Chapter 80 Eighty.

Chapter 80 Eighty.
"Aeryn, run!" Ayla screamed out before I could even turn to look, and I slammed into emergency mode as I ran past through the crowds of people, Ayla hot on my tail. I felt my heart pattering against my chest, and I moved as fast as my legs could carry me.

I halted abruptly when I heard the sound of Ayla giggling behind me, turning to see Abrax waving the firestick towards her face, making her let out a small squeal. Looking around, I rolled my eyes when the festivities continued and there was no danger present. Well, that is if you didn't count Ayla's version of danger, which was Abrax waving a Hareeq in her face.

"Abrax,stop!" she said between screams, trying to get away, but he held her in place by her slender wrist, a laugh escaping his mouth causing his dimples to deepen. She leaned away from his afflictions, her hair dangerously close to the firestick that was in her own hand, and Abrax let go of her then.

"Ayla, don't do that," he instructed, but she took the opportunity to run away from him, giggling as she did so, the firestick still close to her hair.

"Ayla, you'll burn your hair!" he called out, following after her, and I let out a giggle at their antics,even more so when I looked over to see Maya, Kael, and Rhydian as they chased each other.

"Take this, you apes!" Maya shouted, a victorious glint in her eyes as she raised the stick in her hand and shot flames into it, making the sparkles pop and fizzle at a more violent rate. I stepped back at this slightly, as did other villagers as they gazed in awe. Nevertheless, this didn't faze Kael and Rhydian in the slightest as they dodged her stabs and lunges. Rhydian jumped effortlessly over her form, his hair flopping slightly as he flicked the nape of her neck, making her let out an annoyed scream before turning to shower him with the afflictions of the firestick. He moved quickly with a laugh, and she raised the stick towards him again, but Kael moved in fast, taking the firestick from her hand and leaving a small, long twig in its place, making both boys laugh as she chased them.

"Scared?"

I turned as Arun stuck his firestick towards my face, the heat so prominent, but I shook my head with a laugh before sticking my own Hareeq towards him.

"No, but I recall how much you treasure your locks," I teased, putting the stick close to his golden hair, and he let out a small yelp.

"Don't be jealous because my locks are better," he let out, and I gaped at his words, going in for a full attack, but he anticipated this before turning and galloping away from me. I let out a giggle at this, running after him and reveling in the feel of the wind in my hair. My dress fluttered behind me as I moved toward him, and I felt grateful that I had pinned the hem down. I caught up to him easily, grabbing onto the hem of his lime-green tank top. He let out another yelp as I brought the stick close to him before nudging me, and I stumbled back slightly into a toned form. Turning around, I glanced at the familiar redhead, who looked to me with fury, but it wasn't directed at me.

"Aeryn! Don't just stand around. Come help me end these scum!" She hauled me towards her with her arm before gesturing towards Kael and Rhydian, who were now busy talking to each other, firesticks in hand. I nodded at her words, a playful look on my face.

"If you help me with the other scum," I wagered, gesturing to Arun, who was now standing at a cautious distance, gazing over at me tepidly. Maya laughed at this, tapping my back rather harshly.

"Alas! At least someone has some sense about the male population!" she let out with a laugh, and I rolled my eyes before gesturing to the boys.

"And what can I do to help that you would fail to do?" I asked pointedly, and Maya smiled, folding her arms.

"Easy enough, Aeryn. You will play the distraction." She offered only this, and my eyebrows furrowed at her words. I opened my mouth to ask further questions, but she nudged me forward with an arm, making me glare at her as I stumbled.

"No more questions, just distract them,I'll do the rest!" she called out as I moved away from her form.

I moved closer to both Rhydian and Kael, a smile on my face. They looked up from their conversation then, their eyes landing on me. Kael's smile widened as he took in my form, his warm eyes heating me to my very core and making my blood pump in my ears. Conversely, Rhydian looked to me with his dead silver gaze, the very look making ice run through my veins and my heart to lurch.

"Aeryn," Kael muttered in greeting as I neared, and I smiled at his words.

"Kael. Rhydian," I greeted with a smile, feeling suddenly unsure of what to say.

"Was one too boring for you?" Rhydian spoke, and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion at his words, until I looked to see his bored gaze was on the two firesticks in my hands. Kael turned his gaze to my hands then, letting out a small laugh as he slapped a hand against Rhydian's back.

"You know, it takes a lot to entertain Aeryn," Kael added teasingly, and I rolled my eyes at his words, shrugging as I looked to the sticks.

"Contrary to popular belief, I was fine with one. Seb just gave me an extra one," I explained, gesturing over in the general direction where the stall was situated. Rhydian raised an eyebrow at this, his eyes reading my face in a way that made me fidget. I turned away when I couldn't take the intensity, looking to Kael, who frowned at my words. He opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of Maya shouting made them snap to look behind, and I gaped as she jumped down from the roof of a house behind them.

How had she even gotten there?

