“I’ll take her then and present her to my father. She’ll be safe with me.” Ereon smiles down at me, a crown resting upon his brown curls. My heart beats faster when his eyes meet mine and a feeling of safety comes over me. I nod in Siphonie’s direction and she reaches out to Rhenor as he takes her in his arms. Ataiun seems satisfied with the answer and steps to the side.
Ereon holds out his hand. “Since you seem to be having trouble remembering, I’ll say this once more ... today we start our new life,Princess Carnaxa.” He winks and waits for my reply. I don’t know when he said those words to me, but I reach out and let his hand take mine before he places my palm in the crook of his elbow, and the doors to the throne room open.
King Atlas sits on his dark throne. It is a twisted — almost dark — impression of my father’s. Upon his head is a blackened crown with five wicked points reaching towards the ceiling. The throne room is illuminated by chandeliers that hang with candles atop them, adding a foreboding ambiance to this already uncomfortable meeting. My fingers involuntarily squeeze Ereon’s arm and I briefly shift my glance to him. He squeezes my hand in a reassuring manner. I look back at his father, whose grim expression takes over his face.
We make it to the bottom of the dais, Ereon and I bow at the waist before the King.
“Nice to see you could join us, Princess Carnaxa Althister. I was beginning to wonder if you would,” he says as his fingernails scratch against the hard throne.
“Princess Carnaxa woke up just last night, Father. I’m sure it was not her intention to keep you waiting,” Ereon speaks before I can get a word in.
Because no one cares about what you think.
“I’m sure it was not. I requested your presence all the same to see that you were, in fact, awake and fit for the ceremony. We havecompleted the preparations and shall begin tonight.” His words are cold with a hint of irritation stretched between each one.
“Father, Princess Carnaxa’s unfortunate accident has kept her from remembering things in the recent past. Perhaps we could give her a few days to adjust to her new surroun —”
They don’t want you to make your own decisions.
I interrupt Ereon, “I’ll be ready, King Atlas. I knew this day would come and I am prepared.” A half-truth. I knew I was going to marry Ereon for years and I remember him arriving not too long ago, but the thought of going through with theNoko Makiso soon has my nerves rioting through my body.
“See Ereon, she’s prepared. It’ll take place tonight.”
Ereon lets go of my hand and it falls limply to my side. He takes a step closer to his father.
“She speaks of theNoko Maki— Antalis’ ceremony — not ourNle Shom. I’ve not had the time to explain what will be required of her duringNle Shomnor theplal ryow.” He swallows before continuing, “Please give her a few days.”
Nle Shomandplal ryowthe terms mean nothing to me but how different can a ceremony be? It’s a wedding — all kingdoms have them. It’s not anything to fear. Maybe Ereon wants me to be the frail princess in need of his saving. I take a step forward to be on equal ground with the Prince.
“I’ll be fine. I may not have a shell for the ceremony, but I’m sure I can find something.”
The King’s twisted smile grows wider as he claps his hands. “Perfect. Princess Carnaxa, return to your chambers. Ereon, I need you to stay for a moment.”
I bow before looking at Ereon. His brown eyes look into mine with a hint of sadness. My heels click against the floor as I retreat back through the doors that led me here.
nine
Thylas
Rhenor wraps his arm around Siphonie’s waist as he glares atShacheAtaiun. I grind my teeth at the Shastonian title for a military general, an honor he doesn’t deserve. Ataiun has his arms crossed against his chest as he stands in front of the door as if we plan to fight him in an effort to enter. I know Carnaxa is mostly safe with Ereon beside her; I can give him enough credit for that. I requested to see King Atlas as soon as we arrived, hoping to discuss what is expected of me as Ambassador. I also wanted to determine if he could send aid to Antalis to assist with the deluc, or sendsoldiers to Midaeliea to fight back thekhind,but I was denied an audience.
Rhenor ushers Siphonie down the hall and nods his head for me to follow. Even though I may outrank him now, I follow like I was taught in theShayiwhen he was my superior. I need him here just like I did then, the father I never had, someone to help guide me. As we walk back down the corridor, he puts his other hand on my shoulder.
“I cannot find our soldiers, any of them …” he says, before his eyes look ahead.
“I’ll request an introduction … again. I was so wrapped up with Carnaxa that I don’t know where they went.” I curse myself, another reason I should have never been given this title.
“Give her time,” he says with his voice lowered, hopefully to keep the others scurrying about the hall from hearing.
“I am trying.” I run the back of my hand across my forehead, sweat already forming in the morning hours. The heat of the day is something I don’t know if I’ll get used to. I thought since I was born on these sands I would acclimate to the temperatures sooner, but I’ve spent too much time in the pleasant climate of Antalis.
“You are going to have to try to control your facial expressions when it comes to her. I could see your temper flaring whenShacheAtaiun said you couldn’t enter the throne room. He’s not one I would suggest going up against if you don’t have to. You need to keep your temper in check,” Rhenor chides, before running his hand through his dull fiery locks.
“And Siphonie, I need you to make sure you don’t have another outburst when I’m not around. I don’t know what these Shastonian men will feel justified to do to you.”
“Well, I don’t like the general or his king,” Siphonie quips from beside Rhenor. “I don’t like being here and if it wasn’t for Carnaxa, I would have told you to take me home already.” It’s the first time I’ve heard her speak in such a tone. She’s usually the happy, carefree one. Carnaxa and I usually carried the weight of anxiety and fear, Siphonie always made the most out of a situation.
Turning the corner, we find ourselves outside of Siphonie and Rhenor’s room. He unlocks the door and we all enter. Their room is similar to Ereon’s but not as grand. Their balcony already has the shade curtains pulled to prevent the sun from filtering into the room. The one lit candle is all the light we can see by, and even the heat from the small flame makes the room feel suffocating.
