Chapter 6

Ryan's POV

"You jerk, now that you know I'm right, you're trying to say that you were implying the same thing when you clearly weren't!"

"Oh really? How would you know, shortcake? You weren't even listening to what I was saying."

"So now, I am the one who wasn't listening, right? And who do you think you're calling shortcake?"

"You!"

Sitting here in the first class next day, I watch in amazement as Iris argues with the guy she had poured water on last week, Matthew, over some math problem. It is truly amusing to watch them fight like five-year olds to say the least.

"How dare you call me a shortcake? Do I," She points at her body's whole length, "look like one?" He shrugs and smirks.

Before she could burst in her anger, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Ryder! Winters! Shut up. Just, shut up!" Prof. Reid, our math professor says in frustration. They both immediately stop.

"Matthew Ryder," Tristan speaks up from beside me, "your answer is wrong. Admit it-"

"Yes!" Iris cut him off and does a fist pump in the air.

"Just man up and let go of that ego of yours. Just accept the truth man." Hearing Tristan everyone snickers and the whole class is filled with boo's and 'burn'. Matthew looks around helplessly, then just slumps in his seat and mutters "Fine." The loudest cheer comes from Iris, who turns and gives Tristan a grateful look. He just smiles and gives her a thumb's up.

Seeing this brings me back to our conversation from the previous night.....

"What?" I am sure my ears are ringing. But his next words spoken with such firmness prove me wrong.

"I've seen Iris before. Outside one of the conferences." Tristan pauses, as if in deep thought. I slump back in my chair, taking in this new information.

He had seen Iris. Outside one of the conferences. How is it possible? Does it mean that…

"It was 2 years ago," I look at him. He has a faraway look on his face, like he's replaying that moment in his mind.

"I was late for that day's conference. Something went wrong with the transportation spell I'd cast and I ended up somewhere far, far away from the Royal Palace. So by the time I had managed to recast the spell and make it to our conference, I was sure it was almost ending. When I reached there, I ran and made my way towards the Royal Palace's gate. It was pretty foggy there. Like, I couldn't see anything ahead of me. But somehow I managed to reach the gates. Entering through the open gates, I hurried towards the entrance. That's when I bumped into someone. Since my momentum was slow, I could not stop at that moment. I just looked over my shoulder and-" He stops speaking, his eyes going wide. Then, he says in a whisper-like tone.

"And my eyes met those pale violet eyes. I couldn't see any other facial features because of the mist surrounding us. But before I could comprehend anything else, the person had turned around and resumed walking. The person was wearing a black cloak. Just then the fog completely engulfed them, making them disappear from my sight."

Silence.

I am not sure what to say. He saw those eyes before....

Wait a minute.

"You said you've seen the pale violet eyes. So that means you haven't seen her face, or her...." I trail off, and he nods.

"Are you sure?"

He nods again. I relax in my chair and close my eyes. So there's nothing to worry about.

"How are you so calm about this, Prince? I just said I've seen Iris outside one of the conferences, which means she knows of our kind's existence. How-"

"You yourself just mentioned that you've seen her eyes and not her." He nods and looks at me like I've lost my mind.

"So it could have been anyone," I shrug.

"But how is that possible? Violet eyes are so damn rare! You don't find a person walking around with violet eyes everywhere! And how are you so sure that it's someone else?"

"Tristan," I calmly say with my eyes still closed, "You might not be knowing this. So let me tell you. Sometimes, when a person has very pale blue eyes, just like our Queen," I say, referring to Aunt Cora. He nods.

"Their eyes can look violet under certain lighting." I try to explain him. I open my eyes and look at him, to see him nodding his head slowly. Nobody speaks for some time.

"So," He starts after a while, "what you mean to say is that it could've possibly been someone else..." He trails off, to which I nod.

"Maybe."

I look at the seat near the window, where Iris is sitting, looking out the window. Even though I had convinced Tristan that it was not her, I myself am not too sure.

But then again, I guess I'm seeing too much into this. Maybe I'm just over-thinking about all this.

The shrill sound of bell ringing over my head finally puts an end to my train of thoughts. My head snaps to the front of the class to see Prof. Reid giving some instructions. After he finishes, I pack my bag and walk out of the class along with Tristan and Meredith. Outside the class, I see Caleb leaning against one of the walls. We pass by him, when I hear him call Iris. We stop and turn around. Caleb is standing there with a smile, as Iris walks to him with her arms spread wide. He too spreads his arms, to engulf her in a hug. She walks close to him. But suddenly, she turns right and wraps her arms around a shocked Tristan instead.

"Thank you for supporting me in the class Tristan," Iris whispers. Tristan, who had frozen to his spot, slowly wraps his arms around her and hugs her back. They break their hug after a while, as Tristan mouths 'No problem'. She smiles at him, and turns to look at Caleb, who has dropped his arms to his side and is pouting. She laughs.

"Oh drama queen," She smiles and gives him a tight hug. He embraces her almost immediately. When they pull apart, Iris looks at Tristan.

"So Tristan, this is my childhood best friend, Caleb," she then looks at her friend,

"And Caleb, meet my friend Tristan." They both shake hands, when Tristan speaks in a surprised tone.

"Friend?" She nods her head.

"You became my friend the moment you supported me." She gives him a wide smile. He smiles too, before looking at us.

"Since you introduced me to your friend, I would like to introduce you to mine. Iris and Caleb, this here is my good friend Meredith," They politely nod in her direction,

"And..... meet my great buddy, Ryan."

"Nice to meet you," I say, sticking my hand out. Caleb first shakes it, followed by Iris. Her hand is very warm and soft. And small, too, perfectly fitting into mine. Pulling back, I put my hands in my jeans pockets, rocking back and forth on the heel of my leg. I don't know, I just feel nervous around Iris.

"So guys, mind joining us for lunch?" Iris asks in a hopeful tone. Tristan and Meredith look my way, while I think for a moment and slowly nod my head. Iris claps her hand.

"Great then!" She says and then looks at Tristan, frowning slightly.

"Hey, what happened to your forehead?" I snicker, while a laugh escapes Meredith, which she covers up with her coughs. Tristan gives me and her a look, before looking back at a questioning Iris and giving her a very sweet smile.

"Just walked into a wall. Anyways," He starts pushing Iris and Caleb,

"What is your next class?"

"Um, AP Chemistry?" Caleb answers as the both of them try to turn and look at us, but Tristan pushes them ahead from behind and says,

"Oh wonderful! So you both have the same class next?" As they respond in affirmation, Tristan looks back at us and gives us both the middle finger, before turning around and walking ahead with the them.

I just look at his back in amusement. Tristan had thought too much about my words from last night I guess. Because today morning at the breakfast table, he kept staring at the Queen to see if her eyes look violet at any moment.

It was way creepy, as Aunt Cora kept shifting uncomfortably in her chair. And Uncle Seb being Aunt's soulmate, became so angry that another male was continuously staring at his Beloved, that he got out of his chair at the head of the table in Vampire Speed, and within a blink of an eye he was standing behind Tristan, smacking his head on the table with too much force. We were all shocked, but recovered soon. It was the King being overprotective over his Beloved.

Tristan's forehead was bleeding, and the room full of Vampires started smelling blood. I quickly held his hand and took him upstairs in my room, taking the first aid kit and working on his bleeding forehead in my Vampire speed.

Shaking my head to get rid of all the thoughts, I give a curt nod to Meredith and walk away to my next class.

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Hey guys! Thanks for reading!

The picture on the side is of the Royal Palace.

Hope you enjoyed reading this. Vote and comment if you like the chapter.