Friendship.

                                    

                                          
My heart dropped at the sight. All the chapters of that section were torn off. I huffed in annoyance at the lost information. I got  up to show Hazel the damage. 
                          
"Oh dear." She looked horrified. "I monitor everything that goes on in this library. I know I am growing old, but I am sure I would have known if someone read that book."  She rummaged through her desk, picked up a book and rapidly flipped through the pages. "I keep logs of all the books that have been read." 
                          
"It's not your fault, there are a lot of books here. You can't possibly keep track of them all." I said trying to calm the old fae in distress.
                          
She stopped flipped and gave me an appreciative smile. "I am sorry I could not help you." She looked at the torn book then flipped it over to look at the writing. "Was this what you were looking for? " 
                          
I fiddled with my fingers nervously. "Possibly I don't know. I just thought it would be useful." It was late and I was tired, feeling dejected at the zero outcome. "I'll be on my way now. Thank you, Hazel."
                          
"It is possible but, highly unlikely that there is another copy of this book." She walked me to the door and said. "Maybe you could come again and I would have found it. "
                          
"I will. Thank you. " I said once again, before heading back to my room. 
                          
                                                ♤♤♤♤♤
                          
Someone pounded on the door. I groaned and got up to answer it, still in a sordid mood. Ira was at a the door.
                          
"Aria!" She practically screamed. "We need to tell you something." I arched a brow. Then I saw Devan, leaning against the wall, removing his hands from his ears.
                          
"Goodness Ira, good job at bursting my eardrums." He said scrunching his face. "Hey, Aria."
                          
"Hey Dev. Hey Ira." 
                          
"Right. Back to business." She said ignoring my greeting. "You're going to a ball."
                          
I frowned, shaking my head.  "No, I'm not. "
                          
"Of course you are. Anyone would love to be invited. This one is only held twice a year, and rulers from all of Axen will be there. Tell me you're not excited." She said, smile not wavering.
                          
"I'm not excited. I don't do well in the public scene. Tell the queen I'm grateful for the invitation, but I'm not going."
                          
"Why?" She said genuinely perplexed.
                          
"She said she doesn't want to go, Ira." Devan said.
                          
"Zip it Dev. I just have to convince her." He rolled his eyes. "This doesn't happen everyday. You have to go." She leaned towards my ear. "Prince Dilan is going to be there." She wiggled her brows.
                          
Unfortunately for her, she achieved the opposite effect. I stared wide eyed, at her, horrified at the possibility of running into the prince.  I wold have to face him sooner or later and I preferred later.
                          
"When is it."
                          
"Tomorrow night." Even worse. Unfortunately her eyes lit up, most likely mistaking my question for a surrender. 
                          
Not on my wings. 
                          
"I'm not going Ira." 
                          
"She's not going Ira." He repeated. "Let it go. You have to respect her decision." 
                          
"Oh, mind your own beeswax Devan." She said sourly. Then they broke into an argument. I rolled my eyes and laughed at their childishness. 
                          
"Ahem." I got their attention. "Goodnight guys." Ira pouted and muttered an 'I'll be back' and went on her way. Devan lingered a little longer. 
                          
"You should really come. It's more fun than it sounds. " He said then walked away. 
                          
                                               ♤♤♤♤♤
                          
The clashing of metal echoed through the field. He brought his sword down on mine and I countered his attack. Devan was training with me this time, the prince out on business. 
                          
"Is that all you've got, Aria?" He asked, through his blade to my side and I countered it, grabbing a hold of his wrist, then held his shoulders to flip myself over him and slid my foot between his, knocking his feet from under him. 
                          
He groaned and I held the tip of my sword dangerously close to his neck. "Surrender? " 
                          
"Yeah Aria, finish him!!" An excited Ira screamed from the side of the field. She was off duty and bounced at the chance of watching us spar.
                          
He smirked then raised his two feet kicking me in the gut. I fell backwards as pain engulfed me. I clutched my stomach in pain as he stood over me, concern in his eyes. 
                          
"Are you ok?" He leaned over me. 
                          
His guard was down. I used the opportunity to throw a punch at his stomach. I quickly slipped away and regained my composure. I threw his sword at him.
                          
"Let's finished this." The first few blows were strong and hard. He fought well but I could sense when he was tired. We had been fighting for what seemed like an hour. 
                          
He brought a final blow over my head and I countered it, but he push hard on his sword. Sparks of energy were surfacing at the tips of my fingers and I let them go. My sword was engulfed by a blue flame, which quickly disintegrated Devan's sword. 
                          
He walked backwards, but before he could go far, I wrapped vines round his booted ankles. Then I knocked him off his feet with my foot. He fell with a thud. 
                          
I raised an eyebrow in question.
                          
"Alright, I surrender!" I stretched an arm out towards him. "Now could you help me up, I'm bruised in places I can't describe." 
                          
"Wooooooooowh! You just got served!" Ira ran towards us.
                          
I grabbed his hand to help him, only to be pulled down. He laughed and his chest rumbled under me. "Never let your guard down, angel."
                          
I looked at him questioningly. "What? I thought it suited you. Wings and all."
                          
I smiled and flicked his forehead. He rubbed it as I got off him, this time not taking my chances with helping him up. He stood beside me. 
                          
"Great fight. Good job, Aria." She gave me a high five and a hug. 
                          
"Hey, can I get one too." He said, arms out stretched.
                          
"No, you lost."
                          
"Come on, for effort. I hurt all over." He said rubbing his back. He moved closer and grabbed her in a hug, holding on, even when she squirmed. I laughed at the display and he grabbed me too until we were both squashed in his embrace.
                          
"That was awesome. Could you teach me a few tricks." By the time he finally let us go we were gasping for air. "Like that flame thing you did." He grinned playfully.
                          
"A warrior never reveals her secrets." I played along.
                          
"Fair enough. But you still have to teach me some. Please." He pouted.
                          
I agreed and we went on training, learning and laughing from each other. It felt good to have a friend as I assumed we were. Devan and Ira were the only people I could call friends in the castle, and though the thought of actually being closer than acquaintances with someone seemed scary at first, the two proved to be nothing I expected. They had a way of making me feel better when my day was bad, never seizing to make me laugh.
                          
I turned around and saw prince Dilan a short distance away, watching us. A light smile tugged at his lips, his posture was relaxed, his hands in his pockets. I gave him a light wave and he waved back, before turning and walking away. 
                          
Suuuuuuuuuuuup guys. How's it going. Hope you're having a nice day or night wherever you are. What do you think of the trio's friendship?  Comment down your favourite best friend moment award make me laugh, smile or say awww.
                          
~Thanks for reading < 3.