Free The Legend of the Blue Eyes by B. Kristin McMichael Page A

fragrance of her
perfume was not in the room any more. Unable to concentrate any
longer on the people whispering about her, but not having an answer
to her question of why she was different, Arianna yawned as she
looked at the clock: two in the morning. Where’s Gabriel , she wondered,
knowing he would answer her questions. Arianna closed her eyes and
listened to the footsteps of the people dancing. She searched
around the room. He wasn’t in the ballroom. She focused her
attention on the rest of the building. Outside on the patio, she
could hear the faint, distinct steps of Gabriel. Arianna opened her
eyes to find her grandfather watching her.
    “Are you getting tired?” he asked. Arianna
nodded, wondering how she could detour to the patio before heading
to bed. Arianna looked below at the people dancing. To leave the
room, she could go straight through the dance floor, or around
either side. If she headed around the right side, she could walk
near enough to see if Gabriel was outside.
    “Did you want to say goodnight to Gabriel?”
Lord Randolph asked, surprising Arianna. It was of no use lying to
him. Arianna nodded. Lord Randolph stood and offered her his hand.
“I’ll take you to him.”
    Whispers and stares followed them as they
walked. Arianna tried to stay shielded behind her grandfather’s
large, powerful arm as he led her around the right side of the room
to the patio doors leading outside. Relieved to find that Devin was
following close behind, Arianna tried to ignore the curious
guests.
    Outside, the cool spring air smelled wet, as
if it had just rained. It perfectly hid the scent of her uncle as
he stood outside, watching the stars. Gabriel only moved slightly
to acknowledge he heard them near him. Arianna could feel the
tension between the two older men, and Devin seemed to be anxiously
waiting for something to happen.
    “Nice night,” Gabriel commented. “What do
you think, old man?”
    Lord Randolph chuckled. “If I’m an old man,
what does that make you?” he replied. “Arianna was heading to bed,
but I believe she wanted to talk to you first. We will be right
inside the door,” he said kindly to Arianna. Arianna nodded her
head, thankful to be left alone with Gabriel.
    “Not enjoying the party?” Gabriel asked.
Removing his coat, he placed it around his tiny grandniece. “Too
much to take in at one time, isn’t it?” Arianna nodded as she
realized it was still quite cold outside, and his warm coat felt
good.
    “Why do they stare and talk about me?” she
asked. “I know I’m different than them, but I don’t understand
why.”
    “You mean your blue eyes?” Gabriel asked.
“They make you very special to them. There has never been a
dearg-dul born with blue eyes. If I remember right, there’s some
sort of legend that goes along with your eyes. Everyone is curious
if you are truly the person of legend.”
    “A legend? That’s a lot to live up to. What
does the legend say? Do I have to do something?” she asked.
    “I don’t know the specifics.” Gabriel could
see her disappointment. “I’m not a dearg-dul. You should ask Devin.
I’m sure he can explain it to you.”
    “But he’s not a dearg-dul either,” Arianna
said.
    “No, but he was raised by the most powerful
dearg-dul alive today, so he has a very good understanding of
dearg-duls,” Gabriel explained.
    “Who is that?” Arianna wondered.
    “Your grandfather,” Gabriel replied. “Most
of the people, if not all of them, that are in that room there
respect and fear him.”
    “Do you?” Arianna asked.
    “No. To me, he will always be that short
crybaby that was older than me by a few years, yet always acted
five years younger,” Gabriel responded. Arianna nodded her head as
she stared into the room of dancing people. She had sensed the fear
in the people in the room because they feared her grandfather.
    “Why do I have blue eyes? Why am I, yet
again, different than everyone?” she asked, not expecting