She hurtled through the air towards them before throwing her firestick as though it were a dagger. They both instinctively moved out of the way, and she landed where they had been standing, pulling the stick out of the ground with a growl.

"You continue to unimpress me, Maya," Rhydian mused, his arms folded, and Maya tutted, turning to give me a frustrated look, to which I held my hands up in surrender.

"Hey, don't look at me,I fulfilled my side of the job," I responded, to which Kael raised an eyebrow, a mock-hurt look on his face.

"Working with the enemy? I didn't expect that," he edged out, making me giggle, and I narrowed my eyes at him before speaking.

"Well, two against one is hardly fair," I retorted, and Rhydian scoffed from beside Kael, twirling his firestick absentmindedly.

"And now there's two of you; I doubt the end result would change despite this," he taunted us, his eyes on his movements with the stick, and I seethed, which made Kael laugh.

"I doubt you'd even be able to touch us with those sticks," he agreed with Rhydian, his challenging gaze on us, and it only made me angrier, the competitive side of me coming out.

"Oh, really? Well, we'll have to see about that," I said simply before moving forward, as did Maya. They stayed put as I walked towards them, letting their arrogance show on full display. Maya had begun running at them now, treating her stick as though it were a weapon that she thrust in Kael's and Rhydian's direction repeatedly, all of which they dodged. I, on the other hand, knew to be more strategic. They were, undoubtedly, skilled in the art of sparring; I was no match for them in that regard. However, I could always use the element of surprise.

Nearing them with a casual walk and a smile on my face, I placed my hands behind my back innocently. If they didn't know what hand the stick was in, they wouldn't know the direction of my attack.

Kael smiled up at me, even as he dodged, looking at my casual stature.

"What are you up to, Aeryn?" he asked, an amused glint in his eyes, and I shook my head with a small, coy shrug. After all, why would I share that information with the enemy?

He stepped back from Maya, who focused her onslaught on Rhydian as she saw me approach Kael. He smiled down at me, obviously not seeing me as a threat, before lifting a hand and ushering me over with an index finger. I smiled sweetly at this, making my way to him, to which his own smile widened.

"You listening to me is definitely a first," he murmured, looking down at me as I neared, and I pouted slightly at his words, playing the naive card.

"Well, better late than never, right?" I said softly, and I watched as Kael slightly tensed at my tone before he coughed, gesturing over to me.

"What's behind your back?" he asked, ignoring my question, and I raised an eyebrow with a smirk.

"Why not come and find out yourself?" I bit back, my tone sugary sweet in a bid to throw him off,and that it did. His gaze snapped from looking at my hidden hands to my eyes, a stony look taking over. I opened my mouth to throw him off further, but he began moving towards me, listening to my request, and I kept the innocent look on my face as he fell into my trap.

Just when he was within touching distance, I tightened my hold on the firestick, getting ready to attack. He was within breathing distance then, and I raised my hand to strike, but a cold vice grip on my wrist impeded me from doing so.

"How cunning." I felt the deep rumble of Rhydian's voice against my ear, making me shudder slightly, and I looked forward to see that Maya had now shifted her attention to Kael, who was dodging her and laughing simultaneously.

"Not cunning enough, if I didn't succeed," I grumbled out, turning finally when he let go of my wrist, and I looked to him.

"That's only because I'm more cunning," he retorted, an amused look in his eyes, and I decided to test his theory with the same method I had appointed to Kael. After all, the challenge was to touch one of them, and I was never one to admit defeat. Shrugging simply, I splayed my hands out to show the sticks.

"Well, seeing as I failed, I'll lay my cards out on the table," I said with a soft sigh, one that sounded more like Ayla when she spoke to other males. Rhydian raised an eyebrow at this, but chose not to pick up on it.

"You needn't put your cards on the table for me to see; I prefer the challenge of finding them myself," he answered simply, his cold gaze stilling me in place, but I ignored the feeling and smiled at his words.

"Forgive me for wanting to help. Is it so bad to want to help a friend?" I said slowly and playfully, raising an eyebrow as I moved closer tepidly towards his form. He watched me intently as I walked, his gaze unwavering, and suddenly I felt like cowering away, my self-consciousness coming to the surface. Nevertheless, I waded on, my competitiveness greater than anything else I could feel. I noticed his hand tighten slightly on the firestick and I rolled my eyes at this, moving in towards him still.

"Oh? You don't trust me? I'm hurt," I said softly, pouting, and Rhydian slipped his gaze to my pout before looking back to my eyes, his face impassive. I held my hands out towards him as I walked to show the weapons I held, in a bid to let him know that I wasn't hiding anything this time. Perhaps, with his guard down, my attack would fare better. Just as with Kael, I reached breathing distance, my hands tightening subtly on the sticks. I smiled sweetly as he looked to me, his own stick down at his side. This only made my smile widen.

Perfect.

