Give in

Liandra chose to give in to her emotions. She gave in to amazement, to awe and wonder. She closed her eyes and allowed her emotions to fill her being. She felt big and strong, never felt so full of life as then. She spread her arms and turned around, dancing a slow dance on this tall tower. She should have been a little more careful, for she stepped off the edge and plummeted down.

She was instantly pulled from her reverie. This time, she was filled with fright. But her fall suddenly ended. She felt herself being held by strong arms. But who could save her from a free fall like this?

She opened her eyes and saw the man that had brought her up the tower. He was very close now, but there was also something different about him. He now had wings.

Huge, shadowy black wings, sprouted from his back. They carried him across the winds, between the dozens of towers that rose from castle Darkshadow. And he was holding her. Carrying her through the air like a magnificent, yet dark, angel.

?You should take better care where you step, young lady.? He said.

Liandra looked away and blushed. She was ashamed of it, but he was right. She Didn?t say anything back at him. She took hold of him and pulled him closer to her. She felt safe with him.

Eventually he landed and placed her on the ground. When they did, his shadowy wings quickly disappeared and it was as if they had never been there at all.

?Excuse me, but ? are you perhaps a shadow-mage?? Liandra asked.

?Yes, I am indeed.? The man said. ?A very skilled one too, if I may say so. Tell me, you?re not from around here, are you??

Liandra was shocked. She never told him anything about her, and yet he knew.

?No, not really. How did you know??

The man leaned over and whispered in her ear. ?Shadow magic is very often used in Nocternia.?

He then leaned back and smiled. ?If you have to ask a person if he?s a shadow-mage, you haven?t seen it a lot. If you lived in Nocternia, you would have seen it a lot.?

?My apologies.? Liandra excused herself. ?My name is Liandra, princess to the kingdom of Luxius.?

Noiw it was the mans turn to be surprised and quickly bowed before her.

?This really is an honor, your highness. I never believed I would meet you in person, let alone here in the capitol of Nocternia.?

?Please, stand.? The princess offered him.

?Where are my manners, let me introduce myself.? He said. ?My name is Kendal Nocturne, Emperor of Nocternia.?