Chapter 6

Monday. Today was Monday September 3rd and Nwaeah currently wishes to fling herself out the window. Pacing the room where the reporter will come she wrings her fingers. She hates the fact that she needs Naain to be here. There is no way she is relying on some guy to aid me. Moving her curls to the side of her shoulder, this jerk better show up though. Come now Nwaeah do not call him a jerk he did not do anything wrong. Nwaeah's brain immediately goes to yesterday when he chose to watch her and her friends. She had asked him why and his genius response was, 'Our father's would not want us to argue in public then go separate ways. He was infuriating.

Nwaeah rearranges the refreshments for the 90th time. It was 10:54, and Nwaeah has been waiting in the room since 10am. Sleeping was not something that was granted to her the previous night and instead she decided to get everything ready for the reporter. Her brother was shocked to see that she had woken before him and cooked breakfast. Her wavy loose curls were twisted and laid on the side of her shoulder. Nwaeah even managed to spend an hour thinking of what to wear. She decided to settle on a brown leather skirt and black sweater. Nwaeah tried not to be nervous the entire morning, to no avail. This article is going to be spread world wide, Tarians and Humans alike. If the reporter doubts for a second that this marriage is not a happy occasion that was it. The article would change from amazing news to Tarians falling apart and marrying a guardian in hopes of combatting the demons and gaining more strength.

Hearing the footsteps coming towards the room Nwaeah swiftly turns to the window composing her facial expression. If she could hear the footsteps then that meant it was not Naain. That infuriating little shadow moved as quietly as a mouse. The reporter walks in and Nwaeah turns and smiles. "Please have a seat."

The reporter sits down and gets himself situated. His black cellphone is the first thing he places on the table, along with a pen and pad. He forces a smile, "It is kind of the Tarians to allow us to report such a story. This story will indeed attract a lot of attention."

Studying him Nwaeah can see that he is one cocky fellow. The strained smile and forced words express just how much he cares for the Tarians. He did not bow when he walked in nor did he do the Human custom and attempt to shake her hand. He was about her height in black slacks, a grey blazer, and a white button up shirt underneath. HIs words also were spoken in a cold way. Everything he said was true yet somehow he managed to sound bitter about it.

The reporter places an ankle over his knee and opens his notepad. "My name is Brian Hathers and I will be interviewing you today. Let's start by asking where your fiance is?" His tone is bored as he shakes the pen between his fingers waiting for her reply.

Nwaeah is still standing contemplating freezing that pen of his. "Brian Hathers perhaps you should eat first. It is an early morning, I can answer your questions after." She gestures to the table of snacks and drinks.

Staring for a moment Brian jots notes in his notepad. "I did not realize 11 was early for Tarians. I understand that Tarians may not have a lot on their plates, but I am rather busy. I would like to wrap this up as soon as possible."

"You are scheduled to be here until 2 today and tomorrow Brain Hathers. There is no wrapping anything up." Nwaeah forces herself to keep her voice light but Brian was really driving her patience.

"I did not realize you had so much free time. Tell me aren't you supposed to be a princess?"

"It is good you know. She is the Princess and you should treat her as such." Naain walks into the room causing the human to drop his pen after being startled by his presence. Turning to Nwaeah, "Forgive me I was held up dealing with a Captain."

Wearing a smile Nwaeah remembers Naain had told Captain Morgan to see him the next morning. Taking another look at Naain he is dressed in his black uniform, his black jacket covering him going down towards his knees. Aww he had dressed up for this?

Naain turns to the reporter, "I am not sure who you are but you will treat my Princess with the respect she deserves."

"You you you must you must be Nine yeahtho." Brian stutters out

"It is pronounced Nye in, Naain Yeatho. If you are the reporter here to do the interview I expect you to be professional. This is Princess Nwaeah Ozikill." empathizing the word princess.

"I can show respect but I am not a Tarian," Looking at Nwaeah with disgust his words cold out cold, "and you are not my Princess. I am here to conduct an interview and I will. But I am not a human who will jump for joy to be in the presence of a Tarian."

"Have I done something to offend you?" Nwaeah sits across Brian with Naain sitting next to her on the sofa.

"You are a Tarian Royal, that is enough."

Brain's eyes are filled with hatred and the minute Nwaeah sees that her anger diminishes. I may not know who did it but someone has hurt him deeply. "Let us start the interview then." He is here to do the job, if they can have a good interview with him then perhaps his article could win many over. A reporter that hates Tarian writing a good article about them will do some good.

