Quickly shutting my eyes, I pretend I'm asleep and listen as he shuffles around. The smell of him quickly envelops me as I feel him beside my bed. He leans down and pushes hair out of my face before softly kissing my forehead. “Good night,Nohæ.” He returns to his own bed roll and turns to his side.
Maybe I got lucky and he believes the farce. Regardless I refuse to open my eyes and stay like this until sleep takes me.
Arriving at Midaeliea, the people seem so much like Antalians. They walk around the streets in mostly happy spirits. The children laugh and play. The women walk with woven baskets hanging from their arms and smiles on their faces, as they glance and wave toward our caravan. We are gathering a crowd as they all stop and walk toward the cobblestone road. When they wave at us, I can't help but wave back.
The green and brown banners of Midaeliea line the street, embroidered with an emblem of a tree with roots running deep. The kingdom of Midaeliea is nicknamed the “peacekeeper” ofthe Northern Continent. Legend has it they were created when the Goddess thought Antalis needed new people to provide community After the wars and given their unique geography, being stationed between Shaston and Antalis, they hold a summit every three lunar years. Well, they did, until the deluc.
Very unladylike, I stick my head outside of the window and peer out. The town is surrounded by forests on all sides. The castle is a marvel to behold. It's not as large as Antalis’, but it's still massive compared to the small wooden homes and shops around the city. Being built of mostly wood and stone, the castle almost appears as though it is an extension of the forest. The high windows are the only hint that it is not a tree itself.
Ereon is at the front of our party, his face lacking emotion as he sits stoic on top of his night-colored stallion. He guides his horse to the side, letting his soldiers pass, waiting until he is beside our carriage. I glance at Thylas as he smiles at the children, I watch as he slows down to let the smallest ones pet his horse. This morning was awkward for me, and yet Thylas acted like nothing happened the night before, bringing me breakfast and more cheese. We had to gather things quickly for the rest of the journey here, and I'm thankful he seemed to stay busy.
Glancing toward Siphonie and Rhenor, she is smiling so wide her cheeks have to hurt. Rhenor keeps his hand on her lower back and she is about an inch away from sticking her own head out of the window beside me.
“Look at how adorable this place is!” she exclaims. At least someone understands my excitement. Rhenor just shakes his head and laughs under his breath.
“How long will we be staying here?” I look toward Rhenor, but it's Ereon beside my window who answers me.
“We will stay for the night, just enough to rest a bit and pack food and things for the trip through the mountains. We have tobe prepared.” He smiles down at me, his chestnut hair loosely framing his face.
“What kind of precautions will we take? I've heard many terrible things about that passage.”
“I've got you, Princess.” He winks at me. “You're right, the lands can be a bit treacherous if you don't know what you're doing or where you are going.”
“And you do?”
He runs his hand through his beard before responding, “I am well aware of the cave-dwelling creatures we will do our best to avoid, and I know they prefer to come out during the dark.”
“So, can't we just stay out of the caves?” Siphonie pipes up.
“That would work if the mountains didn't make the one path through them so dark it always appears that it's nighttime. Don't fret though, we have been through the mountains multiple times.”
A shiver travels down the back of my neck, feeling unsafe because of creatures unknown is something I’ve never known before. Those of the sea are our companions as well as our nutrition. It's a give and take and we never feel threatened by them. The jellyfish help the fishermen given their luminescence at night, they are one of the most poisonous creatures in the Great Sea, they don't harm anything unless attacked first. Even the legend of thew?ngesk,the largest animal to have inhabited the sea, was peaceful until the Great Goddess called on it during the war.
The caravan arrives at the Midaeliean castle and I take a deep breath, steadying my nerves. Thylas stands outside, opening the door, with his hand atop of his sword. Ereon dismounts his steed, placing himself between me and Thylas. He puts out a hand to assist me down.
I grab his cool hand and step out, smiling at the ones waiting to greet us. Panic seeps into me and my heart rate picks up.My nerves take over, and I cannot remember their names. I know the names of Midaeliea’s King and Queen. I learned them, repeated them daily, thanks to my tutor. But now I stand here, my mouth hanging open as I’m unable to remember their names.
Thylas stands beside me, always a comforting presence. He can't help me though, not without giving away my subtle lack of diplomacy and tact. He's not to speak right now unless spoken to anyway — stupid rules of society. He probably paid better attention to his tutor.
“Princess Carnaxa, welcome.” A beautiful, deep-ebony skinned woman with the most glorious, dark-green hair fused with silver approaches me. A bronze diadem sets on her brow, an emerald, teardrop stone dips between her eyebrows between her almond, deep-set, brown eyes. No, they aren't brown, they are gold. Her nose has freckles that look like stars in the night sky.
“Thank you …” I curtsy and Ereon catches my hesitation, bowing along with me.
“Queen Natala,” he finishes for me, giving me a side smile and a wink, “and King Elino. Thank you for welcoming us into your home.”
“Prince Ereon, you are welcome here anytime you pass through. We are happy that you — both of you — honor us by taking time out of your travels to visit our kingdom. We did not expect your arrival for many moons, have you and Princess Carnaxa already wed?” King Elino glances toward my throat, noticing it lacks a shell. His midnight skin is in contrast to his bright yellow tunic, and his dark hair is braided in small braids that reach the middle of his back, golden beads woven through them. He's older but his frame is still one that shows strength, and his own eyes shine with wisdom.
“No, Your Highness,” I say quickly, still feeling embarrassed having not remembered their names. Hopefully they didn'tnotice. “We are to be wed in Shaston, plans changed. We are on our way there now. May I introduce, my cousin,BêlitSiphonie, and her husband,BêlRhenor.” I glance toward Siphonie as she and Rhenor step forward, bowing slightly.
“Welcome,” King Elino says in his deep voice that seems to deepen as he speaks. “We welcome you all to our home. What has happened for the plans to change so suddenly? Has the deluc expedited your journey to Shaston? ”
“Let's not bother them with so many questions, darling. They just arrived.” Queen Natala smiles at me. “Let's get them inside. I'm sure they are exhausted from their trip. We began preparing as soon as we saw your banners. Your rooms should be ready now. Go on ahead and the servants will show you where you’ll be staying. Again, welcome to Midaeliea.”
twenty-one
EREON
Walking toward the rooms prepared for me, thoughts of Carnaxa overtake me. She shouldn't be as beautiful and kind as she is. It's honestly very frustrating. Growing up I heard many things about the people of Antalis. I heard about their preferential treatment by the Goddess, how they were blessed in the same myths and stories that condemn my people. I heard rumors of the Princess too. I was told of her stubbornness and her beauty, her affinity for never thinking of her own safety, butno one told me she was so innocent. No one told me how much she cared, or how naïve and in the same breath, how kind she is. The stories I was told painted her as a spoiled brat, and yet I’ve found nothing but concern and compassion.
