Unrequited Love

Tristana Selwynn took a deep breath as she readied herself for combat. She was taking lessons with her good friend Rylan Adalwyn on sword fighting. She found herself sweating quite profusely, she was training hard and wanted to make a good impression on Rylan.She couldn't help but notice that he smirked at her before advancing. He swung his sword at her expertly and she was able to dodge out of the way. "Ahh I see you have been practicing Trist!" he said gleefully as he began to advance again. This time he came at her from another angle and was able to overcome her. Their swords clashed together as they both fell to the ground. He was laying on top of her, both of them breathing heavily. Tristana stared into his eyes, lost in them. She had a crush on Rylan for as long as she had known him, which was basically her whole life. She knew he probably had no idea how she truly felt about him, but in this moment their desires seemed shared. He had a lustful look on his face as he lay on top of her. She did not even care that his weight was heavy upon her, she could have stayed like that forever. Tristana knew she should say something, or attempt at getting up, but they both seemed quite content on staying right where they were.

The moment seemed to last a lifetime but suddenly Rylan moved his face closer to Tristana's and kissed her. Lightly at first and then it got more intense and passionate. She almost couldn't breathe but she didn't care in the moment. Finally the moment she had been waiting for finally happened. He felt the same way! Tristana never wanted this moment to end.

"Trist!" he yelled. Tristana was confused why was he yelling if he was still kissing her? That made no sense at all! "Tristana! What are you doing???" Tristana finally snapped out of her day dream. She began to slowly realize that it was her brother, Brenton that was calling her name, not Rylan. She began to blush furiously and shook her head as if to wake herself up fully. Brenton walked over to her and smiled. "Where were YOU just now sister?" he laughed.

"Oh shush Brent!" she started. "You have no idea what you are talking about, alright? I was just daydreaming is all, it happens to the best of us!" Tristana said as she knelt down to pick up her sword that she had apparently dropped while her mind was somewhere else. She had met with Rylan earlier to practice some sword fighting, but he was already finished, so she came back to the Estate to make her brother help her out. "Trist, I know where your mind was, and I think it is adorable, really." he teased.

"Oh and please tell me where my mind was just now since clearly I have NO idea myself!" she tossed back. She playfully hit her brother. They were very close, especially since their mother had died a few years ago. "Oh sis, I know you have a huge crush on Rylan! It is so obvious I'm surprised he doesn't know, or maybe he DOES!"

Tristana started to blush again. "How could you have possibly have known that? The only person I ever told that to was Cassandra!" as soon as she spoke the words she realized that her brother was bluffing and had an inkling it was true but once Tristana spoke the words out loud, it confirmed his suspicions. "Bloody hell....." she whispered as he patted her on the back and laughed. "Really Trist, I had a small feeling but now that you confirmed it, I will just go tell my friend about your affections!" and he started to walk away, but Tristana tackled him to the ground. "I think NOT!" she yelled. They both started to laugh until they were crying.

"But really Brenton, in all seriousness, you cannot tell him. It would ruin my friendship and I wouldn't give that up for the world, he has been one of my best friends for my whole life, I do not know what I would do without him." she pleaded. "Trist, you know I wouldn't say anything, I'm just teasing you. Besides you know Father will marry you off to some other Noble House soon enough and then you won't even have to worry about your silly crush anyway!"

Tristana's smile faded away and she began to frown. "Brenton, I cannot be married off like some pawn in a game. I do not want to marry for anything other than love. I know that Rylan does not love me but that doesn't mean that he can't someday, or I might find someone else to love. I do not want a loveless marriage!"

"Trist, believe me, I do not wish to see you go live somewhere else, but you know that Father also wants me to marry as well. We would most likely be split up no matter what in a few years. I need to provide an heir for this family. It is just the way life is sadly." he said.

Tristana looked off into the distance. She stared at the Lake of Stars. "You know he has changed, since Mother died. He does not look at me the same way. I miss her too Brent, but he blames me, I know he does." she said sadly. Tears starting to fall down her face. "I miss her terribly, I know you do too. But to just cast me aside, to get rid of me, it just doesn't feel right."

Brenton put his arms around his sister and hugged her tight. "Trist, you know he loves you, he does not blame you, he just misses her like we all do. It was so sudden, there was really nothing anyone could have done. No one is to blame, it was just a tragic accident." he said reassuringly. "You know I will always be here for you. No matter what. Even if you get married, or I do, I will always be here. I love you." Tristana hugged him back and cried into his shoulder. "Thanks Brent, you really are the best brother anyone could ask for."

She wiped her tears away and put on a brave face. She didn't like to dwell on these kinds of emotions if possible. Brenton was one of the few people who she felt she could break down in front of. He understood her. Even though he was 25 and she was 22, he understood her more than anyone. "Now pick up that sword and let us really practice, eh?" he started. "No more of this day dreaming nonsense! Ready?"

Tristana smiled at her brother as she picked up her sword, her green eyes sparkling, she was ready to practice. "Ready!"

*Original work. All rights Reserved. Copyright 2014.