"Great." Brian opens his pad again. "Where did you meet?"

"At the Palace." Nwaeah and Naain spoke at the same time. Both not attempting to say more than that.

Brian gives them a look but sighs moving on to the next questions. "When did you realize you could marry each other."

Nwaeah froze, she did not want to lie but she was not sure. Looking at Naain, he has a smile on his face, his teeth were not showing; there was simply a small curve on one side of his face. Just like her dream. He stops smiling to speak but Nwaeah does not hear a word he is saying. He is just like her dream. All the times he had been in her presence he never did anything cruel or hurtful, his smile was sad. Just a slight grin always. I would marry the slight grin over the shadow.

"And for you?" Brian pulls Nwaeah out of her thoughts.

Naain had been watching Nwaeah while he was answering and saw that she was not there.

"I realized I could marry him when I saw that his smile was so separate from a dark shadow." Even speaking she sounds so far away still stuck in her own thoughts

"Can you elaborate on that?" Brian is irritated. For him it seems that the Tarians are purposely being difficult with their answers.

"A shadow is dark intimidated living in darkness and darkness alone. Yet a smile, a smile should be light." Nwaeah is locked in Naain's eyes, "If a shadow can smile, then maybe it is not a shadow after all."

Clicking his tongue Brian rots down what Nwaeah has said, "This question will be for Naain. When did you know she was it? Marriage is a big deal considering you Tarians live forever."

"Tarians do not live forever." Naain replies.

"You live longer than humans." Brian's words come out bitterly.

"Death is a friend to all, it is nothing to fear." Nwaeah looks at the broken human before her. "Humans want to live for a long time, but to do what? Death is nothing to fear, after working, building families, feeling all the emotions the world has to offer; death simply lets you sleep."

"That coming from someone who is more than 100 years old. You do not know anything about death. You do not know anything about what humans have to do to survive." His anger shows as his face gets red.

"You have lost someone. That much is clear, but believe me when I tell you; do not live your life in despair. There are things far worse than death." Naain's are filled with grief. The things that Tarians have seen, what he has seen shows in his eyes for a brief moment. He is a soldier, but that does not make pain any easier to see.

"Let's just answer the question." Brian dismisses the heating debate.

"I knew she was it when she fixed a damaged picture. When she looked into the eyes of a child and for a moment stopped the bullying. That is when I knew that if there was ever anyone I needed to marry," he spares a glance to Nwaeah who is soaking in every word he is saying, "I would not mind if it is her."

"That was 1795." She breathes those words meaning so much. He knew her then? No, no way, that could not be true. There is no way she is going to sit and allow his words to a reporter shake her heart. Wait! He knew her then? Was this all a plan, did he always mean to marry her? What are his motives?

More questions were asked and Nwaeah tried to keep from being swayed by Naain's words. He seems as if he is telling the truth. His answers are so sure and absolute.

"How is your relationship with your mother?" Brian shocks both of them. Naain and Nwaeah both managed to flinch at the questions.

"We should take a break now. I know you must be hungry. We can resume the interview afterwards." Naain stands extending his hand to Nwaeah leaving no room for objections.

Hesitating Nwaeah contemplates her options. She can stay and possibly have to speak about her mother. Or she can place her hand in his. What would this mean? Would he think she trusts him now, think that she is falling for him? She simply thinks he may not be as bad as she first thought. That does not mean she trusts him, not at all.

Naain pushes his hand towards Nwaeah. Taking it he leads her out of the room. "You seemed like you had questions. Do you wish to ask them now?" Naain lets go of her hand when they walk into the pocket ballroom.

Nwaeah has many questions and many concerns. The first concern was that she was lowering her defense against him. There was no way she was going to allow herself to like him. Scoffing Nwaeah crosses her arms. "I seemed like I had questions?" Shaking her head she attempts to shake the disbelief she was feeling, she will not like him. "Every time I think maybe you are not what I believe you to be, you prove me wrong."

"How exactly do I do that?" His eyes are calculating but Nwaeah supposes that is to mask what he is really feeling underneath.

"You are a manipulative, controlling, liar." Even as she said them Nwaeah regretted it. What is wrong with her? Why is she being cruel? She does not want to like him but that does not give her an excuse to insult him. If he insults me I know I will be upset, so why am I doing this to him?

