“Today we start our new life, Princess Carnaxa.” I kiss the top of her hand as she meekly enters the carriage. Her hand shook as I held it, which doesn't surprise me, considering I'm the villain here. I didn't miss the flush of her cheeks or the tears she held back as she walked across the grounds to kiss her father goodbye. I'm the one taking her from everything she's ever known, I'm the monster she never wanted.
I watch as her cousin andBêlRhenor follow behind her and step into the carriage, then I subtly look around for the guard she has coming along. He'll be a problem, especially after ... well, he'll just be a problem. He wants her, whether he has admitted that to himself or not, I don’t know. However, you would have to be blind not to see it.
“Prince Ereon, we are ready when you are,” declares Ryul, the General of my own guard, who stands behind me. I've kept him with the men in the barracks for the mark across his face is rather unsightly, I didn't want to worry the Princess more than she already is. The mark is a former cut, slashed diagonally across his face, the puckered scar now weathered and healed. It's a battle wound from the monsters, the ones the Antalians never have to worry about.
I nod in Ryul’s direction and he turns his back to me as he finds his own horse to ride. My stallion stands tall, waiting. He's larger than most of the others in our company and is as black as a starless night sky. He throws his mane back and forth, stomping his feet with impatience.
Walking toward him he calms down and I run my hand down his thick coat checking the saddle fittings.
“Shiw, my old friend, are you ready to go home?” He brays softly in answer and I feed him a sugar cube I stole from the kitchen.
I mount Shiw and look toward Thylas riding right behind Carnaxa's carriage. He looks at me and I don't miss the hatred that crosses his face. I'm her monster and I guess I'm his nightmare.
I nod toward the lead and he shouts for us to take our leave. I observe as King Clennom watches his daughter pass him and then he looks up to the sky. Their goddess has abandoned them and it would be best if he accepted the fact that Antalis is weaker now.
The people here are strange, they are lined up on all sides of the cobblestone road as far as the eye can see. They have white flowers with a purple center and they place them on the ground as she passes, a farewell of sorts. The people of Shaston welcome us home, probably more because it's expected of them – not for any true love for us. These people are crying though, people are crying because the prince of darkness is stealing away their princess of light.
If only they knew everything, knew what was planned for her and in turn, them. I don't know if they understand that when their king is dead, I will be the sole ruler of both kingdoms, not Carnaxa.
I can't see the Princess from here, but I'm sure there are tears. Oh, how I know I will get tired of the tears from her. It's one thing to be sad, it's another issue to show such weakness in Shaston, she cannot show weakness there. Not in front of my father.
It's a few short days’ ride to the Doorway of Aka, and one destination closer to home. The Doorway of Aka, another slap in the face of those who don't have the Goddess' favor. It connects Midaeliea and Antalis, but of course, Shastonians must traverse the Cartilen Mountains filled with monsters after leaving Midaeliea to make it home. A fail-safe to try to keep us separated from the rest of the perfect continent, a way to keep us locked within our borders. Unfortunately for them, we've learned our way through it – blood and fighting at the worst times, and at the best of times the beasts let us go right on through. Perhaps like calls to like.
“Are you ready to be home, Prince?” Ryul questions, as his brown horse walks beside Shiw.
“That is a complicated answer, for many complicated reasons,” I jest, smirking at him. The closest thing I have to a friend, he's been around since I was but a boy. When I startedmaking trips to the other kingdoms, he volunteered to come and has every time since. He's one who I can trust, and he's proven it many times.
“I understand, my Prince.” He waves toward some of the onlookers as he mentions, “The women here really know how to please a man, something about them having their freedom really does make sex with them sweeter.”
“Maybe one day in Shaston we should consider giving the women some of their freedom too if it's that much better,” I propose, eyeing Ryul. The idea of all women free in Shaston is a foreign thought.
“While you know, I would support that idea, there are many, including your father, who absolutely do not believe in that way of life. Also, you know to keep those ideas to yourself.”
“It is just us here, the half-wits aren’t listening anyway.” I look around at the soldiers, still getting themselves ready. Some are stretching to prepare for the long ride, some are packing up extra food they scavenged during their time here, others are just pacing.
“But one is.” He nods toward Thylas, only two horses in front of us, besides the carriage.
“So you've noticed it too?”
“I may be an old man, but I'm still a man. I’ve noticed it since we first arrived in Antalis. You are right to keep your eyes on him.”
I rub my hands down my beard, after the night of the Festival ofTähtandMar, I asked Ryul to keep an eye on him. It was obvious the night at the beach he wanted her. I was worried when I demanded to move the wedding date up that he would try something.
“Has he done anything?” I would love a reason to be rid of him. I'm not dumb to the idea that an Antalian woman's virtue is probably already gone. They don’t value womens’ sexual puritylike we do in Shaston, but her lack of maidenhood doesn't need to be blatantly displayed to those of Shaston.
“Not that any of us have seen.”
“Good, keep an eye on him.”
I can't help but sigh, there is so much to worry about, and yet, here I am worrying about Thylas, when my real concern should be on her and returning to her.
seventeen
CARNAXA
We left the salty air and the crashing waves. We will soon trade it for a forest of green and hills of the fog of Midaeliea. I kept my promise, not a single tear fell in front of my people. I've plaited my hair in a braid that cascades down my left side, but stray wisps fall in my face and I blow it away. To no avail, it clings to my sweat-slickened face, it's hot in this carriage and hotter still, when anxious and stressed.
From his horse beside the carriage, Thylas takes a sip of his green canteen before closing the lid. His dark hair is pulled high at the top of his head, he's down to wearing nothing but his leather pants and a thin, sleeveless tunic that highlights his muscled shoulders, his tattoos showing. I've often wondered about the language they are written in. I only know a few words. Those ranked highest in theShayiand those in theKe Neye, along with priestesses and scholars are the only ones who use it daily or in their daily lives. The soldiers use it as a way to honor tradition and to speak to each other without potential enemies understanding commands, battle formation, and strategy. The scholars study the ancient text of our mortal realm and the priestesses use it for religious rituals as well as prayers to the Goddess. The old language swirls around his forearm, traveling above his shoulder, and across his back to his other arm.
