spot in the Palace. Dais completely armored down as they walked
and Aideen noticed that instead of his usual palace walk abouts, he was
instead wearing a dark grey silk shirt and matching dress slacks. She was
wearing the same outfit she had worn to school that day and so felt a little
drab in her faded jeans and old sweat shirt.
When they reached the inner sanctum Dais lead her into the room with her
eyes closed and then shut the doors behind them. When she was allowed to
open her eyes she was astonished at what she saw.
In the middle of the room there was a small table with two candles and
dinner for two set up. Now Aideen felt really under dressed until she
realized that Dais had given her another gift; he had created the illusion
about her of her being in the dark green dress that he liked so much on her
and put her hair back into a clip instead of her ponytail. She was almost
overwhelmed at the beauty of the scene when she realized that old gaelic
music was playing softly in the background.
"Do you like it Aideen??" His voice held hope, fear and promise all at the
same time as he sat her at the table. As she looked about and then into his
eyes she finally found her voice.
"Dais.It's beautiful." Her voice was slightly awed as she whispered the
words that set his mind at ease. As he poured the wine she smiled at him
and his princess treatment. When she started eating she found that her
plate was a mix of Japanese and Irish delicacies and knew that he had gone
to a certain effort to get the recipes for the Irish food.
Dais was not certain how to tell her what he and Kayura had discussed in
private counsel, but he could feel through his armor link that most of the
idea was going over ok with a few snags and resistances. In a soft voice he
gained her attention, "Lady Aideen,"
Her attention was caught by the tone and the Title since he had never called
her anything but Aideen or little Wildling before. "Lady Aideen, I am not
sure how to word this but you know that I know of what has been troubling
you lately. I have had several discussions with Kayura and we have come to
an agreement. If you would wish it, you may stay here in the Dynasty and go
to the University in the Mortal Realm and visit whenever you wish."
Aideen was stunned again as she heard his offer and as the wheels in her
mind began to turn again as the shock passed she knew that this would be an
answer that she was looking for. She was a creature and human and she fit
in here in the Dynasty. Here she had her Niche and she would still be able
to continue her courses.
She did not even think about what would happen in just over a Year when she
would have to return to Ireland. Now she would be able to be safe and keep
her friends safe. When she looked up from her thoughts she noticed that
Dais was now standing before her. "Please say you will stay." He knelt
before her and took her hand in his. "In the small amount of time I have
come to know you I find that I am no longer the Spider I once was.
Something in my soul clicked and I have waited this long for some sign that
you might feel something for me. Now I have seen nothing and now I ask you.
Lady Aideen, Do you feel anything for me in the way that I feel for you?"
He speech was on impulse and as it started and stopped several times as he
wrestled for the right words she could see in his eyes that he meant
everything he had said. As her own eyes softened she smiled at him softly
and whispered. "Dais, I have been searching for a very long time for
someone that is very dear to me. A soul that has been matched with my own
many millennia ago on another plane of existence.
As I hear your words and see how you act and who you are, there can be no
mistake. You have been born with that soul in you." She leaned over and
kissed him softly on his forehead and smiled as his Kanji for Serenity shown
brightly at the contact. "Yes, I will stay Dais, for as long as I am able
to I will stay with you."
Dais stood and as he did so he drew Aideen up out of her seat with him. As
they came close to each other, he kissed her gently and drew her away from
the table. There was now a dance floor and as the music increased in
volume, he lead her in a dance that proved just how happy she had made him,
and they knew that from then on, there would be nothing that could bring
them apart.