Silver

They had gone straight home. Usually the Matched pair stays for the banquet. Usually the Matchmate is not brought home unconscious.

Soldiers carried the boy out from a carriage and inside the manor. They brought him to a room and laid him on the bed. Guards prepared the room and barred the window. They searched the boy and stripped dozens of weapons from him before putting him in the carriage. When all was secure, they locked him in the room.
Silver stayed at the window for a while watching the boy in his drugged sleep.

"Silver." Darrin came up behind her. "You haven't eaten."

So she had gone, and eaten, and spent the day worrying and wondering about the boy. Periodically she had come back to the room and looked in the window. When night came, she had slept restlessly.

She woke full of anticipation. She dressed in a rush and immediately returned to the window.

He was stalking around the room, his gait fluid and predatory. Despite the fact that he stood on two legs and looked mostly human, you would never forget that he was other. A magical creature of Llyador. You could see it in the glossy purple hair, in the very way he walked and moved, and-- his eyes met hers-- in his piercing mismatched gaze.

His face was right in front of hers.

Silver gasped. He had moved so swiftly and fluidly, she had not even noticed it, only the intentness of his gaze.

She inched closer to the window. She had not had time before to study him this closely. The glowing eyes were framed by long dark eyelashes. She tore herself away from them and down to his sharp cheekbones-- and the wicked scar that sliced down the right side of his face. On a normal boy, that scar would be predominant and ugly. On him, it was an afterthought to the hair, and eyes; and while it only added to his feral look, it was also as gorgeous as the rest of him. Silver touched her hand to the window over his scar in compassion. It must have been painful when he received it. He reached out his hand, and matched it to hers.

They stood like that for a long moment. She pulled away first.

"I'll be back," she whispered.

_______________________________

She went to her father. The soldier who had been guarding her Matchmate's door came with her.

"You may speak, Silver." Her father waved a hand magnanimously at her. He had just sat down to a breakfast with several other lords.

"Thank you, Father. I would like to be with my Matchmate, but this guard has orders not to allow him out or anyone in. Would you allow him to release my Match?" Silver kept her tone deliberately polite.

Her father leaned back in his chair. "There is a reason he is contained. He is wild, unpredictable, and dangerous. He is to be guarded at all times. Burnemarr, you are to follow him everywhere, even to the bathroom. You will keep a sedative on you at all times, and knock him out if he offers to harm anyone."

Her father looked to the guard. The guard nodded.

"Silver, you may be with him for an hour every day if he behaves himself. I don't want him distracting you from your studies and duties. You may be with him all day on your day off from lessons. During the other days, he will help out the servants. Is that understood?" her father asked.

Silver said reluctantly, "Yes."
To treat her Matchmate as a servant-- and to only see him for an hour every day except for her free day! But she knew it would be no use arguing with her father. His mind was made up.

"Go ahead and let him out. He will probably need something to eat. And keep a careful eye on him," he instructed the guard.

"My lord," the guard said, and bowed. Silver followed him out.

_______________________________

Kiran

The shnick of a key in the lock. I was at the door by the time it opened.
There were three creatures at the door. The one who had opened it was a man, tall and strong, with dark scruff on his jawline. The tugging feeling in my chest alerted me to the presence of my Match, hovering behind him. And haughtily stepping in on white-tipped paws was a Llyadoran black cat. He was obviously the man's Match.

Do not dare think to harm my human. The cat's voice sounded in my head. He sat down in front of me and delicately curled his tail around him.
I crouched down on all fours to talk to him.

I had no intention of it, I replied.

The cat sniffed.

Well, creature, you had better behave yourself for him, or I will maim you.

He eyed me superciliously.
I see someone has already tried.

Yeah, well, all I can say is, don't get in between a dragon and her baby, I smiled wryly. And I will assume that the same applies to Matchmates and not lift a finger towards your Match.

See that you don't.You will not like the consequences if you cross me. The cat stood and swished his tail.

I asked him, What are your names?

He twitched his whiskers and said, My human is Burnemarr, and I am Gurr. And don't bother telling me your name; I don't care. He turned and stalked away.

I stood and nodded to Gurr's human.

"Greetings, Burnemarr," I said in Llyadoran. The man startled at his name. He glanced from me to the direction that his cat had gone. He said something to me, his tone a question, but I did not understand him.

My Match rushed forward. We locked eyes briefly before Burnemarr spoke and grabbed my arm. I tensed, but as promised to Gurr, did not harm him.

He led me away, and I followed him meekly, though I wished to stay with my Matchmate. Burnemarr brought me to a place he repeatedly referred to as a "bathroom". I had no idea what he expected me to do, so he was obliged to show me. I marvelled. There was no need of such a thing as a "bathroom" on Llyador, for the country was populated by creatures. Very few of the creatures resembled humans in the slightest; Shanook and I were the only ones I knew of. We lived in a hut in the Forest of Creatures, next to the Serpentine Stream, and were rarely indoors ourselves. I was nearly overwhelmed by how different my life would now be.

