“I brought you out here to talk about my sire, but I suppose it can wait,” Gio admitted.
“What’s there to say other than question the why of his abrupt change in demeanor?” Dari shrugged. “Mayhap he needs to see a priestess for healing.”
“Or a demon slayer of lore.”
The couple shared a small laugh.
“Go,” Gio said. He winked at Dari afore taking to his feet. “Yourmaniis understandably excited to see you on the morrow.”
Dari nodded. “As am I.”
“On the morrow then?”
“On the morrow, mil—” Dari hesitated but briefly. “On the morrow, Gio.”
* * * * *
“I was so torn that eve,” Dari said into the void. “I had sworn I would run, yet my desire to do so waned more with each new moon-rising.”
“’Tis understandable, that.”
“But, again, I’m digressing…”
“’Tis also understandable, that.”
Dari found a soft smile. “I wouldn’t change the outcome of that eve if I could, yet in retrospect I oft wonder if we had mayhap spoken at greater length of the king’s sudden turn—”
“Second-guessing yourself is useless,” Kari interrupted. “Trust me on that one.”
“Aye. It does naught but cause you misery whilst changing nothing.”
“’Tis true your words.” Dari sighed. “Leastways, ‘twas the next eve, the moon-rising of my birthday feast, when I could no longer turn a blind eye to King Elian’s depravity.”
“Go on, child.”
“Yes,” Kari seconded. “I’m not sure how much longer I can remain inhyatzi.”
Dari’s blue eyes rounded. “I shall speak in all haste then.”
“Please,” Kari prodded. She sounded so bedamned exhausted. Her skin fair dripped of sweat. “Continue.”
* * * * *
Dari was inconsolable. King Elian Z’an Tar had vowed unto the princess that hermaniand sire would be allowed to join them onArakiafor her big day. Mere hours afore her parents were scheduled to arrive, Dari received an unexpectedholo-callfrom her tearfulmanito let her know they had been disinvited from the eve’s festivities.
“What about Uncle?” Dari asked regarding Zor. “Can he not force an invitation?”
“Nay,” her papa pronounced. “My brother feels ‘twould mayhap start a war between our families.” She could see a tic working in his cheek. “Not that I should care,” he muttered.
“Dak!” hermanichided, thumping him on the arm. She kept her voice in forceful, but hushed tones. “We can’t let our baby get caught up in Elian’s bullshit!”
“I. Am. Awares,” he bit out.
The scene playing out on theholo-callgave the teary-eyed princess her only smile of the moon-rising, even if ‘twas but a small one. Oh how she missed her beloved parents! Even their spats were a welcomed sound to her ears.
“Will I never see the deuce of you again?” Dari asked. She swiped away a tear. “’Tis obvious that Elian’s vows mean naught.”
“I won’t allow that.” Her sire’s voice was strained. “I am unawares as to what has caused Elian to break his vow, but neither do I care.”