I raised both hands in a quick surprise attack, but I hadn't accounted for Rhydian catching on. Effortlessly, he took hold of my wrists, spinning me around until my back hit against his warm chest, making me still. He pinned my wrists down to my sides, leaving me immobile, and I let out a small squeal at the sudden yet graceful counterattack he had played.

"Your little tricks don't work on me, Aeryn," he mused, his voice tickling against my neck, and I snapped my head to the left at his voice, only to make eye contact with his lethal gaze. His head was dipped slightly as he looked to me, his hair in his eyes, and I processed his words before shaking my head.

"What tricks? I was reaching out to swat a fly," I continued the act, my voice coming out unsteady due to his indomitable presence. He only raised an eyebrow at this, his lips quirking up slightly at my excuse, but other than that, he remained stoic.

"Is that so?" he asked, although I suspected he didn't believe my words. In response, I nodded quickly, causing my hair to fall into my face. His gaze moved to my hair at this for a moment before he looked back into my eyes.

"I wish I could say I didn't bear any ill intentions either," he mused, and my eyebrows furrowed as I processed his words. It was too late when realization dawned on me, and I watched as he reached his firestick towards me, his other arm going around my torso to hold me in place. I felt myself heat at the contact before letting out a shriek at the crackling, colored fire that he brought towards my face.

"No, Rhydian! Stop! Please!" I said through high-pitched shrieks, leaning away from the stick and further into his hold. "And after I tried to save you from that fat-ass fly!" I rushed out with a squeal, making him laugh, and I stilled at the unfamiliar sound. Turning to look at his form, I was surprised at the deep laughter that left his mouth, a smile on his face. It seemed to be such a vast contrast to the usual dark and dismal look he sported, making him look all the more ethereal. His laughter was a sound that was so unfamiliar, but the warm lilt still made a shudder dance down my spine, and I sucked in a breath.

"Has the fear left you suddenly?" Rhydian asked, pulling me out of my reverie, and I looked to his amused glance as I processed his words. When I did, I shook my head indignantly, ignoring the arm that was roped across my abdomen.

"There was no fear to begin with," I huffed out, and his eyes lit up at the indirect challenge,he was always up for a game.

"Oh? I do recall you feeling some semblance of fear yesterday in the barn," he spoke of yesterday's events, making me tense as I realized he had remembered his own promise of catching me out. I struggled against his grip even harder this time, and he let out a small laugh,one that was more mocking than genuine.

"Or did you forget what I had said? I'm quite enjoying your panic," he continued, and we both glanced to the side when my firesticks went out. Taking advantage of the distraction, I nudged at his arms before pulling away. This time, he willingly loosened his arms and I stumbled away, the blush on my face burning as I looked to his chest,the very chest that he had held me to. He raised an eyebrow at my glare, folding his arms, and I scowled slightly at his actions.

"Don't even think for a second that you proved me wrong. I was merely fazed by the stick in your hand," I explained with a huff before retreating away, and he watched me with careful eyes, but said nothing.

I took this as an opportunity to leave, but I knew it wasn't over, as now he had all the more reason to prove me wrong. After all, I knew he loved the chase.

"Aeryn!"

I turned to see Ayla running towards me, her blonde hair messy on one end, making me giggle.

"What happened to you? Get caught in a stampede?" I joked, to which she glared at me, her arms folding across her small form.

"It was Abrax! He was waving that stick in my face and then ruffling my hair! And he has the gall to walk away from me all moody!" she rambled on, and I frowned at her words, moving in to fix her hair and placing my free hand on her shoulder.

"Calm down, Ayla. What do you mean by moody? What happened?" I asked curiously, and Ayla tutted with a shrug, a pout forming on her lips.

"I don't know! I literally just screamed at him to stop waving that stick in my face, but he carried on, so I got mad and chased him. He came towards me, put his arm around me, and ruffled my hair. I just ranted at him like I usually would, and he was still laughing while doing it. So, I told him he was annoying and asked how he expects me to get potential proposals now with my hair all messy, and then I called him an idiot. Aeryn, he pushed me away, just apologized, and walked away! Who does that?! He didn't even stay to fix my hair!" she exclaimed incredulously, and my hands dropped to my side in shock.

"Are you kidding me, Ayla?" I muttered out, and when she shook her head to say 'no', I slapped my hand against my forehead. She looked at me questioningly at this, and I sighed deeply before pulling her towards me by her arms.

"You mentioned marriage to other boys, and he got moody," I stated simply, waiting for her to join the dots herself. In turn, Ayla processed my words with wide eyes before tutting and shaking her head.

"Aeryn, it's not what you think. I think he was upset about me calling him an idiot; I've never referred to him as such, and I think it was a shock," she said as a matter of fact. I tutted, opening my mouth to argue, but a bell sounded, and I looked around in confusion.

"It's time to feast," Ayla explained, and I looked to her to speak, but the villagers ushered us over. I gave Ayla a silent look that meant we will talk about this later, and she nodded in understanding. I turned as the aroma of food emanated, making me salivate.

Now that I thought about it, I was starving.

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