Remembrance of Veldion

After Avine sank into a long sleep in the arms of her prince, falling inexorably into that awful void, an incredible dream as he wished for her, took possession of her being, she lived in that deep dream an inspiring, uncontrollable and infinitely painful love story that tore her heart apart. When she finally woke up, she was in even more pain than when she woke up on the palanquin, carried by Hogul's minions.

The young woman opened her eyes, and ran a hand through her hair as she tried to catch her breath. Soon enough she found herself lying down again, but this time in a wide, soft bed that was a blessing to her back.

She straightened up and observed her room, a room a little old-fashioned with its old objects, but which inspired her a wonderful feeling of well-being and warmth.

Also, although she was alone, she did not feel frightened, but she spoke quickly, because at that moment, a huge four-legged creature with scarlet fur opened the door and approached her. It was adorable and visually harmless, but Avine, since her rather unfortunate experience in the free empire, had quickly learned to distrust appearances. And besides, another problem presented itself, as the creature watching her with its gentle, watchful eyes seemed not to speak her language.

- Uh...could you tell me where I am and where the prince is?

- I can answer you. said a foreign and gloomy voice that startled the young woman. She raised her head to see who it belonged to, and that's how she saw a huge and ethereal creature appearing through the walls. A hideous creature, of a translucent whiteness allowing a glimpse of the organs of its body, and the smile displayed on its round, deformed face, made every member of Avine tremble.

- My apologies, miss, but that idiot, and he pointed to the ruddy-furred beast, should have warned me of your awakening. How do you feel.

And he stretched out his hand towards the young woman. But the latter, having already had more than enough of all this horrible comedy, stepped back, got out of bed quickly, and then left the room, screaming with fear.

- A monster! Come to my rescue, prince! Prince!

She ran down a corridor and then down a staircase to a small hall cluttered with tenderly scattered odds and ends. And finding the front door, she opened it with trembling hands to land on a courtyard filled with potted plants and shimmering multicolored flowers.

- But where did I fall, she murmured in amazement.

It was then that her prince arrived, jumping carelessly from a carrier, and went towards her. This last by seeing her warrior savior, felt at once all fear to desert her, and contemplated the newcomer with tenderness, so class in his light beige costume, streaked with abstract motives.

- Ah you are awake. How do you feel?

But Avine did not take the time to answer, because she felt the presence very close to the immaculate monster, which moreover left the house and rose in front of them. The young woman hid behind her rescuer, who looked at her with astonishment.

- What's wrong with you?

Avine returned his gaze.

- But him!" she exclaimed, pointing at the opaline creature with the repulsive face. It terrifies!

The prince, for his part, reacted only by raising his eyes to the sky and then slightly inclined his head towards the terrifying creature.

- My apologies, doctor. Avine didn't mean what she said. She's just a little confused by the disturbing events she experienced on Venèzie.

- Please," the creature reassured her, without showing any sign of anger.

- Doctor...?

Her prince turned to her and looked at her ironically.

- Yes, the doctor Yukulco who was kind enough to treat you while you were dead in the world.

- Oh!

Avine, not knowing what to say, put her hand to her mouth.

- Uh, forgive me doctor, she apologized in turn but still not daring to look at the practitioner because of his sinister face. As the prince said so well, I am still a little confused about what had happened to me, and what could have, if a certain arrogant warrior had not intervened in time to save me.

The creature answering to the name of Yukulco burst out laughing.

- Ah, you see prince, even a girl you met only the day before knew you right away. That means it's serious, your majesty.

But the fallen ruler only shrugged his shoulders carelessly.

- If you say so.

- And who is the scarlet-furred creature, Avine inquired as the latter joined them, but without speaking.

- Oh him, you could say he's Doctor Yukulco's assistant.

- Doesn't he speak our language?

- No, he doesn't speak at all.

- Oh, I see.

- But that doesn't stop him from knowing how to make himself understood, especially concerning his desires, I can assure you.

For the first time, Avine laughed.

- You really are amazing, unbeatable at mockery.

- You bet I am. Well, are you hungry?

- Yes, I am.

She noticed that the doctor and his faithful assistant, if he really was, given the prince's mocking attitude when he said so, had left them alone on the small terrace.

- Let's go then.

He took her in his arms and jumped to the balcony of the neighboring house. That's how Avine realized that they were far above the ground, and that all the surrounding buildings were the result of the accumulation of countless houses piling up on top of each other, and that in spite of the disorderly tangle they displayed, they surprisingly offered a certain charm.

She wished their flight would last longer.

The house where the prince took her, was located a little higher than the doctor's, which consequently offered a better view of the city. Avine, suddenly remembering that she was a guest after being stunned by the cynical look of her rescuer and host, asked if she could help with dinner, since apparently it was night, although one could never be sure of anything in such a place. But her prince refused her help, mockingly of course, since everything was already prepared. But first he offered her an aperitif, which she accepted with good grace, since she was now old enough to take it, without forgetting that nobody was a better teacher than Venèzie.

He brought her an electric blue soft drink filled with Imvel ice. They toasted each other and then sat on the railing, gazing together at the lights of the city.

- What is the name of this place?

- Veldion.

- A beautiful name for such a small place.

- Don't be afraid to use the real word! Messy.

Avine chose to ignore his correction.

- And you, what do they call you?

- Haven't I told you yet?

He laughed at her.

- No, otherwise I would have remembered.

- Interesting!

The tone of his voice displeased Avine to no end.

- What?" she said, turning to him and regarded him with eyes shining with suspicion. I would have remembered anyone's name! You're not special.

- But I didn't say anything!

- That's good. Now tell me your name since you seem to know mine already.

- My name doesn't matter. But you can keep calling me prince. That doesn't bother me at all.

- On the contrary, it probably does. Why can't you tell me your name?

- It's nothing personal. Very few people don't know it, if that's any consolation. And Doctor Yukulco is excluded in the unlikely event, I'm sure, that you ask him for the information.

- What are you talking about," she denied, although she was about to do so. So tell me at least something about you, about your planet, your parents, your friends, your work, and especially why everyone calls you Prince.

- But that's a lot!

This was his only remark. Avine understood that he would not reveal anything about himself.

- So if you don't want to satisfy my legitimate curiosity. What could we possibly talk about?

- About you, for example. Tell me a little about your life.

- Oh no," the young woman immediately protested. If you refuse to reveal yourself, then I won't do it either.

- Very well, conceded the prince without being troubled, which increased the anger and frustration of the young kolodian, but she had too much pride to show it.. Then let us speak about Hogul.

- No more.

- What then?

- Music.

- Now that you remind me, I've been invited to a show that will start in a few hours. Would you like to go with me?

- What kind of show? And is it far from here?

- Some kind of opera and yes, it's a bit far from here.

Avine gave him a big smile

- Then I accept.

She hoped that the prince would go there and carry her in his arms again. Then she realized that it was simply impossible.

- But not in this outfit. And her rescuer pointed to her toilet lightly. It was only at this precise moment that she really realized that she wore only a light déshabillé in ivory satin, of a discreet softness but which moulded suggestively the curves of her body.

- Oh!

And this time, Avine burst outright laughing, laughter that was quickly stifled when she saw the look of her prince. A burning look, torn with irrepressible storm.

He reached out his hand and caressed her arm, then stepped back and turned away, with an anger that the young magician understood by instinct.

- We're going to sit down to eat and then you're going to go rest so you'll be in shape for the show. I hope you like it. It's a...friend who prepared everything.

- I'm sure I'll like it.

And they both knew she wasn't talking about the meal.