Vol.1 A Heart to Heart.

When Rya reached the hallway, she could hear Dalia rushing to check up to her.

"Hey! Wait up Alpha!"

The dark elf then turned to see the wolf-kin running through the room to catch up to her.

"I'm not leaving you behind, Dalia. I just want to meet up with Quin and see when we're departing?"

Dalia smiled and nodded. "I understand, Alpha. Don't worry about me. But I couldn't help but notice that you seemed... Anger? Mad? Was there something that happened."

'Damn, Dalia's sharp sometimes!'

"Haah! Yeah, I had a visit from the Goddesses that brought me to Tertius. And let's just say that they're on my shit list right now." Rya said with a frown.

Dalia tilted her head and crossed her arms over her chest. "What did they do?"

"I don't want to talk about it. Let's just say that I'm not a fan of their methods." Rya said with a grimace.

Dalia furrowed her brow. "Fine but I'm curious. So, tell me if you need to talk."

"Thanks Dalia. I'm glad I saved you." Rya said with a smile.

Dalia smiled back and nodded. "Me too. So, do you know where Beta is?"

Rya stops walking down the hall because she realizes she has no clue where she was going. As she looks around, Rya notices a few of the servants staring at them with a concerned look in their eyes. Or was it fear? It seems most of the humans wanted to keep their distance from the Dark Elf and Wolf-kin.

Rya noticed Dalia looking at the servant as well before Rya asked them, "Sorry, but do you know where Prince Quinus is?"

The servant woman was surprised they were talking to her then she ran anyway in freight.

"I think we scared her away. Should I go after her?" Dalia asks Rya.

Rya shakes her head. "No, it's not worth it... Hey Dalia, can you find Quin's scent?"

Dalia nods and then closes her eyes. The wolf-kin starts sniffing the air as she tries to pick up the faint traces of the prince.

After a few minutes, Dalia opens her eyes and then turns to Rya. "He's this way, follow me." Dalia says with a smile.

Rya smiles and nods. "Thanks Dalia. I owe you one."

Dalia nods and then closes her eyes again.

It takes several minutes for the two women to reach a living room where Quinus is in with Sir George.

When the two women enter the room Quinus and Sir George both turn to look at Rya with a surprised look on their faces.

"Well, you're up early? How was your sleep?" Quinus asked.

Rya grunts and then rubs her temples. "It could have been better."

"Did someone bother you? Is that why you're here so early?" Sir George asked.

Rya shakes her head. "No, I just had some bad dreams. I feel like I've been having nightmares every single night. It's getting really annoying."

Quinus frowns and he wraps an arm around her shoulder. "Are you okay?"

'MMmmh? Quin? I-I know I have the body of a woman. But I'm still a man. I need to get some distance from him?' Rya thought to herself.

Rya then sighs and moves out of Quin's arms.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired. The last few days have been pretty rough." Rya lied.

Quinus has some worry written in his eyes but doesn't question her.

'Why did I look into his eyes!? He's like a sad puppy! I can't act like an ungrateful bitch to him.' she thinks to herself.

"Quin, I need to tell you something in private. If you're free that is?" Rya said while looking down and to the side. Not trying to make eye contact.

"Huh? Ah! Yes! We can chat over here. Sir George, would you mind waiting outside?" Quinus asks.

Sir George nods and leaves the room with Dalia.

'God! Okay you can't tell him everything. Just tell him enough to know that this is not his fault and I still want him around. BUT NOT IN THAT WAY! He's just a very good friend. One of the few I can trust... A friend who's amazing at using his tongue on my~' Rya shakes her head fiercely to try and stop these strange thoughts from entering her head.

"R-Rya? Are you okay?" Quinus asked worriedly.

Rya put her hands over her face. "I don't know anymore!?"

"Hey, hey. Come over here and sit down." Quinus said and then pulled her over to a couch.

"I'm sorry Quin. If I tell you something, will you keep it a secret?" Rya asked while sitting next to him.

Quinus looks at her with a questioning look.

"Yes, no matter how much it hurts." Quinus tells her and then places his hand on the top of her head.

Rya feels her whole body relax when she feels his warm touch.

'NO! MY KRYPTONITE!' Rya screams in her mind but knows there's no stopping the inevitable but she must stop even though she doesn't want to.

"Q-Quin. T-These bad dreams? These nightmares I've been having are being caused by my Goddesses." Rya struggles to speak with the mighty hand that soothes her soul.

Quinus frowns as he takes his hand off her head. "What do you mean?"

"Ugh! They're teasing and tormenting me. And I don't know if what I'm becoming is something that is of my choosing or their's?" Rya says to him nervously.

Quinus looks at her with an understanding look. "So, you need to find yourself?"

"Y-Yes! I need some time to know what my path is before I can trust myself." Rya says and starts to panic as she realizes what she said.

The prince looks at her with a sad look before asking, "So, you need to depart from us? That's why you're dressed in adventure clothing instead of a fine dress?"

"NO! No no! I'm not leaving you guys. No." Rya quickly says and shakes her head.

Quinus smiles at her and then places his hand on hers. "You won't leave us? Then take all the time you need, Rya."

Rya is surprised that he's going to give her space since he's so close to her.

"Thank you, Quin. This means a lot to me." Rya says and blushes.

"It's nothing Rya. Let's get some breakfast before we depart for Ironside." Quinus said and offered a hand to help her up.

'Fine. Just this once.' Rya thinks to herself. She grabs his hand and gets up.

***