His eyes narrow as he steps into her personal space. The heat from his body transfering to her. "I may be many things princess, but a liar I am not. I have never lied to you, and I never will. It would be in your best interest to refrain the name calling." His anger flares, Nwaeah can see it in his eyes, but he is trying to control it, mask it even.

"You did lie." The frustration of trying to understand what she was feeling was angering her. "You led me to believe that the first time we met was last Tuesday." she sounds ridiculous and she knows it, but if he let her believe that when he knew her years ago, then what if this was all an elaborate plan? What if he had his eyes on her for years, what if he did want to marry her to gain power? What if he was just as power hungry as her father? So many what if's and that all stem from this statement of distrust. What else is he letting her believe? Or maybe she is just thinking that because she is upset to know she was letting down her guard. Holy Mother Earth what are you letting this guy do to you?

"I never told you I first met you last week. You assumed that." His voice is calm, no longer holding a hint of irritation, which did nothing but anger Nwaeah even more. Smirking, "What is that saying humans say? When you assume you make an ass.."

"You are unbelievable. You may have my friends and brother fooled, but not me." If Nwaeah could shoot lasers from her eyes she would. "You are not a king, and the minute I am yours by law I promise you whatever elaborate plan of power you have will evaporate like water from a tea kettle. I will never help you." Taking a deep breath she smoothed the wrinkles on her sweater.

Naain holds back his comments. The strong princess in front of him did not realize it, but she showed her weakness. She is afraid, afraid of being trapped in this marriage. Afraid of being used for power. As much as a jerk he could be, he would never hurt her. If only he knew how to convince her of that. "We should go back to the interview."

Nwaeah is confused, his voice is comforting and gentle. Why? Nodding her head she heads back to the reporter.

"I was beginning to think you would not be returning." Brian is sitting at the table, the food is still untouched.

"I see you have not touched your food." Naain ignores his comment making one of his own. He pulls out a chair for Nwaeah to sit, holding back his smile when he sees her hesitate before sitting down.

"I would like for you to try it first. Tell me, do Tarians even eat food?"

Naain cannot help but chuckle and decides to play along. "No, we simply touch the living around us and absorb their energy to survive.

Nwaeah smiles at the shocked expression. "Not to worry Hathers, he is joking. Of course we eat. We have to live after all." She picks up a pineapple and pops it into her mouth.

"If you do not mind refraining from jokes during this interview." Brain voice is strained as he glances at Naain.

"Absurd questions get absurd answers." His voice is nonchalant.

"How about we focus on the questions for the interview only." Nwaeah soothes Brian who is getting red in the face.

"That sounds great." Flipping open his notepad, "How are your relationships with your mothers?"

Both Tarians freeze. Clearing her throat, "My mother has passed."

Brian looks at Naain for his answer, "My mother has passed as well."

Jotting in his notepad, "I suppose you were right." He makes eye contact with Naain, "Tarians do not live forever." There is a smirk on his face that does not go unnoticed by Naain or Nwaeah.

"Is there something you need to get off your head Reporter Hathers?" Nwaeah attempts to keep the disgust out of her voice. His little jabs at Tarians were not helping her already confusing day.

"It is nice knowing that Tarians struggle just like the rest of us. This will make you seem more humane to the readers of the article." Brian smirks enjoying the great Tarians being under his will.

"Humane?" He scoffs. "Your job is not to write an article to make us seem more humane. We are not human, thus we are not humane. You humans came to that concept to make yourselves feel significant in a world that does not revolve around you." Naain's eyes are ablaze, his hands gripping the table as if to hold him back from attacking Brian. "I do not need you to lie. We are not humane because we are not human. We are Tarians. When you write this article you are not writing a persuasive monologue. You are informing them of what is going on. You are telling them news. This news does not need your lies and claims of humanity, we can not be what we are not." His hands are now in fists as he ends his speech.

Without thinking Nwaeah reaching out to touch his fist. Slowly relaxing his fist. His hand is clenched hard and for a moment he is too strong and she can not unclench it, but soon he allows her to open his hand. She kept her hand on his during the rest of the interview, never moving it, continuing to comfort him. Why she was doing this, she did not know. Her emotions are confusing, does she like him? Or does she not like him? Does she want to lower her defenses to him, or does she want to watch him suffer? She simply does not know. All she knows is that she does not want to move her hand from his.