Burnemarr next took me to another room, where my Match sat waiting. There was food laid out on the table in front of her. Burnemarr gestured for me to sit down. I sat across from my Match and watched her.

She smiled and spoke. Her voice was musical. She lifted a shining object and speared her food with it. I had one at my place too, I noticed. I lifted it and examined it. Metal, like my knives ( I felt almost naked without my knives), but forked on the end. I turned it toward my food and mimicked my Match. I glanced up at her to see if I was doing it right and she smiled.

So the meal went, her eating and me trying diligently to copy her. When the food was gone a girl came in and cleared the table.

My Match spoke again; I struggled to recognize what she said. Shanook had taught me as much as he could of Attaliesian, the humans' tongue, but it was outdated. Archaic, what little was left from before the Chasm opened. Many changes had no doubt occurred, in the language since then and in the handing down of the language by the Llyadorans. My understanding of Attaliesian was therefore more inaccurate than not, but I thought I understood one word-- "name" .

"My name?" I asked, pointing to myself. "My name is Kiran."

"Kiran," she repeated. I loved the sound of my name on her lips. I smiled.

"And what is your name?" I pointed to her.

She smiled back. "Silver."
I reached across the table and started toying with her hair, which was sprawled loose behind her today. Burnemarr stiffened but made no move to stop me.

"Silver. Beautiful, so beautiful." I whispered.

She reached up and caught my hand. I let her draw it toward her and examine it. My hands were long and paler than the rest of my skin, with long slightly hooked nails of a strong, almost metallic material.They glinted as she turned my hand this way and that, sharp and deadly. They were a distinct contrast to my Match-- Silver--'s hands, so soft and delicate. I gently wiggled my fingers in her grip.

She laughed, startled. I smiled slowly.
She turned my hand over and traced a finger up my palm. Shivers of sensation ran through me. I was bone-deep aware of Silver. I would know exactly where she was in a room, even if I was blind and deaf. Contact with her? Almost overwhelming.

My breath shuddered out.

She drew away. My eyes jerked to her face. I missed her touch already.
She stood and made her way around the table. I rose to meet her.
She looked up at me. Her hand tentatively stretched up to my face. I lowered my head for her and stood perfectly still. Her fingers threaded through my hair. I leaned into her touch. Her other hand came up to cup my face, her thumb brushing over my lips. I sucked in a sharp breath. She spoke softly to me, not asking anything, just talking, soothing. I responded in kind.

"Silver. My Silver. Yes, my cherished. I'm here." My hands settled on her waist. She trailed her hands down my neck and shoulders, and paused at the lean strength of my arms. Her beautiful eyes opened wide in amazement and slight fear.

"It's all right, my always. You need not fear me. I will never hurt you. I will protect you to my last breath," I promised, looking deep in her eyes. The protective instincts I had for her were so intense that they traveled over the bond and she felt the depth of my feeling for her. She relaxed in my arms.

"Kiran," she said wonderingly.

I tugged her gently closer and embraced her, rocking slightly side to side. I felt her breath against my chest. I held her for a long moment until Burnemarr cleared his throat. He spoke to Silver.

She stepped away from me reluctantly. She spoke. "Goodbye, Kiran."

I understood. "Amna Îln éa ba mai minn," I responded. It was how we said "goodbye" on Llyador. Translated, it means something like "Your voice is in my head, " referring to the fact that once you have spoken with a creature, you can contact them from anywhere on Llyador.

I allowed Burnemarr to draw me from the room, although it was an almost physical pain to leave Silver. My gaze stayed on her until the door separated us.

I was taken back to my room and again locked in. There had been several additions made while I had been out. A metal cup and pitcher of water. A chamber pot. A towel. I roamed the room restlessly, longing for Silver.

Eventually, I settled down to do some stretches and exercises. I was almost relaxed when the pain began.

It started as a tugging sensation that compelled me to get up and follow it, but I ran into the wall. I pressed up against it as close as I could. The pain became more intense, yanking at every part of my body. My nails gouged into the wall. I must follow the tugging, then the pain would stop. I could not get through. The pain grew until I could not stand; I slid down the wall. The pain grew and grew and grew. I curled up on the floor as close to the wall as I could. I began to scream. I scream myself hoarse and then could only moan through labored breaths. I never had the mercy of blacking out.

Suddenly the pain began to lessen. I was able to unclench myself and breathe a little easier. By the time the pain was gone, I was able to push myself into a sit. I slumped against the wall and groaned slightly. My head was woozy, and my limbs shook.

I glanced up and saw Burnemarr watching me through the window.
When I was a little more steady, I got up and poured myself some water. My throat ached from screaming. I drank and looked again at the window. Burnemarr was no longer there.
I scooted under the strange shelter and slept, exhausted.

_______________________________

Silver

The guard had opened the door. Her Match was already waiting.
The guard's Matchmate waltzed into the room and Silver's Match crouched down to it. The two creatures looked at each other for a long minute of deep silence. Silver looked to the guard. He was watching the exchange with bewilderment. Suddenly, the little cat turned and stalked from the room.

Silver's Matchmate rose fluidly and nodded towards the guard. "Ooshoo, Burnemarr," he said smoothly. The guard startled and glanced after his cat.

"You know my name! Did-- did my Match tell you?" he asked, his tone saying he was half afraid he was crazy.

Silver pushed closer, drawn to her Match. They locked eyes.

"I must take him to the bathroom first, then he can come and breakfast with you, my lady," the guard interrupted. He grabbed Silver's Matchmate by the arm, and her Match tensed but went.

Silver hurried to order breakfast for two in her rooms. She waited impatiently until the guard returned with her Match.

Her Match sat across from her at the table, while the guard stationed himself watchfully in front of the door, his attention trained on her Match. Silver began to eat, and her Matchmate fumblingly copied.
They finished the food, and a servant came and cleared the table. Silver asked the question that had been plaguing her all night.

"What is your name?" She hoped he would understand her.
He tried to decipher what she said.

"Mai lanansha?" he replied. "Mai lanansha éa Kiran." He pointed to himself.
Silver grinned. He understood!

"Kiran," Silver repeated.

Kiran smiled back at her.

"Soow qin éa lanansha Îlne?" He pointed at her. Lanansha meant name, Silver assumed. The Llyadoran language was beautiful; it rolled fluidly off Kiran's tongue.

"Silver," she told him.

"Sil-ver," Kiran sounded out.
He reached across the table to begin playing with her hair. Silver vaguely noticed the guard stiffen in his place.

"Naheira'ain, ahhh naheira'ain," Kiran whispered.

Silver caught Kiran's hand and drew it in front of her. She examined the long, flexible fingers. Light glinted off his fingernails. Silver looked at them closer. They were an iridescent metal, curved and sharp. She felt a prick of fear. The fingers wiggled in her hand, and she jumped a little. She gave a startled laugh. She looked up to Kiran's face. He smiled, as slowly and breathtaking as a dawn breaking. Silver looked down quickly and turned over his hand. She traced a finger up his palm. His breathing went ragged.

Silver drew back. The table was in the way; she wanted to see all of him. He looked to her, surprised. She came around the table to him and he rose to meet her.

He was tall; she had to tilt her head to see his face. She reached out slowly, unsure. He leaned down for her. She lightly touched his hair. It was every bit as silky as she had imagined. She threaded her fingers through it. He leaned in to her hand like a cat wanting to be petted. She brought her other hand up to cup his face; her thumb grazed his lips and she tingled. She felt him suck in a breath.

"Kiran. Hello.You're not at all what I imagined, but somehow you're perfect. My perfect Match. I'm so glad you're here," Silver rambled.

He whispered back, his voice low and husky. "Silver. Mai Silver. Yye, mai cere. L'🜂n lanna."

She felt his hands at her waist, gently enough that she felt secure and not trapped.She ran her hands down his neck and shoulders to his arms. They were lean and muscular, taut with strength.
She remembers how strong and quick he was when he pinned her to the ground at their Matching. Her eyes widen in a sudden burst of fear. Her Match is no innocent boy. He is a deadly predator.

"Sur éa muure einebahn, mai honnay. Dereahana jartan katt île ΐ. La gabban ooneen fard île. La cѐrёn fard île da mai zhavesha urrd," Kiran crooned, noticing her fear.

He was so focused on Silver that she sensed his feelings through the bond. Fervently protective and devoted. She was amazed.

"Kiran," she breathed.

He slowly drew her towards him. She settled against his chest and his arms lightly encircled her. She felt no fear. He might be dangerous, but he would never harm her. In his arms she felt warm and safe and protected.

The guard cleared his throat. "My lady," he began, "his Lordship said only an hour. I must take him back to his room now."

Silver broke away from Kiran reluctantly.

"Goodbye, Kiran."
"Amna Îln éa ba mai minn," he lilted back.

The guard escorted him away.
Silver stared after him until the door shut between them.
_______________________________

Silver went to her studies. History and mathematics, penmanship and music, cooking and weaving, everything she would need to know as a lady running the manor's household.
Her dancing instructor took her into the city for her dancing lesson that day.
She ached as she got further away from her Matchmate. They went to a dancing hall where many people were dancing. Silver went through her dance steps mechanically, wishing she was still with Kiran.

She was relieved when they returned home, and she immediately headed for Kiran's window.
Then she panicked. He was not there! She ran to the guard and told him.

"I have been at his door this whole time, my lady. I assure you he is in there."

But the guard came with her to the window and could not see him either. "I will go in and check. I must take him to his assigned work soon anyways. Good evening, my lady." He inclined his head to her and left.

Silver had no time and hurried away to her next lesson, but she worried about Kiran the rest of the day. She was only able to relax when that night she looked in the window and saw him, standing silently in the darkening room.

"Good night," she whispered, and went to bed and dreams of purple hair and glinting nails and a haunting, two-colored gaze.